Darrick Robles Having a baby is the most beautiful and craziest thing in life. Your body changes too. He looks different, feels different and may still be struggling with the rigors of pregnancy and childbirth. Your body will still need a while to get back to normal – and most physical changes are nothing to worry about. gynecologist dr. Elisabeth Rosen explains how you can deal with symptoms after the birth and when you should see a doctor.
1. Your back needs a break
During pregnancy, your back is subjected to more stress than before. A condition known as symphysiolysis (also: symphysis laxity) can cause lower back pain. “The symptoms usually start around the 18th week of pregnancy and can affect any woman,” says Dr. Elizabeth Rosen. “This condition is believed to be related to the loosening of the ligaments and joints between the lower back and pelvis caused by hormonal changes during pregnancy.”
What you can do: If you suffer from severe lower back pain after giving birth , you should talk to a doctor. If you suffer from lower back pain in general, the following tips may help:
- Sit up straight and make sure your back is supported while breastfeeding your baby. Place a small pillow behind your lower back to support your lower back. Make sure your feet touch the ground.
- Kneel or squat (without bending your back) to stay low to the ground while you’re picking up toys or bathing your baby, for example.
- Always change the diaper on an elevated surface. For example, you could kneel on the floor next to the sofa or bed. Do not leave your baby unattended while lying on an elevated surface.
When to the doctor? “If you need pain medication regularly for more than 2 weeks, you should seek medical advice,” recommends Dr. roses. “Your doctor may prescribe other pain relievers, a TENS machine (which uses a mild electrical current to relieve pain), acupuncture, or a back strap to stabilize you.”
2. Your pelvic floor recovers
A vaginal birth can leave marks on the pelvic floor area, such as a mild to moderate tear. This can cause pain, discomfort, painful sex, incontinence and constipation for a few weeks after birth – but these symptoms should subside by 2 months at the latest.
Here’s what you can do: “Immediately after the birth, you can put on an ice pack or cold compress to help the blood vessels constrict and the pain go away,” recommends Dr. roses. “Pain relievers can also help, and you should start pelvic floor exercises as early as possible .”
When to the doctor? “Typically, the pain and discomfort go away in the first 2-6 weeks,” says Dr. roses. “Persistent problems should be addressed at the postpartum check-up.” Your doctor will examine your pelvic floor and treat you accordingly if you suspect pelvic floor damage.
3. Heal perineal tears and episiotomy
At birth, the tissue between the vulva and anus is stretched. This can lead to a tear in the perineum – or the midwife or doctor has to perform an episiotomy. These birth injuries are stitched and should heal within a month.
Here’s what you can do: “Shower instead of bathing while you’re still bleeding, since bathing could introduce bacteria into the uterus,” says Dr. roses.
“Change your pads regularly and refrain from intercourse until the bleeding has stopped – this is usually around 6-8 weeks. It is useful to periodically examine the wound and sutures with a mirror to check for changes. Don’t worry if the wound is itchy or irritating. This is actually a good sign that the wound is healing. Massaging baby oil into the skin in the affected area can often help.”
When to the doctor? “If you get a high fever, that could be a sign of infection. In this case, go to your midwife or your family doctor immediately,” advises Dr. roses. “If the pain or swelling gets worse, or there is a foul-smelling discharge from the wound, you should also seek medical attention.”
4. After caesarean section
Around 1.4 million caesarean sections are performed in Europe every year. In Germany they are made in about 30% of births. After a cesarean section, your body needs to recover, everything just takes a little longer. “As with all major surgeries, there is a risk of infection through the incision and damage to the nerve with a caesarean section, and bruising is also common,” says Dr. roses.
Here’s what you can do: “Keep the seam clean and check it regularly for changes,” recommends Dr. roses. “Many women try to be strong and go about their daily lives as usual. However, if you need painkillers, you should take them for at least the first 2 weeks after the birth.”
When to the doctor? “If you get a high fever or the scar becomes warm, if the pain, swelling, or redness increases, or you see any type of fluid oozing other than blood, you should see a doctor,” says Dr. roses.
5. Hemorrhoids can occur
Hemorrhoids are swollen veins in or around the buttocks. They can occur both during pregnancy and after childbirth. It is believed that up to 35% of all pregnant women suffer from it. “Hemorrhoids usually develop during pregnancy due to the increased pressure the baby puts on the abdominal wall,” says Dr. roses. “Many women don’t realize they have hemorrhoids until they feel the itch or see blood on the toilet paper. But hemorrhoids are usually very treatable.”
