After your baby’s birth (postpartum), the body begins the restoration process and starts to regain strength and return back to its pre-pregnancy shape.
Many women experience a range of issues postpartum; just think of what your body has been through in the last nine months. Now that pregnancy is over and you’re left with your little bundle of joy, you may still be experiencing several lingering side effects of pregnancy.
Here are five common postpartum challenges and some tips for dealing with them:
1) Hemorrhoids. Hemorrhoids can be caused by the pressure of the enlarged uterus and fetus on the lower abdomen veins during pregnancy. This causes the veins around the rectum to swell resulting in external hemorrhoids that are painful and uncomfortable. Although surgery is occasionally necessary to correct them, try an over-the-counter, drug-free product, CryoSTAT Hemorrhoid Relief, to relieve the symptoms by applying cold therapy directly to the affected area to reduce inflammation. The direct application of cold provides prompt relief and extinguishes burning, itching, pain and swelling.
2) Stretch marks. Unfortunately stretch marks are very common during pregnancy and can be unavoidable unless you have naturally stretchy skin. Although they may never disappear completely, they are likely to fade over time. Make sure that your skin remains moisturized throughout your pregnancy and postpartum, drink lots of water and consume healthy foods rich in zinc, protein and vitamin A, C and D.
3) Hair loss. During pregnancy your hormones are elevated, causing hair to grow at a faster rate. After delivery, many women are frightened by the uncomfortable amount of hair loss they might experience. Remember that you just went through nine months of hardly any hair loss and your body is just making up for lost time. Generally this change is temporary and returns to normal without treatment.
4) Incontinence. Urinary incontinence (loss of urine) after vaginal childbirth is very common – up to 50% of women suffer from the problem after age 40. Many women experience “leaking” when they laugh or cough and neglect to tell their doctors for 5 to 7 years. There are a number of treatment options that can be done in the doctor’s office and if necessary, a variety of minimally invasive operations that can relieve those symptoms.
5) Difficulty regaining your pre-pregnancy shape. This is extremely high on new mom’s to-do list but it can often be difficult to find the time, let alone achieve. Try incorporating your baby into your new workout routine, whether it be jogging, resistance exercises or yoga. Also, breast feeding can cause you to lose a dress size and recent studies show that it protects your baby from infection and may even add to their IQ.
Many women experience these common problems, some more serious than others. You should keep an eye out for these changes and contact your doctor if something seems out of the ordinary, as it could indicate a more serious postpartum complication. Please see your doctor if you experience any of the following postpartum symptoms:
– Pain
– Fever
– Foul discharge
– Depression lasting more than two weeks
Dr. Machelle M. Seibel is Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Massachusetts and Founder of HealthRock, a health entertainment company that teaches health literacy through music and entertainment. Dr. Seibel has written 12 books, over 200 articles, more than 100 original songs on 12 music CDs, and has 20+ years presenting on health topics to international audiences at conferences, meetings, corporate events, and educational venues.
Source: HealthRock