5 Ways To Help Your Body Recover After Childbirth

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Postnatal care shouldn’t be something that is a thought at the back of your mind. Whether this is your first baby or your fifth, you need to make sure you are doing what you can to help your body recover from the physical and mental load that is giving birth. All women experience birth in different ways, many through a birth plan they choose for themselves, but looking past the physical act of giving birth, do you have a plan in place for what happens next?

Rest

While getting enough rest isn’t exactly synonymous with a newborn baby. You still need to make sure you are resting as and when you can to give your body the chance to recover. Childbirth is one of the most natural things for a woman’s body to undertake, but that doesn’t deny the considerable strain it can put on a woman’s body to bring a baby into the world.

Let others help you when they can and allow yourself time to get some adequate rest. Be it sitting in your home while you sleep with our new baby or taking your other children out of the house for a  few hours to allow you the chance to get some extra sleep or simply sit around doing not very much at all.

Nutrition

Nutrition, as a new parent, is so essential to help aid your recovery postpartum. During pregnancy, you may notice slight or even more extreme fluctuations in your food and drink preferences. So getting your appetite back to a more normal setting for you can take some time. Anemia during and after pregnancy is common, so if you are struggling with consuming enough nutrients, you should consider other ways to supplement vitamins. An iron IV infusion hydrates your body while fueling your body with the iron it needs to function properly. Other vitamins can also be added to help you feel refreshed and energized. But make sure you are eating nutritious, balanced foods can aid your recovery and help you feel better and more energetic after giving birth.

Breastfeeding mums, new mums or those balancing a new baby in a changing family dynamic can often put their needs on a back burner and at times simply forget to eat. Accept help in the form of ready-made meals from friends and family, others helping you with cooking or merely preparing yourself a selection of snacks to help you remember to eat.

Make sure you include a range of balanced foods when you can try to limit overly processed foods. The better you eat, the healthier you will be and 

Postpartum check-ups

As much as possible, you need to keep on top of your postpartum check-ups with your midwife, health visitor and GP. You can discuss any concerns you might have over development, feeding, your health and contraception going forward, click here to find out how to keep on top of medications. Keeping up with appointments can help put your mind at ease as well as getting you any help you need for yourself and your new baby.

Exercise

You need to keep your body as active as possible as soon after birth as you can. This doesn’t mean you need to head to the gym straight away. But slowly build your strength up by getting out and about for walks or taking the kids out to the park etc. Not only is fresh air an excellent health benefit – as is Vitamin D too, but it can help you clear your mind and help you feel better. After all, no one likes being stuck indoors 27/7 if they don’t need to be.

Be careful not to do too much too soon, especially if you are recovering from a c-section. You may do more harm than good by going against medical advice. If you are unsure if you can start to do gentle exercise, consult your medical professional who can talk you through your next steps.

Mental health

One area of postpartum recovery that needs to be discussed more is the impact of becoming a parent can have on your mental health. There is no shame in admitting you are struggling with the changes. Baby blues are something most new parents feel at some point in the early stages of parenthood, especially when they are battling through consecutive nights of broken sleep.

The main thing is to confide in someone you trust and get the help you need. Be it by talking things through with a counsellor or taking medication should you feel this isn’t a case of baby blues and something that could be an issue. Postpartum depression is a real issue and many new mums struggle with thoughts and feeling no new parent wants to feel. Feeling inadequate, or that our family will be better off without you, or even not being able to bond properly with your child. Being able to recognise that something is wrong and take the steps to get help can have a huge impact on your mental wellbeing and your life overall.

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