Did you know that the postpartum period is called the fourth trimester? Pregnancy may end in the third trimester, but you and your baby are both in the fourth trimester for 12 more additional weeks!

The postpartum time frame is the least talked about stage of parenting. Many new moms and parents are unaware of what lies ahead. Since this stage lasts up to 12 weeks, I am just going to cover what happens to YOUR body right after birth and the first few weeks in this article. 

There are differences between a vaginal delivery and a cesarean. In this article I will be going over a vaginal delivery only. Look for a separate article on cesareans. 

When you have a vaginal delivery, you not only birth your baby, but the placenta! Sometimes the placenta will come out on its own with a contraction and other times you may need to gently push again to deliver it. Your OB or Midwife will carefully inspect the placenta to make sure there are no tears or holes. If there is any placental tissue left in your uterus, this can cause bleeding and complications. If this is the case they will remove the clots manually (ititss as unpleasant as it sounds). 

Some woman opt to have an episiotomy or tear naturally during delivery. If you have had an epidural or spinal, you generally do not feel this. If you have gone natural you can have lidocaine prior to receiving the stitches. Speaking from experience, I thought it would be a great idea to get the stitches without the lidocaine...not a great idea, get the lidocaine. 

Once the baby and placenta are delivered and any stitches you may need are done, you are cleaned up and large ice packs and pads are placed against your vaginal area. If you had a epidural you will not be able to get up until you can move and feel your legs again. Don't worry, you generally do not have to use the restroom for a few hours because they use a small catheter to drain your bladder right before pushing. This is to help decrease any injury. 

You are in recovery for around 2 hours. During this time they will be checking on the baby, attempt to latch baby if you are breastfeeding, take your vitals and push on you uterus every 30 minutes. Uterine/fundal massage is to help your uterus contact back down to normal size. Some hospitals give Pitocin via an IV to stimulate uterine contractions. Putting your baby to the breast also stimulates uterine contractions to decrease your risk of hemorrhage. No matter what route they take, the fundal/uterine massage, it's my least favorite part of delivering a baby. If you start bleeding too much, or any other concerns they will again check to make sure there was no placental pieces left in your uterus. 

The next few days go by in kind of a blur. It's an out of body experience because your body just went through a marathon, but now you have to take care of this little human. Most people don't realize how sore their body will be after delivering a baby. All your muscles were used in the longest workout you have ever done! If you bounced on a birthing ball for hours, walked the halls or pushed for a long time then this will increase how sore you are. Try and take a nice warm shower and use a heating pad on your sore body. Take pain medications before the pain get too bad. It's easier to get ahead of it, then try to catch back up. Most medications are safe to take in moderation, even with breastfeeding. 

On average most woman bleed quite a bit the next few weeks. This always seems to come as a surprise to new moms. When you cough, you bleed. When you sneeze, you bleed. When you stand up to fast, it feels like you are peeing your pants (nope still blood). You will get a fun little bottle called a peri-bottle. This is your new friend. Fill it with warm water and spray it on your vaginal area every time you go the bathroom. If you have stitches you will want to pat dry. Wear dark clothing, supportive underwear and comfortable pants. Everything is swollen. Ice is your second best friend. They will give you lots of different ice pads to tuck into your underwear. 

Take it slow. The more you do, the more you bleed. Bleeding too much is a sign that you need sit down and put your feet up. You should NOT lift anything over the weight of your baby for the next 6+ weeks. This is to decrease your risk of postpartum hemorrhage. You can also pass blood cloths the first month or so after delivery. Please discuss them with you provider if they are larger than a golf ball or if you seem to be having a lot of them. 

Stitches itch and burn. There is no better way to put it. Most woman get stitches after delivery. Even one stitch can burn and itch like crazy. Using hydrocortisone cream and or witch hazel pads helps. Make sure to take regular showers and use the peri-bottle to keep them clean. As always talk to your OB/Midwife with any concerns. 

