Your body after baby

• Lots of things happen in your body right after giving birth.
• Some body changes are painless and others can be uncomfortable.
• Stress and lack of sleep can make you feel emotional.

Lots of things are happening in your body right after you have a baby. Now that your baby is here, you're probably feeling some pain or discomfort. Here's what you can expect. 

Pains after birth (afterbirth pains)
Your uterus contracts and relaxes as it shrinks back to its regular size. This may cause cramps called afterbirth pains. They usually go away in a few days.

What you can do
Ask your provider if it's OK to take an over-the-counter medicine to help relieve your pain.

Perineum soreness
The perineum is the area between your vagina and rectum. It stretches during labor and vaginal birth. Sometimes it may even tear. It often is sore after you give birth.

You may be even more sore if you had an episiotomy (a cut made at the opening of the vagina to help the baby out).

What you can do

• Do Kegel exercises. These strengthen the muscles in the pelvic area, which helps the perineum heal. To do them, squeeze the muscles that you use to stop yourself from passing urine. Hold the muscles tight for 10 seconds and then release.
• Put a cold pack on your perineum. Use ice wrapped in a towel. Or you can buy cold packs that you freeze in your freezer.
• Sit on a pillow.
• Soak in a warm bath.
• Wipe from front to back after going to the bathroom. This can help prevent infection as your episiotomy heals.
• Ask your provider about medicine to help ease the pain.

After a C-section
A c-section is major surgery, so it may take a while for you to recover. You may be really  tired for the first few days or weeks after a c-section. This is because you lost blood during the surgery. Also, your incision (the cut on your belly) may be sore.

What you can do

• Ask your provider for pain medication. Check with him before you take any over-the-counter medicine for pain.
• Ask for help around the house from family and friends. They can help with cooking, cleaning and taking care of the baby or other children.

Feeling tired
You may have lost blood during labor and delivery, which makes your body tired. And your baby probably doesn’t let you sleep all night.

What you can do

• Understand that it's normal to feel really tired. It takes time to get your energy back.
• Sleep when your baby sleeps, even when he naps during the day.
• Eat healthy foods, like fruits, vegetables, whole-grain breads and pasta, and lean meat and chicken. Limit sweets and foods with a lot of fat.
• Ask your partner to help feed and take care of the baby.
• Ask your friends and family for help around the house. Tell them exactly what you need them to do for you.

Hemorrhoids
Hemorrhoids are painful, swollen veins in and around the anus. Lots of women get them during pregnancy, and they may get worse after you give birth.

What you can do

• Soak in a warm bath.
• Use an over-the-counter spray or cream to help relieve pain. Ask your provider which ones are OK to use.
• Eat foods that are high in fiber. Examples: whole-grain breads, cereals, and pastas; vegetables such as peas, carrots, and corn; and fruits such as apples, oranges, strawberries and prunes. Be sure to drink lots of water.
• Try not to strain when you're having a bowel movement.

Constipation
You may have painful gas or trouble having a bowel movement after you give birth.

What you can do

• Eat foods that are high in fiber and drink lots of water.
• Ask your provider about medicine to take.

Urinary problems
During pregnancy, your growing baby put pressure on your bladder and the muscles that help you urinate. This may cause some problems when you try to urinate after pregnancy. You may feel pain or burning. Or you may try to urinate but find that you can’t. Sometimes you may not be able to stop urinating; this is called incontinence.

What you can do for pain and burning or if you have trouble urinating

• Drink lots of water.
• Run water in the sink when you go to the bathroom.
• Soak in a warm bath.

What you can do for incontinence
To strengthen your pelvic muscles, do Kegel exercises (see description under Perineum Soreness above).

Sweating
This happens a lot to new moms, especially at night. It's caused by all the hormones in your body after pregnancy.

What you can do

• Sleep on a towel to help keep your sheets and pillow dry.
• Don't use too many blankets
• Don't wear warm clothes to bed.
• Keep a fan near your bed.

May 2009