If you're a new mom, you might think that the end of the journey is when you give birth. But on the contrary, it continues during the post-delivery stage. This is what's commonly known as postpartum.
Postpartum is the immediate six-week period after your delivery. Although it’s important to prioritise your newborn baby during this time, it’s also equally important to take care of yourself. This is the stage where your body is still in the process of healing. As such, it’s still quite tender and delicate.
To help you speed up the recovery process post-delivery, here’s what you need to do.
Rest as much as possible
Every new parent struggles with rest after giving birth. Generally, a newborn baby will wake up every two to three hours for feeding, getting changed, or being comforted. Because of your baby’s unconventional body clock, you might be overwhelmed with exhaustion. In fact, you may find it almost impossible to get a good eight hours of sleep.
- If you want to squeeze in more rest, here’s what you can do:
- In the first weeks, ask someone to help with all your responsibilities apart from feeding the baby.
- Adopt your baby's body clock. This means rest when your baby's sleeping and waking up when they do. This will take adjustment, but eventually, you'll get used to it.
For more convenience, place your baby’s crib near yours. This will make it easier to accommodate them when they need to be fed or comforted.
Get proper nutrition
Besides rest, it’s also crucial to get enough nutrition. Since your body has undergone drastic changes throughout your pregnancy and birth, you need to replenish the nutrients you’ve lost along the way.
To maximise your nutrient intake and help your body recover faster, experts have shared the ideal diet for new moms that highlight the following vitamins and minerals:
- Iron: During delivery, you would have lost a significant amount of blood. As your body continues to heal, it might continue to bleed, resulting in more blood loss. To help your body produce the amount of blood you need, you need to consume iron by eating lean meats, fortified foods, and leafy greens.
- Vitamin B12: Another vitamin that helps with blood cell production is Vitamin B12. This is mostly found in fortified cereals, dairy, beef, and salmon. In addition, by eating vitamin B12-rich foods, you can stimulate brain functions and develop nerve tissues.
- DHA: This is a type of omega-3 fatty acid that helps with brain tissue development, mental focus, inflammation reduction, and elimination of postpartum depression. Since this fatty acid produces serotonin, it can help you regulate your emotions.
- Vitamin D: To support your immune system and reduce anxiety, you also need to consume vitamin D-rich foods. Because your body does not produce enough of this vitamin naturally, you need to consume a lot of eggs, orange juice, and tuna. These are the best source of vitamin D and can therefore help with recovery.
Take care of your delivery area
No matter what type of delivery you've had, you will experience inevitable pain and discomfort in the affected area after childbirth.
If you’ve had a vaginal delivery, you can try soaking in a warm bath, applying numbing cream, or taking pain relievers to make your recovery more comfortable. In addition, be sure to always sit on soft cushions and avoid any pressure in your nether region to help it heal faster.
On the other hand, if you’ve had a C-section, it’s important to follow your doctor’s aftercare instructions. Try not to exert any effort on your body within the first six weeks, and take pain relievers when necessary.
Seek medical attention at the recommended women’s clinic Singapore
If pain and discomfort persist, don't hesitate to seek medical attention at Singapore women's clinic. To know when it's the right time to schedule a visit, be mindful of the following symptoms:
- Extreme vaginal bleeding
- Severe headaches
- Painful urination
- Redness or development of pus in the incision
- depression
Women's clinic Singapore will provide professional assistance to guide you in your healing