Postpartum Care: Essential Tips for New Mothers
As joyful as it is to bring your baby into the world, the days and months after giving birth require as much attention as you did when you were pregnant. We’re talking about the fourth trimester and it’s a time when the pain can be real and emotional agony can be all too common. Taking care of yourself isn’t an option during this period – it’s a necessity.
Whether it was a normal delivery or a cesarean delivery, your body needs some time, healthy food and the best support group to recover. Here are some postpartum care tips that you could do.
1. Take Time for Rest and Recovery
You’ve been through a pretty huge physical transformation and you really cannot afford to take it easy for the first six weeks.
Don’t worry about maintaining your routine. Instead, try to nap along with your little one – every nap, even the short ones, can help your body recalibrate and get back on track. Turn away visitors and schedule them to come a couple of weeks after the first two, as you need to attend to yourself.
2. Eat for Healing and Energy
Nutrition and hydration make up the basic requirements for proper postpartum care for new mothers. The need for recovery after blood loss, milk production and exhaustion from lack of sleep makes immense demands on your body’s metabolism, which means that it is important that you nourish yourself properly.
You should ensure that the following items make part of your daily diet:
Iron and Proteins: Ensure you include pulses, beans, eggs, chicken, fish, paneer and green leafy vegetables in your diet to bring life back to your tissues.
Calcium and Vitamin D: Boost up your bone density by having milk, curd, ragi and almonds.
For fibre and fluids, you should take 3 to 4 litres of water every day along with whole grains in your diet to avoid constipation and digest well.
Fats: Moderately add ghee to your diet and have nuts, seeds and coconuts as well.
Ignore all the quick fad diets that you might have heard about recently. Losing weight post-delivery is a gradual process and needs to be done safely. Instead, eat smaller meals throughout the day and make sure that you take your prenatal supplements in the same manner recommended by your gynaecologist.
3. Take Care of Perineal and Breast Health
We should realize that while pain, bleeding and swelling after delivery are normal, by following hygienic measures, many complications after childbirth can be avoided.
In case of vaginal pain, use cold compresses and sitz baths, which will reduce the swelling and remember to change sanitary pads every four to six hours. After healing from a cesarean section surgery, wear comfortable clothing without irritating the stitches; while sneezing or breastfeeding, lie down in such a way that the abdomen will rest on the pillow; do not drive for four to six weeks after delivery.
It is extremely important that breast latching is done correctly! Feed your child with one breast only for two to three hours; use lanolin cream or expressed breast milk for soothing skin irritation. Remember that vaginal bleeding (lochia) can last up to four to six weeks. If you have unpleasant discharge, blood clots, fever, or pain in the pelvic area, visit your physician immediately.
4. Support Your Mental and Emotional Health
“Baby blues” such as sudden mood swings, crying spells and anxiety within the first 10 to 14 days affect 70-80% of all new moms due to the fast fall in hormones and rise in fatigue after childbirth. You should not worry since, with the right help, they will disappear soon enough.
The first thing you should do is share your thoughts and emotions with your dear people. Take some fresh air and walk briefly for good blood circulation and to improve your mood. More than anything else, let go of the idea of perfectionism; a crying baby, disorder in your house and dirty hair are normal things when you are a young mother. Always be sociable and do not isolate yourself.
However, if these symptoms last for more than 2 weeks or if you just don’t feel like connecting with your new baby or have frightening thoughts, then you need help. These symptoms all sound like postnatal depression or anxiety that can be very effectively managed with counselling and medication.
5. Breastfeeding and Newborn Bonding
Breast milk will ensure that your baby is getting everything that he/she requires in terms of nutrition and immunity, while also helping with your own recovery due to the contraction of the uterus caused by the act of nursing.
It is recommended that you try breastfeeding in the first hour after delivery, if you can. You should breastfeed on demand, meaning you have to breastfeed 8-12 times a day. You should watch for hunger cues such as rooting and finger sucking. Breastfeeding requires much energy from you so it is recommended that you drink plenty of water and consume an additional 300-500 calories a day.
It is very important to establish a bond with the baby and lower the stress level by making sure that skin-to-skin contact, massage and talking to the baby happen. In situations where problems like inadequate milk production, lack of milk secretion, pain, engorgement and other symptoms of mastitis, such as reddening of the breast and fever, arise, one should consult a lactation consultant.
6. Do Not Miss Postpartum Check-ups
Remember that follow-up appointments with the doctor are of paramount importance when it comes to care after delivery for mother. Take care of your internal health, identify any deficiencies in your body and then take action accordingly for family planning.
Remember to get in touch with the obstetrician within 3-7 days and then again after 6 weeks if you have undergone a Cesarean delivery or had a difficult delivery. Here is a list of some parameters you need to test: Thyroid function test, blood glucose, blood pressure, anaemia and Vitamin D.
Final Thoughts
The period of postpartum care for new mothers is just as important as the pregnancy. Every new mother deserves adequate rest, healthy food, proper hygiene, emotional support and regular medical visits.
Also, remember that recovery takes time and every mother’s experience is different so do not hesitate to discuss your concerns with your gynaecologist and seek medical advice whenever needed; after all, taking care of your health is also an important part of taking care of your newborn.
For information about postpartum consultations and available maternal healthcare services, patients can contact Meher Hospital, Dehradun.
Medical disclaimer: This article is intended for general health education and awareness. It does not replace an individual medical consultation, diagnosis or treatment. Every mother’s recovery and healthcare requirements are different. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for advice specific to your health and circumstances.