Birth Recovery Tips:

We often spend so much time thinking about labor itself that we don’t fully prepare for postpartum recovery. Let’s talk about birth recovery! Physical recovery from childbirth usually takes anywhere from 6-8 weeks. There are many different things to consider in this process; today, we will be talking about birth recovery tips that may be beneficial to you during your healing process.

Recovering from a vaginal birth

First off, please try and remember that everyone’s experience is different, and recoveries vary. It is essential to contact your doctor if you notice any abnormal changes.

Vaginal soreness and discomfort – It’s normal to feel sore, and your pain will begin to improve as you heal. If, for some reason, you become more soar over time, please contact your provider.

Vaginal discharge– You will experience vaginal discharge called lochia for the first few weeks postpartum. In the beginning, this will be red and heavy. As you heal, it will change to a lighter color and become less and less heavy. This discharge color will change from bright red to lighter pink, brown, or yellow over time.

Hemroids– Hemroids are relatively common after childbirth. You can use a mixture of witch hazel, cold compresses, and hot compresses on the affected area to soothe.

Bowel movements– It is recommended to eat softer, easily digestible foods after birth, to help ensure that your bowel movements are easier to pass. Staying hydrated will help with this as well. You may ask your doctor about taking a stool softener or added fiber to your diet too.

Contractions– It is normal to still have light contractions for the first couple of days postpartum. These contractions are called after pains. If the pain is too much to handle, a call to your provider is a good idea to talk about taking an over-the-counter pain manager.

Recovering from a Cesarean

C- sections are considered to be major abdominal surgery. It is important to rest as much as possible after a cesarean birth. This means that you are staying in bed as much as you possibly can, and all household tasks are being delegated to others. It is recommended not to walk up and down stairs more than 2-3 times a day. That means walking down the stairs would count as one trip, and walking back up would count as another.

Edema– If edema (swelling) in the legs or ankles is present, try and keep your legs elevated as much as possible, and drink plenty of water.

Wound care– keep your wound clean and dressed as your doctor recommends. If your wound doesn’t look normal, call your doctor right away.

Stay Hydrated– Hydration helps to promote healing!

Avoid heavy lifting– It is recommended to avoid lifting anything heavier than your baby while healing.

Tips to soothe

• Use a peri bottle when urinating to helping soothe. This is just warm water in your bottle that you squeeze at the same time to help with the pain.
• Stock up on cooling pads with hazel to place in your postpartum underwear. The cold feeling help with swelling and irritation.
• Rest

Final words

Regardless of how you gave birth, you will have a recovery period postpartum. The healing process varies from person to person. Try to use this time to heal, rest, restore, and bond with your baby as much as possible. You just did something amazing, but challenging! Everyone’s postpartum healing journey is different, and it is essential to contact your provider should you ever feel something isn’t right.

Thank you for joining us as we discussed birth recovery tips. We hope you enjoyed it. For more tips on all things pregnancy, birth, postpartum, and parenthood check out our weekly blog.