The joy of having a baby is indescribable, right? At the same time, it's also very normal to feel a little scared and nervous about the changes that are happening to your body as a new mother. After carrying a little baby in your womb for nine months, your body suddenly tries to get back to its old state. So today, let's talk about these changes that happen to your body after having a baby. What are these, why are they normal, and when should you see a doctor?
Let's first look at vaginal discharge (Lochia).
This is often the first thing new mothers notice. Simply put, the discharge from the vagina after giving birth is called ``Lochia.'' It's like your period, but a little different.
- First 3 days: The discharge during these days is dark red. To be precise, it's blood-colored. It's normal to have small blood clots. But remember, those blood clots can't be bigger than the size of a large lemon.
- Days 4 to 10: The color of the discharge will start to change a bit. It will be a pinkish-brown color these days. It will also be a little thinner than before.
- After 10 days: By now, the discharge will be creamy or yellowish-white.
You may notice a little more discharge when you get out of bed in the morning, walk around, or breastfeed your baby. Don't worry, this is normal. Mothers who have had a baby by cesarean section may have less discharge than mothers who have had a vaginal birth. This usually stops completely between 4 and 6 weeks.
It is very important that you only use sanitary pads during this time. Do not use anything that is inserted into the vagina, such as tampons, for any reason. It is very important to avoid inserting anything into the vagina for 6 weeks after giving birth to prevent infections.
Discharge from a surgical wound
If you have had a C-section or tubal ligation, it is normal for a small amount of pink discharge to come out of the incision. The most important thing is to keep the incision clean and dry. Wash the incision as usual with soap and warm water. Bathing is fine. However, if the discharge does not stop, or if the incision becomes red, swollen, or painful, be sure to call your doctor.
Breast changes: engorgement and swelling
This is also something new mothers often face.
Leaking milk from the breasts
If you are breastfeeding, it is normal for your breasts to leak a little milk. Even if you are not breastfeeding your baby, you may still experience some leakage during the first two weeks. The best solution to this is to use breast pads under your bra. This will keep your clothes from getting wet.
Breast swelling and pain (Breast Engorgement)
`Breast engorgement` is when the blood supply to the breasts increases, causing them to become full of milk, making them feel warm, hard, and heavy. This condition can occur when the baby starts to come in or if the baby is late in feeding.
If you are bottle feeding your baby:
- Take a painkiller prescribed by your doctor.
- Applying an ice pack can reduce pain and swelling.
- Wear a bra that has good support and is not tight.
If you are breastfeeding your baby:
- The best way to prevent this condition is to breastfeed your baby frequently or pump.
- To reduce pain and help some milk come out, place a warm cloth over your breasts or take a warm bath. But you should breastfeed or express your milk immediately afterward. If this doesn't help, don't do it again, as it can increase swelling.
- If it's still hard, apply an ice pack.
- Before feeding your baby, express a little milk with your hand and remove it.
- You can take a painkiller like ibuprofen on the advice of your doctor.
- Wear a good support bra.
Important: If this breast swelling persists, or if a triangular area of the breast becomes red, painful, and feverish , it could be a sign of an infection (mastitis). If this happens , see your doctor immediately.
Perineal area pain and care
The perineum is the area of skin between the vagina and anus. This area stretches during childbirth, especially if you have had an episiotomy, which can cause severe pain and tenderness.
- Pain relief: A sitz bath is a great way to relieve pain. Simply put, sit in a basin filled with warm water several inches high for a few minutes. Never add soaps like bubble bath to the water, as this can cause infection. This is also a great way to relieve the pain of hemorrhoids.
- Keeping this area clean: Keeping this area clean is very important to prevent infections. Fill the small bottle (peri bottle) that the hospital gives you with warm water, and after using the toilet and changing your pad, pour water over the area between your vagina and anus. Remember to water from front to back . Then gently blot with a piece of toilet paper. Do not rub. Always use a clean pad. It is best to do this for a week after your baby is born.
Uterine contractions and "after-pains"
Within a few hours of giving birth, the top of your uterus is exactly at the level of your navel. It stays that way for about a day, and then it starts to descend a little bit more each day. This process is accelerated if you breastfeed your baby. If there are no complications, your uterus will shrink back to its pre-pregnancy size (the size of a large pear) by about 6 weeks.
