I'm a few years past the childbirth phase, but I know many of my readers are in that stage. Childbirth isn't easy and recovery is not either easy. If you're in the recovery stage or about to give birth, here are some tips from a reader on how to help your recovery go smoother.
Giving birth is truly one of life's great miracles. As heart-warming and beautiful the end result is, unfortunately, childbirth can be fraught with intense pain and medical complications. If you are a new mum or are expecting a visit from the stork soon, here are 4 ways to recover from giving birth.
Time Heals
The period of healing after the birth of your baby is referred to as post-partum recovery, and this lasts between 6 and 8 weeks. The recovery period may be longer depending on the type of birth you had or whether you sustained any birth injuries. If your injuries were caused by medical negligence, you will be feeling angry and stressed, so speak to a lawyer such as Sibley Dolman Gipe to help you resolve this issue and put your mind at rest.
The first 24 hours will probably be the most grueling as you will be exhausted and sore. During this time, many physical and mental changes take place in your body. You will experience cramps and bleeding as your uterus contracts, your breasts will feel tender as they start to produce colostrum, any vaginal tears you have will be stingy, and it will be painful when you go to the toilet. If you had a c-section, your incision wound will be very sore, and you will find it painful to bend and move. Your hormones will also be all over the place, and you will experience intense mood swings.
Tend Your Wounds
If you suffered tearing or cutting of your vagina or perineum during the birthing process, soothe your wounds by taking warm baths and spraying warm water over the area before urinating to prevent stinging. Numb the pain with ice cubes and avoid sitting or standing for long periods of time. Cesarean wounds can be soothed by cleaning them with warm water once a day and covering them in antibiotics ointment. Vigorous exercise and heavy lifting should be avoided for a few weeks.
Sore breasts can be soothed with ice packs or a warm hot water bottle. If you are breastfeeding, invest in a comfortable nursing bra and treat cracked nipples with a suitable cream.
Eat a Healthy Diet
A healthy balanced diet is essential to speed your road to recovery and to give your baby the best start if you are breastfeeding. Eat plenty of fruit and vegetables that are rich in fiber to prevent constipation and hemorrhoids. Complex carbohydrates are a must to keep your energy levels up, and drink at least eight glasses of water a day - more if you are producing milk. Avoid caffeine as this can affect your mood and sleeping patterns.
Gentle Exercise
If you have had a c-section, intense exercise will be off-limits for a while, but you can still indulge in a little gentle exercise such as a stroll around the neighborhood. After birth, exercise will help to boost circulation, which speeds up the healing process. It also releases endorphins that will help improve your mood and ward off the baby blues.