What To Expect After Childbirth

We would like to share some tips for mothers to take care of themselves during the postnatal period, while also looking out for any abnormalities that may occur.

Daily routine

If you feel a little dizzy, do not make sudden movements such as sitting down or standing up to quickly. You may also need a helping hand when going to the bathroom.  However, if you do not feel dizzy or faint, you can maintain your daily routine as you normally would.

Relaxation

Spend as much time resting as possible, and try to sleep when the baby is asleep.

Diet

Eat easily-digestible, plain food with an emphasis on protein, vitamins, and minerals, and drink plenty of water.

Toilet

Try to urinate within six hours after the delivery to help the shrinkage of the uterus and to prevent post-delivery hemorrhage. However, there may be no stool to pass right away.

Amniotic fluid

The amniotic fluid will be bright red and present in large amounts; you may need to wear sanitary napkins and change them very frequently.

Uterus and perineum

After the delivery, the uterus is compressed as it returns to normal. This makes the abdomen stiff and causes pain in the abdomen, especially when breastfeeding. To clean the perineum, clean it as you would normally do after going to the bathroom, and dry it before applying a sanitary napkin. If you feel pain in the perineum or it swells, an ice pack may help alleviate the discomfort.

Breastfeeding

In most cases, mothers may not be able to produce breast milk on the first day and, in some cases, mothers may produce as little as 25cc of colostrum per day. The volume of breast milk generally increases with regular feeding. On the first day, the baby will be sleeping most of the time. Breastfeeding helps stimulate the production of breast milk and it will continue to be produced as long as it is stimulated.

Start breastfeeding the baby as soon as possible. Keep stimulating the production of milk every two to three hours to expedite production. Have the baby stay in the same room with you so that breastfeeding is more convenient.

Daily routine

You can maintain your daily routine.

Relaxation

Spend as much time resting as possible, and try to sleep when the baby is asleep.

Diet

Eat all five food groups with an emphasis on vegetables and fruits. Drink plenty of water, ginger ale, soybean milk, and soup.

Toilet

Maintain your usual urination habits. The perineum may hurt during bowel movements, but drinking plenty of water, eating fruit and vegetables and doing some light exercise can help.

Amniotic fluid

The amniotic fluid will be red and present in large amounts. You may need to wear sanitary napkins and change them very frequently.

Uterus and perineum

The pain caused by the compression of the uterus will be less and can be assuaged by paracetamol. Clean the perineum as you did on the first day. Some mothers may choose to use a heat lamp to help speed up the recovery of the perineum.

Breastfeeding

The amount of colostrum produced will increase on the second day. It is important to hold the newborn close to the mother’s abdomen, with the chin of the baby close to the mother’s breast. Make sure that the baby’s mouth can cover as much of the areola as possible.

Breastfeeding frequently, quickly, and in a proper manner will ensure that you have sufficient milk for the baby and this will prevent you from feeling too much pain in the nipples. Holding the baby in skin-to-skin contact will keep the baby awake and ready for feeding.

Daily routine

You can maintain your daily routine. However, do not lift heavy objects during the first few months. Light and frequent exercise is good for the new mother, but do not swim or immerse yourself in water until your wounds have completely healed.

Relaxation

Try to find some free time to rest or nap in the afternoon. Sleep when the baby sleeps because the baby will wake up for breastfeeding three to four times at night.

Diet

Avoid strong-tasting and preserved food, alcohol, tea, coffee, carbonated and caffeinated beverages. It is advisable to drink malt, water, fruit juice and herbal drinks to refresh yourself and recover from the state of exhaustion.

Toilet

Maintain your usual urination habits. If your bowels do not move, you may need to take a laxative.

Amniotic fluid

The amniotic fluid will be bright red, but now in smaller amounts (the color and the amount of the amniotic fluid will become lighter and less in the following days and will stop altogether during the second or third week). You will still likely need to wear sanitary napkins and change them frequently.

Uterus and perineum

The uterus will become smaller in size and you may experience some flatulence. The perineum will be significantly improved.