This is what we call "after-pains" when the uterus contracts. The uterus contracts in this way to stop the bleeding from the placental attachment. If you have had children before, you may feel this pain more. Especially when breastfeeding, the pain is intense for about 5 minutes and then gradually subsides.
Get relief from this pain:
- Lie down on your stomach with a pillow under your stomach.
- Take a walk.
- Take a painkiller recommended by the doctor.
- Take a `sitz bath`.
- Hold a hot water bottle over your stomach.
Urination, defecation, and sweating
Difficulty urinating
It's normal to feel a little burning or pain when you urinate in the early days. But if you have difficulty urinating or if you have severe pain, tell your doctor.
Difficulty controlling urine (Incontinence)
During childbirth, due to muscle strain, you may leak a little urine when you laugh, cough, or lift something. Don't worry, this is temporary. Doing Kegel exercises can help you get rid of this condition quickly. It will be much less in a few weeks. If this condition persists after your first postpartum checkup, talk to your doctor.
Constipation
It is normal to not have a bowel movement for 3-4 days after giving birth. Your doctor may recommend a stool softener. Also, eat more fiber-rich foods like fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains . Drink at least 10-12 glasses of water a day. Some painkillers can make constipation worse. If this problem persists, tell your doctor.
Sweating
It's also common to sweat a lot after having a baby, especially at night. This is because hormone levels are returning to normal. To prevent yourself from getting cold, wash your body regularly, change your clothes and bedding, and drink plenty of water.
The resumption of menstruation
- If you are breastfeeding: You may not have your period until your baby is completely weaned. But remember, it is very important to remember that even if you don't get your period while breastfeeding, you can still get pregnant. So talk to your doctor about a suitable family planning method.
- If you are formula feeding your baby: You will start having periods again between 6 and 12 weeks after having your baby. They may be a little irregular for the first few months.
If you have these symptoms, call your doctor immediately!
If you have any of the symptoms below, it could be a sign of a serious condition. So, call your doctor without delay. If necessary, go to the Emergency Department (ETU) of the nearest hospital.
| Symptoms to watch out for | Description and what to do |
|---|---|
| Fever and chills | A fever of more than 38 degrees Celsius (100.4 Fahrenheit) or chills is a sign of infection. |
| Vaginal discharge with a foul odor | A foul-smelling vaginal discharge may be a sign of an infection. |
| Heavy bleeding | If you continue to have dark red bleeding after 3 days, if you wet more than one sanitary pad per hour , or if you pass blood clots larger than a large lemon. |
| Severe pain during urination | Feeling severe burning, pain, or discomfort when urinating. |
| Severe stomach pain | Severe stomach pain that does not subside even with painkillers. |
| Changes in the suture location | Redness, swelling, increased pain, pus-like discharge, or opening of the stitches in the area where the vaginal sutures were placed or the cesarean section wound was performed. |
| Vision changes and headaches | Blurred vision, severe headache, or dizziness. These can be signs of a condition such as high blood pressure. |
| Swelling and pain in one leg | If one leg is more swollen, red, and painful than the other, this could be a sign of a blood clot. |
| Red spots on the breasts | Warm, red, painful areas in the breasts (a sign of infection). |
| Difficulty breathing | Sudden shortness of breath or chest pain. |
| Feeling mentally stressed | Symptoms of postpartum depression include difficulty performing daily tasks, thoughts of harming yourself or your baby , and feeling extremely anxious, fearful, or agitated throughout the day. |
Take-Home Message
- After having a baby, your body goes through a lot of changes, most of which are normal, so don't worry too much about it.
- Give your body time to heal. Get plenty of rest, eat nutritious foods, and drink plenty of water.
- Even if you don't have your period while breastfeeding, it's still possible to get pregnant. So talk to your doctor about a suitable family planning method.
- If you have any of the warning signs mentioned above, do not delay and talk to your doctor. Your health and that of your baby are the most important thing.
- If you're feeling emotionally uncomfortable, don't be afraid to talk about it. Talk to your husband, family, friends, or doctor about it. There are many people who can help you.
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