Postpartum care
The postpartum period begins after the delivery to your baby and ends when your body has nearly returned to its pre pregnant state. This period often lasts to the first six to eight weeks after childbirth. This time period is a joyous time, but it’s also a period of adjustments, healing for mothers and dealing with all the change needed with becoming new mother. During these weeks, you’ll bond with your baby and you’ll have a post-delivery checkup with your doctor. You need to take good care of yourself to rebuild your strength. You will need plenty of rest, good nutrition, and help during the first few weeks.
Adjusting to motherhood
Life becoming more challenging after the birth of baby. Although it’s important to care for your baby, especially if you’re a new mother also take care of yourself too.
This time is to adapt new normal. Most new mothers don’t return to work for at least the first six weeks after birth. It can be frustrating and tiresome. Since, a baby has to be feed and changed often, you may experience sleepless nights. The good news is that you’ll eventually fall into a routine.
In the meantime, here’s what you can do for an easier transition:
- Get plenty of rest - Every new parent soon learns that babies have different time clocks than adults. A typical newborn wakes up about every 3 hours and needs to be fed, changed, and comforted. Especially if this is your first baby, you and your partner can become overwhelmed by exhaustion. You may not get a solid 8 hours of sleep for several months. Get as much sleep as possible to cope with tiredness and fatigue. To make sure you’re getting enough rest, sleep when your baby sleeps.
- Seek help -Don’t hesitate to take help from family and friends during the postpartum period, as well as after this period. Your body needs to heal, and practical help around the home can help you get much-needed rest. You and your partner probably will do fine on your own, but having someone else helping with the household responsibilities usually makes the adjustment to a new baby easier. You and your partner can focus on your needs and the needs of your baby, rather than on the laundry or dirty dishes.
A family member such as the new baby's grandmother or aunt may be able to come for a few days or longer. Home care providers offer a variety of services. These include nursing care of the new mother and baby and housekeeping and care of other children.
- Eat healthy meal- Your body has undergone many changes during pregnancy and birth. You need time to recover. In addition to rest, you need to eat a healthy diet to help you do that.
The weight gained in pregnancy helps build stores for your recovery and for breastfeeding. After delivery, you need to eat a healthy and balanced diet so you can be active and able to care for your baby.But many mothers may be so tired or busy that food gets forgotten. So it is important to plan simple, healthy meals that include choices from all of the recommended groups.
Maintain a healthy diet to promote healing. Increase your intake of whole grains, vegetables, fruits, and protein. You should also increase your fluid intake, especially if you are breast-feeding.
- Exercise- Your doctor will let you know when it’s OK to exercise. The activity should not be strenuous. Try taking a walk near your house. The change of scenery is refreshing and can increase your energy level.
Outlook
Giving birth can change your family unit and routine, but you’ll eventually adjust. Any emotional and physical changes you experience after birth will slowly improve. Don’t hesitate to talk to your doctor about any concerns, whether it’s related to depression, your baby, or the healing process.