During this period, your organs return to their normal position. The body will need many more months to dissipate the fatigue from the efforts expended during pregnancy and childbirth. The main thing is to calculate your strength. If there are already children waiting at home, you should try to enlist their help. Domestic chores should be shared with the father, grandparents. If at first it is difficult, you can call on the help of friends. Do not take on everything. Household chores that have accumulated during your stay in the hospital, will wait. After childbirth a mother needs to take care of herself – take breaks to rest during the day, if possible, rest after dinner and in the hours when the baby sleeps, as well as a sensible approach to the issue of nutrition. It is important for women who have recently given birth to take frequent walks. And in spite of the stressful rhythm of life that the arrival of the baby will create, it is important to carve out at least a few free minutes for yourself.
Be sure to consult your doctor about contraception and the possibility of exercising. In this period, you can begin gymnastics, but only with the permission of your doctor. But while abdominal massage is still contraindicated, as well as lifting weights, as it is detrimental to the back and perineum.
Muscles need to restore tone, because during pregnancy they and the skin were severely stretched. It will take time to get back into shape.
In the first six weeks after childbirth – depending on the type of labor that the woman endured, the care she receives at home, and other individual factors – the following phenomena are possible:
Physiological phenomena
- Continued discharge of a color closer to brown than to yellow-white (If the discharge begins to smell bad, a doctor should be consulted);
- Fatigue;
- pain, discomfort, numbness in the crotch area – this applies primarily to women who have given birth naturally (especially if stitches have been applied);
- numbness after a cesarean delivery (especially if it was the first time) may last longer;
- decreased soreness;
- continuation of constipation;
- The abdomen gradually becomes flatter and flatter – as the uterus shrinks and returns to the pelvis. Only physical exercise will ensure a complete return to your former body silhouette;
- A gradual loss of weight;
- discomfort in the breast area, nipple soreness will continue until the nursing cycle is fully regulated;
- Pain in the shoulders, neck area (as a result of childbirth);
- hair loss.
Psychological phenomena:
- Growing self-confidence;
- alternating depression;
- A feeling of embarrassment in front of others because of mood swings;
- a decrease or increase in sexual desire.
In 6 weeks after childbirth the abdomen will pick up on its own, but until then you should allow the perineum, which supports the entire urinary system, to get back in tone and become elastic.
During and immediately after childbirth the woman loses about 6 kilograms. The remaining extra pounds are not lost as quickly, but you should not strive for that yet. Breastfeeding women need an energy reserve of several kilograms. In this case, losing weight will lead to a loss of strength, which is not safe for your health. However, it is possible that you will lose weight against your will while breastfeeding, and on the contrary, you will have to intensify your diet. A varied and balanced diet, rich in calcium and without unnecessary calories, will allow you during the first year to regain your usual weight.
Small problems
After comprehensive care and attention in the maternity home, the first two weeks at home can seem especially difficult. They are especially marred by the following troubles:
Constipation. This problem may have bothered you immediately after giving birth, but it will pass when you return to your normal routine. It is recommended to eat foods rich in fiber, such as bread, green vegetables (spinach, salads), stone fruits, plums (raw and boiled).
Hemorrhoids associated with constipation, in some cases, require local treatment as indicated by the doctor.
Difficulties with urination. Often occurs after hard labor, but usually goes away. If urine leakage continues, have the necessary procedures done right away. Do not leave even a small disturbance in urine output untreated.
Fainting. Fainting may occur, especially when standing up. Anemia may be the cause. It is worth making dietary changes and seeing a doctor who will prescribe iron supplements. One rule is iron: do not get up suddenly.