The first few weeks postpartum are wonderful as you bond with your precious new baby! But they can also be tiring, scary, gross and feel as though you are the last human on earth during a zombie apocalypse…or you ARE the zombie. But truly, you are walking in unknown territory for new parents. This edition of the blog, will hopefully help you and your partner remember what your body is going through during this exciting new time. And hopefully help you to adjust well to being a new mother.

SWOLLEN

1.     You’ve just passed a human through your vagina. It will be swollen, sore and if you tore a bit at time of crowning, it will throb. Ice, Ice Baby! Your new best friend will be ice pads for a couple of days!

2.     Hemorrhoids…. need I say more!? Well if you do any “hard time” on the active pushing front, witch-hazel pads will be your second-best friend! 

3.     Legs feet and hands. If you have swelling during pregnancy you will likely be swollen post birth for a few days at least. If I.V. fluids were given during labor and/or an epidural was used it is very common for all of these extra fluids to pool into the legs and make you look like the Pillsbury Dough Boy. Good news is this fades quickly on its own over a few days to a week. 

4.     Your breasts. Once your milk comes in (1-4 days post birth for most) your breasts will be swollen at least one cup size larger than what you wear during pregnancy. As your body stabilizes your milk production you may experience full engorgement- which is where your body has no idea how much milk to provide so it goes into factory mode and produces an over-supply of milk. It is common to experience this. And most women manage it well with some hand/manual pump expression of excess milk after a couple of feedings a day. Or with the use of an electric pump if the breasts become hard to the touch. It is important to not over stimulate your supply by pumping too long or too often. But if engorgement is not addressed and relieved, it can lead to blocked milk ducts. Which in turn can lead to mastitis (an infection in the milk ducts in the breast). Leading to the need for antibiotics and such. 

BLEEDING

1.     Postpartum bleeding lasts anywhere from 2-6 weeks post birth. It is common to have some small blood clots pass over the first week or so. This bleeding is equal to an extremely heavy period for the first week or so then slowly dwindling as the weeks pass. If at any time you fill a pad with blood within an hour time frame. Dr.’s advise you to return to your place of birth to get checked out. This is a sign of possible postpartum hemorrhage. 

2.     Once your bundle of joy is in your arms, a small squirt bottle of warm water will be your third new best friend. Every time you use the restroom or go to change your pad, fill that bottle with warm water. Gently squirt it onto your womanly regions as you urinate. It helps to reduce stinging on an area that has been stitched or on the actual opening of the urethra. This also aids proper cleaning of excess blood urine and stool.Then you will pat dry.

3.     Pads! While normally we like thin liners cups and tampons…. They will not be applicable to daily life for a while. Soft, thick and possibly long sanitary pads is what you need. Lots of them. It is imperative to change your pad often throughout the day to avoid infection. And those lovely mesh panties the hospital or birth center has, are top notch for the first few days so stock up!! Some women love to buy a pack of cheaper panties one size up to give room for a thicker than usual pad.

HORMONES

1.     I’m crying. I’m laughing. I’m scared. I’m anxious. I’m at peace. I love everyone. I hate everyone.

This may seem like a scene from a movie, but it’s not. It’s real postpartum life! It is completely normal to have ups and downs concerning your emotions. It took nine months to build this baby. Your hormones will take time to stabilize and learn that you are no longer pregnant and are now breastfeeding as well. So, give yourself some slack and be prepared with tissues, dark chocolate and lots of vitamin D from sunshine and fresh air. Arm yourself with emotional support in family and friends you can call on! With that said…..

2.     POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION/ANXIETY as well as POST TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER are real, serious and cannot go un-talked about or untreated!! If you feel you are experiencing any of these, may just have the “baby blues” as some say or if you just want someone to talk to… talk with your care provider immediately. There are mainstream and alternative resources available at your fingertips! Do not wait or hesitate. You are not alone! The ACOG states that “postpartum care should be an ongoing process, rather than a single encounter and that all women have contact with their OBGYN or other obstetric care providers within the first three weeks postpartum.” That “New mothers need ongoing care during the ‘fourth trimester.’ We want to replace the one-off checkup at six weeks with a period of sustained, holistic support for growing families,” So don’t be afraid to ask for guidance or help during your postpartum time.