What Women Can Expect From Their Body After Giving Birth
Giving birth is a monumental experience for a woman, physically and mentally speaking. If it’s the first time you’ve ever had a child, you may be nervous about what’s to come. Your body will definitely change after having a child, but that’s not all bad news.
Preparing yourself for the physical changes you’ll experience after child birth will help you get back on your feet in no time. Take a moment to check out a few things you can expect from your body after giving child birth, and make preparations for your recovery.
Your boobs will change
After giving birth, your breasts will swell with milk for your baby. Whether or not you choose to breastfeed, you’ll have to expel the excess fluids from your breasts.
If you let it build up, you could experience some severe pain and medical complications. Get a breast pump before you go into labor. You’ll need one even if you do breastfeed your child.
Breastfeeding, however, can cause your breasts some permanent issues. Breast augmentation surgery after pregnancy is a viable solution for some women. Otherwise, you can use supportive bras, work your pectoral muscles, and take proper care of your skin to help keep your breasts where they should be.
You’re going to bleed
Bleeding after birth is completely normal, and you’ll likely bleed a lot. It’s best to stock up on overnight heavy pads before you go into the hospital.
You won’t want to get caught without one. You also should not even consider using a tampon for quite a while after giving birth. It will be painful.
Contractions after birth
You may be upset to know that the contractions don’t end after the baby is out of your body. You’ll experience contractions for several weeks after giving birth while your body is working its way back to normal. The contractions will lesson in power over time.
Keep your pain under control
Giving birth is painful, and the after-effects are painful too. You’ll need to keep a handle on your pain levels while you’re recovering, so you’ll have the capacity to care for yourself and your newborn child. Your doctor should send you home with a prescription for pain medication. Use it.
Take care of your vagina
It’s no secret that the real champion of childbirth is your vagina. You will need to tend to your wounds with great care, and don’t try to have sex until you’re cleared by your doctor.
If you had tearing during labor, you may have stitches to tend to as well. Do your best to keep the area clean, and leave it be. Cold packs will be your best friend.
