On top of the newness of your life as a brand new mom, you are dealing with the aches and discomforts of your postpartum body, learning to breastfeed or bottlefeed, figuring out your new routine and more.

Of course this is a special and happy time in your life, there is no question about it, but it is also normal to be overwhelmed, tired and scared. After all, you are experiencing it all for the first time, and there is nothing wrong in asking for help, tips, assistant and anything else that may make your new lifestyle a bit easier. 

So how does your life change after childbirth?

The first thing that changes is the expansion of your family and the little bundle of joy that is now YOUR responsibility. Being responsible for another human being is huge, let along if this is a little baby who cannot do anything for himself. Simultaneously, your lifestyle as you know it is gone, at least for some time. Don’t freak out. This is an adjustment period. Treat it as such. And ask for help when and if you can!

Learning to feed your baby can be smooth or tricky. That depends on both you and baby. But first you have to decide if you are going to breastfeed or bottle feed. Even just this decision can be nerve wrecking for the new mom. If you haven’t thought of it before, this is a good time to speak to your doctor or ask to consult a lactation consultant.

If you are breastfeeding, you may not have your milk in yet, but only colostrum. Breastfeeding may be painful, uncomfortable, or just a complete disaster. Before you leave the hospital, ask to speak to a lactation consultant. She can observe you and baby during feeding and help with knowledgeable information and tips – how to hold the baby, how baby needs to latch, how to massage your breasts and more. If you have left the hospital already or gave birth at home, you can call any hospital for birthing and ask to speak to a lactation consultant, or speak to your doula or midwife.

If you are bottle feeding you may be overwhelmed by the variety of different bottles out there, the types of nipples and materials, bottle size and shape ext. Ask for help at the store. They know their stock and can recommend the most popular bottle, and your answer questions about the differences and recommendations for colicky baby, younger baby, etc. Also ask friends who have kids for their recommendation. Same goes for choosing the right formula brand and type. Don’t buy a lot, as you could find your baby does not respond well to one type or another.

As a new mom, you are learning how to care for your baby. It is OK if things aren’t perfect at the beginning; both you and baby are learning how things are done best, what is most comfortable for the both of you, etc. In a few short months you’ll be surprised to hear yourself giving other new moms advice. Take your time, don’t beat yourself up when you make mistakes along the way, get a book or take a baby basics class to help you where you need help or ask a family member or friend for assistant.

Don’t forget to take care of yourself. After all, your body has been through childbirth, which is not something to take lightly. Try to rest when you can, eat well and follow any directions you got when discharged from the hospital. And if you notice anything out of the ordinary or experience pain, call your healthcare provider.

Happy motherhood!

Congratulations on bringing home your new baby!

While caring for your little one is your top priority, and if it is your first you may be overwhelmed by all the new things that are now a part of your responsibility, you have to remember to also take care of yourself. After all, you did just give birth, and your body does need to be cared for.

As you have already found out throughout pregnancy, your body goes through many different changes during pregnancy and even postpartum. After childbirth you may deal with hair loss, sore breasts, vaginal soreness, skin changes and more.

Depending on what type of delivery you had, and possible complications involved, you may require different care at home after childbirth. Your doctor or midwife will speak to you about postpartum care before you are discharged. And if you develop new symptoms later, you should speak to your OBGYN for further help.

After a vaginal delivery, you may suffer from vaginal soreness. If you had an episiotomy or tear, it is likely you’ll feel the wound for a few weeks or longer. To ease the pain, use ice pack or Witch Hazel pad. Use the squirt bottle provided by the hospital to keep the perineum area clean, and soak in a warm bath. Do you Kegel exercise, to help your pelvic floor muscles strengthen. If you see or feel any signs of infection (intensified pain, tear area becomes hot or swollen), contact your healthcare provider immediately.

Regardless of the type of birthing experience you have had, you will be bleeding for up to six weeks postpartum. This bloody discharge is called lochia, and starts with a heavy flow of blood (and sometimes blood clots) for the first few days, and usually gets lighter after the first week. It gradually tapers off. While lochia lasts, do not use tampons. Instead, use sanitary napkins. Call your doctor if you pass clots larger than your fist, have a fever, or soak a sanitary pad within an hour while lying down.

