Recovery from labor and vaginal birth

The article was consulted professionally by Dr. Trinh Thi Thanh Huyen – Obstetrician and Gynecologist – Obstetrics and Gynecology Department – Share99 Hai Phong International Health Hub

Whether you go into labor fast or slowly, for 2 hours or 2 days, for normal births, doctors will ask you to spend at least 48 hours in the hospital to monitor the post-birth health status of both mother and baby. After birth, your body needs a few weeks to be able to fully recover.

During labor, your perineum – the area between your vagina and rectum – can stretch and tear, leaving you feeling pain. Post-birth pain can be worse if you have a biopsyect openingsurgery , when the doctor makes a small cut that expands your vagina to help the baby out.

To relieve soreness at home, you should:

• Place an ice bag or cold bag on this area, to relieve pain and swelling.
• Sit on a pillow instead of a hard surface

Use warm water to keep your vagina clean while you urinate. When you have to clean, use a clean towel or paper, wipe into the sore area and wipe from front to back. That will help you relieve pain and avoid the risk of infection.

Vaginal discharge is a condition of vaginal bleeding, discharged in the weeks after birth. This suggests that your body is removing the tissues and blood inside the uterus that nourish the baby throughout pregnancy.

The first few days, you will see bright red blood, the amount of blood will gradually decrease, turn pale pink to brown, then turn yellow or cream before completely disappearing.

Contractions for several days after birth are normal. This is because your uterus is shrinking after birth.

You may notice these pains more when you are breastfeeding , since when you breastfeed secrete chemical substances in the body that cause your uterus to tighten. You can put a warm compress bag on the abdomen, or consult a doctor if the condition becomes serious.

You may have difficulty going to the bathroom after birth. This can be a side effect of painkillers you use during childbirth. If you have had an ausectar surgery, this also makes it more difficult for you to go to the bathroom.

To reduce constipation, you should drink plenty of water and eat foods high in fiber.

If you have hemorrhoids after birth, you can use hazel to relieve pain and itching.

The muscles and tissues in your rectum can be stretched or torn during childbirth, leaving you at risk of diarrhea. This condition will improve within a few months after birth.

Depending on the cause of the disease, the doctor will prescribe to control diarrhea. Certain foods such as milk, gluten, or foods rich in fats and artificial sweeteners can cause diarrhea.

The long process of childbirth, the second pregnancy puts pressure on the bladder causing the bladder to become insensitive to irritation when the urine is full, causing urinary conditions.

In some cases, urinary ina <3> may occur every time you cough or laugh. To improve this condition, you should carry out Kegel exercises.

In the first 3-4 days after birth, your chest will produce colostrum, a nutrient-rich substance that strengthens the baby's immune system. After that, your breasts will become tight when full of milk.

Massage or suck milk will help reduce swelling, pain. It is recommended to put cold towels on the chest when breastfeeding.

If you are not breastfeeding, it is recommended to wear a suitable, comfortable bra to avoid rubbing your breasts, which will help you create more milk.

Do not panic and worry if your hair thins out in the first 3-4 months after you give birth. The cause of hair loss is hormone changes. When you are pregnant, high hormone levels cause hair to grow faster and fall out less.

You can also see red or purple stretch marks on the abdomen and chest. They will not disappear completely, but will fade away.

After childbirth, you can face a change of a wide range of emotions, including anxiety, depression, moody and fatigue in the early days of motherhood. This is called "Baby blues" syndrome, caused by hormone changes.

If after a few weeks the condition still does not improve, you should consult your doctor for timely treatment because you may be at risk of post-birth depression.

After about the first 6 weeks after birth, you need to be checked for your vagina, uterus, cervical as well as your weight and blood pressure. After your health is restored, you can have normal sex and return to your exercise routine.

You should immediately notify your doctor if:

• Unsym control vaginal bleeding
• Severe headaches
• Leg pain accompanied by swelling
• Chest pain, chest swelling

Article reference source: Webmd.com