7 Essential Rules for New Moms: Insights from a Doctor

Many women fear the postpartum period as much as childbirth itself, especially with the fresh “horror stories” from mothers, friends, and colleagues in mind. Together with Natalia Lelyukh, an obstetrician-gynecologist of the highest qualification category, author of the popular blog “Entertaining Gynecology,” and creator and host of the “Women’s Club with Natalia Lelyukh,” we have prepared a small guide for expectant mothers to help cope with fears.

Rule 1. Do Not Hinder the Doctor’s Examination

Especially in the first two hours after childbirth! Even if it seems that everything is fine and there is no cause for concern. It is during this time that postpartum hemorrhage most often occurs. Unfortunately, this is still a serious threat to a woman’s life. As a rule, bleeding begins suddenly, and the woman may not feel any discomfort.

The uterus after childbirth is approximately at the level of the navel, normally in consistency it resembles a dense ball and is well palpable immediately after childbirth. If, upon palpation, it resembles a soft cotton pillow, responds with tension – something is wrong with it, there is a risk of bleeding, and the doctor will take measures according to the situation.

To determine the condition of the uterus, the doctor does not need to take any tests or perform complex procedures; it is enough to put a hand on the woman’s stomach. According to the protocol, every 15 minutes for two hours after childbirth, the doctor must approach the woman and examine her uterus. Therefore, do not hinder the doctor’s examinations – it is necessary.

Rule 2. Rest After Childbirth

If the childbirth occurred naturally, without artificial stimulation and the introduction of special drugs intravenously, a woman after childbirth, due to a specific hormonal background, experiences an unprecedented surge of energy – she wants to get up immediately and start doing something.

Therefore, women in labor often resist rest during these two hours, asking to get up and go. But remember the two hours after childbirth and the need for observation! Be patient, give yourself a little rest. If you really want to get up and walk – get up and walk, but only within the doctor’s sight.

Rule 3. Blanket in the Delivery Room

After childbirth, many women experience severe chills: this may be due to hormonal fluctuations, post-effect, and hyperactive muscle work during the birth process. However, there is no need to fear this condition – it is considered normal and passes quite quickly.

Therefore, take a warm blanket with you to the delivery room: if you feel chilly, ask to be covered.

Rule 4. First Breastfeeding

The first breastfeeding occurs when the mother is still in the delivery room. For this, the woman’s breast should be exposed, and the woman herself should lie in a comfortable position.

During breastfeeding, there is no need to help the baby find the nipple or press its head to the breast. The baby only needs to be supported. The baby will do the rest on its own: the baby already has all the search reflexes active, including touch and smell.

And remember: the sucking reflex is present in all children, it is laid down by nature. Exceptions may be only severe cases requiring surgical intervention: for example, brain hypoxia, when the baby cannot breathe on its own. But if the baby is a healthy pink color, breathes and moves on its own – everything is fine with it, the sucking reflex is definitely present.

Before feeding, there is no need to wash the breast with soap, treat it with brilliant green or other antiseptics. There are a large number of various glands on a woman’s nipples that produce a natural antiseptic and lubricating secret. Therefore, there is no need to worry that your breast is not clean enough for feeding.

Rule 5. Postpartum Contractions Are Normal

After childbirth, a woman experiences postpartum contractions. This is a normal condition and there is no need to fear it: postpartum contractions contribute to the natural contraction of the uterine muscles and their return to the pre-pregnancy form.

This is also a prevention of postpartum bleeding: due to the active contraction of the muscles, the vessels located between the muscles are clamped faster and stop bleeding. The duration of postpartum contractions is individual for each woman and can take from several hours to several days with decreasing intensity.

To facilitate the course of postpartum contractions:

Try to calm down and not panic;
Apply dry heat to the stomach;
Do a light self-massage in combination with deep abdominal breathing;
Empty the bladder more often – every two to three hours.

The fact is that after childbirth, the sensitivity of the bladder walls decreases, the sensation of fullness disappears and, consequently, there is no urge to urinate. But the filling of the bladder occurs in any case, and when it is very full, it begins to press on the uterus and thereby cause pain.

Rule 6. Postpartum Discharge (Lochia)

After childbirth, a woman has bloody discharge for 5-8 weeks. As a rule, in the first five days after childbirth, the discharge is abundant and bloody.

From the fifth to the tenth day, the abundance of discharge decreases, but the bloodiness remains. By the twentieth day, lochia can be bloody or already turn into serous, that is, acquire a yellowish tint. During this period, use special postpartum pads – they can be purchased at pharmacies.

However, during this time, the probability of bleeding is also high. If you notice one of the following signs – contact your doctor immediately!

Signs of bleeding:

In the first five days: if you need more than one pad per hour;
After the fifth day: one pad in two hours;
If the discharge from the fourth day was dark red, but suddenly acquired a scarlet color and does not stop even in a horizontal position;
If the discharge contains large blood clots, accompanied by an increase in temperature and/or an unpleasant odor (this sign is a marker not only of bleeding but also of an inflammatory process in the uterus).

Rule 7. Dedicate Time to Yourself and the Baby

The entire first month is the process of the mother and the baby getting used to each other. And during this period, you should have only two activities:

Feeding the baby;
Sleep.

Try to convey this to all family members in advance and organize a month’s rest from family and household chores. In the first month, you should think only about yourself and the baby. Do not blame yourself for anything after childbirth, do not look for mistakes, and do not engage in “self-digging.” Recover and enjoy motherhood!