Your Guide to Postpartum Recovery

Physical status, post-vaginal delivery

如果您有医院分娩vaginal delivery。取决于您是否撕裂(andhow much), your vagina may hurt quite a lot.

Perineal sorenessis normal, as is bleeding. This first week, the blood should be bright red, but will eventually turn brown like at the end of your period. You’ll also probably feel little contractions, especially when breastfeeding — as weird as it feels, this is just the uterus contracting back to its pre-pregnancy size.

Physical status, after C-section

之后C-section, or cesarean delivery, most movement will be difficult and your incision can be painful. A lot of women have trouble getting in and out of bed — but it’s important to move around, at least a little bit, toavoid blood clots。

If you had abladder catheterput in, it will beremoved。

Mental health status

Day 3 in particular is infamous for being emotionally difficult. “The birth buzz is wearing off, estrogen and progesterone levels are dropping off, and prolactin and oxytocin levels rise and fall throughout the day while the baby suckles,” says Jocelyn Brown, a licensed and certified midwife in Los Angeles.

“加上睡眠剥夺的结合使很多哭泣和感觉没有什么顺利。”

Physical status, post-vaginal delivery

对于某些妇女来说，流血将开始逐渐减少。对于其他人来说，它可以持续长达六个星期。两者都是完全正常的。

At this point though, the bleeding shouldn’t be heavy. You may start to feel vaginal itchiness, which is caused by the area starting to heal. The sutures — which swell with fluid when they disintegrate — may also be bugging you.

“All of this often means that the wound has healed enough that mama simply now has the luxury of being annoyed by the stitches because she is no longer in pain in that area,” says Brown. “I view the itchy-annoyed complaints as a good sign of healing.”

Physical status, after C-section

You’ll still likely feel quite sore but it will probably feel a little easier to move around. Your scar might become a little itchy as the incision site is healing.

Mental health status

Baby blues are totally normal. In fact, 大多数女性 are said to get them.Postpartum depression (PPD), however, is something else entirely.

如果您感到悲伤和anxiety——如果你不能吃或睡觉,不与y键our newborn, or are having suicidal thoughts or thoughts of hurting anyone else — talk to your doctor.

Physical status, post-vaginal delivery

This is when the uterus goes back to pre-pregnancy size and the bleeding stops. Most people are cleared for exercise and sexual activity, but many don’t feel ready for the latter for a long time.

“Around six to eight weeks, I frequently get outreach from mamas who report that their bleeding stopped many days ago, but mysteriously started up again,” explains Brown. “This is because your uterus is involuting so much that the placental scab is getting pushed off, so there’s a brief few days of bright red bleeding.”

Physical status, after C-section

子宫也是如此sexand exercise. You’re now permitted to drive and lift something other than the baby — but try not to overdo it. The scar probably won’t hurt anymore, but you might still be numb (or even itchy) around the incision.

You should be fully recovered from the surgery and will probably only feel the incision if you bump into something. Walking is great, but go slow on more intense exercise.

Mental health status

If you have any lingering worries about your emotional or mental health, bring them up with your doctor at your six-week checkup. It’s normal to feel exhausted and overwhelmed, but deeper feelings of depression, hopelessness, or anxiety can be treated.

Physical status, post-vaginal delivery

如果您的头发在分娩后掉下来，should stop now。You should also have full bladder control again, if this was a problem before now.

根据您的工作时间表，牛奶可能正在干燥。Your periodmay come back anytime (or not for a year or more).

Physical status, after C-section

One study found that women who had C-sections were more tired after six months. This, of course, depends on how well your baby is sleeping.

Just as with post-vaginal delivery, your milk may be drying up depending on your work schedule and your period may come back anytime.

Mental health status

If you’re getting into the swing of motherhood — and the baby is sleeping more — your mental state might be more positive around this time.

Again, any lingering feelings associated with PPD should be addressed.

Physical status, post-vaginal delivery

您可能会感觉到自己，但是您的身体可能仍然感觉略有不同 - 无论是额外的磅还是在不同地方分配的重量。

Depending on whether you’re still breastfeeding, your breasts will appear different than they did pre-pregnancy.

Physical status, after C-section

Your scar will have faded, but it might still be a little numb. If you want another baby soon, most doctors will recommend (or insist on) a C-section if the babies are18 months or less apart。This is due to the risk ofuterine ruptureduring labor and vaginal delivery.

Mental health status

This will probably hinge on how comfortably you’re adapting to motherhood and how much sleep you’re getting. If you can, continue to nap on weekends when the baby naps to catch up on sleep.

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