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What are the most common changes I may experience postpartum?
One of the most immediate consequences of childbirth is your postpartum period. You will experience bleeding for up to six weeks up to childbirth, that will likely start out very heavy and red but will become lighter and more pinkish over time. This period consists of blood, mucus, and other discharge that is essentially the remaining uterine lining that kept your baby safe and your body is now discarding. While small clots are quite normal, if you spot blood clots larger than the size of a quarter, you should alert your doctor immediately. This could be the sign of postpartum hemorrhaging, a very serious condition that would require urgent medical attention. Another change you may experience that is quite common is postpartum urinary incontinence, or bladder leaks.
Why am I experiencing bladder leaks, and what can I do to manage them?
Due to the stress of childbirth, your pelvic floor muscles will be significantly weakened postpartum. Because of this, postpartum urinary incontinence is quite a common condition, resulting in involuntary bladder leaks. Luckily, there are a variety of incontinence products designed specifically to manage these leaks, and are also absorbent enough to handle your postpartum bleeding at the same time. You can choose from postpartum pads, liners, or briefs depending on your absorbency needs. Be sure to change your incontinence products frequently to stay fresh and avoid infection, and shop for products free from artificial ingredients or synthetic fragrances. The other thing you can do to manage postpartum urinary incontinence is consult a pelvic floor specialist and conduct regular pelvic floor therapy exercises to rebuild your muscle strength. You can find a specialist at this directory.
What is postpartum depression?
In addition to these various physical changes, you may also experience psychological changes. If you are feeling down, this may be indicative of postpartum blues, which are very common. However, postpartum depression is a form of major depression whose onset occurs about 4 weeks after childbirth, and this is a very serious condition that requires urgent medical treatment. Postpartum depression may occur due to both physical and emotional changes such as changes in hormone levels or anxiety about caring for your new baby. You should watch out for symptoms such as extreme sadness, fatigue, mood swings, panic attacks, or persistent feelings of hopelessness. Postpartum depression is both common and readily treatable, and you should seek out help immediately.
Lastly, for those who don't know, what is postpartum?
Childbirth is a transformative experience physically, emotionally, and psychologically. Postpartum refers to the period after childbirth, which will result in many significant physical changes as you recover from the stress of childbirth. Changes in hormones, fatigue, and muscle weakness are some of the changes you may face postpartum. All of these are completely normal, and you should procure a postpartum care kit ahead of time to make sure you are prepared going into the recovery process. Above all, during the postpartum period it is crucial to take complete rest, get plenty of vitamins and minerals in your diet, stay hydrated, and watch out for any complicating symptoms that could indicate serious medical complications. Seeking advice from a medical professional is strongly encouraged!
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