Post partum care includes, excercise, diet and emotions must be kept in balance.
Congratulations to you about the arrival of your new baby!
Okay, now what happens? Typically, you go home and feel completely unprepared for this new arrival despite the previous months of planning. Don't let this get you down, it is completely normal. You and your baby's father have a lot of work to do in terms of turning what was once a "babyless" environment into a safe place for the infant to grow. Add the challenges of feeding, diapering and other necessary chores throughout your day and things can feel quite hectic.
Now, because you have just given birth, there are some very important and necessary things to consider about your health and well being. Sure, you are probably thinking, "I'm fine, I'm more concerned about how my baby is doing." It is okay to feel concern about your baby, every parent does. Do not leave yourself out, though. If you are not taking care of yourself properly, it will adversely affect your child.
So, what do you do?
It really is not as hard as it sounds. Plenty of rest is crucial during the first months of your infant's life. There will be round the clock feedings, changing and other baby care, so you will need your rest. A good way to start is to nap when your baby naps. That way you will not feel as run down, cranky or short fused when the baby demands care and attention - and trust me, they will and often! Another good idea is to employ a relative or trusted friend to watch your infant while you nap for an hour.
Employing relatives and trusted friends can be helpful in other aspects of this new phenomenon of childcare you are facing, also. They can help with the preparation of meals, laundry, running to the grocery store or whatever errand or other task that has been left hanging in the wind since the baby has come home. Your baby's Daddy can also play a key role in these areas, as well.
Be sure to eat a balanced diet. Why? If you are a breast-feeding mother, you will be supplying your child with very important building blocks necessary for growth and development. If you are not eating properly, you could be robbing your child of very important vitamins and minerals. Not to mention the fact that breast feeding burns a lot of calories - if they are not replaced your body will surely suffer the loss of energy and stamina necessary for keeping up with a growing child. Even if you are not breast-feeding, it is still important to maintain good health and energy levels for you and the upbringing of your child.
If you have delivered your child through a cesarean section, check with your doctor before partaking of certain exercises. While exercising is very important after delivering your baby, overexerting yourself or choosing the wrong exercises will do more harm than good. Check with your health care professional for advice about what is good for you and what could potentially harm you before beginning any exercise routine.
You might be feeling sad, depressed, anxious, afraid, lonely and overwhelmed after giving birth to your child. This imbalance of hormones is often referred to as the "baby blues" or postpartum depression. Speak to your health care provider about advice and possible treatment options during your four to six week checkup.
During your four to six week checkup, discuss concerns, what to expect, changes in your body, emotional stability and other issues. Remember, you can still become pregnant after your delivery and if you are still discharging. If you decide to become sexually active, be sure to discuss birth control options with your health care provider. An early pregnancy is dangerous for both the mother and the baby.
