The recovery and healing process following childbirth is usually a tremendous adjustment for most new mothers. The period after labour is termed as postpartum. Postpartum care and recovery length varies widely from woman to woman. It can take weeks, even months for the body to heal and return to its pre-pregnancy state.

Post-partum care is the care offered to the mother after delivery of the baby.

During this period of postpartum care, the mother’s body needs time to heal physically and emotionally before it returns to its pre-pregnancy state.

New mothers often feel much stress because of the change in their routine and the responsibility of caring for a new baby.

Gradually, you will begin to feel better and resume your normal activities. Although a mother may face many challenges during the recovery period, celebrate and enjoy each precious moment.

After birth of the new baby, the mother will experience many physical changes as her body starts to recover. She will experience after birth pains when her uterus contracts and shrinks and this generally lasts for a couple of days.

Doctors normally prescribe medications to relieve the pain and discomfort. Spotting or bleeding (lochia) that is very similar to a menstrual period may last for up to 2 to 6 weeks or longer.

In this case it is advisable to wear thick, maternity pads and avoid the use of tampons while she is bleeding.

It is also generally recommended that the mother abstain from sexual intercourse for about 4 to 6 weeks, and remember to discuss birth control options with her doctor.

Women who have had an episiotomy can relieve the soreness and pain by applying an ice pack to the affected area. It is also vital that the mother keep the perineum area cleansed to prevent infection.

If the mother had a cesarean birth, she will need a longer recovery period than those who had vaginal or natural birth.

Walking and climbing stairs may be painful or uncomfortable following a C-section (operation done to remove the baby from the mother’s womb), but it is essential that the mother try to move around.

The breasts may feel sore, tender and engorged with milk even if the mother is not breastfeeding. Sore breasts can be alleviated by applying warm or cold compresses or cabbage leaves to the breasts, taking warm showers, or numbing the pain with ice wrapped in a towel.

Breastfeeding the baby frequently and on demand, and checking that he or she is latched on properly, will also make breastfeeding easier. Feeling tired and suffering from interrupted sleep routine is only natural for mothers with babies.

In this case, mother should sleep when the baby sleeps and rest as much as possible.

Th husband in such circumstances can offer the wife a break by helping with feeding or allow family and friends to occupy the baby while the partners have time out.

New mothers often find that they have developed constipation, hemorrhoids, swelling in the legs and feet as well as urinary and fecal incontinence. Drinking plenty of water and eating foods containing fiber such as fresh fruit and vegetables can relieve constipation or hemorrhoids.

A stool softener may also be helpful, but check with your doctor before using laxatives or enemas. Swelling in the legs and feet can be reduced by keeping them elevated.

Incontinence does eventually go away but practicing light exercises regularly can improve this condition.

Many women pick up additional weight during pregnancy and then struggle to shed those extra pounds. It is very important to remember not to diet or start an exercise plan immediately after giving birth; there is need to allow your body to recover first and then consult a health expert for advice on when to start and what to do.

For mothers who are breastfeeding and want to slim down, it is recommended that they wait until the baby is at least two months old. Breastfeeding also helps to use up extra calories and lose the excess weight.

If the mother is struggling with overweight, make sure that she does not lose too much and too quickly. It is advisable to shed weight in a healthy way.

It is advisable to feed on a well balanced diet during the healing period and when the mother becomes fully recovered, she can start exercising again.

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