Childbirth is a long and tiring process, and each woman's postpartum experience will vary. However, you may experience the following:
Body Shaking
Most women experience this condition after giving birth. Shaking is normal and can occur due to hormonal changes. It may also be caused by the release of endorphins or the body's reaction to anesthesia.
But don't worry, this condition can disappear in a matter of minutes or hours. Just wrap yourself in a warm blanket.
Bleeding
Ten minutes after giving birth, you will experience some blood loss, generally about the size of a medium-sized ice cream cone or even more.
Uterine Massage Process
The medical team will massage your uterus by rubbing your lower abdomen every 15 minutes for two hours after delivery. This helps your uterus contract and stops bleeding. This massage can be quite painful, especially if you didn't have an epidural during delivery.
Bladder Examination
After giving birth, the bladder must be empty. A full bladder can inhibit contractions. If this happens, the mother will be asked to urinate. This may be difficult, given the swelling and tenderness of the vaginal area. A midwife or nurse can insert a medical device (catheter) to empty the bladder of urine.
Blood Pressure Check
This procedure aims to check whether the mother's blood pressure is normal or abnormal.
Suturing the Area Around the Vagina and Anus
This procedure is performed to repair a perineum (the area between the vagina and anus) that tears naturally during childbirth or if the doctor intentionally tears it through an episiotomy. If you received an epidural during delivery, you may not feel any pain during the stitching process. If not, the medical team will administer a local anesthetic to the area to be stitched.
Early Initiation of Breastfeeding (IMD)
Providing breast milk to a baby within an hour of birth has many benefits, particularly for growth and development. The natural instinct to suckle is triggered when the baby comes into skin-to-skin contact. Furthermore, the baby receives colostrum, the nutrient-rich first drops of breast milk.
However, this procedure is not always possible to be performed at the time of delivery because there are some hospitals or clinics that do not accommodate this procedure.
Childbirth can be a terrifying prospect for a woman. However, don't let it haunt you. There's no need to be afraid, as your body is specifically designed for it. Moreover, your hard work will be immediately rewarded when you see the figure you could only imagine, now before your eyes.
