Post Childbirth Health Feed

Childbirth is a very strenuous procedure, one has to undergo. Just like pregnancy, vaginal childbirth can take a toll on your health. But, there are certain simple tips and tricks you can have up your sleeves which can ensure you stay in optimal health post child birth.

Listed below are a few steps one can undertake to take care of your body after childbirth:

1. A healthy meal: Since childbirth, both vaginal and C-section, are strenuous procedures, you should choose to eat healthy and balanced meal which provides your body with the necessary nutrients and energy. Since, you are also breast-feeding, you need the required nutrients to pass off to your child.

2. Good rest is a must: You need to sleep on time and rest to relax your body. If you do not rest enough, you will be able to see the negative effects on your skin, manifesting in the form of puffy eyes and reduced energy levels. This puts extra strain on your body. Hire a nanny if you must; but, make sure you sleep on time to give your body the desired rest.

3. Work-out: You definitely cannot work-out in full flow after you have just had a child as your body is still healing. However, what you can do is engage in mild forms of Yoga stretches and breathing exercises to relax your body. Working out will help you relax your muscles and lose the fat, your body has gained during pregnancy. It also releases ‘endorphins’, the ‘happy hormones’ which make you feel better, both physically and psychologically.

4. Drink a lot of fluids: It is advisable for you to consume fluids after childbirth. The fluids relieve your body from toxin build-up and help in detoxifying and relaxing your body. Opt for vitamin based drinks and smoothies which impart sufficient nutrition to your body.

5. Heal your perineum: The best way to take care of your perineum is by cleaning it with lukewarm water and  a few drops of aromatherapy oils or bath salts. Invest in a hazel pad if required as the gentle squirts of water help in cleaning the bacteria and blood off your perineum.

Pregnancy is a source of joy for so many people but at the same time, childbirth can be quite an intimidating process. The physical pain associated with childbirth can easily scare any expectant mother but that should not stop you from enjoying your pregnancy to the fullest. Being aware and being consistently in touch with the doctor are the best options to maintain a healthy pregnancy.

Signs and Symptoms of Labor
When you get very close to your due date, you need to start preparing to give birth and in order to do that, you need to know what to expect. You should have a very good and clear idea about the symptoms which cause labor. The labor symptoms are as follows:

1. Your lower back starts to hurt and is accompanied by stubborn cramps that just won’t go away. This pain is very similar to the pain you experience during your period.
2. When your vagina starts discharging reddish-brownish coloured mucus which means that the mucus plug obstructing the cervix has become loose. This also signifies that your cervix is opening up and turning soft and narrow and your body is preparing for labor.
3. You start having painful contractions at very short intervals.
4. The most prominent symptom of labor is when your water breaks i.e., your amniotic sac that holds the fetus ruptures.
5. A strong feeling of pressure inside the stomach because your baby’s head is pressing very hard on the pelvic region.

Complications during Pregnancy and Childbirth
When you are pregnant, it is very important to be aware of the possible complications that can take place during the whole period of your pregnancy and then labor. Have a look:

1. Miscarriage- This is one of the most common complications of pregnancy. When you lose your baby in the first 20 weeks of your pregnancy it is known as a miscarriage. A miscarriage can happen due to infections, placenta problems or if the expectant mother has some serious health issues.
2. High blood pressure- When you are pregnant, your body goes through a lot of hormonal changes which can sometimes mess with your blood pressure. High blood pressure can cause another condition called preeclampsia which also badly affects your kidneys. This can cause you to deliver your baby much before your due date. This can also lead to a very low body weight of your child.
3. Gestational diabetes- This condition happens when your body is unable to process the sugar properly which then leads to really high blood sugar levels. In such cases, it is extremely important for pregnant women to take insulin to keep their blood sugar levels steady. It is also advisable to follow a proper diet.
4. Preterm labor- Preterm labor happens when a pregnant woman starts to labor in the 37th week of pregnancy, before the fetus’s brain and lungs have even developed. This is the reason why doctors prescribe a lot of bed rest for during pregnancy because proper rest can help prevent preterm labor.
5. Unhealthy birth weight- Having a low birth weight can cause a lot of problems for the baby such as heart problems, lung infections, learning problems and sometimes even blindness.
6. Breech- Breech position happens when it looks like the fetus’s feet needs to be delivered before the head. This is one of the reasons why it is recommended to go for regular check-ups so that the doctor can attempt to change the fetus’s breech position before delivery. But if the fetus’s position does not change, caesarean delivery is normally recommended.
7. Placenta previa- When the placenta ends up covering the cervix, it is termed as placenta previa. The doctor normally advise going for caesarean delivery in such a case.

The birth of your child is surely one of the most important and biggest days of your life. Most pregnant women want to avoid drugs and any kind of medical intervention during childbirth. Natural childbirth is a method of labor without the use of any kind of medical intervention. The birth process is purely natural.
The best way for carrying out a natural childbirth is by choosing child care hospitals. No medicines or drugs are involved, and you would have a natural birth of your baby.

What facilities are to be expected?
At the best child care hospitals, there are a lot of facilities provided during natural childbirth. These facilities are not available if the birth takes at any other location such as at home.

Here is what you should expect:

1. You can have childbirth without the use of any drugs or medicines, due to modern technology.

2. The Presence of a midwife, obstetrician or gynaecologist who is there to deal with the pregnant patients, makes the process much easier and efficient.

3. Alternative medication free strategies can be carried out. These are: hydrotherapy, hypnosis, massage, relaxation techniques, meditation, breathing exercises, and pressure point massages. This kind of assistance is only available at the best child care hospitals.

4. The doctors keep away from the techniques such as routine IV, work incitement, episiotomy, ceaseless fetal observing, extraction of vacuum or cesarean segment, unless they are required at any stage.
What are the benefits of natural childbirth from child care hospitals?

Having a natural childbirth from the best childcare hospitals has got certain advantages and benefits, which are not available elsewhere.

They are:

1. Support of staff and doctors
You will get the steady support of doctors, groups, family individuals, or dear companions, who may give you support during delivery.

2. Pushing is effective
Epidurals offer satisfactory pain relief by and large as they increase the labor period in case of first time mothers and 16 minutes among mothers who have given birth previously. As you won't get a pain-relief drug, you won't lose any sensation.

3. Proper breastfeeding
You will have the capacity to breastfeed your newborn baby effectively without any inconvenience. The quick skin-to-skin contact enhances the early mother-baby bond. This will make breastfeeding less troublesome and also enhance your youngster's sleep, weight gain and mental health

4. Ability to move
Most mothers find it hard to move about during labor for coping with the pain. With the assistance available at the best child care hospitals, movement becomes possible.

These are solid reasons why you should choose the best childcare hospitals for natural childbirth.