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Now your baby born and your first priority is making sure you attend to all their needs. You need to also look after yourself. You may find life pretty hard to cope with for a while; your body went through many changes during pregnancy, and you will probably have lumps and bumps where you did not have them before. Add this to the fact that your hormones will be in turmoil for quite a while, and it is easy to see why to need to incorporate some self-care into your daily routine.
Your personal parts
It takes about 6 weeks for your uterus and vagina to recover from giving birth. In that time you may suffer some discomfort. You can wear specially designed postpartum underwear, just like the ones reviewed at Innerparents. These will provide support and protection that ordinary underwear can’t.
Immediately after the birth, you will bleed as though you are having a heavy period. This will dwindle eventually, but during that time you should not use tampons or sanitary products that are scented.
Your Breasts
Whether you decide to breastfeed or not, your breasts are going to swell and fill with milk roughly 2 days after birth. If you are breastfeeding, the discomfort will subside at each feed time. If you are not breastfeeding, you have to wait for the milk to disappear. This can mean a couple of weeks of discomfort and leaking.
Wearing breast pads can help to keep it off your clothing, and with light colored tops, it will be less noticeable if a leak does occur.
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Using the bathroom
You will have no problem passing water after giving birth, although if you have stitches or were torn it can sometimes sting. Your body took on more water while you were carrying the baby, and now it needs to get rid of it. That should not stop you from drinking plenty though, as you need to make sure you stay well hydrated.
Your first bowel movements might be a little awkward, as your intestines have got used the weight of your uterus pressing on them. High fiber fruit, vegetables, and whole grains can help to stop you becoming constipated. If a problem persists, try a high-fiber supplement or speak with your health carer to see what they recommend.
Feeling Fragile
The new baby can cause you a rollercoaster of emotions for you as a new mom. You will feel an overwhelming love for this little being. After just a few days will feel totally exhausted too. It is perfectly natural to feel fragile after giving birth. You need to make sure that you take care of yourself as well as the baby. That can be easier said than done when all you want to do is sleep when they do, but it is vitally important.
Never be afraid to ask for help, or to take advantage if someone offers to watch the baby while you have a bath or go to the shops. These little bits of time for you can make a big difference to the way you feel. Remember that you are a person in your own right and not just a mom.