The Postpartum Recovery Process: How To Address Physical And Emotional Changes Related
Postpartum recovery can be challenging and is associated with several physical and emotional symptoms that may be new and unsettling for new parents. After giving birth, having strategies on hand to cope with these new challenges may be helpful, as well as knowledge of ways to find support if you’re struggling with your mental health.
What is the postpartum period?
New parents may wonder when the postpartum period begins and ends and what to expect from a postpartum recovery timeline. The postpartum period is sometimes called the “fourth trimester,” but postpartum symptoms can last significantly longer than three months. However, symptoms may resolve for some people within a few weeks of delivery.
What is the medical definition of the postpartum period?
Are there stages to postpartum healing?
The postpartum healing process is often divided into three different stages:
- Stage one, the acute phase: The first 24 hours after vaginal delivery or C-section.
- Stage two, the subacute or early phase: Up to seven days after giving birth
- Stage three, the late phase: From six weeks to six months after giving birth
Physical health concerns after giving birth
In the acute phase, a person who just gave birth may experience physical symptoms. They may be fatigued given the amount of physical effort involved in birthing a child. Their pulse, blood pressure, and temperature may be elevated, potentially resulting in shivering or sweating, as if they have a fever. They may also continue to experience abdominal pain, cramps, and contractions.
What causes these physical symptoms after birth?
These symptoms are often the result of the uterus contracting immediately after giving birth to prevent further loss of blood. Both the cervix and vagina may be bruised and swollen, even if there were no birth complications like a vaginal tear. Below are other potential physical challenges people may experience.
What are some common health complications after giving birth?
People who have recently given birth may be at greater risk of certain health complications. For people who gave birth via C-section, blood clots could be a potential danger, so a doctor may recommend regular light movement to keep a person’s blood flowing properly (though actual exercise may be discouraged for up to six weeks after delivery). Some people also experience a higher risk of developing urinary tract infections (UTIs). Although some people may have a decreased desire to urinate, they may be advised to regularly go to the bathroom to reduce the potential for infection.
Can urinary incontinence be a complication of childbirth?
While some new parents may not experience the urge to pee at all, others may have the urge to pee constantly and may have trouble controlling their bladder, a condition known as urinary incontinence. Other bathroom-related problems can also occur, including constipation, gas, hemorrhoids, and pain while urinating. These concerns often resolve within a few weeks after giving birth.
Postpartum bleeding: what is typical?
Postpartum bleeding can be common after giving birth and can last for several weeks. Vaginal bleeding that is comparable to a heavy menstrual period typically occurs for one to four days after delivery. For five to nine days, a person may experience lighter blood flow. Around ten days after giving birth, the vaginal discharge may change from mostly blood to mostly mucus and can last for another four to five days, although this bleeding can continue for up to five weeks.
Are there health impacts for breastfeeding difficulties?
For parents who choose to breastfeed, some birth-related complications can result in problems producing milk. Bodily aches and pains can impede lactation, as can excessively swollen breasts (breast engorgement). Breastfeeding can also lead to nipple soreness and mastitis, an infection of the inner breast tissue.
Extreme complications
The above concerns are often considered typical outcomes of recently giving birth and are not often cause for alarm. However, if you experience any of the below complications, reach out to your medical provider as soon as possible:
- Severe headache pain that is not relieved by over-the-counter medication
- A temperature of over 100° Fahrenheit
- Vaginal bleeding that fills a menstrual pad with blood in less than an hour or that involves blood clots that are larger than an egg
- Vaginal discharge that is not red, brown, white, or clear but is yellow or green and smells unpleasant
- Inability to control bowel movements
- Dizziness, lightheadedness, and nausea
- Changes in vision
Mental health concerns after giving birth
Exhaustion, sleep deprivation, and extreme hormonal shifts often result in a roller coaster of emotions in the first few days after giving birth. It is not unusual for a new parent to become overwhelmed, cry at little provocation, or believe they are hopeless and incompetent. Some new parents also experience what is known as a “birth buzz,” feelings of happiness and joy related to finally meeting and holding their new baby.
