Giving Birth: Why Rest and Recovery Time is Crucial Postpartum
Introduction
Are you a new mom? Have you recently gone through childbirth but don't know what to expect in the postpartum period?
We get it – being a postpartum mother is an incredibly rewarding experience, but it comes with its own set of challenges. Whether your baby was born via vaginal birth or c-section, your body underwent something akin to an injury. You've been told to “get back to normal as soon as possible,” but is that possible?
In this article, we'll discuss the importance of postpartum care and taking time for yourself as a new mom. We'll also discuss why it's important to rest and heal and how to ensure you get the care you need.
The commonality of childbirth:
Childbirth is often not given the recognition it deserves as an incredibly demanding event. After all, it is the only event that leaves your body permanently altered. Whether it's a vaginal birth or c-section, childbirth's physical and psychological effects are often understated.
The Impact On Your Body:
It can take anywhere from 4-6 weeks for soft tissue to heal from injury, yet postpartum women are often expected to "get back to the way they were" within the 6-8 week period that the government allows.
This isn't realistic for most postpartum women, who need more time and rest to heal their bodies. The sudden lack of sleep and hormones can cause a shock in any woman's system; these are the things not to do after giving birth.
Childbirth as an Injury:
Childbirth is arguably more similar to a full-body injury than any other event. Every woman's body goes through a major trauma and needs time and care for proper healing.
This isn't just about physical healing; the psychological healing that comes with childbirth is equally important, along with baby care after delivery.
Similar to spraining your pelvis:
It's easy to downplay childbirth as a minor event – after all, it's not like spraining your leg or breaking your arm. But in reality, giving birth naturally is similar to spraining your pelvis (or even tearing the vagina). You need to give your body time to heal, just as you would with any other injury.
US Women Often Not Given Proper Care:
Unfortunately, women in the US do not receive adequate care and attention after giving birth at home or hospital. The government gives a 6-8 week postpartum window for recovery, which is often too short for most women. They are expected to return to their pre-pregnancy self in that time – something that just isn't realistic.
The time needed for healing:
The truth is it takes time to recover from childbirth. It can take a few weeks to months for your body and mind to heal properly after the trauma of labor and delivery. Taking this time and not pushing yourself back into your pre-pregnancy life too quickly is important.
Investing in postpartum care and treatment after normal delivery is an incredibly important step. It's worth the effort because it means that you can go through your recovery safely without any added stress or anxiety.
Conclusion
Women often don't give themselves enough time to heal after giving birth. The truth is childbirth is a major event, and it takes time to recover from it physically and mentally.
At minimal postpartum essentials for c-section, we believe every woman deserves the chance to take care of herself after having a baby – because when she's healthy and happy, everyone benefits as well. So don't be shy – invest in yourself and your recovery today! Your future self will thank you for it.
That's all we have time for today! We hope this look at postpartum care has given you a better understanding of the importance of recovery after childbirth and why it's essential to take the time to rest and heal.
Dr. Nikki Cohen
