We will start this post by stating one important fact: All moms will experience pregnancy and delivery differently, and all will recover at their own speed – that is completely okay and perfectly normal. This post isn’t meant to make comparisons, only to provide information on how a parental clinic can help to improve your recovery process, regardless of how long that particular journey takes.
The first 6 weeks after birth are generally regarded as the recovery period. Whether you breezed through delivery, had to push for hours, or had a C-section, your body underwent a significant ordeal and needs time to adjust. Your prenatal clinic in Calgary is not only useful for monitoring your health before baby arrives, they can also help support you throughout your recovery with postpartum care.
Postpartum Symptoms
Most postpartum symptoms are very temporary, lasting for anywhere from 1 to 6 weeks, while some may persist a little longer. These symptoms include:
• Bleeding
• Abdominal pain
• Perineal discomfort
• Pain or numbness around C-section incision
• Back pain
• Constipation
• Trouble urinating
The key to addressing these symptoms is not overdoing it in the first few weeks. There is no rush to get back to “normal” and taking on too much will only result in undue stress and a prolonged recovery.
A prenatal clinic can help you with tips on how to ease discomfort during the recovery, while monitoring you for extreme symptoms. It is much easier and more beneficial to seek advice from trained professionals than it is to stay awake at night scrolling through worst case scenarios on Google.
Postpartum Recovery Challenges
Many new parents have unrealistic expectations of how life will be after childbirth, with many rushing to return to normal activities, along with caring for a newborn. Some common mistakes that many new moms make are:
• Trying to do too much too soon: The “too much” can refer to everything from exercising too soon, to refusing help when it is offered, or being too proud to ask for help when it’s needed.
• Disregarding physical red flags: A little bleeding is normal, a lot of bleeding, or bleeding that is worsening, are not.
• Ignoring mental health: Childbirth doesn’t only take a toll on your body; hormones, mood changes, and lack of sleep can also have a significant impact on your mental health.
• Neglecting proper nutrition: New moms sometimes feel pressure to lose the “baby” weight too soon after birth. The first several weeks after childbirth should be focused on proper nutrition, not losing weight. Eating well is vital to both your physical and mental health, as well as for supporting milk production for nursing mothers.
One of best ways to help ensure a speedy recovery is taking care of yourself. While you can expect to be very busy caring for the new baby, you can’t pour from an empty cup, and your health needs to be a priority as well.
A parental care clinic can help you prioritize your recovery by offering postpartum care, practical advice and a realistic recovery timeline, in an environment that is safe, trusting, and free from judgment. They can also ensure that your recovery is progressing normally and address any concerns that you may be having.