The post-childbirth period does not happen in a snap of fingers. Having undergone many physiological changes, the body needs time to recover. Putting the cart before the horse and getting back to life too quickly is not necessarily the best idea of the year. Doing nothing is not the answer either.
It is difficult to return to "normal life" right after the birth of a child. The body does not advance in the same way. Housework and newborn management may be too much for mothers who have just given birth.
The risk of bleeding
The detachment of the placenta during childbirth opens a wound of about 22 cm. The healing is done in 4 to 6 weeks. Detachment can cause haemorrhage immediately or later. In 2011, in 9.02% of cases of re-hospitalization 10 days after childbirth, hemorrhage was involved. In the best cases, this is due to placenta fragments stuck in the uterus. Haemorrhage may occur because of infections resulting from scarring. In the most extreme cases, hemorrhage can result from a rupture of an artery that can lead to removal of the uterus called hysterectomy.
A quiet recovery program
Knowing this, moms must preserve themselves. One of them advises to stay a week in bed and then a week in the immediate vicinity of the bed before attacking 2 weeks without leaving the house. By respecting this walking and activity perimeter, the risks are remote. The High Authority of the Health recommends to the mothers not to remain isolated and to take care of themselves. Do not hesitate to ask your family to help with this rest program. This program is to personalize and do not hesitate to consult your midwife or your doctor according to your feelings.
Sex should also be on stand-by for moms during the healing phase. Postpartum hygiene is essential for a good recovery.
Physiological changes
Many changes happen after childbirth. In addition to the physical aspects, the organs had to move during childbirth gradually. Now that the baby has arrived, the organs are moving back quickly. We then observe:
- Pain due to the distortion of the abdominal muscles and to the movement of the bones of the pelvis and hips
- Incontinence caused by the muscles of the perineum
- Hair loss due to the drop in hormones
- The swollen hands and feet connected to the fluids injected during childbirth
- Hemorrhoids because of the weight of the uterus on the anal area
- Flabby belly tied to excess skin needed for pregnancy
- Breasts sensitive and swollen due to the rise of milk.
Postnatal physiotherapy sessions will help manage your muscle problems including posture.
Rest and breastfeeding
The rest periods that leave you baby are rare and you can not get enough rest. Breastfeeding speeds up the involution process of the uterus. It also allows you to cause rapid arrest of bleeding from damaged vessels of the uterine lining. Your hormones are crazy.
The arrival of baby results in short nights but also by introductory visits to your surroundings which, in the long run, exhaust you. Be careful not to trivialize your feelings which will accentuate your guilt in the face of your sadness and fatigue. Between the decline of those of pregnancy and the increase of those related to breastfeeding, you can feel upset both physically and psychologically.
Psychological disorders
Two disorders are well known baby blues and postpartum depression. They are very different:
Baby blues does not have sex. Papas and Moms are affected. It occurs 3 to 5 days after childbirth and lasts until the 10th day. You go through countless feelings. Joy, pride and love for your baby, but also anxiety, loneliness and fear, you do not know what you really feel. You cry without reason but rest assured. It does not matter and is very widespread.
When the depressive state intensifies, persists or intervenes later after childbirth, it is no longer a baby-blues. Postpartum depression affects 10 to 20% of women. It can appear during the 6 months following your childbirth and lasts several months, even more than a year. In this case, solutions exist to cross this test.
