During the weeks, days, and hours after you’ve had a child, there’s commentary that’s constantly running through your brain at times. It can range from pride to shock, due to the changes your body is undergoing.
Your body goes through major changes during pregnancy and again after labor and delivery. While there’s lots of information about your growing stomach on a week by week basis, your body, as well as your health after pregnancy, is often overlooked, as you grapple with the responsibilities of caring for a child while you barely get any sleep.
A mother of a 4-month old from Mississauga, Ontario felt blindsided by her body after she gave birth. Issues she’s dealt with range from vaginal bruising due to rough labor and delivery, massive swelling in her feet and legs, and episiotomy stitches. After doing research on pregnancy and delivery, she realized how unprepared she was for life after pregnancy. While she felt strong and healthy prior to having the child, she’s been feeling exhausted lately.
While there’s much to learn about pregnancy including delivery and caring for your new child, it’s important to do your homework. Numerous studies have shown that moms are often depressed, anxious, stressed, or overwhelmed when they struggle or feel unprepared with all of their physical changes after having a baby. This is the opposite of how a new mother should feel.
Having a baby is great, but you need to give yourself the time and the tools to restore your muscles, hormones, and nutrient levels to impact how you experience first few days of motherhood.
Here are some tips on how to care for your body after your child is born.
