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What to expect\u00a0 in the first few weeks<\/strong> Post Natal Early advice for comfort for 1st few days<\/strong> Urinary retention \u00a0<\/strong>: not wanting to go to the toilet Avoid Constipation<\/strong> <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" What to expect\u00a0 in the first few weeks There are many health care professionals, family and friends out there that may have helped prepare you for the birth and the first few weeks after giving birth. However only you will experience this amazing, life changing event. Every single mother I see has a different birthing […]<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-1211","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry","post-seq-1","post-parity-odd","meta-position-corners","fix"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/petersphotogallery.com\/vanea\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1211","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/petersphotogallery.com\/vanea\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/petersphotogallery.com\/vanea\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/petersphotogallery.com\/vanea\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/petersphotogallery.com\/vanea\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1211"}],"version-history":[{"count":45,"href":"http:\/\/petersphotogallery.com\/vanea\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1211\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2048,"href":"http:\/\/petersphotogallery.com\/vanea\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1211\/revisions\/2048"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/petersphotogallery.com\/vanea\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1211"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
\nThere are many health care professionals, family and friends out there that may have helped prepare you for the birth and the first few weeks after giving birth. However only you will experience this amazing, life changing event.
\nEvery single mother I see has a different birthing experience, determined by many factors. This early time : weeks 1-6 will without a doubt be the most challenging for you physically, mentally and emotionally.
\nPhysically, you might experience:
\nSore breasts<\/strong>. Your breasts may be painfully engorged for several days when your milk comes in at about day 3 for normal vaginal deliveries \u2013 NVD and 4-5 for C\u2019 section mums.\u00a0 Your nipples may be sore \u2013 see info on breastfeeding!!
\nConstipation<\/strong>. The first postpartum bowel movement may be a few days after delivery, and sensitive hemorrhoids, healing episiotomies, and sore muscles can make it painful. You will be given a stool softener (probably Lactulose) to help with this. It is vital that you don\u2019t get constipated now or in the future. It is really important that you don\u2019t bear -down and strain when going to the toilet.
\nEpisiotomy<\/strong>. If your perineum (the area of skin between the vagina and the anus) was cut by your doctor or if it was torn during the birth, the stitches may make it painful to sit or walk for a little while during healing.
\nHaemorrhoids<\/strong>. Although common, haemorrhoids (swollen blood vessels in the rectum) are frequently unexpected.
\nHot and cold flashes. Your body\u2019s adjustment to new hormone and blood flow levels can wreak havoc on your internal thermostat.
\nUrinary or faecal incontinence<\/strong>. The stretching of your muscles during delivery can cause you to inadvertently pass urine when you cough, laugh, or strain or may make it difficult to control your bowel movements, especially if a lengthy labor preceded a vaginal delivery.
\n\u201cAfter pains.\u201d After giving birth, your uterus will continue to have contractions for a few days. These are most noticeable when your baby nurses or when you are given medication to reduce bleeding. This can sometimes last longer than a few days. During your time in hospital and at home your early childhood nurse, or local doctor can check your tummy to see how well your uterus is shrinking back .
\nVaginal discharge<\/strong> (lochia). Initially heavier than your period and often containing clots, vaginal discharge gradually fades to white or yellow and then stops within several weeks.
\nWeight. Your postpartum weight will probably be about 5 \u2013 6 kilos (the weight of the baby, placenta, and amniotic fluid) below your full-term weight. Additional water weight drops off within the first week as your body regains its balance. and your blood volumes return to normal.
\nTry to involve family and friends around you for physical and emotional support . This is a time when you are not only learning to care for your baby, but when you need to protect, heal and re- strengthen your perineum and pelvic floor muscles.<\/p>\n
\n\u2022 R.I.C.E
\n\u2022 Rest and bond skin to skin with baby, suckle within 30 minutes after birth
\n\u2022 Ice 10 minutes x lots: pads \u2013frozen sanitary pads, gel pads, ice pole in pad, frozen glove finger. Pat dry perineum and apply clean pad.
\n\u2022 Compression double pad with firm underwear for compression on perineum. Especially helpful when up and about in 1st weeks.
\n\u2022 Elevation On tummy 1pillow under head, 1 pillow under tummy, 2 pillows under hips.10 -20 minutes.
\nDiuresis : lots of going to the toilet
\nExpect to pass urine frequently, and in large quantities, in the 2nd and 3rd days after giving birth. This is one way your body will release the extra fluid needed for blood and tissues for baby. It\u2019s completely normal.
\nSome of the drugs used in labour may have the effect of making you retain water. Synthetic Oxytocin may contribute to this. You may also be given fluids during your labour if you were \u2018nil by mouth\u2019. This \u2018hydration\u2019 may overload your body and give you swelling\u2026.you probably had some swelling in the last 2-3 weeks also.
\nIt may cause you to leak on the way to the bathroom because your bladder may hold A LOT in these 1st 3 days.
\nYour nurse will want to know your urine volumes and if you have passed wind.<\/p>\n
\nAfter the birth of your baby you may have trouble completely emptying your bladder or even not have any real sensation to want to go!
\nUrinary retention can cause over stretching and damage to the bladder and may be caused by:
\n\u2022 pressure on the bladder and pelvic floor during delivery
\n\u2022 swelling, bruising and\/or pain in the pelvic area, particularly around the urethra (tube passing urine).