Are baby blues an indicator of postpartum depression?
Mood swings can persist for weeks or months after giving birth and are sometimes referred to using the outdated term “baby blues.” These emotions are not necessarily an indicator of postpartum depression or other mental health challenges.
When should you seek help for your mental health after giving birth?
If sadness, anxiety, or hopelessness are overwhelming your ability to function in any of the following ways, it may be helpful to speak to a mental health professional:
- You are not eating or sleeping regularly
- You are not bonding with your new baby
- You are having thoughts of hurting yourself, your baby, or someone else
How to take care of yourself during the postpartum period
Becoming a new parent can be stressful, especially if you are experiencing any number of physical and mental health concerns. However, there are steps you can take to support yourself through what can be an emotionally intense period in your life, including the following.
Listen to your body
Pregnancy can be a magical time for some people, but it can also be limiting. Individuals may look forward to the birth of their baby not only because they are eagerly anticipating parenthood but also because they want to return to exercise regimens or other life routines they had to give up while pregnant. However, the postpartum period may not be the time to return to the gym.
Listening to what your body needs and being patient with yourself can be key to postpartum recovery. Gradually working your way back up to what you used to do before you became pregnant may be a healthy way to ensure your well-being.
Work closely with your doctor
Your obstetrician may be a helpful resource in the weeks and months following your pregnancy, not only because they can ensure your baby is happy and healthy but because they can guide you through recovery. Obstetricians are trained experts in supporting parents and infants through all stages of the pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum process, and they may have a number of tips and tricks for you to work through some of your symptoms, including:
- Ensuring you are consuming nutritious foods to keep your energy up and helping you come up with a meal plan
- Connecting you to a lactation consultant for problems with breastfeeding
- Developing an exercise routine that can help you re-train the muscles most impacted by pregnancy and postpartum pain, including those in your abdomen and lower back
Attend therapy
Even if you do not develop postpartum depression, becoming a parent can take a significant toll on mental health. With a new baby at home and potential serious medical side effects of pregnancy that could inhibit your movement for the time being, an in-person therapy appointment may seem like an impossibility. In these cases, online therapy through a platform like BetterHelp may be a more accessible way to connect with a mental health provider during this time.
Do you need a diagnosis to benefit from therapy?
You do not have to be diagnosed with a mental illness to attend therapy. Counselors can also guide individuals through challenging emotions and life transitions. Parents can set session times that work for them through an online platform, including outside of standard business hours. In addition, they may be able to access support groups to connect with other individuals experiencing similar challenges.
Is online therapy effective?
Research has indicated that online therapy may be as effective as traditional in-person therapy at addressing several mental health concerns, including those related to the postpartum period. One recent meta-analysis of the use of online cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) in treating postpartum depression found that online therapy significantly reduced symptoms.
Takeaway
What are normal postpartum symptoms?
Some typical changes that can occur during the postpartum period can include soreness and pain, vaginal discharge, breast engorgement, nipple pain, sweating, constipation, and hair loss. It can also be typical to experience baby blues.
What to look for after postpartum?
People’s bodies undergo significant changes after having a baby, and while many of these changes are normal and not cause for alarm, some can be a sign of other health conditions or complications. Some of the most serious things to look for and their symptoms include:
Postpartum hemorrhage: experiencing excessive vaginal bleeding, passing large clots, or experiencing a rapid heart rate, dizziness, or pale skin.
Postpartum preeclampsia: high blood pressure, headache, swelling in the extremities
Postpartum depression: feelings of worthlessness or hopelessness, worrying excessively, crying excessively or for no reason, losing interest in things you once enjoyed, having thoughts of suicide, or having thoughts of harming your baby
If you notice any of these signs, seek emergency care right away.
What are the struggles of a postpartum mother?
