The process of giving birth to a baby is hard work for a mother. Therefore, both in the initial, most crucial period, when a woman is under the supervision of medical personnel, and in the future, it is necessary to take into account several fundamentally important points.
Rest
The first thing a woman needs after giving birth is sleep. The miracle of giving birth to a new life has taken place, the neonatologists have examined the child, he lay on his mother’s chest, calmed down and fell asleep. And moms should do the same. A woman’s body is in great need of rest, so it is irrational to spend precious few hours on the phone or socializing on social media. Resting while the baby is sleeping is the golden rule.
Hygiene
Recovery of the uterus and birth canal takes 6-8 weeks. During this time, the uterus, gradually shrinking, returns to its previous size, the wounded surface – the placental site – heals, and postpartum discharge – lochia after childbirth – stops.
Showering is not just allowed – it is necessary! You should refrain only from taking a bath. If the perineum has been stitched, careful washing and antiseptic treatment will be required after each visit to the toilet. Air baths will also be useful. As for the incision after a cesarean section, it is fastened with a special intradermal suture, and by the time the mother is at home on the fifth day after delivery, no special care is required.
Movement
Sufficient activity is needed to help the uterus contract faster after childbirth and to help the pelvic floor and abdominal wall muscles return to tone. After a physiological delivery, mothers get back on their feet in 6 hours (in case of suturing – in 8 hours), take care of themselves and the baby. Thanks to such moderate physical activity, the uterus contracts better, and the lochiae are more efficiently discharged. In the postpartum period, a special set of favorable exercises is also recommended.
A cesarean section is a serious surgical operation, after which weakness is a natural condition. At the same time, world practice shows the importance of active behavior in the postoperative period. If her health allows, a woman gets up as early as 8 hours after giving birth. Moderate exercise prevents the formation of adhesions and prevents thromboembolic complications. Among the permitted exercises is taking your baby in your arms (his weight will not harm the mother).
Nutrition
After childbirth, you need energy. Once upon a time, after a cesarean section, while a woman was recovering from anesthesia, she could drink only acidified water for a day and very carefully return to a full diet. And modern methods of anesthesia (regional methods) allow you to eat as soon as you have an appetite. You can have a snack even in the delivery room. Of course, the menu for mothers is compiled taking into account the recommendations of a nutritionist – there are no dishes that cause undesirable reactions, such as bloating.
Digestion requires attention at all stages. It should be remembered that the elimination systems are located next to the uterus, so intestinal or bladder dysfunctions can lead to impaired contractions. During the stay in the hospital, midwives will not forget to remind the woman of these delicate moments.
