Postpartum care: What to expect after a vaginal birth
Postpartum care: What to expect after a vaginal birthPregnancy changes your body in more ways than you may have guessed, and it doesn't stop when the baby is born. Postpartum care involves managing sore breasts, skin changes, hair loss and more. Here's what to expect after a vaginal delivery. Vaginal sorenessIf you had an episiotomy or vaginal tear during delivery, the wound may hurt for a few weeks — especially when you walk or sit. Extensive tears may take longer to heal. In the meantime, you can help promote healing:
Vaginal dischargeYou'll have a vaginal discharge (lochia) for up to six weeks after delivery. Expect a bright red, heavy flow of blood for the first few days. If you've been sitting or lying down, you may notice a small gush when you get up. The discharge will gradually taper off, changing from pink or brown to yellow or white. To reduce the risk of infection, use sanitary napkins rather than tampons. Don't be alarmed if you occasionally pass blood clots. Contact your health care provider if:
ContractionsYou may feel contractions, sometimes called afterpains, during the first few days after delivery. These contractions — which often resemble menstrual cramps — help prevent excessive bleeding by compressing the blood vessels in the uterus. Afterpains tend to occur during breast-feeding sessions and seem to be more noticeable with second or third babies. Your health care provider may recommend an over-the-counter pain reliever if necessary. Contact your health care provider if you have a fever or if your abdomen is tender to the touch. These signs and symptoms could indicate a uterine infection. Urination problemsSwelling or bruising of the tissues surrounding the bladder and urethra may lead to difficulty urinating. Fearing the sting of urine on the tender perineal area may have the same effect. To encourage urination, contract and release your pelvic muscles while sitting on the toilet. It may help to place hot or cold packs on the tissue between the vaginal opening and anus, or pour water across your vulva while you urinate. Difficulty urinating usually resolves on its own. Contact your health care provider if you have any symptoms of a urinary tract infection. For example:
Pregnancy and birth stretch the connective tissue at the base of the bladder and may cause nerve and muscle damage to the bladder or urethra. You may leak urine when you cough, strain or laugh. Fortunately, this problem usually improves within three months. In the meantime, wear sanitary pads and do your Kegel exercises. HemorrhoidsIf you notice pain during a bowel movement and feel swelling near your anus, you may have hemorrhoids — stretched and swollen veins in the anus or lower rectum. To ease any discomfort while the hemorrhoids heal, soak in a warm tub and apply chilled witch hazel pads to the affected area. Your health care provider may recommend a topical hemorrhoid medication as well. To prevent constipation and straining, which contribute to hemorrhoids, eat foods high in fiber — including fruits, vegetables and whole grains — and drink plenty of water. Remain as physically active as possible. If your stools are still hard, your health care provider may recommend an over-the-counter stool softener or fiber laxative. Bowel movementsYou may find yourself avoiding bowel movements out of fear of hurting your perineum or aggravating the pain of hemorrhoids or your episiotomy wound. To keep your stools soft and regular, eat foods high in fiber, drink plenty of water and remain as physically active as possible. Ask your health care provider about a stool softener or fiber laxative, if needed. Another potential problem for new moms is the inability to control bowel movements (fecal incontinence) — especially if you had an unusually long labor. Frequent Kegel exercises can help. If you have persistent trouble controlling bowel movements, consult your health care provider. Sore breasts and leaking milkSeveral days after delivery, your breasts may become heavy, swollen and tender. This is known as engorgement. To ease the discomfort, nurse your baby or use a breast pump to express milk. You may also want to apply cold washcloths or ice packs to your breasts, or take a warm bath or shower. Over-the-counter pain relievers may help, too. If you're not breast-feeding your baby, wear a firm, supportive bra. Compressing your breasts will help stop milk production. In the meantime, don't pump your breasts or express the milk. This only tells your breasts to produce more milk. Leaky breasts are another common problem for new moms. You can't do anything to stop the leaking, but nursing pads worn inside your bra can help keep your shirt dry. Avoid pads that are lined or backed with plastic, which can irritate your nipples. Change pads after each feeding and whenever they get wet. Hair loss and skin changesDuring pregnancy, elevated hormone levels put normal hair loss on hold. The result is often an extra-lush head of hair — but now it's payback time. After delivery, your body sheds the excess hair all at once. Within six months, your hair will most likely be back to normal. In the meantime, shampoo only when necessary, and find a hairstyle that's easy to maintain. Avoid hair dryers, curling irons and harsh chemicals. Stretch marks won't disappear after delivery, but eventually they'll fade from reddish purple to silver or white. Any skin that darkened during pregnancy — such as the line down your abdomen (linea nigra) — may slowly fade as well. Mood changesChildbirth triggers a jumble of powerful emotions. Mood swings, irritability, sadness and anxiety are common. Many new moms experience a mild depression, sometimes called the baby blues. The baby blues typically subside within a week or two. In the meantime, take good care of yourself. Try to get as much sleep as possible. If your depression deepens or you feel hopeless and sad most of the time, contact your health care provider. Prompt treatment is important. Weight lossAfter you give birth, you'll probably feel flabby and out of shape. You may even look like you're still pregnant. Don't worry. This is perfectly normal. Most women lose about 10 pounds during birth, including the weight of the baby, placenta and amniotic fluid. During the first week after delivery, you'll lose additional weight from leftover fluids. After that, a healthy diet and regular exercise can help you gradually return to your pre-pregnancy weight. The postpartum checkupAbout six weeks after delivery, your health care provider will check your vagina, cervix and uterus to make sure you're healing well. He or she may do a breast exam and check your weight and blood pressure, too. This is a great time to talk about birth control, breast-feeding and how you're adjusting to life with a new baby. Share any concerns you may have about your physical or emotional health. Chances are, what you're feeling is entirely normal. Look to your health care provider for assurance as you enter this new phase of life. RelatedLast Updated: 2010-02-27 © 1998-2012 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). All rights reserved. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.com," "Mayo Clinic Health Information," "Reliable information for a healthier life" and the triple-shield Mayo logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.
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