PostPartum Healing
Hi there, here are some friendly reminders from Mama Cat:
Sleep.
Sleep when the baby sleeps.
Get your people together, create the support system and delegate tasks to help take care of you and your baby.
Find time to Sleep.
Sleep.
Did I mention sleep?
I found that when I was able to have an uninterrupted sleep in each morning after nursing my boy, I was charged up for the day. Literally, it was 1 1/2-2 hours that made the difference for me. If you can, have someone help out every morning or even at bed time. I believe it will make a difference for you too.
Eat well and Hydrate. You may already have a meal train in place, but having your people create nutritious meals for you will help greatly. My parents, without fail for the first month, brought me oatmeal with fresh fruit. I was well taken care of and you should be too.
Use that peri bottle, hemorrhoid cream and take the stool softeners!
Get that shower in.
Take a Sitz Bath: fill up your tub with 3-4 inches of warm water (not hot). Have some water nearby.
Parents who have had vaginal births: Use those padsicles! And if you’re expecting, make them ahead of time and store them in the freezer. There are plenty of DIY posts out there. Some parents will add aloe vera and witch hazel (alcohol FREE).
Parents who have had belly births aka c-sections: take it slow and easy. You’ve just had major abdominal surgery! Follow your pain medicine regimen to a T and try not to skip any doses.
Please pay attention to these postpartum warning signs during the first year and if you should experience any of these symptoms, be sure to let someone know that you have given birth within the past year:
1. Pain in your chest
2. Obstructed breathing or shortness of breath
3. Seizures
4.Thoughts of hurting yourself or your baby
5. Bleeding that is soaking through one pad/hour, or blood clots the size of an egg or bigger
6. Incision that is not healing
7. Red or swollen leg that is painful or warm to touch
8. Temperature of 100.4 F or higher
9. Headache that does not improve, even after taking medicine, or bad headache with vision changes
Love to you,
-Cat Xx