Handling Post-Pregnancy Health Challenges

While pregnancies end at the child's birth, the problems are not over for the mother. Their bodies experienced massive changes over the past nine months, and unfortunately, they cannot go back to normal overnight. As a result, there are several health risks for many women. Here is a closer look at what you can experience and how to deal with them.

Vaginal discharge

After giving birth, the most common health issue you will have to deal with is vaginal discharge. The medical term for this is lochia, a mixture of blood, mucus, and uterine tissue. It will start a few days after the birth and look like your normal menstrual discharge. The duration of the discharge is for up to eight weeks. Depending on how bad it is, you will have to use sanitary pads to keep it from leaking too much. Note that heavy discharge will be expected in the first few days after pregnancy but will weaken as time goes by. The primary way to handle lochia is to simply let your body heal and insert nothing into your vagina until you reach full recovery.

Perineum pain

The most common type of post-pregnancy pain is perineum pain. While the perineum can stretch a lot, pregnancies strain this ability to its limit. With the baby's head emerging from the vagina, it is possible to damage it, with tearing being the worst-case scenario. Depending on the circumstances of the birth, perineum pain will have different levels. For deliveries with no tearing, the perineum will swell for a few weeks before it recovers. Tearing will require stitches, and healing is a lot longer than usual. It would help if you took extra care of this area after the birth. Recline as much as possible and avoid leggings, jeans, and other tight clothes in that area. Applying hot and cold compresses can help relieve the pain.

Urinary incontinence

Another possible side effect of pregnancy is urinary incontinence. Childbirth puts a lot of stress on the pelvic floor muscles. These muscles are what help control your bladder. With them in a weak condition, it will be hard to keep control of your urination. Fortunately, this only happens in one of four pregnancies. If you end up suffering from incontinence, there are several ways to handle it. Using pads can help prevent embarrassing accidents. However, the critical thing to do is strengthen your pelvic muscles again. Do Kegel exercises regularly to have better control over your bladder. You can expect results in a few weeks.

Blood glucose swings

Having another human being growing inside you puts surprising demands on your body, especially regarding nutrients and blood sugar. Your body has to adapt again to normal blood sugar levels. Follow your doctor's instructions on your diet and medication to return your body to its pre-pregnancy glucose levels.
Recovering from pregnancy is not easy. It is tough when you have to take care of your new baby. While it is essential to give a new child proper care, you shouldn't forget about yourself. The advice above should help ensure that you can take care of yourself and restore your body to its pre-pregnancy health.