Post Natal - Take it easyYou've done the birth and you're now at home with your brand new baby. This is called the post natal stage. You may be over the moon, ecstatic at being a new Mum, then the next minute you may find yourself sobbing over your cornflakes! Lets face it, you've been through the mill! Being pregnant isn't all butterflies and roses, giving birth certainly isn't a walk in the park! and now you're a new Mum, with a new baby craving constant attention from you... You're bound to feel a little up and down. Post natal baby blues kicks in with about half of the new mothers around the 4 day mark after giving birth, you may feel tired, weepy, and a little unsure of yourself, the baby blues should pass after a few days.
Post natal care from your midwifeWhen you first get home after the birth, your midwife will arrange a time to come and visit for a post natal check-up. Please make sure on any visit from authorities that you check ID cards. There are so many awful stories around about hoax officials attending peoples homes, if your midwife is genuine she wont mind you double checking her credentials. You midwife will be there to help, so don't feel embarrassed to tell her about any post pregnancy problems you may be having, either with your own well being or that of your baby.On her visit she will do her post natal checks, feeling your tummy to check that your uterus is settling back into place, she will ask about your blood loss, and may offer advice on breast feeding.She will also check your baby's umbilical cord to make sure there is no infection (this should fall off within 5 - 10 days after the birth), and also weigh your baby. Up until the age of one year your baby will be weighed naked. Some babies will loose a little of their birth weight, and so may be a little lighter than when they were born. This isn't normally a problem, but if you are worried talk to your midwife, that's what post natal help is there for.
Your midwife may visit you two or more times, when she feels you are ready she will hand you over to a health visitor. your health visitor will take over your post pregnancy health were your midwife leaves off.
Post natal depression - PNDAt some stage she will give you a questionnaire to fill in, this helps her to tell whether you may be suffering from general baby blues or post natal depression. Do fill in the form truthfully. Post natal depression (PND) is nothing to be ashamed of. Alot of women will suffer from this (around 1 in 10) and it needs to be diagnosed and treated as quickly as possible. Mild depression can often be relieved by help from friends and family, severe post natal depression may need to be treated by your GP.Every new Mum will feel stressed and stretched to the limit occasionally, but this shouldn't be happening everyday. So if you do feel unable to cope, or you feel like you may harm yourself or your baby, do get help.Symptoms of PNDPost natal depression can make you feel physically exhausted, every new mother is bound to feel tired, but if you feel that tired that you feel physically ill, this could be a sign of PND (post natal depression). More symptoms could include, a loss of appetite, you could feel restless and unable to sleep, even though you are shattered. You may feel anxious and guilty about things that are out of your control. You may find that you have no joy in anything you do, things that used to cheer you up may not have the same pleasing affect.Your health visitor can advise you on ways to feel better, and also put you in touch with other mothers who are going through the same thing. Just by knowing you're not the only woman in the whole world who feels this way, can be a great relief. New babies are very hard work, but you should be able to enjoy this experience, so I cannot stress enough that if you need help, don't be afraid to ask. You will not be judged, but you will get the help and support that you need, your GP and health visitor see this problem every day with many people, let them help you to enjoy this amazing time in your life. Take a closer look at postnatal depression, symptoms and treatments. A couple of weeks after the birth, your health visitor will more than likely stop visiting your home, and arrange for you to go to their office. This encourages you to go out, and it also builds your confidence and allows you to meet other post natal mothers in the waiting room. Your health visitor will possibly try and encourage you to join a mother and baby group, this is of course your choice, but it is a very good way of meeting people just like yourself. Your bodys post natal healthYour body has gone through some amazing changes over the last 9 months, it may be a post pregnancy body... but it's all yours once again! Bleeding can last anything from a week to 6 weeks after the birth of your baby, you may be thinking "How long!?" and be horrified at the thought, but you don't really notice it that much, as you will be settling into your new post pregnancy routine. Bleeding may get heavier at around 7 - 10 days after the birth , this will gradually start to slow down and may become a brownish colour, getting less and less until it stops, (bleeding may be heavier when you breastfeed). If at any time you notice blood in large clots speak to your health professional as soon as possible, you may need treatment.Tampons should not be used in the first few weeks as this can increase the risk of infection.And just a quick note, you can get pregnant at this stage! so unless you want to do the last 9 months all over again... make sure you use a suitable contraception! Your first post natal period will come along after this, although if you are breast feeding you might not have a period for a while after this time, or until breastfeeding stops altogether. Getting back into a sexual relationship with your partner may take time, give yourself time to heal from the birth. Only you will know when you are ready, don't be pushed into it any sooner than you feel is right. Your partner may need time to get over watching the birth, this can affect men in different ways, some will feel no different at all, others may be afraid of hurting you. So talk things through, when you are both ready give it a try. Your midwife or health visitor will give you advice on exercise after the birth, and you really should follow this advice. It is important that you don't do too much too soon, everybody wants their pre natal figure back, but not at a cost to your health! You may find it difficult to control your bladder after the birth, this is quite common and pelvic floor exercises should help. If this problem lasts longer than 3 months, then see your GP. Get into routineI know this may sound a million miles away, after the birth of your new baby, you will need a routine, that way every one settles in better. Choose a time to do cleaning, a time for washing, and more than anything a time for you! You may be a mother, a partner, a wife... but you're still you! You will need sleep and relaxation ( and believe me I know how hard that is!) so if you need to sleep in the afternoon while your baby is napping, then do it! if you need to relax on your own in the evening while hubby is watching tv, then do it! Go take that warm bubble bath that you desperately crave!... just don't forget that you are a real person too!Enjoy your baby, if you get offers of help, take them. Don't max yourself out, and if you need a little extra help, ask your midwife or health visitor, that's what they are there for... Return from post natal to childbirth Back to New baby and beyond homepage.
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