Through the Looking Glass – First Days of Motherhood
Welcome to motherhood! Whether it’s your first experience as a mom or you’re starting over again with a new baby, there are a few things you should know in order to make early motherhood as smooth as possible. Let’s pick up the looking glass and find out what to expect.
Contractions help your uterus return to its pre-pregnancy size, shrink the area where the placenta was attached, and decrease your bleeding.
After the baby is born, you will have bleeding, like a period (heavier in the first few days). At first, the bleeding will be red, then pink, then brown, and finally creamy yellow or white before it stops, which should be around six weeks after your baby is born. The bleeding should smell like your normal period and should never smell sour or foul.
You’ll find that you have mild contractions. Contractions help your uterus return to its pre-pregnancy size, shrink the area where the placenta was attached, and decrease your bleeding. Depending on the size of your baby, and/or the number of babies you’ve had, you may notice some fairly intense cramping. If you have chosen to breastfeed your baby, you may notice more cramping while the baby is nursing. These cramps decrease and become less painful after the first couple of days.
{ MORE: 7 Rules for Visiting a New Baby }
If you delivered vaginally, you will notice that your vaginal area may be sore and swollen for a few days. Ice packs help decrease the swelling and feel best during the first 24 hours. After that, you will find more comfort from warm packs or soaking in a tub of warm water for 15-20 minutes, several times a day. Lying on your side will help take pressure off the swollen area and help you heal more comfortably. Any stitches that you may have received will dissolve within a few weeks.
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good to know 🙂
ReplyIt’s been almost a year since I gave birth. This was the time of the year that my pregnancy was becoming more complicated. And we surpassed those days! I kinda miss being pregnant and the first few days of being a first time mom. I can attest that bringing your child outside the womb is one of the best experiences that I have!
Replyvery good info
ReplyI love reading these articles they make me feel less anxious
ReplyTrue! EF never ran out of new interesting articles 🙂
Replyexcellent information!
ReplyIt is nice being able to read articles for a first time mom that doesn’t really know what to do. I hit the half way mark and all I can think is “Wow, yea less than 20 weeks until the baby is born” that is if she isn’t born early because she is already measuring big.
Replythis helped me alot
ReplyThis article helps a mom to care for herself. Great!
ReplyI just gave birth on Monday night. I was wondering if my baby is going to the bathroom enough. He is making plenty bowel movements but urinating seldomly. Is that an issue yet?
Replywe need all the help we can get…TY
ReplyVery helpful to a first time mom, is there any article regarding newborns and a house dog?
Replycant wait to bring my baby home
ReplyConcerned about the “baby blues” – there is a history of depression in my family so, I hope that it doesn’t continue past the 2 weeks. fingers crossed.
ReplyI have had both vaginal and c-section deliveries and I think it’s all the same depending on your body.
ReplyI lost two. The 1st live 4 1/2 hours from Strep B Inflammatory Pneumonia. The 2nd live to be two days from being 11 months a month before my birthday and a month and 2 days before his. When you lose a child then exspecailly turn around and lose another baby you learn to appreciate your children, your lost child, being pregnant and/or just the mere thought of being able to appreciate your blessing because they or life is not promised.
Replywith my 1st baby i didn’t get the opportunity to breastfeed because he died but with my second one he stayed in the hospital for a month to get his weight up so I pumped. I didn’t really have any experience or how’s on it had to use a manual hand pump that hurt so bad ans was very irritating. This time i plan to breastfeed again with proper instructions and an electric breast pump. So I hope this is a better experience.
Replybreast feeding is much harder then what everyone tells you. you get cramps and it makes you very tired
Replyi’ve heard you have a longer recovery
Replyi did not know that your blood should not smell foul/with my 1st baby it so did
ReplyIce packs were my best friend for the first week. And even though they suggest a warm bath you will have to wait a little while on those – depending on your doctors instructions. They usually want you to wait at least a week or two before you soak in sitting water.
Replyi hope i remeber this when i deliver in the next few weeks
ReplyI’m hoping everything will come naturally to me.
ReplyThis is a good article for new moms who could use information on what is to be expected in her recovery.
Replymy daughter is so worth ALL of these things 🙂
ReplyThese are things that I am definitely not looking forward to.
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