3 Things to Know About Postpartum and Warning Signs to be Informed About
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Today’s post is about 3 things that are going to happen postpartum. I feel the need to say that I am not a medical professional, I am not your doctor, but I am trained in today’s content. It doesn’t matter if you had a cesarean birth, natural birth or if you birth in a hospital or at home. Some women know their bodies well and will find these 3 things to just be something else that happens while some women won’t expect it and might worry. I was one of those women who wasn’t really prepared for all of these things and I can proudly say thing two was a lot of instinct or possibly subconsciously present due to months of self research and being determined “it just didn’t work” wasn’t going to be my story. Video Linked at bottom of article.
In today’s topic I also want to talk about how women can have complications and are at a higher risk, please don’t freak out, for a whole year after birth. I will provide a link at the end of this blog post so you can reference it later when you might need it.
LOCHIA
The first of the three things to talk about is Lochia. This is the postpartum bleeding that happens. The first 3-4 days your blood can be expected to be bright or dark red and HEAVY, cramping is common clots may occur. I’ll talk about clotting and warning signs at the end. Because how big is too big?
The next 10-14 days postpartum you can expect pink to pinkish brown colored blood. It should be lighter in amount than before and clots sometimes are still around.
The following few days you can expect yellowish-white to clear lighter in amount, occasional spotting may happen. Your body just dumped everything it’s been holding onto and is working so you can make another baby. I am going to say it here because there are no dumb questions, DO NOT use tampons or diva cups at this time. Do not insert anything inside - use pads, disposable underwear or something on the outside to catch any bodily fluids.
BREASTMILK
But, Janna, I decided I want to only formula feed for X, Y, or Z reason. That’s great if that is what is best for you and your family. My opinion on breastmilk is not relevant here. Your body however, doesn’t know this and is going to naturally produce colostrum.
To the mothers who want to breastfeed, the colostrum is enough for your babies. Feed them when they are hungry. (Babies lose weight in the beginning but should be back at birth weight around 1-2 weeks postpartum. Do not let anyone fear monger you into formula because of weight. Especially if they are not a medical professional. You can always get a second opinion pinion on this also. I’ll talk more on taking baby’s weight before and after feedings and that ENTIRE topic at a later date.)
It takes the body around 3 to 4 days to catch up. So, if you don’t latch your body will stop production. If you do latch and follow baby’s rhythm, your milk will fully come in to what the average person considers milk to be in. Colostrum is milk and your milk starts as soon as the placenta breaks away from the uterus.
POOP
Yes, I need to talk about this. Pooping may be difficult the first time after giving birth. It does not matter how you gave birth - it is always an experience to take extra care with. It could be delayed with a C-section. Everybody is different when it comes to their body which is common, but not reassuring in the least. If you are passing gas, that is also good - you can take stool softeners which are approved by your medical provider. Again, consult with them first.
It is better to be in a squatting position because of how the spinster and colon align versus how normal toilet’s in America are designed. So buy a stool for the potty and have it at home.
It doesn’t matter how you birth your babies. These three things are going to happen and I would have preferred to know about them upfront. I hope this was helpful - I will go onto to list the post-birth warning signs now.
CALL 911 IF:
P - O - S - T
P - pain is in your chest
O - Obstructed breathing or shortness of breath
S- Seizures
T - Thoughts of hurting yourself or someone else
(Also, side piece for my C-section mamas, there could be pain in your shoulders from air being trapped inside after they open your body surgically. If intuition says something is wrong even with this knowledge, listen to it.)
Call your healthcare provider if any ONE of these things occur:
B - I - R - T - H
Bleeding, soaking a pad within one hour or blood clots the size of an egg or bigger.
Incision that is not healing.
Red or swollen leg, that is painful or warm to touch
Temp of 100.04 F or higher or 96.8 F or lower.
Headaches that does not get better, even after taking medicines or a bad headache with vision changes.
Print and keep on your fridge: