What is the postpartum period?

The postpartum period begins immediately after the woman gives birth and lasts about six weeks. During this time there are major changes when the body adapts to "pregnancy" and the uterus returns to its normal size. During this time there are many other changes, including a decrease in pregnancy hormones, the beginning of lactation and a gradual recovery from pregnancy and from the trauma of vaginal or c-sectic delivery. There may be some problems during the postpartum period and require rapid attention.

The uterus is designed to expand during pregnancy and return to a normal size as soon as it no longer meets the fetus. In the first few weeks of the postpartum period, women can experience convulsions and most of them have bleeding comparable to a very heavy menstrual period. Bleeding tends to continue if women are very active during this time, but it will also be lighter. Bright red, extremely severe bleeding is not normal and may be an indication of uterine bleeding; Should to report right awayto a doctor. In general, during the first six weeks the bleeding will be lighter and then stops completely.

There is a major change during the postpartum period when lactation begins. In the first few days, women have a thin secretion called breast colostrum, which are full of immune qualities from which the child can minimize. About three to four days after the birth of a child or earlier milk will decrease, which may initially be a very unpleasant feeling, while breasts are susceptible to sudden leakage or spraying. This feeling goes through because supply and demand is developed between mother and child, or if a woman is breastfeeding.

Another physical change in the postpartum period is the decline in pregnancy hormones, which tends to cause a certain disturbance of mood. Most women experience several days of discouraging, depression or mood, often called The Baby Blues. In some women, this condition becomes more serious and their mood does not improve,This is called postpartum depression. Because it can be potentially serious, women should immediately get help. A very rare complication is the postpartum psychosis and anyone who has a serious disruption of a mood that thinks it damages itself or a child needs medical care.

In the first few weeks of the postpartum period, women experience pain, especially if they recover from episiotomy or tears of perineal tissue. Connection is common, which can cause other discomfort and is best manipulated by drinking lots of fluids and consuming high fiber foods. Recovery from surgery takes even longer, and most women have to refrain from most physical activities for several weeks if they have a section C. Doctors ask women to delay sexual activities until the end of birth ended.

Doctors generally plan to meet new mothers for six weeks of birth. This gives them the opportunity to assess mothers for any other problems and determine the size of the uterus. In most pThe body has recovered from pregnancy and the postpartum period is considered to be closed.