Postpartum Changes to Expect after Baby Arrives After carrying baby for nine months and then going through labor, your body will not go back to its pre-pregnancy self overnight. Do not be surprised if you experience these postpartum changes in the weeks after giving birth. Leaking Urine It’s normal to leak a few drops of […]
Easy Ways to Relieve Postpartum Stress
Relieve Postpartum Stress to Enjoy Time With Baby It is natural to feel stress in the weeks after you have given birth. Try these tips to relieve postpartum stress. Rest. Soak in a warm bath. Get frequent massages, especially on sore muscles. Replenish your body’s need for fuel by eating and drinking nutritious foods. Hold […]
When To Call Your Doctor About Post Partum Bleeding
If bleeding continues to be bright red and continues to be a large amount. With each day postpartum the amount of your vaginal discharge should decrease and it should become less bloody. If after the first few days you are still soaking a sanitary pad with blood every hour for more than four hours at […]
Heavy Bleeding After Birth
What to do About Heavy Bleeding After Birth If you experience worrisome and heavy bleeding after birth, lie flat and place an ice pack over your uterus just above the center of your pubic bone while waiting for a return call from your doctor or while en route to the emergency room. Or place the […]
Pain After Birth: Normal or Not
The Causes of Pain After Birth Even after birth the uterus must continue contracting to get back to its original size. Uterine contractions also help to pinch off the blood vessels in the uterine lining to control postpartum bleeding. For a few hours after delivery, these contractions may be regular and intense. They will decrease […]
8 Ways to Get Your Urinary System Working Again
Drink lots of fluids, at least two 8-ounce glasses of liquid (water or juice) immediately after delivery. Run the water in the sink. Hearing running water gives your system the same idea. Relax your pelvic floor muscles. Be upright. Stand or walk. Allow gravity to help you urinate. Try to relax your pelvic floor muscles […]
8 Tips to Relieve Nipple Soreness
Tips to Relieve Nipple Soreness Breastfeeding can take a toll on your sensitive nipples. Try these 8 tips to relieve nipple soreness from breastfeeding. 1. Break the Suction First Be sure to break the suction before removing baby from the breast. Press down on the breast tissue, or slide your index finger inside his mouth […]
4 Ways to End Postpartum Constipation
Ending Postpartum Constipation Experiencing postpartum constipation is a normal thing to experience as your body recovers from pregnancy and childbirth. Try these 4 tips to relieve constipation after giving birth: Walk. Moving your body is likely to move your bowels. Drink plenty of fluids. Eat and drink natural laxatives: nectar (prune, pear, apricot), fresh fruits, […]
Safe Ways to Lose Baby Weight
It took nine months to put it on, expect nine months to lose baby weight safely. For months after giving birth, your body shows many telltale signs and feelings that you have grown and delivered a baby. The excess fat accumulated during pregnancy – normal reserve energy stores for you and your baby – may […]
Making the Decision to Circumcise or Not
Make the Decision to Circumcise Easier Making the decision to circumcise is one that many parents face. There are many misconceptions and out-of-date information that parents may read. Here is a summary of the pertinent issues that you should consider when making this decision. Supposed Medical Benefits THERE ARE NONE! Do not make the decision […]
Losing a Baby
How to Deal With Losing a Baby When a baby dies in the NICU, there is obviously tremendous grief felt by the family and the medical team. Great amounts of emotional and physical energy have been invested in your preemie, and it is a terrible tragedy when the story doesn’t end well. Many parents have […]
Apgar Score
What an Apgar Score Means Immediately after birth your baby is given a “grade”—a reminder that your newborn is entering a quantitative world where humans are compared and scored from the moment of birth and throughout life. The Apgar score—devised by Dr. Virginia Apgar in 1952—is a quick appraisal of the initial health of your […]