The first weeks after giving birth are not an easy time for a woman. Even though your baby is now the navel of the world, do not forget about your he alth. Some discomforts in the puerperium are quite normal, but there are also some symptoms that should worry you.

Everyone around asks forbaby . But your condition, ailments and well-being are also important. Give yourself some attention, don't ignore the signals your body sends you duringpuerperium . We suggest what symptoms you can blame for fatigue and hardshipschildbirth , and what should worry you and make you visit a doctor.

Heavy puerperal bleeding

During the puerperium, faeces are excreted from the genital tract. Initially, they are quite abundant and resemble blood. Gradually, however, the secretion weakens and changes its color from dark red (usually after 7-10 days after giving birth), through brown, to more yellow (after 2-3 weeks), to completely disappear (at the end of the puerperium at the latest). If your vaginal discharge suddenly becomes a little more intense, such as when you stand up after resting for a long time, don't worry. Likewise, when it gets mild and you are still feeling well, nothing hurts you, the discharge doesn't smell bad, and you don't have a fever. Pain in the lower abdomen is also normal, which is intensified during breastfeeding as a result of the contraction of the uterus after giving birth, but please contact your gynecologist if:

  • bleeding from the genital tract suddenly intensified, although it has clearly started to subside
  • puerperal excrement smells bad and in addition has intensified and a vivid red discharge has reappeared
  • you have a fever or low-grade fever, chills, malaise, and you don't have any symptoms of a respiratory infection
  • your belly hurts a lot, more than during your periods
  • your urine is cloudy, and you feel a terrible burning sensation or pain when you pee.

5 facts you should know about childbirth

Puerperal: painful wound

If you had an incision in your perineum (or if it broke itself) during labor, the seams will pull and hurt at first, especially when you sit down. The caesarean section wound is also painful, itchy and stinging. After removing stitches (which occurs 4-5 days after childbirth, and after a week, ifyou have had a caesarean section) you will feel relieved - this applies, of course, to women who have non-dissolving sutures. Report to the doctor (preferably to the emergency room of the hospital where you gave birth) when:

  • the wound after an incision of the perineum or caesarean section has turned red, swollen, it hurts more and more, something is seeping out of it and you feel a throbbing in it. This condition requires medical consultation, especially if you have a fever or low-grade fever. These are signs of infection.
Problem

This may be useful to you

  • the inflatable lifebuoy is great for sitting on a sore crotch
  • large towel - when you roll it up and fold it in a U-shape, you will receive a rolling pin
  • chilled cabbage leaves and bruised in a bra between feedings - they reduce swelling and relieve pain
  • large jug to support the arm while feeding
  • gel compresses - you can warm them up or cool them down and use them as a warm compress or a cold compress (not only for the breast, but also for the sore perineum)
  • boiled beetroot, a few prunes, bran, whole wheat bread, and plenty of water will help keep your intestines in check, preventing constipation.

Breasts in trouble

In the first few weeks after giving birth, natural breastfeeding does not always look like an idyll. However, if you want to feed naturally, don't get discouraged by any possible problems. Food is also created in … the head. If you believe that everything will be fine, that you will breast-feed your baby, it will happen. Even if you encounter minor problems on your "milky way". On the 2-4th day after delivery, both breasts may become large, swollen, and the skin on them strongly taut. However, if they are not red or hard, there is no need to worry as long as you are feeling well. It is an onslaught, that is, overfilling the breast with food. This is perfectly normal and is evidence of normal lactation. Everything will be normal soon. If a part of your breast, usually one, is painful, red and harder, or you can feel a lump under your fingers, it is a sign that the milk duct is blocked. Do not stop feeding your baby, starting by latching on to the sore breast. Make warm compresses before feeding and gently massage the diseased part of the breast, and apply cold compresses after feeding to reduce milk production.

You must consult your doctor or lactation adviser if:

  • you start to fever, have chills, muscle aches, feel weak. These are signs of inflammation of the breasts. After examining you, the doctor will decide if an antibiotic is needed. Remember that even during inflammation andyou can still breastfeed while taking medications (the doctor will select medications so that they do not interfere with natural feeding).

Mood disorders in puerperium

Mood swings after childbirth are not unusual. The reasons are hormonal storms, fatigue and changes in the life of a young mother. If you are constantly sad, depressed, you are not happy with the birth of a baby, and in addition, changing the diaper or bathing your baby seems beyond your strength, be sure to seek support from your loved ones. An honest conversation with your partner, friend or other young mother can help you a lot, don't hesitate to consult a psychologist or psychiatrist if:

  • the child tires you, his crying irritates you, and the help of your relatives has no effect. Perhaps you have more than just a mild mood disorder that goes away after a few weeks, popularly known as baby blues. Maybe it's postpartum depression? It does happen sometimes, and it's not just the kind of fatigue that passes over time. Professional help, sometimes medications, is then necessary.

Necessary inspection

Do you feel well, the puerperium is without any unpleasant ailments? Great. Remember, however, that every woman, regardless of whether she gave birth by force of nature or by caesarean section, should visit a gynecologist about 6 weeks after giving birth. The doctor will assess how the changes reverse after pregnancy and delivery, e.g. whether the uterus has contracted properly or the wound is healing well. This is also the right time to ask your doctor questions that bother you, for example about breasts, resumption of menstruation or sex. Six months after giving birth, you should have a cytology test.

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Pregnancy