Archive for the ‘Your Life after the Birth of Your Baby’ Category

What will happen at my postnatal checkup?  q2whn78ivz
Around six weeks after the birth of your baby, you will need to see your doctor for your postnatal checkup. During this appointment, the doctor will ensure that your body is returning to normal after the pregnancy and birth.

How long do I have to wait after my Caesarean before I can drive again?
It is generally thought best to wait for around four to six weeks before driving again following a Caesarean section. although there are no specific guidelines based on research on the subject. We would suggest that you wait until you feel that you have totally recovered from the operation and that you would be able to perform driving manoeuvres such as reversing and parking, as well as an emergency stop, without experiencing pain or discomfort. You would also need to feel comfortable with the car seat belt around you, as this will be directly over the area of your wound.
You should contact your insurance company as well to check their criteria, as some do not insure women to drive within a certain period following a major operation such as a Caesarean.

Postnatal exercise
You can exercise as soon as you warm to after your baby’s birth. The amount you do and how strenuous the exercise will depend on the type of birth you had and how much you exercised before you had your baby. Other considerations are whether you are breastfeeding and the amount of discomfort you feel. Always listen to your body as you will become uncomfortable if you do too much. Your body has just undergone an enormous change throughout the course of pregnancy and childbirth, particularly if you had a Caesarean section. There are also high levels of hormones still in your body, which can make you more supple and prone to injury If you are breastfeeding, you may just want to do gentle exercising until feeding is established. It’s a good idea to wear a supportive bra while exercising, and exercise following a feed rather than before one, which may make it more comfortable for you.
Exercises for 0-6 weeks
Always yarn up, wear” dthe correct footwear, and drink plenty of fluids while you are exercising. Stop and seek medical advice if you feel unwell or experience any severe pain or your bleeding increases. Although getting back to your pre-pregnancy shape is important for your wellbeing, do be patient with yourself as it will take time.
Which exercises can I do? Pelvic floor exercises can be commenced straight after the birth (see p.57). These important exercises help prevent you from leaking urine when you laugh, cough, or sneeze. The exercises involve drawing up and holding the pelvic floor muscles, tightening around the back and front passages, and then letting go. Make sure that you are tightening the pelvic floor (not your buttocks, thighs, or tummy muscles). Keep breathing and relax your other muscles.

Pelvicexercises can also be done lying on your side or ack with the knees bent and slightly apart.
Othe gentle exercises. like lying on your back with your kn.~es bent and doing pelvic tilts (pulling your belly-b !ton in and upwards towards your spine), are reco    ended in the first few days after the birth (not if you h. d a Caesarean).Your abdominal muscles may have separated in pregnancy, so doing these gentle exercises will help them to reunite. The exercises
below will help strengthen abdominal muscles (avoid after a Caesarean and follow the exercise advice given by the hospital). Buildup exercises gradually, starting with one cycle and then repeating this as many times as you feel comfortable. Always breathe normally. Walking and swimming are excellent ways to build up your fitness levels once you have stopped bleeding.
What should I avoid in the first six weeks? Full impact and resistance exercising should only be done about six weeks after the birth, to prevent any strain on the pelvic floor area. Ask your fitness instructor for advice and gradually increase your exercise. Always let your instructor know that you have just had a baby, so exercises can be tailored to your needs. If you had
a Caesarean, your hospital will have given you a leaflet describing the sort of exercises you can do safely, and before you carry out abdominal exercises, such as situps, check with your doctor first: these are usually safe to do around 6-8 weeks after the birth.You can gently introduce single leg-raises while lying on your back once you feel ready probably after about a month.

