After giving birth, a woman’s body goes through a series of changes as it heals and adjusts to life after pregnancy. This period, known as postpartum recovery, is essential for new mothers to prioritize their physical and emotional well-being. Neglecting postpartum recovery can lead to long-term health complications and can hinder the bond between mother and child. Your body will change more than you expect. Walk with your doctor for a smooth postpartum recovery. What are the things that you should not do after giving birth for a smooth recovery?
Physical Health Recovery
Physical health recovery is a crucial part in your port partum care. Having undergone several changes, your body needs maximum care to heal. New mothers tend to prioritize the baby at all times and forget themselves. Yes, the baby needs your attention, but asking for help for the first few weeks will do good to you. Ever heard of someone complaining of back aches long after birth?
Here are things you should not do for a healthier physical postpartum recovery.
1. Engaging in strenuous exercise too soon
Engaging in strenuous exercise too soon can put undue stress on the body and increase the risk of postpartum complications. It can cause pelvic floor dysfunction, abdominal muscle separation, and injury to weakened joints and ligaments. It can also increase the risk of postpartum bleeding and delay healing.
Consult with your doctor before starting any exercise program. Generally, healthcare providers will recommend waiting at least six weeks after birth. Start your exercises with low-intensity activities and gradually move to higher-intensity ones. Always listen to your body and stop in case of any discomfort.
2. Not following your doctor’s orders for pain management
Childbirth is a physically demanding experience, and it’s normal to experience pain and discomfort afterwards. Pain management can help alleviate discomfort and promote healing during postpartum recovery. However, it’s vital to follow the healthcare provider’s orders regarding pain medication carefully. Failing to take medications as prescribed, taking more than recommended or skipping doses can have adverse effects.
Remember, you are breastfeeding and do not want to take unprescribed medicines. Your healthcare provider knows what is good for you and the baby. You can also discuss pain management strategies with your doctor like heat/cold therapy or physical therapy.
3. Having sex before being cleared by your doctor
Engaging in sexual activity too soon can cause pain, discomfort, and even injury to the vaginal tissues, increasing the risk of postpartum bleeding and infections. It can also slow down the healing process and increase the risk of complications.
Healthcare providers typically recommend waiting at least six weeks after a vaginal delivery and eight weeks after Caesarean delivery. Therefore, it is important that you discuss your sexual health with your doctor.
4. Not taking care of perineal tears
The vaginal tissues can tear or stretch during childbirth, resulting in perineal tears. Perineal tears are common during childbirth, and healthcare providers typically guide how to care for the area postpartum. If perineal tears are not adequately cared for, they can lead to pain, discomfort, and even infection.
Follow your healthcare’s provider instructions on perineal care after birth. This may include using warm water to cleanse the area, applying ice packs to reduce swelling, and using medicated pads to alleviate pain.
5. Lifting heavy items
Lifting heavy objects after giving birth is not recommended because it can put undue strain on the body and increase the risk of postpartum complications. During pregnancy, the body produces hormones that loosen the ligaments and joints to prepare for childbirth. This hormonal shift can weaken the muscles and make them more susceptible to injury. Also, heavy lifting can cause postpartum bleeding.
Lifting heavy objects increases the risk of developing diastasis recti– a condition where the abdominal muscles separate due to excessive strain. Therefore, new moms should take their time, recover, and allow their bodies to heal properly.
6. Not resting enough
Getting enough rest is essential for postpartum recovery. Sleep when the baby sleeps, and try to limit visitors and outside commitments. Rest is critical after giving birth because the body needs time to heal and recover from the physical strain of childbirth. Pregnancy and childbirth put immense stress on a woman’s body, and the recovery period is an essential time for the body to heal and rebuild. Inadequate rest can lead to postpartum complications like depression, bleeding, infections and fatigue.
7. Wearing tight or restrictive clothes
Wearing tight or restrictive clothing can pressure these organs and impede healing. It can also cause discomfort, particularly if the clothing presses against any sensitive areas or incisions. New mothers should wear loose-fitting and comfortable clothes that allow better airflow and reduce the risk of infection or irritation.
If still bleeding, wear clothes that are easy to wash. Also, wear go for clothes that are easy to put on and take off.
8. Neglecting proper hygiene
Prioritizing proper hygiene during the postpartum recovery period, including washing hands frequently, keeping the perineal area clean and dry, and changing pads or underwear frequently, is essential. Also, new mothers should avoid using scented products, such as soaps or feminine hygiene products, as they can cause irritation and disrupt the natural balance of bacteria in the vaginal area. You should avoid sharing towels, clothing, or personal hygiene items with others to reduce the risk of infection.
