MM Post pregnancy
Love being a mum? Hate the way your body has changed? Follow our tips and you’ll soon be in tip-top form…
The post-pregnancy MOT
There’s no doubt that when you have a baby your life completely changes. Unfortunately, so does your body! But don’t despair! Although it may take some time and effort, your body WILL recover.
Go with the flow For up to six weeks after giving birth you may have a discharge (known as lochia). This often begins as heavy blood flow – sometimes with clots – and will then turn a yellow-pink colour as it begins to taper off. Invest in a packet of disposable knickers for the first few days when your discharge is at its heaviest. Sanitary towels can then be used when the flow becomes lighter and if you change them frequently they will help to keep you feeling fresh.
Best for your breasts Between three and five days after giving birth your milk will come in and you may find your breasts become swollen, tender and leaky. (This will happen whether you are breastfeeding or not). Breast pads can be a great investment at this time, particularly in the early stages. If you’re breastfeeding, sore nipples are another common problem. Apply calendula cream or try that old tip about putting cold cabbage leaves in your bra to soothe the pain. It really does work!
10 Modernmum
C-section healing Your body will generally take longer to recover from a C-section delivery than from a vaginal delivery, mainly as a result of the stitches, which will be sore for some time. In most cases, the scar should heal within about eight to ten days and, once it has healed, you can apply calendula or vitamin C cream to the area. This will not only help to make the scar fade, but will also keep the skin supple.
Beat the soreness It’s perfectly normal to feel sore for a few days after having a baby, especially if you had stitches from a tear or an episiotomy (a cut which is made in your perineum to help ease the baby out). Haemorrhoids (piles) are also quite common after birth. They’ll usually clear up on their own after a period of time, but you can help yourself to ease the soreness by sitting on a pillow to cushion the impact and relieve the pressure when you sit down.
Don’t be floored! After you give birth, weak pelvic floor muscles are the rule, not the exception, so it’s vital that you do the pelvic floor exercises, which your midwife will show to you in hospital. Even if you had stitches, make sure that you do your exercises, as they increase the blood flow to the area and will promote healing.
Bye-bye after-pains After-pains often kick in as your uterus gets back to its pre-pregnancy size. These pains, which feel like contractions, can be particularly uncomfortable during the first few breastfeeds, but they’ll ease off very quickly and should vanish altogether within a few days. To get through the pain, use the same
breathing exercises that you were taught to do during labour and the pains should pass quite quickly. Paracetamol can be used to help with the pain, but remember that you should never exceed the recommended dose.
No flab – just fab! Even if you had a washboard for a tummy before your pregnancy, it’s likely that your stomach will be a bit saggy after giving birth. Whatever you do, though, don’t diet
straight after giving birth as you’ll need plenty of energy to look after a newborn baby, so it’s vital that you eat well. Remember that it took nine months for
your figure to stretch to the necessary size for your growing baby, so it’s not likely to disappear overnight. Give yourself time and space to get used to being a mum before you start stressing out over a few flabby tummy muscles!
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