How to Care for your Self after Giving Birth

Having a baby is a beautiful, emotional experience - that does a number on your body. You need time to recover after such an exercise and here are some tips to make sure you care for yourself so that you can care for your new baby.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Get plenty of rest! It will take about six weeks for you to fully recover from delivery. During the first week, make sure you get at least two rest periods during the day and do not lift anything heavier than your baby.

2. Continue to take your prenatal vitamins until your postpartum appointment. Eat a well balanced diet and do not go on a diet to lose weidght until after your check up. This is especially important if you are breastfeeding your baby.

3. Wear a bra that gives you good, snug support at all times. If your breasts become engorged, apply ice packs to them three or four times a day. You may take two Tylenol every four to six hours for discomfort. If you are bottle feeding, do not pump or stimulate your breasts as this may cause engorgement and added discomfort.

4. You may take short trips in a car after a week. No long distance trips or driving until four weeks after delivery. This keeps your body from becoming over tired and stiff. Also, some doctors say that the vibrations and bumps from the road can cause you to take longer to heal.

5. You may begin postpartum exercises two weeks after a regular delivery, six weeks after a C-section. (Walking is a great form of exercise and baby does enjoy to be outside even if he sleeps through the whole trip.)

Tips & Warnings

• Your mood and emotions may change rapidly and widely after childbirth. Avoid fatigue and remember that a certain amount of emotional as well as physical recovery is taking place.
• Call your doctor to make your postpartum appointment as soon as you get home from the hospital. (Contraception will be discussed at that checkup.)
• Call your doctor if you have excessive bleeding, chills and fever, frequent and burning urination, swelling, redness, and tenderness in a particular area of your brest, or if you are worried or in doubt.

[00Analana]

on 2/16/2009 This is great advice! Taking care of yourself is so important after having a baby.