I developed piles at the end of my pregnancy - will they go now the baby has been born?
haemorrhoids, are swollen veins in or around the anus. They are fairly common in pregnancy and after childbirth due to the weight and pressure of the baby s head pressing down. Most women find that haemorrhoids disappear within a month of giving birth, although a very small minority of women are not so fortunate and will need to discuss treatment optio-is with their doctor. In the meantime, if you are finding the haemorrhoids uncomfortable or itchy, there area few things you can try Applying a mate-nity cool pad to the area can be soothing (you can make your own by freezing a folded wet flannel), or you- doctor or pharmacist may be able to recommend a cream that can ease the discomfort. You should also try to avoid becoming constipated as straining to go to the toilet will make the piles
After an episiotomy
How to ease the discomfort of stitches
If you had an episiotomy, you may find that your perineum is quite uncomfortable after the birth, as the surrounding skin can swell, causing the stitches to become tighter, and sitting down becomes increasingly difficult. Here are some ways to relieve this discomfort. * Sit on a rubber ring to take the pressure off your sti hes and enable you to relax.
pply a cooling gel pack to the area, or ask your midwife or doctor to recommend an anaesthetic worse. so drink plenty of water and eat lots of fresh fruit and vegetables as well as wholegrains.
I had an episiotomy and am terrified of going to the loo. Do you have any advice?
Many women who have had a cut or tear to the perineal area experience discomfort for a while after the birth. There may also be some pain or “stinging” when passing urine or opening the bowels, but this should last only for a few days. You may find it helpful to tip a jug of warm water over the area when you pass urine, as this helps to dilute the urine and reduce the stinging sensation acidic urine can cause. If your loo is near the shower, you may be able to use the shower head over the toilet. A bidet, of course, is ideal, though not many people have these. Drinking plenty of fluids will also help to dilute your urine.
It is normal not to open your bowels for a day or two after the birth. Many women feel anxious the first time they pass a bowel motion, but it is very unlikely that this will damage your stitches. However, if you become constipated, this could cause discomfort. Make sure you drink plenty of water, and eat fresh fruit and vegetables to help prevent this. If you find that you are still feeling constipated, your midwife can give you a mild stool softener if necessary.
I had a long delivery and I’m
worried that my vagina has
stretched. Will it get back to normal?
‘I!ry not to worry. Although at first you may notice changes to your body as a result of the pregnancy and birth, a woman’s body is designed to give birth and return to normal afterwards. To help the muscles around your vagina to tighten after the birth, do some pelvic floor exercises as you did in pregnancy (see p.57). These involve identifying which muscles you need to exercise by tightening the muscles around your vagina and back passage and lifting up just as if you were trying to stop yourself passing urine and wind at the same time. You should practise 5-6 at a time, ideally several times a day If at first you are not able to hold the muscles tight for 5 seconds.

Your body after the birth
I’ve heard about “afterpains”, but what exactly are they?
The term “afterpains” refers to the discomfort felt after the birth as the uterus starts to contract back down  to its normal, pre-pregnancy size. These pains are often described as feeling similar to period pains. So times, women having their first baby may not notice any afterpains, or they are fairly mild; they are more commonly felt by women having their second or subsequent baby. due to the fact that the uterus has to work harder to regain its usual size after being stretched on more than one occasion. who are    also tend to be felt more in women
are breastfeeding their babies, as breastfeeding stim ates the release of the hormone oxytoch which in turn triggers the uterine contractions that are I elt as afterpains.
Getting enough rest
helping  your body to X recover
0    Whether you had a vaginal or
Caesarean birth, you are likely to feel exhausted in the first few weeks. It’s important that you don’t take on too much and give yourself time to recover. * Rather than try and catch up on chores while your baby sleeps, have a nap to catch up on sleep lost through interrupted nights.
•    Avoid heavy lifting as much as possible.
•    It’s fine to stay indoors at first and take things at your own pace while you get used to life with your new baby.
* Don’t feel you have to entertain visitors — 13k them to make you a cup of tea!
If you experience particularly uncomfortable afterpains, it is perfectly safe to take a mild analgesic or a painkiller such as paracetamol. You should find that the discomfort disappears after a few days. Taking warm baths can also be soothing.
I’m still bleeding heavily. How long will this last?
The bleeding you experience after birth is known
as lochia, which is a heavy, bloody vaginal discharge made up of blood and tissues from the uterus and from the site where the placenta was attached to the wall of the uterus. This is how your body gets rid of I he lining of the uterus that supported your baby. Most women find that the bleeding looks initially
like a “period” type of blood loss, and then gradually turns to a brownish or pinkish, watery discharge. The final colour may be yellowish and the discharge quite scanty This bleeding can last for anything from two to six weeks after giving birth. If you are breastfeeding it may finish sooner as the let-down reflex stimulates oxytocin, which in turn triggers uterine contractions.
Is it safe to use tampons while I’m bleeding?
It is not advised to use tampons for around six weeks after giving birth. This is because you are more vulnerable to contracting an infection during this period, so it is important to pay close attention to personal hygiene at this time to keep your vaginal area free from any bacteria, which can be introduced through the use of a tampon. So you should avoid using tampons while you have the post-pregnancy bleed known as lochia.
You can start to use tampons again for your first period after the birth, as long as this occurs at least six weeks after the birth.