If you have never had a hemorrhoid, consider yourself lucky. Hands down one of the most painful experiences I have ever had. When you are pregnant, you can get them from constipation or the position of the baby. Hemorrhoids are swollen veins inside or outside of you rectum. There can be internal ones and external ones. When pushing they can pop out. Think of grapes hanging out of your butt. I wish I was lying. The best thing to do is rest and take stool softeners. If you take witch hazel pads and put them in the freezer, you can just tuck them right up next to the hemorrhoid and it will feel much better. Laying on your side can help take the pressure off them. I did send my husband to the store one night to buy a Sitz bath and donut pillow. 

Swelling after delivery is normal. Most people who didn't even swell during their pregnancy have a fluid shift after delivering and their feet, hands and even face can swell. They will monitor your blood pressure. If the swelling gets worse, there are medications the OB/Midwife can prescribe to help. Again, drinking plenty of fluids (sounds backwards I know), resting and keeping your feet elevated will help with swelling. 

Breastfeeding is an amazing benefit that you can do for your child. I know that not everyone can and that is ok! I will have plenty of blog posts on breastfeeding. But I just wanted talk about a few things. Milk usually takes 3-7 days to fully come in. During the first 1-3 days your baby will get colostrum, a very thick milk. It is highly packed with antibodies, antioxidants and glucose. Latching your baby frequently and getting a good latch even the first day is super important. I always hate the phrase "If you are doing it right it shouldn't hurt". I disagree. The first few weeks are not always pleasant. You have never had anything attached to your nipples 80% of the day. They can crack, bleed, be very sensitive, swollen and sore. Don't give up because "it's not suppose to hurt"! Your nipples will adjust. Work with a lactation consultant to make sure you are getting a correct latch and check for any other common issues. When your milk comes in, you may look like Dolly Parton for a few days! Ice decreases swelling and heat increases, remember that sentence. 

Seriously, sleep when the baby sleeps. You have just started the most amazing journey, but it feels like you have been hit by a car. Babies are nocturnal, like vampire milk bats. You need the strength to party all night. It's not the same as when you studied in college or went out all night. Trust me. 

Make a snack basket. When baby is eating eat a healthy snack and drink. You will seriously forget to eat and drink. All your attention goes to keeping this tiny human alive, that you will forget about yourself. Make someone hold the baby so you can shower once a day. 

If family comes over and wants to see the baby. Go take a nap, shower or do something for you. You do NOT need to entertain them. If they ask for a glass of water or snack, kick them out. They should be serving you. Let people help you! That's the hardest one, but if someone asks to help give them a task. 

I could literally write a book on the first few weeks after pregnancy. If you made it this far, I really did try to narrow it down. You won't remember the postpartum period and you will have another baby ;) 

Give yourself grace. Enjoy the snuggles, the sweet smell of their head and the tiny nose. It will be gone before you can blink. 

List of things I find useful in postpartum:

(I don't get credit or compensation for any of these:

Peri-Bottle:https://a.co/d/9Kw4wNL

• Has a nice curve, easier to use then the hospital.

Pads:https://a.co/d/gHHWucUWitch Hazel: https://a.co/d/iovEFJR

• You need bigger than you think.

Witch Hazel:https://a.co/d/cSynN7O

• Buy a few containers, stick on in the freezer and one the refrigerator. 

Nursing Tank Top:https://a.co/d/boeuYk8

• These are nice because you don't have to show your stomach every time you lift your shirt. I felt like I could feed in front of others. Plus it gave some tummy control. 

Nipple Butter:https://a.co/d/3EeDSiK

• Lanolin free, not as sticky. 

Heating Pad

• Whatever you want, just get one.

Peri Spray:https://a.co/d/e7mbl1x

• There a few different ones, but it helps heal the area faster.

Breast Ice/heat:https://a.co/d/7iLcd9j

• You can literally just use bags of peas...but this is fancier. 

Nursing Gown or robe:https://www.motherhood.com/products/love-and-fit-lounge-nursing-maternity-pajama-set-r31308?variant=40953290129544

• In the hospital it helps to have quick access without peeling off clothes.

It's not an all inclusive list, but just to get you thinking about some things you might need. 

Any questions or concerns feel free to reach out or leave a comment!