Your Quick Guide on Care After Pregnancy
Pregnancy is undeniably the most exciting phase in a woman's life. And same as any exciting event, in this case also there are many doubts and apprehensions. There may be many questions on your mind like how do I take care after pregnancy, what changes will I have to make in my lifestyle to welcome the new family member, how much pregnancy weight will I gain and so on. So read on and clarify all your uncertainties.
To help you in your delivery and to guide you in your pregnancy period, there are different health care providers available like Obstetricians (conventional choice for childbirth), Family Physicians (your trusted medical help over the years), Maternal-fetal medicine specialists (in case of very high risk pregnancies where mother is suffering from fatal diseases) or midwives (very common choice for low risk pregnancy). It's your personal decision and you can decide upon the health care provider by analyzing your medical condition.
The period after delivery is called post-partum. The post pregnancy care you need, will depend upon the type of delivery you have had. Every case is different but following is just an overview to help you take good care after pregnancy:
Normal Delivery
You'll be very tired after this delivery and why not since you have worked harder than ever before in your life. Also with a sudden decrease in hormone levels you will need to take as much rest as possible. The best way to achieve this is to sleep while the baby sleeps.
You will also have contractions after you deliver your baby. These are called afterpains and they will be more intense while breastfeeding. Afterpains usually go away after the first week to ten days when the uterus starts decreasing to its pre-pregnancy size.
Proper hygiene should be followed during pregnancy period as well as after pregnancy. During your delivery your perineum has been stretched and it will be sore for many days. You can try ice-packs and sit baths to relieve soreness. Always clean yourself thoroughly to avoid any infections.
If you are breastfeeding take care of your breasts. You need to keep them clean. If they become dry or cracked, you may massage them with vitamin E oil. Please wash the oil before feeding the baby.
Take a balanced post pregnancy diet.
C-Section Delivery
In addition to the guidelines given for the normal delivery you should follow specific recommendations after surgery.
After this major surgery take full rest. You should always have help the first few times you get out of the bed.
As soon as your surgery is over you will be allowed to take clear liquids. Usually one or two days after the surgery you will be given a regular diet.
Increase your activity gradually over several days and never force yourself.
Breastfeeding may be uncomfortable due to the incision and difficulty to move around. Take your own time and find a comfortable position for your self to feed your baby.
Do exercise to look good after your pregnancy.
It is very important for you to understand exactly what to do during pregnancy and how to take care after pregnancy – because it is going to be a wonderful journey that you will remember all your life.
I hope that this article gave you an insight on the post-partum period and cleared all your doubts.
To help you in your delivery and to guide you in your pregnancy period, there are different health care providers available like Obstetricians (conventional choice for childbirth), Family Physicians (your trusted medical help over the years), Maternal-fetal medicine specialists (in case of very high risk pregnancies where mother is suffering from fatal diseases) or midwives (very common choice for low risk pregnancy). It's your personal decision and you can decide upon the health care provider by analyzing your medical condition.
The period after delivery is called post-partum. The post pregnancy care you need, will depend upon the type of delivery you have had. Every case is different but following is just an overview to help you take good care after pregnancy:
Normal Delivery
You'll be very tired after this delivery and why not since you have worked harder than ever before in your life. Also with a sudden decrease in hormone levels you will need to take as much rest as possible. The best way to achieve this is to sleep while the baby sleeps.
You will also have contractions after you deliver your baby. These are called afterpains and they will be more intense while breastfeeding. Afterpains usually go away after the first week to ten days when the uterus starts decreasing to its pre-pregnancy size.
Proper hygiene should be followed during pregnancy period as well as after pregnancy. During your delivery your perineum has been stretched and it will be sore for many days. You can try ice-packs and sit baths to relieve soreness. Always clean yourself thoroughly to avoid any infections.
If you are breastfeeding take care of your breasts. You need to keep them clean. If they become dry or cracked, you may massage them with vitamin E oil. Please wash the oil before feeding the baby.
Take a balanced post pregnancy diet.
C-Section Delivery
In addition to the guidelines given for the normal delivery you should follow specific recommendations after surgery.
After this major surgery take full rest. You should always have help the first few times you get out of the bed.
As soon as your surgery is over you will be allowed to take clear liquids. Usually one or two days after the surgery you will be given a regular diet.
Increase your activity gradually over several days and never force yourself.
Breastfeeding may be uncomfortable due to the incision and difficulty to move around. Take your own time and find a comfortable position for your self to feed your baby.
Do exercise to look good after your pregnancy.
It is very important for you to understand exactly what to do during pregnancy and how to take care after pregnancy – because it is going to be a wonderful journey that you will remember all your life.
I hope that this article gave you an insight on the post-partum period and cleared all your doubts.
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