During the first few days after delivery, you may feel contractions, which usually feel like menstrual cramps. These contractions actually help compressing the blood vessels in the uterus, and by so prevent excessive bleeding. The contractions usually take placed during breastfeeding. If you are experiencing them, speak to your doctor, who may recommend over the counter pain reliever.

You may experience difficulty urinating. That is typically caused by swelling or bruising of tissue around your bladder. Contracting and releasing the pelvic muscles while sitting on the toilet may help you urinate.  This usually resolved on its own. Contact your doctor if it hurts to urinate, you feel you cannot empty your bladder completely or if you experience unusual frequent urination. Kegel exercises can help as well.

Hemorrhoids are stretched and swollen veins in the anus or lower rectum. Due to all the pushing you did during childbirth, you may be suffering from hemorrhoids, which are typically more noticeable during a bowl movement. To ease the discomfort, soak in a warm bath, apply chilled Witch Hazel pads, and speak to your healthcare provider for a medication.

It is normal to experience constipation after childbirth. If you find you are avoiding bowel movement because you fear hurting your perineum or aggravate the pain of hemorrhoid or episiotomy tear, you are not alone. To help things going again, eat foods high in fiber such as fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Also drink plenty of water.

Four days to a week after childbirth, your milk will come in and you may experience engorgement. To ease the discomfort of full, hard and tender breasts, nurse your baby or express milk. Take a warm shower and ask your doctor about over the counter pain relieve medicine.

If you are not nursing, wear a firm, supportive bra. Compressing the breasts helps stop milk production. Do not pump or express milk since this will continue your milk production. To ease the pain and help dry you up, put chilled cabbage leaves in your bra.

Leaky breasts are a common problem of new moms. Usually that stops when your body learns the amounts your baby needs. In the meantime wear nursing pads in your nursing bra.

Six weeks postpartum you will meet your OBGYN for your postpartum checkup. Make sure to ask any questions you may have and remember to discuss contraceptives, if that’s the route you want to go.

While you may not think it is, deciding weather you should stay home with your baby or return to work is a very personal decision. Though it may seem like a non issue to some, it is a big chose other new moms need to make.

First thing to consider is the financial situation you and your family are in. If hubby’s income is enough, then you can make the choice not based on money, but for most people it is a big part of the decidion. And so it should. Can you make it on one income, how much do you need to change your lifestyle to make it on one income, and is it even feasible.

After you figured out the financial implications, think about your personality. Can you be a stay at home mom? Or do you like you job and cannot give it up? There is no right or wrong answer in general, but a personal preference. You may think being home with baby is easier, but may find out it was harder than you expected. At the same time, you may find it is harder than you anticipated to be away from your baby when you are at work.

Is there anyone you trust to care for your baby when you are at work? That can usuaslly make you feel more at ease if you return to work. Can you work shorter hours? This may be another solution if you have to return to work, but don’t want to be away from your child for too long.

Are you breastfeeding? If so, can you pump at work or is your baby close enough for you to go and nurse during your lunch break?

Think of all the considerations that will affect you, your baby and your family before you make this decision and make sure you have your husband’s support, whatever you decide to do. It really does affect him too.

The life you had before baby and the life you have after you become a mom are very different, there is no question about it. But you are still you, and you can choose, to a level, to maintain some parts of your pre-baby lifestyle. it’s not like you didn’t know before you got pregnant, that life as a mom will be different, but it is hard (if not impossible) to imagine the changes that take place when you have a baby.

Remember those long nights you spent with your life partner, watching a movie or going out parting? Well, now your long nights include feeding baby, changing diapers and trying everything you can to relieve colic. You’re still up half the night, but not always out of choice.

Suddenly (and somewhat miraculously) you understand your parents, and an appreciation that may have not been there before is instantly there. If you never asked for their advice, you may find you actually want it now. After all, they raised you, and you came out just fine.

Time that used to be yours is not in your hands any more. When baby needs you, you are there for him/her, no matter what you were in the middle of, or what you’d like to be doing right now. The tiny beautiful creature in your hands is 100% dependant on you.

You find strengths you did not know were in you. When you are doing it for your child, whatever ‘it’ is, childbirth, difficulties breastfeeding, etc. you find the way and motivation to overcome the greatest obstacles.

