The Ultimate Guide to Postpartum Care After Delivery

Having a baby is a truly exciting but also quite challenging life experience. The first challenge you will face as a new mother is healing after birth and postpartum care. Caring for yourself after birth is essential for your health and the health of your new baby.

Taking care of your new baby will be a lot of work, but it’s equally important to care for yourself to be the best mother you can be. This includes your physical health and your mental health.

What to Expect During Your Postpartum Recovery

Some pain and discomfort are expected after having a baby, whether you had a vaginal birth or a c-section.

1. Minimal Pain & Discomfort

2. Bleeding

Bleeding and vaginal discharge are both normal parts of the postpartum period. You will bleed afterward, whether you have a vaginal birth or a c-section. And while the bleeding is different for everyone, there are general postpartum guidelines on how much is too much, what to expect, etc.

3. Contractions

Some moms are surprised to find out that the contractions don’t stop after giving birth, although they are much milder. These contractions are especially noticeable while you’re nursing your baby. You will notice that as you nurse, your body starts to contract. Your body continues to contract to help shrink your uterus back down.

4. Pain With Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding can also be painful for various reasons. Most women are likely to experience discomfort while their breasts are getting used to nursing. Sometimes your nipples may crack or bleed as they build up a tolerance. To help with breastfeeding pain, try using nipple cream. You can also use a nipple shield temporarily to give your nipples a chance to heal. The tenderness and pain can last for a couple of weeks.

After birth, you might feel as if you’re on a hormonal rollercoaster, and that’s because you are. You can expect to feel highs and lows. While some sadness and moodiness are typical for the first couple of weeks, often called baby blues, they should go away independently. If it does not go away, you should talk to your doctor to ensure you aren’t suffering from postpartum depression.

5. Hormone Overload

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