Postpartum Period is a time of changes for the mother, both physically and mentally. New mothers should prepare and cope with the changes that will occur.
The body undergoes changes to prepare for breastfeeding and to return to the pre-pregnancy normal state. Having a new family member also affects the mental state of both father and mother, especially the mental changes which greatly impact the mother. If prepared for the upcoming changes, this period can be passed smoothly. What should be known and practiced after childbirth when returning home?
Perineal Wound
Clean every time after urination or defecation with soap and clean water, then pat the wound dry. Stitches with dissolvable thread do not need to be removed. The wound will heal normally in about 5 days. There is no need for traditional postpartum steaming treatment.
Surgical Wound
You can bathe normally if the wound is covered with a waterproof dressing. After bathing, dry the dressing and follow the wound care instructions before going home. The wound will heal normally in about 7 days.
Diet
After childbirth, you should eat a balanced diet with all five food groups to help build the body and provide enough nutrients to produce milk for the baby. Additionally, eating vegetables and fruits helps prevent constipation, which most mothers experience in the first week because they fear pain and hesitate to strain during bowel movements. Breastfeeding mothers should eat a complete diet and increase their intake of water or milk.
After giving birth, mothers need a lot of energy to care for their baby, which causes weight loss. They should try to reduce intake of starches, fats, sweets, and fruits that cause weight gain and are hard to lose due to eating habits during pregnancy. Light exercise and adequate rest are recommended. All of these will help mothers regain good health and their original figure easily. However, if mothers allow themselves to gain excessive weight, they risk obesity-related diseases such as diabetes and heart disease.
“Foods to avoid include fermented and pickled foods, spicy foods, tea, coffee, herbal liquors, and foods containing alcohol because these substances may be excreted through breast milk.”
Rest
Postpartum period mothers still feel tired from blood and energy loss during delivery. Therefore, they should get enough rest, at least 6-8 hours a day, especially during the first 2 weeks.
Personal Hygiene
Mothers can bathe normally by pouring water or taking a shower. They should avoid soaking in a bathtub or swimming because the cervix is not fully closed, which may allow bacteria in the water to enter the vagina and spread to the uterus, causing infection. Hair washing can be done normally or as appropriate. After defecation or urination, clean thoroughly and pat dry before putting on sanitary pads. Sanitary pads should be changed when wet or at least twice a day.
Daily Activities
During the 6 weeks postpartum, you can do light activities such as cooking, sweeping, etc. Avoid lifting heavy objects or doing activities that require abdominal muscle strength as it may cause pain in the surgical wound and uterine prolapse due to the stretching of the ligaments supporting the uterus. During this period, you can go up and down stairs but should be careful to avoid slipping, falling, or fainting, which may cause accidents.
Additionally, you can drive a car except if you experience pain or tension around the surgical or perineal wound. In such cases, avoid driving until the wound heals, which is about 4 weeks after normal delivery or 6 weeks after cesarean section, and you can resume normal daily activities.
Common problems for postpartum mothers include most mothers spending all their time with their baby, which is exhausting, demanding, and requires a lot of dedication. This often results in mothers not eating enough nutritious food, not exercising, and staying up late because they worry more about the baby’s health and diet than their own. If mothers pay attention to themselves, they will avoid illness. At the same time, mental health is very important during this time. Therefore, husbands should be considerate and help share the responsibilities. If mothers plan to have multiple children, they should not become pregnant too frequently because it will deteriorate their health. There should be a spacing of 1-2 years before the next pregnancy to allow time to care for both the baby’s and the mother’s health. Importantly, if mothers have good physical and mental health, it will result in the baby growing up healthy, complete, emotionally stable, and happy.
