10 Shocking Things that Happen to Your Body
after Giving Birth During pregnancy, a womans body goes through
lot of changes. Although the pregnancy is over and youve
got the gift of a living, breathing miracle in your arms, the challenges are just beginning. You need to adapt to your new role while learning
how to take care of your baby. Your body will start to return to normal again
in a few months.
Until then, go easy on yourself and do not
hesitate to ask for help if you need it. 1. Postpartum Blues Postpartum blues, also referred to as baby
blues is a common problem in almost 60 to 80 percent women. It is a mild and temporary form of depression
with symptoms like mood swings, lethargy, feelings of loss, frustration, irritability,
unexplained weeping, and insomnia.
In postnatal depression, a woman may have
signs like feeling down, not enjoying things that she used to like before, anxiety, insomnia,
loss of appetite and low self-esteem. In such cases, it is important to talk to
your doctor about it to treat the problem quickly. 2. Post-Labor Pains With all the pushing and contortions of labor,
it is very natural to feel washed out, tired and even painful.
Pain can be felt in the ribs, abdomen and
back as well as near your private parts. To relieve pain and soreness: Lie down as
much as you can, so that the pressure is taken off your bottom. Put a cold compress on your perineum to reduce
pain. Rest whenever you feel the need, and give
your body time to heal.
Continue having a warm bath daily for at least
a month. Start doing pelvic floor exercises as soon
as possible. If the cramping or pain persists, call your
doctor immediately. It could be a sign of infection or another
problem that requires medical attention.
3. Painful Breasts Painful, large and swollen breasts are something
that most new moms have to deal with. Initially after childbirth, the breasts are
soft as they contain a little colostrum, the rich, creamy first milk full of antibodies
that help protect your baby from infection. If you have a fever and your breasts are red
and warm, dont ignore it.
This can be a sign of mastitis and breast
abscess, both painful infections that need to be treated with antibiotics. 4. Vaginal Dryness Many women suffer from vaginal dryness after
childbirth. This problem is also experienced by many women
during pregnancy.
To help deal with this problem, make sure
you drink plenty of water throughout the day to keep the body hydrated. Also, avoid douches and personal hygiene sprays,
which can irritate sensitive vaginal tissues. 5. Vaginal Bleeding After delivery, many women suffer from seemingly
never-ending bloody discharge from the vagina.
This vaginal blood with small clots is called
lochia. The bleeding is red at first, then brownish,
and finally yellowish-white. When experiencing postpartum bleeding: Use
heavy-duty pads and change several times a day. Do not use tampons to prevent introducing
bacteria into your still-recovering uterus and genital tract.
Do not wear your favorite clothes immediately
after delivery to avoid staining them. Rest as much as you can and avoid excess standing
and walking. Do not do strenuous activities, as it will
interfere in your bodys repair work and cause more bleeding. If you notice very large clots or experience
very heavy flow and there is a foul smell, consult your doctor immediately.
6. Post-Baby Belly Once the baby is born, it does not mean that
you will have a flat tummy. After delivery, most women will have a round
belly. Along with breastfeeding, both nutrition and
physical activity play an important role in the weight-loss process for anyone attempting
to lose weight.
7. Hair Loss After delivery, you may notice excessive hair
loss. Do not panic, as this is normal. During pregnancy, most women will have a massive
mane of hair due to hormonal changes in the body that cause more hair follicles to be
in the active growth phase than normal.
To fight hair loss after delivery and enjoy
healthy and strong hair again, you must: Avoid pigtails, braids and any tight hairstyles
that cause excessive pulling. Follow a diet rich in fruits and vegetables,
which contain flavonoids and antioxidants. Consult your doctor about supplementing your
diet with vitamin B complex, biotin, vitamin E and zinc. Use shampoos and conditioners that contain
biotin and silica.
Do not comb or brush your hair when its
wet. Avoid using blow dryers and other heated hair
instruments. 8. Hemorrhoids and Constipation The ongoing hormonal changes in the body during
pregnancy and the postpartum period can slow down the gastrointestinal system and cause
constipation.
You can try a sitz bath, 2 to 4 times a day,
to help hemorrhoids shrink. Applying witch hazel to the hemorrhoids can
also help and try to sit on a pillow or waffle cushion to relieve pressure on the rectum. Sitting in a rocking chair or recliner may
also provide relief. 9.
Night Sweats or Hot Flashes No doubt, you may have sweat a lot during
labor, but after childbirth you may also find yourself sweating quite a bit during the first
few weeks. Your body may become dehydrateddue to heavy
sweating, so make sure youre drinking plenty of fluids. Put a soft towel on your pillow to absorb
some of the moisture. Wear loose, lightweight clothing to allow
the sweat to evaporate.
Sprinkle on some talc-free powder to absorb
excess moisture and help prevent a heat rash. 10. Postpartum Thyroiditis Postpartum thyroiditis, which means inflammation
of the thyroid gland, is common after childbirth. Thyroid Association, postpartum thyroiditis
affects 5 to 10 percent of women.
You must get your thyroid level checked if
you suffer from symptoms such as shakiness, palpitations, irritability, difficulty sleeping,
weight gain, fatigue, increased sensitivity to cold, depression, dry skin and vaginal
dryness..
