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Postpartum recovery often isn’t given the importance and treatment it deserves. Going through postpartum can be a not only physically, but mentally trying process, and we are here to help you navigate the journey!
After delivery, you may face symptoms such as bleeding, backaches, sore breasts, and perineum pain, which take time to heal and your body returns to normal. Depending on the type of birth you had and whether you had vaginal tears, recovery can take up to six weeks.
Some tips for pospartum recovery
Care for your perineum
The perineum involves the area of skin that got stretched/torn while giving birth, so it is important to take care of it and help it heal during the postpartum period. Icing your perineum every few hours for the first day and spraying warm water over the area can help reduce general skin irritation. Sleeping on your side can also help relax the skin instead of sitting or standing too much.
Massage your breasts
As your breasts will likely be sore during this time, massaging them, placing a warm compress on them, or icing them, can help relax the body and soothe irritated or engorged skin. This could promote easier breastfeeding as well without being too hard on your breasts/nipples. In general, body massages can help reduce back aches and ease other pains as well.
Eat well
Eating five small meals during the day can help you reduce fatigue, and eating foods high in fiber will help prevent constipation and hemorrhoids. Drinking lots of water and avoiding caffeine and alcohol can help your body better adjust to a cycle too, aiding you on the road to recovery.
Do gentle exercise
While it’s important to not overexert yourself during this time, small, gentle exercise can boost your mood and reduce depression symptoms. Taking walks around the house and the neighborhood is enough to get your body moving, which can reduce constipation, boost circulation and muscle tone, speed recovery, and boost your mood.
Hormone University was created as an educational platform with the mission to improve hormone health through accessible knowledge and to advocate for social impact in our communities.
You’re not alone.
80% of the adult female population has experienced hormonal imbalance at one point in their life that affected not only their physical health but also their mental health. Coping with pain, infertility, anxiety, depression, body image issues, and, on top of this, judgment is the heavy load most of these women have to bear each day and an important problem we need to tackle as a society.