LABOUR AND BIRTH
A NEW LIFE
Ouch! My stitches are really uncomfortable. What’s the best way to ease the pain?
Stitches do cause discomfort fora few days after giving birth, so keep the area as clean as possible as this will help prevent infection and minimize your discomfort. You should wash the area with warm water several times a day and make sue you change your pad frequently. Many women find the following techniques for reducing discomfort helpful: * Using a cold pad. You can use a cooling gel pad that has been specially designed for the purpose of soothing the discomfort caused by stitches in the perine area. These have been demonstrated to effectively reduce swelling, briusing, and pain. Or make y:)ur own cool pad by placing crushed ice in a pla tic bag and wrapping this in a dry flannel. * Taking the homeopathic remedy arnica, which is thou ht to help reduce bruising.
* Having a warm bath with a few drops of lavender or camomile essential oil.
* Taking painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprof n. Ask your doctor or midwife for advice.
take a f w months or more. whichever category you fall to, it is important not to adopt a strict diet during e early weeks and months of parenthood, especi y if you are breastfeeding. However, it is sensib14 to eat a healthy, balanced diet and take some e ercise.You should aim to lose your “baby weight” ,gradually as this will ensure that you are receiv’ g enough nutrition in the postnatal period, and wi give your tummy more time to adjust its shape. eome women do attend professional sessions such as Weight %Vatchers, but it is important that you inform , e trainer or person in charge that you have recentl had a baby.
Coping with constipation Helping your bowels ‘Lo work after the birth
It’s common for bowel movements to be fairly sluggish after giving birth as your abdominal muscles have been stretched during the pregnancy and so exert less pressure, which slows down the movement of faeces through the bowels causing constipation.
You may also feel uncomfortable after the birth and be anxious that opening your bowels, and possibly straining, could damage stitches if you had any However, this is extremely unlikely. The best way to avoid constipation is to drink plenty of fluids each day, preferably water (also important if you are breastfeeding), and to eat tots of fibre-rich foods, such as fresh and dried fruits, cereals, and other wholegrain foods. Once you have recovered from the birth, gentle exercise that tones the abdominal muscles may also help your bowels to become more efficient (see pp.268-269).
How can I get rid of my stretchmarks?
Unfortunately, there is no magic way to get rid of stretchmarks, which affect a large number of pregnant women and seem to be influenced by genes as they often run in families. You will find that the marks fade over time from bright red to a paler pink, and then to a silvery colour that blends in with your skin tone. Massaging a natural oil into your skin may help them to fade.
If, after time, your stretchmarks are still troubling you, you could discuss treatment options with your doctor, which include Laser treatments to reduce the redness of stretchmarks. However, you should be warned that treatments for getting rid of
stretchmarks are often not completely effective and simply speed up the natural fading process rather than eradicate the stretchmarks altogether. Also you would have to pay for these treatments privately
varies widely.
How quickly will I lose the weight I put on during pregnancy?

I’m losing weight fast, but my tummy is really flabby - how can I tighten it up?
This i . a common problem after giving birth. The flabb i ess you are experiencing is caused by the muse :-s and skin having stretched to accommodate your bregnancy and baby After the birth, these muse  es relax and have lost their tone. However, you shoule find that the muscle tone gradually returns, altho gh it may never be quite the same as it was befor’ your pregnancy.
Yo u can try some gentle toning exercises (see pp.2t8-269) as soon as you feel able to after the birth,although you should wait for at least six weeks if yo ‘have had a Caesarean. Your midwife will be able io give you more information about what is safe to do land what is not. If you do go to a professional exert se class or gym, make sure you inform the train4 that you have recently given birth and what type of birth you had so he or she can give you appropriate advice and guidance.
I’ve still got a huge appetite - is this because I’m breastfeeding? Ho much should I be eating now?
This ould be because you are breastfeeding, which requi es an extra 500 calories each day However. this iay not equate to as much food as you think -it wo s out at about two slices of toast with baked bean ! Your big appetite therefore isn’t a problem
in itself, but how you satisfy it can be! As long as you are eating a healthy, balanced diet. you shouldn’t find that ou gain weight (and you definitely shouldn’t be tryinsi to diet while you are breastfeeding). Ensure
that our diet is providing sufficient quantities of prole and carbohydrates and plenty of fresh fruit and –getables. Also avoid filling up on “empty calor es” such as sweets, biscuits, and crisps, and insle.: d try to snack on foods such as fruit, nuts, and seed.. This will ensure that you receive the best nutri on during such an important time, which will bene it you and your baby, and will also help you to lose ..ny extra weight you have gained during the co -e of your pregnancy.
I’ve heard that breastfeeding helps you to lose the weight quicker. Is this true?
Breastfeeding can help you to lose weight moi e quickly after the birth as your body is using up energy to provide an adequate milk supply for
your baby. Some of the 500 extra calories a day you need may be taken from fat supplies deposited in pregnancy Often, extra fat laid down on the hips and thighs in pregnancy is lost first, providing the “fuel” required to make milk and breastfeed your baby. Gentle exercise such as walking and swimming will also help to shift the pregnancy pounds.
I’m not breastfeeding my baby at all - when will my periods start again?
If you are not breastfeeding, you can expect your first period to arrive any time from four weeks after the birth. Most women find that the first period is a little different from normal. It may be heavier or Lighter and it may last for longer or shorter than usual. A more regular pattern should establish itself over the next few months.