Vital re-adjustments after delivery

For a baby to form in the womb and be carried to term a lot of physical adjustments have to take place. Come the baby, even more changes are experienced, before your body starts to work towards returning to its original self. Now, this does not occur overnight. It takes about six weeks of discomfort. Then you are back to the real YOU.
Outlined below are some of your body parts that fall casualty of the adjustment process.

Uterus
It begins to shrink (involution) rapidly in an effort to return to its pre-pregnant state. By doing this the bleeding is controlled preventing the development of postpartum hemorrhage.

You experience some contractions called after-pains which may continue for several days. They are more painful during breastfeeding but the pain is a good assurance that the uterus is shrinking effectively. Make sure you take up the lessons on the regular uterus massaging to assist in its required shrinking.

Lochia loss

After delivery a woman experiences some bleeding discharge referred to as lochia. This is a result of shedding of the uterus. The bleeding is heavy on day one and day two but should reduce gradually. The colour changes from bright red to pinkish and finally to white before it stops. This lasts about 10-14 days. Any change in consistency, offensive smell and if the lochia is still heavy, for example, by day six, contact your doctor immediately.

Engorged Breasts

Your breasts start producing milk way before the baby is born. As soon as the baby is born and is made to suckle, milk starts flowing. The more the baby breastfeeds, the more the milk is produced. Sometimes when the baby doesn’t fully empty the breasts, milk becomes clogged up in the breasts causing engorgement. You are encouraged to express extra milk and wear a firm supportive brassier.

Sore perineum

During contractions and dilatation of the cervix, there is usually stretching, tearing or cutting of the episiotomy to make room for the baby’s delivery. This can cause a pain or soreness between the vagina and the rectum thereafter. To ease the pain and discomfort, take shallow warm soaks (sits bath) – twice or thrice a day.

In case of an episiotomy applying cold compress (using ice-cubes in between a sanitary pad) on the area should make the swelling go down and be relieving. Kegel exercises are also encouraged to ease discomfort, improve blood circulation and promote healing.

A regular routine of exercise and the appropriate diet is the best way to begin getting back to shape and health after delivery. Breastfeeding also necessitates your losing ‘of weight especially if you do it exclusively for six months.

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