Here’s what you can do: drink enough and eat high-fiber foods so that your stool stays soft and you don’t have to strain hard. Always keep your buttocks clean and dry. Try to gently push hemorrhoids back into the rectum with your finger. Use a hemorrhoid cream or suppository available at the pharmacy.
When to the doctor? “Most of the time, hemorrhoids are easy to treat yourself. But if you suffer from it for a longer period of time and painkillers don’t help or you continue to bleed from the rectum, you should see a doctor,” says Dr. roses.
6. The uterine lining is renewed
It is normal for women to bleed for about 2-6 weeks after a vaginal delivery or cesarean section. The menstrual period (lochia) is a mixture of mucus, blood and tissue that is shed after childbirth as the lining of the uterus is renewed.
Here’s what you can do: “Shower daily, change your pads regularly, and refrain from intercourse until the bleeding has stopped completely,” recommends Dr. roses.
When to the doctor? “If you suddenly start bleeding more heavily or see blood clots, you should see a doctor,” says Dr. roses. “Sometimes part of the placenta or lining can remain after the birth and you may need medication to dilate the cervix again – in rare cases surgery may also be necessary. If you get a high fever after giving birth, you should also see a doctor as a fever could indicate an infection.”
7. The vagina becomes dry and sore
“It’s normal for the vagina and the area around it to feel sore after childbirth,” says Dr. roses. Also, due to low estrogen levels, the vagina can become very dry, which can make sex painful.
Here’s what you can do: “You can put ice packs on the swelling, apply a topical numbing cream, and take pain medication if needed,” says Dr. Rosen this area.” Also, follow the general tips for pelvic floor problems above.
When to the doctor? “If you’re still having painful urination after a week, it could be a sign of a urinary tract infection ,” says Dr. roses. “A GP can easily confirm this with a test and prescribe you antibiotics.”
8. Gap between the abdominal muscles
In about 60% of women, a gap forms between the straight abdominal muscles (rectus diastasis) during pregnancy. It is caused by a split in the muscles that run down the middle of the abdomen as the baby puts more pressure on the abdomen during pregnancy. The width of the gap varies from woman to woman. In most cases, the tummy will begin to recede around 8 weeks after birth.
Here ‘s what you can do: Start with a gentle abdominal and core workout. Ask your midwife about exercises to reduce the gap between the muscles.
When to the doctor? “If after 2 months you still have a cleft that is wider than 2 cm or is causing you pain, you should see a doctor,” explains Dr. roses. “Your doctor can prescribe physical therapy for you.”
9. Skin and hair change
“The hormonal changes during pregnancy can have very different effects. Some women report having glowing skin while others suffer from acne ,” said Dr. roses. “Some women report hair loss after childbirth, but that’s actually due to fluctuating estrogen levels.”
“During pregnancy, estrogen levels are high, which means hair doesn’t fall out as quickly as it would without pregnancy. When estrogen levels drop again after childbirth, you then lose the hair that would normally have fallen out anyway, but which has stayed on your head even longer because of your pregnancy.”
Here’s what you can do: “It’s important to eat a nutritious, healthy diet and get as much sleep as possible , and consider taking a multivitamin for new moms,” explains Dr. roses. “Iron tablets can also help. You should be careful with these though, as they can cause constipation.”
When to the doctor? If you’re only losing hair in one spot and not all over your head, you should see a doctor. Hair loss can be a sign of an overactive thyroid . This is unusual in women after childbirth, however, as doctors keep a close eye on thyroid levels throughout pregnancy.
10. Your mood swings
“Low moods are due to hormonal changes. The baby blues kick in around day three after birth,” says Dr. roses.
Here’s what you can do: “It’s important for both you and your partner to realize that around day three after giving birth, the baby blues can kick in. This awareness is half the battle,” explains Dr. roses. “These feelings usually go away on their own after a few weeks.”
When to the doctor? If your mood hasn’t improved after a few weeks, you could be suffering from postpartum depression. “This is not uncommon and you shouldn’t be afraid to seek medical help,” recommends Dr. roses. “In many cases, behavioral therapy helps, sometimes antidepressants are also prescribed.”
Does the body stay like this?
In the first few weeks after giving birth, the biggest changes happen as mom’s body recovers and rebuilds. The uterus shrinks, injuries heal, and the hormone balance returns to normal. This regression process continues even after the first few weeks. Give your body time and seek medical advice if you have any discomfort or are concerned about a physical change.
