You may be looking forward to your confinement period, but are you aware of the postpartum problems that could potentially come up along the way? You shouldn't stress yourself out or allow yourself to focus on problems all the time, but you definitely need to educate yourself on some of the biggest issues that may come up after having your baby.
If you are aware of potential postpartum problems, you will be better equipped to spot the early signs of these problems if they do happen to you.
This is definitely not a comprehensive list of problems that may arise, but it covers some of the most common ones that many women will experience.
Postpartum Infections This is one of the most common postpartum problems which every woman (and every man who loves a pregnant woman) should be very aware of.
Some women will experience infections in the vagina, bladder, or kidneys after having a baby.
These problems are not life threatening, but they must be treated as soon as you start to feel the symptoms.
Educate yourself on the symptoms of bladder or urinary tract infections (UTIs).
This includes intense urges to urinate without much coming out when you go.
Any burning or stinging when you urinate should be taken seriously as well.
Infections of this sort can spread to the kidneys and become extremely painful, so don't ignore any potential symptoms you feel.
Bring it to the attention of your confinement nurse right away or see a doctor.
Postpartum Bleeding Of course, bleeding is always involved when you have a baby.
Your doctor will inform you when you are released from the hospital if your bleeding is abnormal in any way, but in most cases you will still be bleeding at least a little when you go home with your baby.
You need to keep an eye on this to make sure the bleeding does not worsen or change in any way.
If you feel pain along with the blood, the blood seems to be getting worse rather than better, or it changes color and consistency, you should bring it to the awareness of a doctor or confinement nurse right away.
Your bleeding levels should get better after having the baby, not worse! Some women do experience hemorrhaging after having a baby, so don't hesitate to get help if you are worried your bleeding is abnormal in any way.
Postpartum Depression Another common postpartum problem has to do with the mind, rather than the body.
Actually, since postpartum depression is caused mainly by surging and changing hormonal levels during and after the pregnancy, you could consider this a problem inside the body as well.
The symptoms are just mainly felt in the mind.
Postpartum depression feels and is experienced much like any other form of depression, but it is being stimulated by the hormonal levels inside the body.
You may experience swinging moods that are not justified by what is happening inside your life or you may feel hopeless and sad.
Some women will cry a lot while others feel angry.
In more severe cases, women may have difficulty bonding with and caring for their baby while depressed.
That is why it is so important to have a trustworthy confinement nanny on duty right after leaving the hospital from having a baby.