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Written by Hailey Andersen | There are millions of women in the United States who are of child bearing age, and a good percentage of them will become pregnant and deliver their children in 2013. It seems like there is an endless source of information for pregnant women; a quick Google search can tell you nearly everything you need to know about being pregnant and delivering your child. Women can easily find out information about the proper vitamins to take when they’re expecting and the latest ways to give birth, but information seems to be lacking on what to expect after expecting.
Your body goes through a lot of changes during pregnancy, and it also goes through a lot of changes after you’re done. If you’re going to be having a child soon, remember that these health problems and feelings are normal.
1. Postpartum bleeding
It doesn’t matter if you have a vaginal delivery or a c-section, every woman will experience postpartum bleeding after they deliver their baby. It isn’t exactly a period, it’s a mix of blood and discharge called lochia, and every woman will experience hers differently. Some women have heavy discharge for a few weeks, and some women continue to spot and discharge up to six weeks after birth. If you experience postpartum bleeding make sure to use pads and not tampons. Tampons can introduce bacteria into your healing uterus and cause infections.
2. Extreme emotions
One minute you’re weeping hysterically as you think about motherhood, and the next you’re laughing hysterically as you think about a funny quote you heard a few months ago. Hormones will fluctuate while carrying and delivering a baby, and after you give birth hormones will be adjusting themselves to get back to their pre-pregnancy levels. All of this change can put some women on an emotional roller coaster, but these changes are normal, even though they may be a little inconvenient. Always remember that there is a fine line between experiencing postpartum depression and having a few emotional weeks. If you feel like you’re depressed, don’t hesitate to talk to your doctor.
3. Plugged ducts
Some women think that breast feeding will be a simple and relatively painless process, but breast feeding isn’t that simple or comfortable for a lot of women. Breastfeeding comes with it’s own unique problems, but one of the most common breast problems women that breastfeed face is having plugged milk ducts. A plugged or clogged duct is a sore, tender lump or knotty area in the breast. It occurs when a milk duct is not draining well, and inflammation builds up. The area may be warm to the touch and red, and if it is located in a duct close to the surface of the skin, you may be able to feel it with your fingers. There numerous ways to treat this problem, but some women find that putting a warm compress on the affected area helps.
4. Urinary Incontinence
Your bladder control may not have been at its best when you were pregnant, and it’ll take a little while for your bladder to regain its strength after you give birth. Your pelvic floor muscles may not be as strong as they used to be during pregnancy, and sometimes pregnancy incontinence can evolve into adult incontinence if it isn’t properly treated. Talk to your doctor about treatment options to help your incontinence, and consider doing kegel exercises to strengthen your pelvic floor muscles.
It is important to pay attention to your body during postpartum healing to ensure that you get the help you need, should you require it.
About the author:
Hailey Andersen is an avid blogger who enjoys writing about health and wellness.