What to expect after giving birth in a normal birth?

Are you expecting a baby soon , but don't know what to expect after birth ? See our tips for stitches , hemorrhoids, bleeding and other physical changes after giving birth, as well as tips to help you recover healthier and faster.

If you gave birth by caesarean section, see recovery after cesarean section.

Stitches

If you have had stitches after a tear or episiotomy (cut), wash every day to prevent infection. Take a bath or shower with plain warm water, then gently pat dry.

If your stitches cause discomfort or pain, tell your doctor or midwife.

Painkillers can help. If you are breast-feeding, talk to your pharmacist, midwife or GP before buying over-the-counter painkillers.

The sutures usually dissolve over time as the cut or tear heals, but sometimes they need to be removed. Ask about this before you are discharged from the hospital to know if you need to return soon for a check-up.

Going to the toilet

At first, the thought of peeing can be a little scary - because of the pain and because you can't feel what you're doing. Drinking plenty of water dilutes your urine, which can make it easier to pass stools.

Tell your midwife if:

  • it's really hard for you to pee
  • you feel very sick or have a fever
  • you notice an unpleasant odor

You probably won't need to go out for a few days after giving birth, but it's important to do so after 2-3 days of birth.

Eat lots of fresh fruits, vegetables, salads, whole grains and whole grain breads and drink plenty of water. If you have seams underneath, don't worry, the chances of them splitting or opening are very small.

You may feel better if you hold a clean cloth pad over the seams when you defecate. Try not to strain and strain unnecessarily.

Talk to your midwife or GP if you have constipation and have not gone out within 3-4 days of giving birth. A gentle laxative can help.

Bladder control

After the baby is born, it is quite common to urinate a little if you laugh, cough or make sudden movements.

Pelvic floor exercises can help with this, but tell your GP at the postnatal check if this involuntary urination does not go away within a few days. They can refer you to a physiotherapist.

Hemorrhoids

Hemorrhoids are very common after birth, but usually disappear within a few days.

Eat lots of fresh fruits, vegetables, salads, whole grains and whole grain breads and drink plenty of water. This should make going to the toilet much easier and less painful.

Try not to strain or strain - this will make hemorrhoids worse.

Tell your midwife if you feel very uncomfortable. They may prescribe a hemorrhoid soothing cream.

Postpartum hemorrhage

Vaginal bleeding after childbirth is normal. There will be a lot more at first and you will need super absorbent sanitary pads or bandages. Change them regularly, washing your hands before and after.

It is not a good idea to use tampons, as they can increase the chances of developing an infection.

You may notice that the bleeding is redder and heavier when you are breastfeeding. This is because breastfeeding causes your uterus to contract and contract. You may also experience cramps similar to menstrual cramps.

The bleeding will continue for several weeks until it is completely cleared. It will gradually acquire a brownish color and decrease until it finally stops.

If you lose blood in large clots, tell your doctor or midwife immediately. Some treatment may be needed.

Chest

For starters, your breasts will produce a yellowish fluid called colostrum - this is the best start for your baby.

On the third or fourth day, they may feel tight and firm when they start producing milk.

Wearing a supportive breastfeeding bra can help. If the breasts are too hard and the baby cannot empty them, then get a breast pump. Squeeze until the breasts are relieved.

The belly

Your belly will probably be quite wide after birth and still much larger than before pregnancy. This is partly because your muscles are stretched.

If you eat a balanced diet and do light exercise, your shape should gradually return to normal.

Breastfeeding helps a lot in shrinking the abdomen because it makes your womb contract. You may experience quite painful intermittent cramps during meals. Read Sagging belly after birth: how to get rid of it?

Is it serious?

Tell your midwife, GP or GP immediately if you get any of these symptoms.

  • Pain, swelling or redness of the calf muscle
  • Chest pain, difficulty breathing
  • Sudden or very severe loss of blood from the vagina, possible feeling of fainting, rapid heartbeat
  • Fever or abdominal discomfort
  • Headache, changes in vision, vomiting