Breastfeeding

The color of the milk will become white and the amount will increase. If you feel discomfort at the breast, breastfeeding more frequently will prevent the breast engorgement. Pumping can potentially increase milk production.

Breastfeeding until the last drop is used up will produce even more milk and the baby will take the full fat from the milk, making him or her full and sleep longer. Each time you breastfeed, you should breastfeed from both sides. Breastfeed on each side until your breast feels soft. It takes about 20 to 30 minutes for each breast.

Daily Routine

In the recovery room after a C-section, turn yourself over frequently in order to speed up the recovery of the intestine and prevent flatulence. The nurse will measure your blood pressure every 30 minutes for the first few hours. Tell the nurse if you feel queasy or experience pain from the operation, so that she can provide you with prescribed medication. You can breastfeed the newborn baby immediately, if you are ready.

It is recommended you start moving your body as soon as possible by sitting up and standing next to the bed. If you feel dizzy, lie down on your bed. You may need help to walk around the room. Walking and moving will help to prevent flatulence and make the intestine start functioning properly again, which will speed up your recovery.

You may be able to sit and stand by yourself. However, you may feel piercing pain from the operation wound. This is very normal. If you have to cough, use your hand or a pillow to hold the wound. Take a deep breath and hold it, and then cough heavily two to three times to release the phlegm.

Relaxation: Try to get some sleep when the baby is asleep because you will be exhausted as a result of the C-section and breastfeeding at night.

Diet

Initially, you should abstain from eating and drinking. After that, you may have a sip of water and some liquid, clear food (boiled milk-like water and soup) and then full fluid food or congee (served by the hospital). Then you may try easily digestible food or plain food. Avoid milk or carbonated beverages as they will cause flatulence. You should also avoid strong-tasting and preserved food, alcohol, tea, coffee, carbonated or caffeinated beverages.

Toilet

During the first and second days, you can urinate through a urinary catheter. After the urinary catheter has been removed, you need to urinate within six hours. When you can urinate by yourself, always keep yourself clean. You may not have a bowel movement during the first and second days because a rectum enema was performed before the C-section. If you still do not have a bowel movement on the next day, you are advised to take a laxative.

Amniotic fluid

You will have amniotic fluid, even though you have undergone a C-section. The amniotic fluid will be bright red and present in large amounts in the early days of postnatal care. The color will become lighter and the amount smaller. (The amniotic fluid will stop altogether during the second or third week). You may need to wear sanitary napkins and change them very frequently.

Uterus and operation wound care

You will feel pain in the uterus from time to time because of its contraction. The severity of the pain will increase while breastfeeding. The wound will be covered and you need to make sure that it is not exposed to water. Look out for any abnormalities that may occur; for instance, swelling, redness, heat, blood leakage or fever.

Breastfeeding

As a result of the C-section and medications, there may be a delay in the production of breast milk. However, this is not a big problem. Here are some useful tips.

1. Start breastfeeding as soon as possible, breastfeeding the baby while still on the operating table will speed up the production of milk.
2. You are advised to breastfeed frequently, every two to three hours during the day and every three to four hours at night, in order to speed up the production of milk. Around the third day, you can breastfeed the baby as often as the baby needs.
3. The chin of the baby should be close to the mother’s breast and the baby’s mouth should be able to cover as much of the areola as possible. You will hear the sound of the baby swallowing.

Breastfeeding posture:  First day after C-section

You can breastfeed while lying on your side. The head of the baby should be at the same level as the breast. Your abdomen should be close to the baby’s stomach, while the chin of the baby should be close to the breast.

Breastfeeding posture:  Second day after C-section

After you feel able to move comfortably, you may breastfeed in a sitting posture. Hold the baby to your body with the head at your breast, your hand supporting the baby as they rest their back on your forearm. This is sometimes called the football hold because your arm will be in a position similarly as if you were holding a football. You may also need a pillow to support your arm. This posture not only helps you breastfeed the baby, but it also helps avoid contact with the wound.

The father should give moral support and encourage the mother to breastfeed. The father’s moral support is very valuable as it can encourage the mother to breastfeed as long as the baby needs his or her mother’s milk.