But Who Takes Care of Mom?

As a new mom, the first few weeks can be a blur. You become so wrapped up in this wonderful time of taking care of your new born baby that you forget that someone is supposed to take care of you. You basically just completed the equivalent of running a full marathon with what your body just went through in childbirth, yet all you can think about is the best way to take care of your new baby. Your personal needs are a distant memory somewhere below laundry and diapers.

This is a common theme among moms so don’t worry. You are in good company with thousands of brand new moms that forget about their own needs. So as one that has been there a couple of times, this is a reminder that you need some TLC too. The first few weeks are such a blur but you will get through them much better if you take a few precious moments for yourself. Here are some tips on how to provide that to yourself when it is the farthest thing from your mind…….

1)     Vaginal Healing – Let’s face it….the first week or so after giving birth no matter how easy it was, your nether regions have become a war zone. This part of your anatomy has made it through a battle and probably has some significant battle scars to show for it (if you know what I mean ladies!). Be sure to take some time to take care of yourself. A healed mother is a happy mother. Some survival tools that you might consider buying before you give birth so that they are on-hand directly afterwards are:

1. Ice Pack. Sounds like a no brainer but it’s a life saver if you have swelling.
2. Plastic squeeze bottle. Having that to help clean and sooth yournether regions is a lifesaver.  You probably won’t be able to strain your neck to see down there and probably won’t want too, so have a sanitary squeeze bottle filled with luke warm water to help clean after going to the washroom is a must.
3. Sitz Bath. This comes in handy to help take down swelling and to help calm your nether regions.  Try to take time out to have at least one if not two or three sits baths per day during that first week after giving birth.

I remember after I gave birth to my second child and had an episiotomy, my nether regions were left in dire straits. I could barely sit in a car long enough to run to the grocery store let along walk up a flight of stairs. I remember seeing all the women out and about who were walking normal….wearing their skinny jeans and hustling and bustlingwithout any care in the world.  I was so envious and couldn’t help but wish them harm as they walked by me in my oversized underwear and sweats sitting on an ice pack in my car :-)

2)     Breastfeeding – There is a lot of advice around this subject so I won’t linger on this but be sure to take time to relieve any discomfort you are feeling during that first week.  For engorgement be sure to have hot towels  and take lots of hot showers to help relieve the pain. A well known remedy is taking cabbage leaves and placing them on your breasts to sooth them. Sounds strange, but it works. Another thing that worked for me to help relieve the engorgement during that first week home from the hospital was to walk around the house without a bra on and just let the milk drip out. Sounds disgusting but boy did it help. Just make sure you aren’t expecting company  and that you wear an old t-shirt while doing so :-)

3)     Emotions – You better believe your emotions are running hard during this first week. Make sure you have lots of help whether it be from your partner, family or a friend. There is also the Community Health Nurse that is trained to help you through any emotional stresses that you may have during the first couple of weeks. Try not to bottle up your feelings, you have been through a life event and now have a little bundle of joy to show for it. It’s a stressful and emotional time for you. Make sure you communicate your feelings bad and good so that you don’t feel like you are alone on your journey.

Even though the first few weeks are busy and your little one keeps you preoccupied, you can’t forget about your needs. As the old saying goes…..Happy Mommy, Happy Baby! So take some time, don’t feel guilty and remember that it gets easier every day.