Depending on the birth experience, the changes in vagina after delivery includes much bleeding. On the other hand, it is easy to feel back to one's old self quickly and wonder when one can resume certain activities, including sex and using of tampons.
No matter what, one should wait until the doctor clears to not put anything the vagina. This usually occurs around 6-week postpartum checkup.
Why? Well, the first reason is because of the risk of infection. The uterus is still physically recovering from birth — and if there's any vaginal repair, those areas will be healing, too. With the use of internal period products, like menstrual cups or tampons, bacteria can form and cause infection in these wounds.
The bleeding after birth lasts between two and six weeks so it is safe to use pads during this time or until the doctor says it is safe to do otherwise. It is important to change the pads and wash the hands frequently to avoid infection.
As for when to start having sex, there's really no rule concerning that, but many doctors may recommend waiting between four and six weeks after delivery. The reasoning is similar as with tampons, but infection risk does lower after two weeks postpartum.
The other risk is with stitches from episiotomis and tears healing correctly. If delivery was a vaginal delivery, the cervix dilated to allow the baby through and will take some time to go back to its normal size. So, again, the doctor will have to be consulted.
2. Put yourself in mind
However, carving out time to rest and take care of oneself is critically important.
While recovering, the bleeding might increase if too much is done by the mother. It’s important to pay attention to ones body and listen to cues that one needs to slow down. Overdoing it after birth can lead to injury, muscle strain, and feelings of overwhelm or anxiety.
Gentle walks are generally okay in the early days but it is important to contact the doctor and get cleared before delving into more high-intensity workouts. One should also stop exercising if experience any pain.
3. Pay attention to pain and act fast.
Most mother'a will have some level of pain after delivery, but the type and duration of pain will vary.
For instance, the pain could be different depending on if this was the first baby, how the baby is delivered (vaginally or via c-section), or if there was any complications during or after delivery. Pain may last days to weeks and can vary from person to person and even pregnancy to pregnancy.
It is important to speak with the doctor about pain management, and even prescription of pain medication, if necessary. The doctor can also determine if the pain may be a sign of a bigger issue.
4. Don’t hide any struggles
The baby blues hit about 80 percenr of women after giving birth and can cause one to feel intense feelings of sadness, anxiety, or stress in the first 10 to 14 days postpartum.
Beyond the first 2 weeks, however, if the newmom is still not feeling like herself, it is important to get evaluated for postpartum depression.
Symptoms of postpartum depression are:
- crying
- feeling angry
- feeling withdrawn from thw family or friends
- not enjoying things that normally brings joy
- doubting oneself when it comes to the basic care of the baby
- feeling disconnected from the baby
- feeling excessive worry of being capable of hurting the baby.
5. Do not forget about birth control
The hard truth is, one can get pregnant again as soon as six to eight weeks after giving birth. If that’s not in the plan, speak with the doctor about birth control options.
There are some birth control methods, like condoms, that one can start as soon as one resume having sex. If the preferred choice is hormonal birth control, one may need to wait a few weeks to start, depending on if breastfeeding or if theres other health issues.
Birth control options include:
With all the demands of newborn life, one may feel isolated and overwhelmed. If one have a partner, who is not playing an equal role in taking care of the baby, it is important to reachout to family and friends or consider joining a local parent group.
It is not necessary to wait until the baby is born to mobilize a support network. Consider lining up help or thinking about where one can find support in the months before the due date. That way, there’s one fewer thing to worry about when one gets home from the hospital.
7. Do no not neglect nutrition
Although keeping the baby nourished is the main focus after giving birth, nourishing ones own body is also very important.
If the baby is being breastfeed, ones body also needs between 450 and 500 extra calories a day to support milk production. Depending on ones weight, this may mean one need to aim to consume 2,500 calories each day.
Some ways to support ones nutrition during the postpartum period include:
- eating whole foods, like fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein
- minimizing snack foods high in saturated fats and added sugars
- continuing to take ones prenatal vitamin (or switching to a postnatal ones)
- staying hydrated
It is very important to stay hydrated. Experts suggest drinking 16 glasses of fluids daily.
It is important to quit smoking if such exists. Smoking puts ones own health at risk, but secondhand smoke is also a a major trusted risk factor for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Exposure to secondhand smoke may also trigger asthma or other respiratory issues in babies and children.
Misuse of drugs such as methamphetamine, opioids, cocaine, and cannabis are most commonly involved in putting mother and infant life at risk also.
9. Don’t go it alone if you need help
If in need of critical supplies, like diapers and formula, there are programs that can help one get the things needed.
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