Your wait is finally over! You will be meeting your newborn baby soon or your cute little munchkin is already curled up in your lap.
While you must have researched obsessively and read everything you could get your hands on regarding pregnancy and childbirth, you might have left out one important part like many mothers do – the postpartum or after-childbirth recovery period.
But fret not! We have you covered. Here are 10 postpartum answers to questions that must be on your mind now that you are so close to holding your baby or already cuddling the sweet pie.
1. I heard it would hurt going to the toilet, is it true?
It is true to some extent but how much it will hurt would depend on how you had delivered your baby. For instance, if you have a c-section you might have a little difficulty passing motion, especially if your pain medication causes constipation. For vaginal deliveries, the pain would depend on how much of a tear you got during delivery. If you have a bad tear, you might need topical numbing ointments or painkillers to numb the pain.
2. How long would I bleed after childbirth?
There is no definitive answer to this, but usually, the bleeding lasts for around four to eight weeks. The bleeding is not a continuous heavy flow but sporadic. For the initial few days right after your baby is born, the bleeding would be like your periods, only heavier. The flow will die down slowly with only occasional spurts of blood.
If you experience heavy bleeding as a continuous flow, do consult your gynaecologist immediately as it can be caused by postpartum haemorrhage (PPH), which is life-threatening.
3. How long will my recovery take postpartum?
Postpartum recovery duration depends on several factors including your age, general health condition, and the kind of pregnancy and delivery you had. In typical cases, it takes around six to eight weeks for new moms to recover from childbirth.
In Asian countries, the concept of postpartum confinement is widely prevalent and has been proven to be effective in helping new mothers recover faster, within a month.
4. Why didn’t anyone tell me breastfeeding hurts?
While it is a fulfilling experience for new moms to breastfeed their babies, breastfeeding can also hurt and cause a number of issues like sore or cracked nipples, blocked milk ducts, mastitis, and engorgement. These can be extremely painful and can leave you crying when feeding your baby.
If you feel pain when breastfeeding, consult a nursing expert for a solution. You can also try pumping instead of feeding your baby directly from the breasts.
5. I don’t feel love for my baby like other new moms, am I a bad mother?
No, you are not a bad mother! Many new moms feel this way but few choose to address it openly. The whole process of childbirth is draining and exhausting, which can take a toll on your mental health. Not to mention the raging hormones in your body that are balancing themselves. All this can lead to postpartum depression, which is more common than you think.
Do seek professional help if you feel sad or have other unwanted thoughts about yourself and your baby.
6. Can I eat spicy food and drink a glass or two alcohol while breastfeeding?
Many people will tell you that you shouldn’t eat certain things when you are breastfeeding. This is somewhat true, but experts believe that having spicy food and an occasional alcoholic drink or two should be okay.
Eating strong flavours food such as garlic may change the taste of breastmilk, but that is a good thing as it accustoms the baby to different tastes.
But if you are still worried, you can time your breastfeeding with your eating and drinking. For instance, you can easily have one drink right after you breastfeed since you will then be able to wait the recommended 2 hours before breastfeeding again.
7. When can I start having regular sex again?
The best person to ask this question would be your gynaecologist. The reason being a lot depends on how you have your delivery – c-section or normal vaginal delivery. In general, you should wait about six to eight weeks to allow your body to heal from the trauma of childbirth. The low oestrogen level also doesn’t help as it interferes with the elasticity of the vagina, causing pain further. Exhaustion from caring for the baby can be a reason for lower libido too. Just wait till you feel like having sex and your body is completely healed.
8. When can I start exercising?
How soon you can start exercising would also depend on a lot of factors, such as:
- The kind of pregnancy you had – For example, if you had complications like preeclampsia, you should wait for some time before starting to exercise.
- The kind of delivery you had – For instance, if you had a c-section, you should wait at least six to eight weeks for your body to heal.
- How active you were during your pregnancy – If you have been active throughout your pregnancy, you can start light exercises within a few days after delivery, provided you had a normal delivery without much vaginal tear.
The right person to tell you exactly when you can start exercising is your doctor. But regardless of when you start, make sure you take it real slow and gradually increase the duration, amount, and intensity.
9. I want more kids! when can I start planning for the next one?
As per World Health Organization’s guidelines you should wait at least 18-24 months before getting pregnant again. You can start planning for another baby as soon as after three to four months, but it is not recommended for several reasons including the risk of health complications for you, because your body will certainly not be completely healed within such a short time, as well as the risk of complications in the baby such as stillbirth and lower birth weights.
10. Will my vagina be the same if I have vaginal childbirth?
Usually, your vagina will regain its muscle tightness after six to eight weeks of vaginal childbirth. But it would not be the same as before. Your vagina will be a bit larger than it was before your vaginal delivery. The toning of the vaginal opening also depends on other factors like how many vaginal deliveries you have had and your age. But if you are worried about your vagina becoming too loose, try Kegel and pelvic floor exercises as soon as you recover from childbirth.
Final words
Now that you know the answers to the top 10 postpartum questions nobody talks about, hopefully, your mind is at ease. Our biggest advice is to trust your body and yourself. Let the worries rest and just enjoy this amazing journey with your newborn!
