Take Time out to Care for your Body after the Birth of your Baby

Whether you are a first time mum, or have had four kids, the changes that happen to your body immediately after you've given birth can be quite a shock. Our head to toe guide of what to expect, including what is and is not normal will help you prepare for life without your bump!

Mind
In the early days after you have had your baby, you may feel elated one minute, then really down in the dumps the next. You may cry for what seems like no reason, yet you have so much love for your baby, you feel that your heart could literally burst with joy! Swinging emotions are completely normal when you have just had a baby - as well as the obvious physical changes and huge surge of hormones affecting you, the fact that you are now responsible for that tiny baby can make you feel overwhelmed. Postnatal depression is very common, and you must speak to your midwife or health visitor if you start to feel very bad.

Eyes
As in wanting to shut them whenever you can! Newborn babies do not sleep for very long periods at a time - usually, at the most they will sleep for up to three hours. Their stomachs are unable to hold milk that will sustain them for more than this, so you may find that you are being woken up by his cries at least three times a night. This is normal, and remember, it will not last forever. Cope by sleeping when your baby sleeps - even if this in the middle of the day; ask friends and relatives to help by taking baby out for a few hours and ignore the ironing!

Breasts
Pamela Anderson - Eat your heart out! When your milk comes in on about the third or fourth day, you breasts may increase up to three cup sizes, as they become full with milk for your baby. Your breasts will feel so swollen, they may be sore, warm to the touch, veiny, and you can forget about lying on your front just yet. Of course, feeding your baby is sweet relief for swollen boobs, but if they are very full, express a bit off first or your baby will not be able to latch on. If you start to feel unwell, or if you have a red, hot painful 'lumpy' area on your breast you may have mastitis - speak to your GP immediately for advice. Most importantly, wear a well-fitting supportive maternity bra.

Stomach
You could have sworn you applied that stretch-mark cream religiously since you were six weeks pregnant - yet what's this? Massive purpley pink lines stretching across your tummy, legs and breasts. Stretch marks are caused by your skin making way for your baby and extra fat stores during pregnancy. They will not be so noticeable over time, and will fade almost to the same colour as your skin. Most women have such a sense of achievement after giving birth, they do not even care about stretch marks anyway - embrace them - they are a testament to your strength and courage!

Womb
Your poor old womb has taken a bit of a bashing - it was only the size of a tangerine before you got pregnant and its got to get back to that immediately after stretching to the size of a duffel bag! Your amazing body will make sure this happens though - expect 'after pains' - like period pains as your womb reduces in size - if they are very uncomfortable codeine and paracetamol are safe to take even when breastfeeding.

Vagina
Whether you survived delivery intact, or had a tear/cut that needed stitches following the birth - You will feel a bit sore down there for a while. There are special gel pads you can buy from large chemists to put into your knickers to relieve swelling. Most of all, keep clean and dry, and change your pad regularly. You will also bleed - a lot - and it will be like a heavy period, with bright red blood to begin with, becoming lighter as time goes on. Any bleeding that has an offensive smell, becomes heavier after being previously light, or contains large clots could mean you have an infection.

Bottom
All that extra weight and pushing can takes its toll on some of your most private parts - causing painful haemorrhoids (or piles). Do not suffer in silence and apply cream to the area to help, drink lots of water and eat loads of fresh fruit and veg to combat constipation.

Legs
Although most of the extra water you carried around during pregnancy to protect your baby in the womb will have been lost at delivery, you are more likely to retain water after you have had a baby in the tissues in your body. Due to gravity, this fluid will collect mostly in your ankles and legs, and you maybe shocked at your ever expanding legs. The only option is to drink lots of water and keep your legs elevated - So put your feet up!