By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant
Imagine struggling with a chronic illness for nine months and then running a marathon, followed by experiencing a large, acute wound in an internal organ and major tear in the skin.
That’s somewhat like what carrying and birthing a child is like: nine months of physical changes and struggle, hours of labor, vaginal tearing (or episiotomy) followed by stitches and a wound the size of a dinner plate (about 8.5”) in the uterus where the placenta was attached.
On top of all of that, the mom’s hormones are thrown for a loop as her body had to gear up to grow, birth and then feed a baby.
Bouncing right back from all of that in a couple of weeks isn’t advisable — or in nearly every case, possible. It takes a few months for the mom’s body to recover, even for women who have textbook-perfect pregnancies. Undergoing complications like Cesarean section, hemorrhage, preeclampsia or severe tearing may take longer.
“The first thing I tell women is that there was a big change in your family,” said Jennifer MacBlane, midwife with St. Joseph’s Health. “If it’s your first, you became a mother. Your significant other became a father. If it’s your second or third, it’s a family of four or five and the dynamics have changed. That’s something to really look at.”
Most women cocoon for a while, staying close to home to bond with the baby and get sleep when they can. But this stage, while necessary, can feel rather isolating.
“Women feel they’re ‘it’ and the only woman in the house who has the overwhelming feeling of protecting this child or these children,” MacBlane said. “No offense to any of the fathers out there. Have a female in your postpartum recovery even if just to talk with: your mother, sister or friend. While your family may be very supportive, it’s a good connection to have.”
Taking time to rest rather than dive right back into activity helps moms recover better. Part of the reason is that it’s easy to get hurt working out too hard. The hormones that loosen joints and ligaments for delivery are still present to a degree.
“Don’t jump right into going back to exercising because you could injure some of those joints and ligaments and for a long period of time,” MacBlane said. “Do a slow ease back into anything you do. It’s not ‘no pain, no gain.’”
Nursing and pumping moms have even more challenges, as the physical rigors of nighttime feedings and the body’s process of making milk can be exhausting. Nursing mothers burn up to 800 calories daily just making milk. Although a natural process, nursing isn’t always easy for many reasons.
Consulting with a lactation specialist can help get things off on the right foot and avoid complications like clogged ducts or mastitis. Breastfeeding can also help postpartum women return to their regular weight and shape as it hastens the shrinking of the uterus and burns up to 800 calories daily.
Those supporting new moms should help by providing plenty of things to eat and drink while she’s nursing or pumping for the baby. Eating right at mealtime aids in birth recovery and lactation.
“A higher intake of nutrient-dense foods is recommended to achieve increased nutrient needs to support hormonal, metabolic and physiological changes for optimal maternal and infant health throughout both pregnancy and lactation,” said Shalene McNeill, Ph.D., executive director of nutrition science, health and wellness for National Cattlemen’s Beef Association in Denver. “Lean beef is an example of a nutrient-dense food that provides many of those essential nutrients for pregnant and lactating women.”
Beef is a good source of zinc, iron and protein.
When family members and friends ask what they can do, families should ask them to bring food. They can also set up a schedule on websites like Mealtrain.com, a free calendar where friends can schedule meal deliveries for people in recovery at home.
People dropping off food should consider providing ready-to-eat food that can easily be eaten with one hand and served in containers they don’t need back. Moms should not feel obligated to allow visitors to see the baby or be entertained. At this point, anyone stopping by should either stay very briefly or wash dishes, walk the dog, run the washer, mop the floor or do whatever else needs doing.
Baby Blues or Postpartum Depression?
Sunny Jones, coordinator of the Syracuse Healthy Start program at Onondaga County Health Department, offers clarity on the question:
“If she’s had the baby blues for three months, that’s when you need to discuss if she has postpartum depression. Baby blues goes away pretty quickly. If it’s a prolonged feeling and there’s a hard time connecting, that says it’s progressing into another category beyond a hormonal issue. Maybe she does need a little extra support and have conversations about managing postpartum depression. Is it group therapy, more support, talking with a healthcare provider? All things that a lot of people experience are manageable. There is going to be a way to help her get through this but she has to have the conversations. The support person needs to notice that the laundry has been sitting in the corner for the past three months and it’s not because she is so busy.”
Postpartum Support International: 1-800-944-4773 (4PPD) English & Spanish. Text in English: 800-944-4773 Text en Español: 971-203-7773 www.postpartum.net