Most mothers-to-be are prepared for the basics of childbirth, what will happen when from the very first contraction all the way to the last. Childbirth classes given at the hospital as well as books such as What to Expect When Expecting focus on the stages of labor and offer tips and suggestions for easing the process of childbirth. What many mothers are not prepared for are a few of the common things that happen to your body after delivery.
Here are some of the common things that happen after childbirth that you might not know about:
Trembles and Shakes
After birth, most women experience feeling jittery and some women will even have full-body shaking.
“I remember within about a minute after I delivered my son, my hands started feeling shaky and then my whole body began to shake almost as if I was freezing cold. I remembered being concerned about holding my baby since I was shaking so much but by the time the nurses finished their initial checkup on him and he was brought to me, most of the shaking had gone away.” – Christine
The shakes are caused by the immediate hormonal shift that occurs right after delivery. They can also be a reaction to anesthesia or a signal of a endorphin release as well. Not to worry, the trembles typically subside after just a few minutes when your body has had time to adjust.
Pushing Doesn’t End after the Baby
If you have a vaginal birth, several minutes after your bundle of joy arrives the doctors will then help you deliver the placenta. You probably won’t even notice the mild minute-long contractions that help separate the placenta from your uterus. When it’s time, your doctor and nurses will probably assist the placenta delivery by gently pulling on the cord while also applying pressure to your abdomen. You may even be asked to help push. Some doctors inject Picotin in your IV to encourage the contractions. The medicine will also help shrink your uterus back to size which in turn will minimize your post-delivery bleeding. Once your placenta is removed, your doctor will carefully inspect it to make sure it’s completely intact as infection and postpartum hemorrhaging can occur as well as other health risks if a piece of the placenta remains inside.
Stitches
Thank goodness the standard practice of episiotomies is a thing of the past however it is not uncommon for women to tear during childbirth, especially when delivering their first child. Tearing can range from very minor to more serious tears which will require stitches. Immediately after delivering the placenta, doctors will take a look and see if you require stitches. If you opted for an epidural the good news is you are already numb. If you pushed through the pain and delivered without pain medication, your doctor will give you a shot with a local anesthetic to numb you before doing the stitches which will dissolve naturally as you heal. The ice pack pads, who knew there was such a thing, the nurses give you during your hospital stay will become your best friend.
Post-Partum Massage
This isn’t as fun as it sounds! After childbirth, your uterus will need to shrink down from the size of a watermelon back down to the size of a cantaloupe and the nurses will help assist that transition and your body’s natural contractions by kneading your abdomen. The kneading and massage will help the uterus contract to its smaller size however you may find it uncomfortable.
Swelling and Itching
You may experience swelling in your nether regions after childbirth due to increased blood flow as well as fluids to the area. If you required stitches as well, it may add to the swelling and discomfort after a vaginal birth. Your nurses will provide you with ointment, ice packs, and pain medicine to help with the discomfort. You may also find that the area around the stitches becomes itchy, not to worry this is a sign of your body healing. Do your best not to disturb the stitches.
C-Section & Breastfeeding
If you have had a C-section, you may find that it is more difficult to find a comfortable position to nurse your baby. The nurses and lactation consultants are there to help. Tell them if you are having trouble and they can share all the tricks of the trade to make the breastfeeding process easier while your C-section incision heals.
Contractions While Nursing
If you choose to breastfeed your baby, most women experience uterine contractions while nursing. It is your body’s attempts to squeeze your uterus to its normal size. The contractions often get stronger with each additional child, so women who have just delivered their second or third child may notice the contractions are much stronger than they experienced with their first born. As your uterus shrinks over the weeks following childbirth, you will notice the contractions fading as well.
Sweating
Stock up on your antiperspirant because you will probably sweat a lot more than usual postpartum for a few weeks as your body adjusts to the huge drop in estrogen. The hormone changes can affect your normal body’s temperature regulation causing you to overheat and sweat. Nursing mother’s may also find they get really warm and start to sweat while breastfeeding. Your body works hard while you nurse and breastfeeding can burn anywhere between 300-500 additional calories a day. Wearing layers can make it easier to adjust your body’s temperature while nursing.
Post-Partum Bleeding
In the days postpartum, you will experience heavy bleeding. The hospital will provide you with the heavy-duty pads which will be just what you need. You may not like the look of the hospital mesh underwear however once you realize how messy postpartum bathroom trips can be, you will be glad you have a disposable option. You may experience a gush of blood when standing up after laying down or sitting for a long period of time. It’s normal to pass some large blood clots after delivery however contact your doctor if you are passing clots regularly. The rate of your bleeding will slow down over the next few weeks after delivery.
