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Having a baby is a life-changing event
indeed. Even though you may have psyched yourself for this during your
pregnancy, the transition from marriage to parenthood can still hit you
like a bolt from the blue. After all, you are now responsible for
another human being - a fact which any new parent can easily feel
overwhelmed by.
Postnatal Care
At the very least, you will be better
prepared when you know what to expect of your body as it recovers from
childbirth:
• If you have had an episiotomy, your stitches will feel sore for a few
days. Use pillows or a round tube to cushion the impact of sitting up
on hard surfaces.
• If this is your second or subsequent child, you may get after-birth
contractions, especially during initial breastfeeding, because your
uterus is shrinking.
• If you feel a sting when you go to the toilet, pour a jug of lukewarm
water over your vagina as you urinate
• Scars from a Caesarean section may itch for up to six weeks.
• You will have some discharge (known as 'lochia') for about six weeks
after delivery, which starts off as a moderate blood flow and then
turns yellowish-pink as it tails off.
• To help your vaginal area heal faster start doing pelvic floor
exercises as soon as your doctor gives you the go-ahead.
• Three to five days after the birth, your milk will come and you may
wake up with swollen, tender and leaky breasts.
• For sore nipples, apply some nipple cream or breast milk to
moisturise tehm. Applying a cold compress also helps ease the pain.
Postnatal Depression
Sometimes your depression is not due to
just stress; you may be suffering from a medical condition. Therefore,
it is important to seek help if you have these symptoms:
• You are tired but cannot sleep.
• You have no interest in yourself or your baby.
• You cannot manage even simple tasks.
• You are always crying.
• You feel guilty, inadequate or worthless.
Often these feelings are the result of fatigue, post-natal hormones and
lack of knowledge. Getting emotional and physical support from the
people around you, such as your spouse or relatives, can work wonders.
Sometimes your friends seem to have disappeared the moment your
graduate to mother hood. It may be a temporary phase because they know
you are tied up with your baby. However, good news is you can make many
new friends with other first-time mummies like you!
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