If you would like to recover from giving birth,
you might be told that millions of women cope every year, and you will be fine.
What some people don’t tell you, however, is that pregnancy and giving birth
are a physical trauma you need to recover from. After all, you were carrying
the extra weight for nine months put extra pressure on your cardiovascular
system and your joints, and your organs might have moved around. Still, it was
worth every minute. No matter if you have given birth naturally, or had a
Caesarian section, you will need to give your body and soul time to heal, so
you can become the best mother ever.
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| Image via Picryl |
Stay Active
To deal with the stress and the lack of exercise
you might have had before you have given birth, you might want to get back to
your regular activities, despite the pain and discomfort. You should, however,
talk to your doctor and ask for advice. Chances are that you might need to
start slow,. Maybe you can start with some yoga stretches initially, and then
Tai Chi, followed by swimming and more rigorous exercise. The key is to do at
least ten minutes of walking or light exercise, if you can. You don’t have to
spend hours exercising; it would be impossible with a new baby.
Ask for Help
Our grandmothers had the advantage of friends
and family members coming around to help them out in the first few weeks after
giving birth. Today, due to the changing roles of women and the busy life we
are living, as well as the fact that our parents are working longer, it is not that
straightforward. That is why you might want to search for help. Even if you are
only getting a friend to come around for a coffee and help you with your
chores, or employ someone for a couple of hours a week to help you stay on top
of the house, you can reduce your stress level and get more done, maybe have
some “me time”.
Take Advantage of Power Naps
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| Image via Wikimedia Commons |
We don’talways get to sleep when we want to with a new baby. This is normal. In case you are up a couple of times a night, you
will need to give yourself a chance to catch up on sleep. Just ignore how many
things you need to do for a while, and have a power nap during the day while
the little one decides to sleep, too. Your body clock will be out of sync for a
while, but it is important that you are getting the rest, or you will develop
mental health issues, and delay your physical recovery.
Build Up Your Confidence
Looking in the mirror and seeing the baby weight
is often knocking back our confidence. You need to be more forgiving and
understand that this is natural, and every woman goes through the same body
changes, which are reversible. Before you start a weightloss routine, it is important that
you understand which vitamins and nutrients your body needs to stay healthy,
and create a nutrition plan along with your exercise routine. You will need to
accept the changes as natural before you can start making a plan to improve
your health and wellbeing. After all, it is all in the head.
Deal with Pain Effectively
Every woman experiences pain and discomfort
after giving birth. You should stay comfortable and worry less about your looks
and more about recovery. Wearing leggings at home and when you are going for a
walk is completely acceptable, provided that you don’t experience pain and
irritation. You should also pay attention to the underwear you choose after
giving birth. You might need a support or lactation bra, as well as briefs.
Look for the latest innerparents postpartum underwear to
choose the right one for your condition and style.
Learn about Motherhood
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| Image via Flickr |
One of the reasons why new mothers feel overwhelmed in the first few months is that they are unsure they can look after their baby as well as they want to. To boost your confidence you can read different books, blogs, and articles, and go on some courses. Your local community center might have some parenting courses or mother and baby clubs, where you can learn how to deal with colic, massage your baby, and how to deal with smaller illnesses and skin conditions. Once you know that you are not alone, it will be easier to handle the situation with confidence.
Get Out and About
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| Image via Misawa Air Base |
Maintain Your Social Circle
Many women report that they lose their friends
after having a baby. It is not always the other person’s fault. You should
invite them over to your home if you cannot go out, and make it clear that you
are the same person, even though you are a mother now. Some people are scared
of disturbing you or feel uncomfortable claiming your time. You might also be
going through some difficult emotional phases, and if you don’t maintain your
friendships, they are likely to disappear forever. Make it clear that your
friends are still an important part of your life, even if you cannot go out on
Friday night any more.
Help Your Digestive System
It might also be a good idea to help your
digestive system to recover. Many women report that they cannoteat the same food they used to enjoy before giving birth. Probiotics and maintaining a healthy diet will help you restore
the bacteria in your gut and improve your metabolism at the same time. You
don’t have to give up food just because you still experience acid reflux. Get
professional advice on which natural remedies and supplements will help you
recover as soon as possible.
Balance Your Hormones
After you have given birth, naturally your
hormones will balance themselves out, but this is not always the case. You will
need to help your body by having a regular exercise routine, making the most
out of your diet, and protecting your immune system. In case you are going back
to hormonal contraception after giving birth, you might want to have a chat with
your specialist about the different options, so you can avoid side effects,
such as hormonal imbalance that can cause depression, mood swings, and hunger
or even weight loss. This might also be the right time to get your thyroidhormone levels checked.
Pelvic Floor Exercises
Getting your sex life back on track will be
challenging after giving birth. Your hormones are all over the place, and you
might be too tired to think about romance anyway. Always listen to your
doctor’s advice and follow the recovery timeline carefully. You might feel like
you are less attractive than before, and your body image might need work.
However, you can always boost your confidence in your femininity using pelvic
floor exercises. You might need to avoid Kegel balls for a while, but you can still use some of the natural ways to
exercise your pelvic floor and restore its flexibility. This will also help you
prevent water retention issues.
Avoid Infections
You have to follow your doctor’s advice
word-for-word and make sure that you are getting your stitches and your scars
checked. Avoid using perfumed soap or shower gel at sensitive areas, and always
use natural products in the first few weeks after giving birth. Your child will
also be sensitive to some of the synthetic ingredients, so switching to natural
body lotions and hygiene products is a good idea. You will also have to
strengthen your immune system to fight off bacterial and viral infections
better.
Practice Mindfulness
One of the best waysof recovering from trauma is paying more
attention to your thoughts and what your body is telling you. You have to go
for walks, watch the birds in the garden, and learn to stay quiet for a while
so you know what is going on inside your head. From meditation to yoga practice
and self-hypnosis, there are several ways you can learn more about how you feel
and how best to deal with your emotions. If you want more clarity in your life
and thoughts, you certainly need to commit to mindfulness every day.
Giving birth is the happiest - and often the
most challenging - events in women’s lives. Be the best version of
yourself to overcome the difficult days, weeks, and months.
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