Are you wondering about what after delivery care looks like for a mother? Keep reading because this post has everything you need to know about postpartum care and why it’s so important.
Having a new baby is a very exciting time but it can also be exhausting, overwhelming and really hard some days. Plus add in that you are recovering from birth and start experiencing postpartum body changes from day 1, especially when it comes to hormones!
This post includes everything you need to know about the postpartum period, why postpartum care is so important, the most important items to include in a postpartum care kit, postpartum mental health, dealing with postpartum body changes, and so much more!
This post is all about postpartum care.
Postpartum Care
What is the postpartum period?
The postpartum period is the initial six weeks following the birth of a child.
During this time, your hormone levels are drastically changing, your uterus is shrinking back down to its normal size, and postpartum body changes are starting to occur.
This can be a difficult time for moms who are recovering from birth while simultaneously caring for a newborn round the clock – and probably not getting much sleep.
But it’s important to remember that you will eventually sleep, your body will heal and you will get into a routine with your baby over time.
Your postpartum journey will feel slow at times, especially in the beginning, but taking it day by day helps as well as giving yourself the best postpartum care you can.
Why is postpartum care so important?
Postpartum care is so important because your body needs to heal from birth.
Things you can do to take care of yourself from day 1 include:
- Following your doctor’s advice to relieve aches and pains
- Going to all scheduled doctors visits
- Drinking plenty of water
- Taking care of your mental health
- Going on short walks to assist with recovery and boost your mood
- Asking for help from family and friends
- Catching sleep whenever you can
What to include in a Postpartum Care Kit?
Another thing you can do to aid your postpartum recovery is to put together a postpartum care kit. The items in this kit will help you in the first few days to weeks after delivery.
Given you will start using this kit right away after delivery, I recommend putting together the postpartum care kit at the end of pregnancy before you give birth.
Important items for your postpartum care kit include:
- Overnight pads or Depends – These are 100% necessary because you will bleed for several days to weeks after delivery. The hospital will send you home with extra thick pads but I always recommend buying your normal overnight pads or trying Depends. Depends were actually my go to after my second delivery because they were so easy and comfortable.
- Postpartum Underwear – This type of underwear is typically higher and extra comfy during those initial weeks postpartum when you’re in between pregnancy and postpartum. Trust me when I say it’s worth it to invest in a few pairs!
- Peri Bottle – A peri bottle is a must postpartum and you will use it after every time you go to the bathroom to help keeps things clean. You can expect to come home from the hospital with a very basic peri bottle but if you’re looking to grab a second for another bathroom, this one is really great! It has angled neck, which makes it easier to spray had to reach places.
- Hemorrhoid Relief – If you were lucky enough to avoid hemorrhoids during pregnancy, you may have gotten them during delivery. They’re no fun at all and can be pretty uncomfortable so it’s good to have some hemorrhoid relief waiting for you at home. These are by far my favorite wipes and helped me tremendously during my second pregnancy. They provide cooling relief with the help of witch hazel.
- Perineal Spray – A numbing spray or cream can help relieve postpartum perineal pain. Just make sure you talk to your doctor about it first before using it.
- Stool Softener – It’s pretty normal to feel constipated after delivery due to pain medicines you may be taking and just feeling nervous about going after delivery. Eating fiber filled foods, drinking enough water and taking short walks can help get your bowels moving initially but a stool softener can help too. It is usually a flavorless powder that can be added to any drink and you won’t even know it’s in there.
- Pain Reliever – A pain reliever can help with uterine contractions in the first few days postpartum as well as help with any other pains you have from delivery. If you had a c section, you will be prescribed stronger medicines to help you recover from surgery.
Postpartum Mental Health
Postpartum mental health can be overlooked when you are busy taking care of a newborn. But the truth is, postpartum emotions are a very real and common occurrence among new moms, whether it is your first baby or a second.
And taking care of your mental health is definitely an important part of your postpartum care.
It’s easy to look at social media and think that postpartum is full of playdates and baby snuggles. While that will definitely be part of it, the early postpartum days will be some of the most challenging you will experience especially as a first time mom.
It’s normal to feel everything from incredible happiness and overwhelming joy to anxiety and loneliness and basically every emotion you can imagine. Not only are you exhausted from taking care of your new baby night and day, your body is also trying to recover from birth. Add in postpartum hormones and it can be a recipe for a lot of tears.
Some women are able to navigate the postpartum period with ease while many others struggle with some form of postpartum emotional changes.
If you are feeling overwhelmingly sad or anxious for no reason, it’s important to speak up and advocate for yourself. The best place to start is with your doctor.
Some natural ways to ease postpartum emotions (also great for postpartum care) include:
- Get sleep.
- Ask for help.
- Go for a walk.
- Give yourself grace.
- Talk to other mom friends.
- Set small goals for yourself.
- Eat healthy, regular meals and snacks.
- Take small breaks from the baby.
- Avoid overdoing anything.
- Delegate household duties
- Let your partner/friends/family know how you are feeling.
- Trust your instincts! You were made to be this baby’s mom.
- Expect a mix of good days and bad days.
- Do not compare yourself to others or feel guilty.
- Know that this is an adjustment period.
Dealing with Postpartum Body Changes
Another part of postpartum care is being gentle with your newly postpartum body.
You will most likely leave the hospital still looking like you’re six months pregnant – and that’s perfectly ok!
Part of your initial postpartum care is to appreciate your body for all it’s done and accept how it looks. Your postpartum care shouldn’t involve how you look at all, only about recovery and healing.
There will be a time later in your postpartum journey to lose weight and push hard but the initial few weeks after birth won’t be focused on that.
This post was all about postpartum care.