\nIt is important that you try and empty your bladder every 2-3 hours in these first few days and talk to your nurse about this.<\/p>\n
\nespecially after delivery, for many reasons,
\n\u2022 straining may damage perineal stitches,
\n\u2022 may impact on any pelvic trauma from assisted birth interventions
\n\u2022 can cause pain in the \u2018C \u2019scar due to abdominal distension.
\nSupporting your perineum if you have had a tear or an episiotomy; folding some clean toilet paper and placing it gently on the perineum where the stitches are and holding it there while you go to the toilet, can splint the weakened perineum and help support the stitches when opening your bowels for about 4weeks. You can also support your C scar.
\nUse a stool softener \u2013 lactulose in hospital, then Movecol, or Normacol for combined fibre and colonic smooth muscle stimulant.
\nCorrect sitting position on the toilet and allowing the pelvic floor to relax. You may need to support your \u2018C\u2019 scar to relax your tummy and let go..\u00a0\u00a0 How to go to the toilet\u00a0 !!
\nEpisiotomy<\/strong>
\nThis is a surgical cut of the perineum, usually performed close to the \u2018crowning\u2019 of the baby\u2019s head and may be used to ease \/ speed the delivery of the head and ?? reduces tearing.
\nThe cut can range from 3 to 7 centimetres (average 5 cms) and is regarded as equivalent to a 2nd degree tear of the perineum. The cut divides some of the pelvic floor muscles and needs to be repaired with stitches (and possibly more local anaesthetic) after the baby is born.
\nUse two rolled up towels to sit on NOT a ring cushion.
\nLean forward on the toilet and pour a jug or squeezy sauce bottle of water down over stitches when urinating. Use \u2018Ural\u2019 to reduce urine acidity and less stinging on stitches.
\nPerineal tears The late 2nd stage of pushing and then the \u2018crowning \u2018 of the baby\u2019s head is when the perineum needs to have time to thin and stretch. . This may be when the caregiver instructs you to pant and not push\u2026.You will need to focus on opening, letting go and be prepared for the stinging, burning sensation of this stage.
\nTears to the genital area are graded as follows:
\nIntact
\nGrazes
\n1st degree tear
\n2nd degree tear
\n3rd and 4th degree tears
\nYou can ask; and need to know if you have a tear & what degree it is. You also need to understand how to manage it. (large 2nd degree, 3rd and 4th degree tears \u2013see me\u00a0\u00a0or send me an email vanea@sportsfocusphysio.com.au
\nPost \u2018C\u2019 section \u2013 extra info on drop down menu<\/strong>
\nThe first 24 to 48 hours will involve having an intravenous drip in your arm (for fluids and often antibiotics) and a urinary catheter in place to keep your bladder empty. The epidural tube may be left in place to administer further pain relief for the first day or two. You will have a light diet until you start to pass wind.
\nUrinary catheter stays in for 24 -48 hours
\nFoot and ankle, pelvic floor squeezes and supported \u2018huffing for 24 hours then assistance to get out of bed and walk \u2013to reduce risk of leg DVT. Tall posture!!
\nAbdominal bracing at 4-5 days as you become more mobile, to support your spine
\nPelvic floor muscle work<\/strong>
\n\u2022 Lots of small repetitive squeezes to help the local swelling- (use your own muscle pump)
\n\u2022 Every time you breast feed or use a breast pump
\n\u2022 Day 5 start deeper longer lifts. \u2026.Yes just keep trying
\n\u2022 Both Vaginal and Caesarean births need to do PFM exercises
\nDiastasis Recti\u00a0 DRA<\/strong> : measurement and binders > 5cm into a binder see me ASAP
\nBreasts<\/strong> \u2013 Engorgement \u2013see mastitis hand-out – Therapeutic Ultrasound can help this.
\nPost \u2013natal check at 2 weeks \u2013 earlier if you have problems
\ncopied from my \u201cSecret Women\u2019s Business \u2013 pre- natal workshop\u201d
\nWhat to expect at your six week check up<\/strong>
\nMost women will have their post- natal check up with their Obstetrician, GP for shared ante- natal care, Midwife or doctor at the hospital.
\nDuring this visit your doctor will want to know about your health.
\nyou will be weighed and can get weight loss advice if you need it (find out about healthy diet )
\nyour urine will be tested to make sure your kidneys are working properly and that you haven\u2019t got an infection
\nyour blood pressure will be checked
\nyou may be offered an examination to see if your stitches have healed (if you had any), and that all the muscles used during labour and delivery are returning to normal \u2013 you don\u2019t need a referral to come and see me about your muscles!!
\nyour breasts probably won\u2019t be examined unless you have a particular concern about them
\nyour doctor may discuss contraception. Even \u2018fully\u2019\u00a0 breast feeding mums can get pregnant\u2026..even if it took ages to fall pregnant with this baby.
\nyou will be asked if you still have any vaginal discharge and whether you have had a period since the birth
\nSex after a vaginal birth<\/strong>
\nWhen can you have sex after your vaginal delivery\u2026the simple answer ; after you have stopped bleeding and had your post- natal check up. However it also has to be when you are both ready. I see so many women who say they are anxious about this; not ready; don\u2019t feel like it and feel guilty etc…etc. The list goes on. There are many reasons why a woman may not be ready to have sex again after childbirth and each reason needs to be explored, explained; and if necessary help given.
\nFirstly click on to these links. They will help with some of the worries you may have;
\nhttp:\/\/www.pregnantchicken.com\/pregnant-chicken-blog\/sex-after-childbirth-7-unsexy-sins<\/a>
\nAfter six weeks\u2026Make an appointment to see me for a full understanding of where you are at with your recovery and progression to exercise.<\/p>\n