The Postpartum Period Gives Mothers Time to Recover while Caring for Babies

Women who have just finished giving birth will immediately enter the puerperium. This period begins when the woman has removed the placenta and continues until a few weeks later. The puerperium generally lasts up to six weeks after giving birth. In these six weeks, a woman's body will experience changes, i.e. adaptation from the period of pregnancy and childbirth, until gradually returning to the state as before pregnancy. Most women do not know the recovery process experienced by the body during the puerperium. In fact, it is important to know in order to take proper care after giving birth.

Body Conditions after Childbirth

After giving birth, you can feel very tired and feel pain. The body generally takes 6-8 weeks to heal, and it may take even longer if you have a cesarean delivery. Then what happens to a woman's body after giving birth? There are at least five organs directly affected by a normal birth.

• Vagina

The vagina, which has increased blood flow and swelling, will return to normal within 6-10 weeks. In mothers who are breastfeeding, the return of the vaginal condition will be longer because of low estrogen levels.

• Perineum

Perineum is the part that is between the vagina and anus. During labor, this part can be torn either because of straining or because of an episiotomy. During the puerperium, the swollen vulva will recover within 1-2 weeks, while the strength of the muscles of the perineum will return to its original state for six weeks after delivery. But in some cases, the strength of this perineal muscle may not be as perfect as before due to the severity of the tear.

• Womb

When pregnant, the weight of the uterus itself can reach 1000 g. The size of the uterus will continue to shrink, and the weight of the uterus in the sixth week after delivery will be only 50-100 g. The flow of blood that comes out continues to decrease, with the color changing from red to yellowish white.

• Cervix (cervix)

This section also gradually returned to normal, although the shape and size can not really return the same as before pregnancy.

• Stomach wall

If you want the abdominal wall to tighten, regular exercise is needed. Because, a few weeks after giving birth, this part will relax.

• Breast

Women's breasts that enter the puerperium will feel tight, full, and painful. This is a natural process, because the body prepares itself for the process of breastfeeding the baby. During the puerperium, mothers are advised to breastfeed regularly so that milk can be distributed to the baby. Breastfeeding during the puerperium can also help reduce pain in the breast after childbirth.

Do these things during the puerperium

When undergoing childbirth, you tend to need time to rest. However, don't fall asleep with yourself because your baby needs attention too. Try to be alert by doing the following:

• Ask the help of other family members to do homework.
• Sleep when the baby is sleeping so you have enough rest.
• Try to keep your baby always getting milk. But don't forget, you yourself also must always be adequate for fluid intake.
• Meet the nutritional and energy needs during the puerperium for recovery, and also to meet the needs of breast milk.
• Ask other family members to help take care of your and your baby's needs.
• Every now and then take the time to walk out of the house, so you can get a new atmosphere and reduce stress due to fatigue.
• Don't forget to consult with your doctor about body care, sex matters, and contraception selection.

When you control routinely to the doctor after giving birth, the doctor will do:

• Weight check to monitor nutritional status after giving birth.
• Check blood pressure, body temperature, breathing, and pulse rate.
• Physical and mental health examination.
• Examination of the muscles used during labor.
• Examination of stitches during the birthing process.

Emotions during the puerperium

The puerperium also affects your emotions. You can feel happy because of the presence of a new member in the middle of the family, but at the same time, you might also feel tired and anxious because you have new responsibilities in taking care of the baby. There are also women who experience baby blues syndrome in the puerperium. This syndrome usually starts on the second or third day after giving birth and tends to subside a few days later. Consult with your doctor if the baby blues condition is accompanied by a desire to hurt yourself or the baby, and if it leads to depression. Basically, care during the puerperium is focused so that the mother's condition remains healthy, both physically and mentally. Take advantage of this time to recuperate, strengthen ties with your baby, and set up routines for caring for babies.