Women's Health Questions After Birth

While pregnant women often worry about how to prepare for birth and how to get through pregnancy, few consider what happens to their bodies after the baby is born. Your body will go through almost as many changes after giving birth as it does preparing for it.

Postpartum Depression

Postpartum depression is a clinical condition that deserves prompt attention. If you ever feel like hurting yourself or your baby after giving birth, get medical attention immediately. Your doctor may prescribe medications to help you, along with therapy.

It is common for new mothers to feel a bit sad or down after giving birth, but this doesn't automatically equate to postpartum depression--it's just a natural part of your hormones getting back in balance.

Breasts and Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding differs from birth to birth--some babies latch on immediately and the process is easy, while it may be difficult for others. Some women may not be able to breastfeed at all; if this is the case for you, do not feel guilty. Before you leave the hospital or birthing center, a nurse will instruct you on how to breastfeed your baby if you choose to do so.

Whether or not you breastfeed, in the days after giving birth your breasts likely will become swollen and engorged with milk. You may feel pressure and discomfort, and experience leaking. To alleviate the pain, put warm compresses on your breasts and wear a very comfortable, supportive bra. Put cotton pads in your bra so that any leaking doesn't show through your top.

Birth Control

Some women think that they cannot easily get pregnant after giving birth because their hormones are out of balance. This is not true. Unless you plan to get pregnant soon after giving birth, consider using birth control. This can be in the form of medications or natural methods, but unless you are proactive, there is a reasonable chance that you will get pregnant again before your new baby is a year old.

Exercise and Work

Heavy work and exercise, such as weightlifting, running and standing for more than six hours at a time, should be done no earlier than six weeks after giving birth. If you have a job where you are stationary, such as working at home, doing clerical work or typing, you can safely get back to work as soon as you feel like it. Light exercising, such as walking, yoga and stretching, can be done anytime after giving birth, as long as you are comfortable.

Sex

Medical providers recommend that you wait to resume having sex for six weeks after giving birth, but you really should wait until you feel ready. Because your hormones are getting back in balance, you simply may not feel like having sex. If you had a rough labor or a C-section, you should wait until your wounds are completely healed and you no longer feel soreness.

Talk to your partner about resuming sexual activity--he needs to understand that it is best to wait until you are physically and emotionally prepared, no matter how long that may take.