A to Z Guide to the Postpartum Period

What happens in the puerperium, when the puerperium ends, what you should do and what you shouldn’t do, is the bleeding normal, what should not be done in the puerperium, what should be the sexuality after the birth, when will the pain go away and more…

We are here to answer all your questions about the postpartum period!

What does lohusa mean?

The process of returning the changes that occur in the body during pregnancy to its original state after birth is the puerperium period. It is also known as the postpartum period or the puerperium period.

When does the postpartum end?

The puerperium is the first 6-week period after birth. Recovery of the body after birth is usually completed in 6 weeks. Many people equate the postpartum period with the puerperium; but postpartum is a wider process. Postpartum, the first 6 weeks after birth.

Now, we’re going to take a look at what happened in these 6 weeks one by one. But first, you need to know what happens in the hospital right after giving birth, and what you should pay attention to.

What will you experience in the postpartum hospital?

• Your muscles ache from the effort you put in in labor (in normal birth, of course).
• Your hips hurt and swell.
• If you had a cesarean delivery, your wound will hurt.
• Heavy bleeding and large blood clots coming from your vagina can be a sign of a problem.
• The doctor may test if your blood pressure is high or low.
• If your pain is not relieved by medication, you should tell the nurse.
• You cry and act emotionally.
• You will lose 5-7.5 kilos with the birth, you will lose the remaining weight later, don’t worry.
• Hold your baby in your arms and rest well.

What is postpartum depression, how is it passed?

Let’s give detailed information about having depression during the postpartum period.

You feel love for your baby like no other. But once you see it, you feel like you don’t know what to do with your pajamas, greasy hair and mess in the house. You only get a few hours of sleep. You feel resentful towards your spouse and anyone else living the normal course of life.

Giving birth is not just excitement and joy; It also triggers fear and anxiety. Mood fluctuations occur, as soon as it happens, sadness collapses. You may cry for no reason, you may not want to eat, you may not be able to sleep. In short, postpartum psychology is complex and difficult. The sadness of motherhood, not the criticism; It is a situation that should be accepted with understanding.

How should sexuality be in puerperium?

Whether you had a normal or cesarean delivery, your body needs time to heal. Most experts recommend not to start sexual intercourse before 6 weeks after giving birth.

During this period, the cervix closes, postpartum bleeding stops, tears and stitches heal.

The loss of elasticity in the vaginal muscles after normal delivery reduces the pleasure from friction during sexual intercourse. In other words, sexual arousal during puerperium is usually less for this reason. Also, your vagina becomes dry and sensitive due to hormonal changes; especially if you are breastfeeding your baby.

During the postpartum period, you can spend private time with your spouse without having sexual intercourse. The baby has been a big change for both of your lives. She cries constantly, wakes up at night, there are diapers everywhere. Keep in close contact with each other, call each other during the day, take a bath together, don’t let the fire of romance go out.

In this process, try to rest and heal physically and spiritually. Usually at the end of a year everything is completely in order. Make a smooth transition to sexual intercourse after puerperium and do not forget; There is no such thing that you will be ready at the end of 6 weeks. It may take longer for you to be ready, never feel guilty.

What causes postpartum bleeding?

For 6 weeks after giving birth, there is a vaginal bleeding known as lochia or lochia (postpartum discharge). In the first days, we get very red and heavy blood. It gradually decreases. Its color changes to pink and brown, then yellow and white. You should use pads instead of tampons to reduce infection.

If postpartum bleeding is fragrant and greenish, you should suspect the risk of infection and consult your doctor.

See your doctor even if postpartum bleeding lasts 40 days. It may be an abnormal situation. By the way, if you gave birth by cesarean section, you will have less postpartum bleeding.

Sweating in the postpartum

In the postpartum period, there may be intense sweating, especially while breastfeeding. So what causes postpartum sweating? The fact that the hormones that trigger the mammary glands also trigger the sweat glands and that the hormone prolactin, which is high in the body, suppresses ovulation, increases sweating seriously. Sweating during puerperium does not cause a problem, as your breastfeeding decreases, your sweating also decreases. When menstrual bleeding starts, there may be a decrease in sweating.

What is puerperal fever?

Occurs in the first 24 hours after birth. It manifests itself with high fever. Reproduction occurs due to infection of the urinary tract and breasts. The most common infection is an inflammation of the uterus called endomeritis. It usually occurs on the 3rd day, the fever rises above 40 degrees. Lochia will be foul-smelling. For treatment, the doctor prescribes antibiotics and you need to rest.

Can you get pregnant while postpartum?

Due to the suppression of ovulation by the hormone prolactin while breastfeeding, pregnancy is not uncommon for 6 weeks after birth. In any case, sexual intercourse is not recommended for 6 weeks after birth. However, there is no such thing as not getting pregnant in this process, especially if you are not breastfeeding. If you are not breastfeeding, you should definitely protect yourself because if you haven’t had your period yet, you may not realize that you are pregnant.

Beauty and care in the postpartum

During pregnancy, your hormone level increased, your hair looked healthier, and it didn’t even fall out at its usual rate. But with the big change in your hormones after giving birth, your hair falls out all of a sudden. No need to worry, this shedding is temporary. Your hair will return to normal when your baby is 6 months old.

The reason for the red spots that occur on the skin after giving birth is to strain while giving birth. You strained your capillaries and they cracked. The stains will disappear in about a week, don’t worry.

Let’s get to the cracks. Stretch marks do not disappear completely, but reddish and purple marks turn silver and white over time. The skin that darkens during pregnancy (including the dark vertical line called the linea nigra) gradually returns to its normal color.

You saw what was going to happen for 6 weeks, you learned how depression, bleeding and sexual life should be. Now, let’s wrap it up and summarize the do’s and don’ts in the puerperium.

Things to do in the postpartum

• If you experience the situations that we said “go to the doctor” during the postpartum weeks, do not neglect it and go to the doctor for real.
• Even if your mother is with you, you take care of your baby, let your mother take care of you.
• Don’t worry if your milk is low and read our article [Breastfeeding a Newborn: 7 Questions 7 Answers!](Breastfeeding a Newborn Baby: 7 Questions 7 Answers!).
• Eat well. Don’t let being sleepy and tired prevent you from skipping meals. Focus on consumption of red meat and vegetables. You should not experience constipation in the puerperium, so don’t forget to eat fiber.
• Take frequent baths with hot water. It is beneficial for your breasts to be filled with milk and it relaxes you.
• Make time to be alone with your partner.
• Drink lots of puerperal sherbet.
• Try to sleep at least 2 hours during the day. Your sleep is often interrupted by nighttime breastfeeding.

Things not to do in postpartum

• What not to do while postpartum? You can’t always eat sweets for milk! This causes you to consume empty calories.
• Don’t blame yourself for being tired, not being enthusiastic and happy enough.
• Do not accept guests from the first week. Get used to this situation first, contact your baby. Let them come after the second week.

They are very comfortable and stylish: Postpartum products

Of course, the postpartum period is not just about pain and depression. The great thing about this period is that you can walk around the house as a fancy new mom.

You will spend a comfortable and stylish period with products such as postpartum pajamas, puerperant nightgowns, slippers, and puerperal crown. Enjoy it!