The period after childbirth can be challenging, both physically and mentally. Some common challenges birthing parents face in the postpartum period can include physical pain, fatigue, hormonal changes, baby blues, postpartum depression and/or anxiety, isolation, breastfeeding challenges, and difficulty adjusting to a new role as a parent.
How long do you use ice pads after birth?
After birth, some people may experience soreness or swelling that results from the pressure and stretching required to have a baby. Ice packs can help reduce this swelling and any associated pain. Be sure to wrap ice in a towel or other absorbent material to avoid applying it directly tWhat are normal postpartum symptoms?
Some typical changes that can occur during the postpartum period can include soreness and pain, vaginal discharge, breast engorgement, nipple pain, sweating, constipation, and hair loss. It can also be typical to experience baby blues.
What to look for after postpartum?
People’s bodies undergo significant changes after having a baby, and while many of these changes are normal and not cause for alarm, some can be a sign of other health conditions or complications. Some of the most serious things to look for and their symptoms include:
Postpartum hemorrhage: experiencing excessive vaginal bleeding, passing large clots, or experiencing a rapid heart rate, dizziness, or pale skin.
Postpartum preeclampsia: high blood pressure, headache, swelling in the extremities
Postpartum depression: feelings of worthlessness or hopelessness, worrying excessively, crying excessively or for no reason, losing interest in things you once enjoyed, having thoughts of suicide, or having thoughts of harming your baby
If you notice any of these signs, seek emergency care right away.
What are the struggles of a postpartum mother?
The period after childbirth can be challenging, both physically and mentally. Some common challenges birthing parents face in the postpartum period can include physical pain, fatigue, hormonal changes, baby blues, postpartum depression and/or anxiety, isolation, breastfeeding challenges, and difficulty adjusting to a new role as a parent.
How long do you use ice pads after birth?
After birth, some people may experience soreness or swelling that results from the pressure and stretching required to have a baby. Ice packs can help reduce this swelling and any associated pain. Be sure to wrap ice in a towel or other absorbent material to avoid applying it directly to the skin. Generally, you can apply ice for 20 minutes at a time every two hours or so for as long as you continue experiencing pain or swelling. Ask your doctor for more direct guidance.
What postpartum symptoms should not be ignored?
If you are experiencing symptoms that indicate a dangerous or life-threatening complication, seek help from a medical professional right away. These can include bleeding, lightheadedness, high blood pressure, headaches, swelling in the extremities, crying excessively, or thoughts of harming yourself or harming your baby.
How do I know if my uterus has gone back to normal?
It can take about six weeks after birth for the uterus to return to its pre-baby size. While you are in the hospital and during post-natal visits with your doctor, healthcare providers will check the position and firmness of your uterus to check on its progress. You may experience afterbirth cramps and pains in the weeks following your pregnancy as your uterus shrinks back to its regular size.
You may not be able to tell if your uterus has returned to normal, but there are some signs to look for that can tell you if there is a problem. The cramping and shrinking of the uterus after birth helps to squeeze the blood vessels closed, so if heavy bleeding continues in the week after childbirth, it can be a sign that the uterus has not gone back to normal. Other things to look for include low blood pressure, rapid heart rate, dizziness, pale appearance, back pain, or being unable to urinate.
What are the restrictions for postpartum?
Postpartum restrictions can vary, so talk to your doctor about what recovery plan is right for you. Generally, however, restrictions after childbirth can include the following:
Using pads instead of tampons
Avoiding sex for 4 to 6 weeks
Avoiding traveling that requires extended periods of sitting for 4 to 6 weeks
Avoiding drugs, alcohol, and nicotine if breastfeeding
If you do drink alcohol, wait at least two hours after drinking to breastfeed or pump
What do I need for postpartum recovery?
Some things that you may benefit from during postpartum recovery can include:
Breast pads
Hot packs
Cold packs
Feminine pads
A sitz bath
Stretchy, comfortable underwear
Nipple cream
Witch hazel pads
Electrolyte rinks
Health snacks
Refillable water bottle
Nursing bras
Loose, comfortable clothing
What happens if you don't wait 6 weeks after birth?
