The first six weeks after delivery of your baby is considered recovery period. The recovery period is 8 weeks if you had a cesarean. However, some people believe that the stress and stretches the body goes through during pregnancy and childbirth can make the recovery period last as long as 6 months to year.

how to ease and speed postpartum recovery

Assemble your postpartum care team 

These include family and friends who can help by :

• Caring for your newborn and other children
• Offering breastfeeding support. 
• Doing chores
• Making meals 
• Helping you get to health care visits.
• Providing emotional support

Maternal care provider

This is the Ob-gyn or other obstetrician care provider who is in charge of your care during the postpartum period. You need to call this person first if you have any concerns about your health after childbirth.

Your baby’s primary care

This is the pediatrician or other health care provider who is in charge of your baby’s care. Get in touch with this person if you have any concerns about your baby’s health.

WHat to expect during pospartum recovery

Many factors may affect how a mother recovers from childbirth. These include previous deliveries, multiple deliveries cesarean or vaginal delivery.

i week postpartum

• Vaginal discharge called lochia. A woman will have this whether the delivery is cesarean or vaginal. It contains blood and mucous membrane that lines the uterus during pregnancy. It appears like heavy period. Its heaviest for the first 3 to 10 days but will taper off after.
• Afterpains also happens regardless of the delivery. The pains results from the uterus shrinking to its pre pregnancy size.
• Your breastmilk will come in a few days after delivery.

mental health 

Estrogen level drops after childbirth. This can cause postpartum depression also known as baby blues. These feelings of sadness, anxiety, irritability affect up to 80% of women. It usually resolves on its own within a week or two. It is crucial to get enough rest and have a good support system to make the symptoms as less severe as possible. Contact your health care provider if symptoms become worse.

vaginal delivery -recovery tips

• Ice your perineum every couple of hours for the first 24 hours after childbirth. Make “padsicles” by adding aloe and witch hazel to maternity pads and keep them in the freezer until you need them.
• Try a warm sitz bath for 20 minutes a few times a day to ease pain.
• Avoid sitting or standing for too long and sleep on your side.
• Urination can be painful after childbirth. Spray warm water over the area before and after peeing to keep the urine from irritating torn skin.
• Take acetaminophen to ease achiness from pushing. You can also use a hot shower or heat pad to ease overall achiness.
• Do your Kegels to get your vagina back in shape.

cesarean delivery -recovery tips

• It is important to get out of bed and move around to prevent clots from forming.
• Care for the incision by cleaning it gently with soap and water once a day. Dry it with a clean towel. Discuss with your doctor whether it’s better to cover the wound or leave it open to air out, or if you should apply an antibiotic ointment.
• Do not lift anything heavy or engage in exercises in the first few weeks after a cesarean. The doctor will let you know when it’s safe to lift again and this is usually around 6 weeks after delivery.
• Your first postpartum bowel movement can take time. Eat fiber rich foods (whole grains, fruits, veggies), go for walks, and use gentle stool softeners to get and stay regular. Avoid straining because this is not good for perineal tears or cesarean scars.

general postpartum recovery tips

• Eat well to ease fatigue and constipation.
• For achy breasts, try warm compression or use an ice pack.
• Keep moving. Talk to your doctor about when you can start taking walks and strolls around the house.
• Keep up with your doctor’s appointments so that your doctor will check if everything is okay.