Women who have just given birth will immediately enter the puerperium. This period begins when the woman has delivered the placenta and continues for several weeks later. The puerperium generally lasts up to six weeks after delivery.
In these six weeks, a woman's body will undergo changes, namely adaptation from pregnancy and childbirth, until it gradually returns to its pre-pregnancy state.
Most women do not know the recovery process that their bodies go through during the puerperium. In fact, this is important to know in order to be able to do the right care after giving birth.
Body Condition after Childbirth
After giving birth, you can feel very tired and in pain. The body generally takes 6-8 weeks to recover, and may take even longer if you have a cesarean delivery.
So what happens to a woman's body after giving birth? There are at least five organs that are directly affected by normal birth.
- VaginaThe vagina, which has increased blood flow and swelling, will return to normal within 6-10 weeks. In mothers who are breastfeeding, the return of the vaginal condition will be longer due to low estrogen levels.
- Perineum
During the puerperium, the swollen vulva will recover within 1-2 weeks, while the strength of the perineal muscles will return to its original state for six weeks after delivery. However, in some cases, the strength of the perineal muscles may not be as perfect as before due to the severity of the tear that occurs.
- WombWhen pregnant, the weight of the uterus itself can reach 1000 g. The size of the uterus will continue to shrink, and the weight of the uterus in the sixth week after delivery will be only 50-100 g. The flow of blood that comes out continues to decrease, with the color changing from red to yellowish white.
- Cervix (cervix)This part also gradually returns to its original state, although the shape and size can not really return to the same as it was before pregnancy.
- stomach wallIf you want the abdominal wall to tighten again, regular exercise is needed. Because, a few weeks after giving birth, this part will loosen.
- BreastThe breasts of women who enter the puerperium will feel tight, full, and painful. This is a natural process, as the body prepares itself for breastfeeding. During the postpartum period, mothers are advised to breastfeed regularly so that breast milk can be distributed to the baby. Breastfeeding during the puerperium can also help reduce breast pain after delivery.
Do These Things During Postpartum
During the postpartum period, you tend to need time to rest. However, don't get carried away with yourself because your baby needs attention too. Try to get around it by doing the following things:
- Ask other family members to help with homework.
- Sleep when the baby is sleeping so that you get enough rest.
- Make sure that your baby always gets breast milk. But don't forget, you yourself must always have sufficient fluid intake.
- Meet the nutritional and energy needs during the postpartum period for recovery, and also to meet the needs of breast milk.
- Ask other family members to help in taking care of you and your baby's needs.
- Every now and then take the time to walk out of the house, in order to get a new atmosphere and reduce stress due to fatigue.
- Don't forget to consult with your doctor about body care, sex matters, and the choice of contraception.
When you have regular check-ups with the doctor after giving birth, the doctor will:
- Weight check to monitor nutritional status after delivery.
- Check blood pressure, body temperature, respiration, and pulse rate.
- Physical and mental health checks.
- Examination of the muscles used during labor.
- Examination of suture marks during childbirth.
Emotions during the postpartum period
The postpartum period also affects your emotions. You may feel happy because of the presence of a new member in the family, but at the same time, you may also feel tired and anxious because of the new responsibility of taking care of the baby.
There are also women who have syndrome baby blues during the puerperium. This syndrome usually begins on the second or third day after delivery and tends to subside a few days later. Consult a doctor if your condition baby blues accompanied by a desire to harm oneself or the baby, and if it leads to depression.
Basically, care during the postpartum period is focused on keeping the mother's condition healthy, both physically and mentally. Use this time to recuperate, bond with your baby, and set up a routine for caring for your baby.