Handling the Postpartum Days After Birth
At last, the delivery is over and you are preparing to experience the highs and lows of motherhood. There are some things that affect your transition from being pregnant to postpartum. Your healing is not a thing to be taken lightly and the recovery requires time.
Physical recuperation and healing is very important and you should follow your doctor’s discharge orders properly. This includes the date of your first postpartum check-up, your medications if there are any and other special instructions. Do not miss your doctor’s appointment because you will be assessed if you are healing normally and if you are in good condition. You will also be given supplements and special instructions. All your questions about your postpartum will be answered also.
Your delivery may have been tough enough for you to think about having sex immediately after you are discharged from hospital. You have to heal first before you can resume your sexual activities. Most doctors recommend abstinence for two months to be sure that your stitches are already healed. Breastfeeding mothers may experience dryness due to lower estrogen levels. Creams and lubricants may help.
Resuming your household chores will need timing. Do not rush and rest often if you feel tried and take things easy for the first few weeks. The trick is to slowly go back to your old routine until you settle into a comfortable pace. You will need the assistance and cooperation of your husband, your whole family and a nanny or household helper. Taking care of a newborn is not an easy task.
How soon can you get back to work? Most maternity leaves lasts for two months. Like resuming your household chores, going back to work should be slow and work your way until you get back to your normal pace. Make sure that you rest if you feel tired. Know that you have the support of your officemates.
Staying healthy is the key to a good and quick recovery. Eat a nutritious and well-balanced diet because your body needs all the nutrition it can get, more so if you are breastfeeding.