It can be a standard postpartum instruction not to engage in vaginal sex for six weeks after birth, but why?
There are several reasons. For one, the muscles in and around the vagina need time to recover. People are also more prone to infection in the weeks after childbirth, as it is easier for bacteria to enter the uterus because the cervix has not yet returned to its normal size.
Some people who have a vaginal delivery require stitches, which take about six weeks to dissolve. For those who have C-sections, the incision needs about six weeks to heal.
Another reason to avoid sex for six weeks after giving birth is the risk of pregnancy. Some medical professionals recommend waiting between 12 and 18 months to get pregnant again after birth. It is possible for someone to get pregnant after having a baby before their first postpartum period.
What not to do after giving birth?
Some things and activities that people should avoid after birth include having vaginal sex, using tampons, overexerting themselves, smoking, forgetting about self-care, and lifting objects heavier than the baby.
o the skin. Generally, you can apply ice for 20 minutes at a time every two hours or so for as long as you continue experiencing pain or swelling. Ask your doctor for more direct guidance.
What postpartum symptoms should not be ignored?
If you are experiencing symptoms that indicate a dangerous or life-threatening complication, seek help from a medical professional right away. These can include bleeding, lightheadedness, high blood pressure, headaches, swelling in the extremities, crying excessively, or thoughts of harming yourself or harming your baby.
How do I know if my uterus has gone back to normal?
It can take about six weeks after birth for the uterus to return to its pre-baby size. While you are in the hospital and during post-natal visits with your doctor, healthcare providers will check the position and firmness of your uterus to check on its progress. You may experience afterbirth cramps and pains in the weeks following your pregnancy as your uterus shrinks back to its regular size.
You may not be able to tell if your uterus has returned to normal, but there are some signs to look for that can tell you if there is a problem. The cramping and shrinking of the uterus after birth helps to squeeze the blood vessels closed, so if heavy bleeding continues in the week after childbirth, it can be a sign that the uterus has not gone back to normal. Other things to look for include low blood pressure, rapid heart rate, dizziness, pale appearance, back pain, or being unable to urinate.
What are the restrictions for postpartum?
Postpartum restrictions can vary, so talk to your doctor about what recovery plan is right for you. Generally, however, restrictions after childbirth can include the following:
Using pads instead of tampons
Avoiding sex for 4 to 6 weeks
Avoiding traveling that requires extended periods of sitting for 4 to 6 weeks
Avoiding drugs, alcohol, and nicotine if breastfeeding
If you do drink alcohol, wait at least two hours after drinking to breastfeed or pump
What do I need for postpartum recovery?
Some things that you may benefit from during postpartum recovery can include:
Breast pads
Hot packs
Cold packs
Feminine pads
A sitz bath
Stretchy, comfortable underwear
Nipple cream
Witch hazel pads
Electrolyte rinks
Health snacks
Refillable water bottle
Nursing bras
Loose, comfortable clothing
What happens if you don't wait 6 weeks after birth?
It can be a standard postpartum instruction not to engage in vaginal sex for six weeks after birth, but why?
There are several reasons. For one, the muscles in and around the vagina need time to recover. People are also more prone to infection in the weeks after childbirth, as it is easier for bacteria to enter the uterus because the cervix has not yet returned to its normal size.
Some people who have a vaginal delivery require stitches, which take about six weeks to dissolve. For those who have C-sections, the incision needs about six weeks to heal.
Another reason to avoid sex for six weeks after giving birth is the risk of pregnancy. Some medical professionals recommend waiting between 12 and 18 months to get pregnant again after birth. It is possible for someone to get pregnant after having a baby before their first postpartum period.
What not to do after giving birth?
Some things and activities that people should avoid after birth include having vaginal sex, using tampons, overexerting themselves, smoking, forgetting about self-care, and lifting objects heavier than the baby.
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