Pregnancy may seem exciting but it has its own complications. Particularly after childbirth, a new mother experiences some drastic changes in the body, both emotionally and physically. Since the body is healing from the birthing process, you have to be extra careful during your postpartum recovery period.
Post-childbirth, you’re likely to focus on providing all the care to your baby. But, some life-threatening problems can happen in the weeks after, and many women are not aware of the warning signs.
Maternal deaths mostly happen due to complications of childbirth such as abortion, infection, hemorrhage, and hypertension. To combat these problems, you can think about buying a C-section belt so you can survive through the postpartum phase at ease.
Common Postpartum Complications
Now, let’s talk about some of the postpartum complications that you must be aware of whether you’re pregnant or planning to conceive:
1. Postpartum Infections
Many women experience kidney, uterine, and infection of the C-section incision during their postpartum recovery period. When there is an infection of the amniotic sac during your labor, a uterine infection may occur.
Symptoms like: high heart rate, swollen uterus, abnormally high white blood cell count, and foul-smelling discharge; all give rise to uterine infection.
In fact, a lot of women also experience kidney infections that may lead to a constant urge to urinate or lower backaches. Also, be sure to talk to your doctor about any unexplained fever that may develop in the few weeks right after you deliver a baby.
2. Tender Breasts
Some of the most prevalent postpartum complications include clogged milk ducts, breast engorgement, and mastitis. Once the milk comes into your breasts after delivery, your boobs are more likely to become hard, big in size, and sore. But, if you aren’t breastfeeding, you may have to make use of over-the-counter painkillers.
Some women notice a red area around their breasts which is further accompanied by fatigue, headache, and nausea. Hot and cold packs, breast massage, and comfy bra can bring immense relief to your breast pains.
3. Depression and Anxiety
This is one of the most common problems that women go through during the postpartum phase. So, take care of yourself mentally as well if you want to live healthily and happily after childbirth.
Baby blues don’t last long if they come and go for shorter times. But, postpartum depression may exist if negative thoughts stick to your mind for longer and hamper your ability to see the light at the end of a tunnel.
In that case, it would be highly recommended to reach out for clinical help. It is of utmost importance to take care of the mother as well as the child.
4. Hemorrhage
Bleeding during childbirth and after it is a natural process that a woman has to go through. But, if it is a case of heavy bleeding you may be suffering from hemorrhage. This problem happens when your uterus is infected or if you give multiple births.
Post the delivery of the placenta, if the uterus fails to contract then it can lead to postpartum hemorrhage. To determine the cause of hemorrhage, your doctor can conduct a pelvic exam. So, if you experience heavy bleeding, it is a wise move to consult your midwife at the earliest so further complications don’t occur.
5. Constipation and Urinary Incontinence
Keep yourself fully hydrated, make some dietary changes and do some light physical exercises to deal with the condition of constipation. Usually, the problem of constipation starts to happen from the few weeks of pregnancy and it may continue for a few more weeks of post-delivery as well.
The pelvic muscles in your body can get sore after childbirth due to which you may experience urinary incontinence. This can make it difficult for your urine to leak out. Especially during laughing, coughing, or straining you can experience this. So, you can do some kegel exercises to speed up the process.
When Can You Wear a Postpartum Belt After C Section?
Before you decide to use a postpartum belt, make sure to check with your medical professional especially if you have undergone a C-section. Very often, women start wearing a C-section belt just a few days after a natural birth.
However, the general advice would be to wait for a few more weeks after a C-section wound has been healed successfully.
Postpartum healing may take quite a long, but after the child-birth woman is more in touch with how her body functions. You can always take a few steps to lessen the risk of postpartum issues.
Stay in touch with your midwife or doctor and maintain a healthy lifestyle by doing regular exercise and diet. Also, you can buy a C-section belt to keep yourself well and fully energized throughout the day or night. Make this fantastic choice today to sail through the tough boat of postpartum.