There are some great things about the confinement phase of life. You get to bond with your new baby and watch as they start to grow from a tiny creature with little hair to a wiggling, demanding baby who looks around and seems to connect with others. This is an amazing time of life for all women, but not everyone receives the care they need and deserve during this time.
This brings the question of what happens if your confinement needs are not cared for and looked after diligently. Not all women are able to afford confinement nurses and some may not have relatives or friends willing and able to look after them after having a baby. Other women may simply believe they are just fine to return to their normal daily duties and neglect to take care of themselves by chance.
Whether it is by choice or necessity, there are some very serious consequences for neglecting your personal needs during the postpartum periods.
Infections
Your body is at serious risk of infection after having a baby. If you had a vaginal birth, you have rips, tears and stitches which can become infected if they are not properly cared for and rested. If you have a cesarean section, then you have a wound on your stomach which can easily become infected as well.
These infections can interfere with the healing of these pregnancy related wounds and may spread to other parts of the body if not properly treated. Infections in these sensitive areas of the body can be quite painful and uncomfortable.
Usually, these infections occur when the wounds are not kept clean and sanitary. It can also occur if too much physical activity is carried out too soon after having a baby. Your body needs a lot of rest to allow these wounds to heal properly.
Torn Stitches
If you start moving around, climbing stairs, and lifting heavy objects (other children included) too soon after giving birth, you can actually tear the stitches that are holding your pregnancy wounds together. This is painful and will make your postpartum recover take even longer.
You never get ahead by jumping back into normal daily routines after having a baby! It will be much faster in the long run to allow the body to heal and then start gradually adding daily activities into your life again.
Every woman needs at least six weeks of recovery time after having a baby. If you have a c-section, then chances are you need even more time before you completely out of the postpartum period. This is why it is so important to look after your health needs and take care of yourself after having a baby.
If you don't have family and friends around who can help with other children and household duties while you rest and bond with your baby, it is important to bring a postpartum nurse on board. They will make the confinement period more enjoyable and ensure that all of your health needs are looked after. If you aren't sure if you should be doing something or aren't sure if it's too soon to start moving around more, they can help you decide the safest course of action so you don't get infected or rip out your stitches.
If you have a c-section it is even more important to get this help!
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