During this time, you’ll recover from the physical effects of childbirth, learn to care for your newborn, and cope with a dramatic hormonal roller coaster. Your doctor may also check your wounds and vaginal areas for signs of healing.

To speed up the healing process, it’s important to avoid overdoing things. You should eat healthy, nourishing foods and drink plenty of fluids.

Pelvic girdle pain

Pelvic pain after pregnancy is common, but it is often brushed off as “normal” and left untreated. This leads to poor outcomes and a negative impact on postpartum recovery. Thankfully, there are physical therapists who specialize in pelvic floor and low back pain that can help.

During different stages of pregnancy, hormonal changes create increased elasticity in the pelvic girdle ligaments. This prepares the body for childbirth, but can also cause muscles to become imbalanced. These changes can lead to increased pressure on the sacroiliac joints (where the lower back meets the pelvis) as well as in the hips. This can lead to pain and inflammation.

In a recent study, women who had persistent pelvic pain after giving birth were found to have a higher risk of depression. This could be due to the fact that they were not able to follow their normal routines. This can be a depressing and frustrating experience, especially for first-time mothers.

The participants in the study that spoke with a physical therapist were able to manage their symptoms and recover more quickly. They were able to resume normal activities and felt that the treatment they received helped them to have better self-understanding about their long-term condition. This is an important step in improving the quality of life for these women and helping them to move forward after childbirth.

Vaginal bleeding

Vaginal bleeding is a common complaint in women, and it can be caused by a variety of conditions. It is important to identify the underlying cause of the bleeding and treat it accordingly. This activity covers the evaluation of patients who present with vaginal bleeding and highlights the importance of interprofessional teamwork in the management of this condition.

After giving birth, it is normal to have vaginal bleeding and discharge (known as lochia), whether you delivered your baby vaginally or by cesarean section. This is the body’s way of eliminating the blood and tissue that were used to grow and nourish your baby. This may last for 10 days or more and can be heavy at first. If you are passing large blood clots, this could be a sign of a more serious problem, called primary postpartum hemorrhage.

You can expect the bleeding to become lighter after a week or two and will probably start before your period is due. If you’re unsure of the cause, consult your healthcare provider for an exam and tests. It’s a good idea to save your sanitary pads so your healthcare provider can see how much you are bleeding and what color it is. Bleeding that occurs at other times than during your menstrual cycle should also be evaluated by a doctor, as it can be a symptom of a health problem such as uterine cancer or ovarian cancer.

Urinary incontinence

Urinary incontinence is an accidental loss of urine from the bladder. It is common after childbirth and can range in severity from a small leak to a complete lack of control. This is caused by the body producing hormones during pregnancy that stretch the muscles and tissues that support the bladder, bowel and uterus. The combination of these hormones and stretched muscles means that the muscles that control the bladder are weakened, which leads to urinary incontinence.

During labour, the pelvic floor muscles are put under extraordinary pressure. This can lead to nerve damage, which weakens the muscles that support the bladder and anal sphincter. In some cases, this can cause an over-active bladder and the symptoms of urinary incontinence.

A cesarean section also increases the risk of incontinence. This is because the procedure may lead to an underlying condition that causes muscle weakness in the pelvic floor, which can contribute to urinary incontinence. It can also lead to a prolapse of the uterus and bladder.

If you develop urinary incontinence after giving birth, it is important to seek treatment early on. This will help prevent it from getting worse and improve your quality of life. Talk to your doctor or women’s health nurse about what treatment is best for you. Also consider talking to a continence nurse or pelvic floor physiotherapist.

Swelling

Swelling is a normal part of postpartum recovery. It can affect your feet, hands and legs. Drinking plenty of water and eating fresh fruits and vegetables can help your body eliminate the fluid. You can also reduce swelling by elevating your feet on pillows when you are resting and massaging the area. Your doctor will talk to you about this and recommend other ways to help you feel more comfortable.

If you had a caesarean delivery, you may have an incision wound that will swell. Speak to your doctor if this gets worse or you have fever, vomiting or severe pain in the area. This could indicate an infection.

In the weeks after birth, your breasts will start producing milk and can feel tight and tender. You might have a yellowish discharge that looks like colostrum or pus. It’s important to drink enough water and eat enough iron-rich foods to keep your energy levels high.

You should not use tampons until you have had your six-week postnatal check. You might have a leaking wound (perineum) or tears from the placenta or your C-section incision, and using internal sanitary products can increase the risk of infection. You should use a pad or sanitary towel until then. Postnatal recovery