9. Ignoring signs of infection
Ignoring signs of infection after giving birth can lead to severe health complications and delay postpartum recovery. During childbirth, the body is more susceptible to infection as the immune system may be weakened, and the vaginal tissues may be more vulnerable to infection. Therefore, as a new mum, monitor any signs of infection such as redness, swelling in the perineal area, or foul-smelling discharge. Contact your healthcare provider immediately in case of such signs.
10. Not taking a contraception
Not taking contraception after giving birth can lead to unintended pregnancy and impact postpartum recovery. It’s possible to become pregnant again as soon as three weeks after giving birth, even if the new mother is breastfeeding.
You should discuss contraception options with your doctor before leaving the hospital after giving birth. Several options are available, including hormonal methods such as birth control pills or intrauterine devices (IUDs), as well as non-hormonal methods such as condoms.
Postpartum Emotional Recovery
Postpartum emotional recovery refers to the process of recovering from the emotional and psychological changes that occur after giving birth. The postpartum period can be an emotional rollercoaster for new mothers, with feelings of joy, anxiety, exhaustion, and overwhelm.
Postpartum emotional recovery is essential to promote the mother’s and baby’s mental health and well-being. New mothers commonly experience “baby blues,” which can include mood swings, irritability, and difficulty sleeping. These symptoms usually peak around day 5 and can last up to two weeks after giving birth.
Here are things you should not do, to help you in your emotional recovery
1. Neglecting self-care
As a new mum, prioritize self-care, which includes getting enough rest, engaging in physical activity, eating nutritious foods, practising relaxation techniques, and spending time with supportive friends and family.
When new mothers neglect self-care, they may become physically and emotionally exhausted, leading to feelings of helplessness and increasing the risk of falling into postpartum depression.
2. Isolating oneself from help
It is beneficial for a new mum to ask for help from family or friends to avoid feeling lonely and overwhelmed. You can ask them to help with household chores or taking care of the baby as you rest.
Isolation can lead to increased feelings of loneliness, depression, and anxiety. When new mothers don’t have support from family, friends, or healthcare professionals, they may feel that they’re not doing a good job as a parent or that they’re alone in their struggles.
3. Putting too much pressure on yourself to be a ‘perfect’ mom
Putting too much pressure on oneself to be a perfect mom is a common issue for new mothers. The pressure to be a perfect mother can come from societal expectations, internal expectations, and beliefs. When new mothers put too much pressure on themselves to be perfect, they may experience feelings of guilt, inadequacy, and anxiety. These feelings may lead to mental health issues.
Just be you and shower your baby with much love, feed them frequently and take care of yourself. That’s what it takes to be a good mum.
4. Ignoring emotions such as sadness or anxiety
Seek immediate help if you experience any anxiety. You can talk to a close friend, join a community support group or talk to a healthcare provider.
Postpartum care is necessary for proper healing after birth. Ignoring guidelines from your doctor can lead to long-term effects on your health. You will have a quick and successful postpartum recovery by following the steps above.
Frequently Asked Questions
When can I start doing household chores?
The timeline for when new mothers can resume household chores varies depending on type of delivery or if there were any complications. It is important to follow the advice of a healthcare professional. Generally, new mothers are advised to avoid any strenuous household chores for at least six weeks following vaginal delivery or longer if a C-section was performed.
How long should I wait to have sex after vaginal delivery?
Waiting at least six weeks after vaginal delivery to resume sexual activity is recommended to allow the body to heal properly and reduce the risk of infection.
How long should I wait to drive after vaginal delivery?
The recommended timeframe for waiting before driving after vaginal delivery is at least two weeks. However, discussing any concerns or questions with a healthcare professional and listening to the body’s signals before resuming driving is important.
How can I prevent constipation after vaginal delivery?
You can prevent constipation by; Staying hydrated, eating a high-fibre diet, taking stool softeners, getting moving, not delaying, and practising good toilet habits can all help promote regular bowel movements and prevent constipation.
How soon can I start using tampons after vaginal delivery?
It is advisable that women wait at least six weeks after vaginal delivery before using tampons. This is because the cervix needs time to heal and using tampons too soon could increase the risk of infection or cause discomfort. Always first consult your doctor.
References
https://www.webmd.com/baby/guide/abdominal-separation-diastasis-recti
Cakwira, H., Mukengere, M., Lucien, B., Aborode, A. T., Sironge, L., Michael, M. V., & Akilimali, A. (2022). The clinical characteristics of perineal tears: A study carried out on 14 pregnant women in a tertiary center: Case series. Annals of Medicine and Surgery, 82, 104432.
doi: 10.1016/j.amsu.2022.104432