You learn to multi task like you never have before. With all the extra loads of laundry, feeding time, sleepless nights, doctor appointments, play time and more, you will learn how to get it all done, or prioritize and get some rest.

No one said life as a mom was easy, but it is full of accomplishments and joy, and is oh so worth it. And when your little one is not so little anymore, you may get a night out with your spouse, when baby is enjoying the night with the grandparents or a babysitter.

Postpartum depression is a relatively common phenomenon among women after childbirth. With the objective hormonal changes in the body, adjusting to the new lifestyle as a mom, the sleepless nights and the challenges of breastfeeding, among other things, it makes sense mom is overwhelmed to the point of depression.

Although postpartum depression is traditionally associated with women after childbirth, it can affect men as well. Just like some men develop pregnancy like symptoms while their wives are pregnant, new Dads may experience the baby blues after the birth of their child.

The dramatic change in lifestyle affects not only Mom, but also Dad. The realization you are no longer responsible for yourself alone, but for a helpless human being, can be quit overwhelming for new Dads. While Dad does not breastfeed, he may still go through sleepless nights, helping in the constant care of the newborn.

Other factor that may trigger postpartum depression for new Dads include fear of fatherhood, worries regarding the financial implications of having a child & having to provide for a family, the loss of freedom and more.

Other than women, men are not always encouraged to share their emotions, since “it is not manly” to be vulnerable and have fears. Emotions that are not dealt with (such as the once one may have after having a child), can result in depression. Talking about those fears, concerns and stresses that come with becoming a father, can help ease and overcome the depression.

Daddy baby blues typically last around four months, though some men will develop depression that lasts longer. In that case, seek professional help. Clinical depression should not be taken lightly and should be treated professionally.

During early, and sometimes also late pregnancy, you are so consumed with the excitement of the new life growing inside you, you may neglect to think about what’s to come after childbirth. You may also be so occupied with thoughts of the actual birthing experience or the baby and how life will change, you may put aside any thought of the postpartum period and what you may go through or need after birth.

Postpartum (also called postnatal) is the first six weeks right after birth. In this time, your body will be recovering from the pregnancy and birth. It will obviously take longer than six weeks to get back to shape and gain control over your new life as a mother, but the first six weeks after childbirth are a critical time in which your healthcare provider will prefer to see you rest and recover.

To ease the transition into motherhood from your life as a couple, or the transition from a family of three to a family of four, etc. you may want to plan a head just a bit.

What will you need right after delivery?

Baby care – if you had a baby shower, you may have most of the items you need for your newborn, but what about help caring for your newborn? If you have family in town, or close friends who offer to lend a helping hand, don’t think twice and take them up on their offer! Any help can make things easier on you!

Food – you may not think of it, but having to stand in the kitchen and cook right after you return from the hospital with your newborn can be challenging on different levels. You need your rest; your baby needs your attention and you NEED food, especially if you are breastfeeding, to keep you going. Either have frozen meals ready, send hubby to get take away or let anyone who offers cook for you.

Household chores – this is the time to accept any help offered to you! Take advantage of family members willing to help, friends with time on their hands, or your significant other – send them to do your grocery shopping, light cleaning, any household chores they are willing to take off your hands. Taking a newborn out to the grocery store can be a challenge, cleaning is best left for someone else (you need your rest!), and any other chore can either wait for a later time or be done by hired help!

Remember you have just been through childbirth. Your body needs the rest to recuperate, and your baby needs your love and care. Don’t hesitate to let anyone willing, help you!

You had your baby and are not in any rush to get pregnant again. If you are nursing, you may have heard that you cannot get pregnant while breastfeeding. While interesting, this theory is not true. Some people believe it to be the case, possibly because many women do not have a menstrual period while nursing, but still, breastfeeding is NOT a method of birth control.

What are your options? This depends on your situation and needs. Consider whether you are concerned about sexually transmitted diseases or just want to prevent a pregnancy. This will narrow down the options you have and help you make the best choice. Also, speaking with your healthcare provider will help you to learn about your options and select the ones most suitable to your needs.

Barrier methods physically prevent semen from reaching the egg and must be used every time you have sex. They include diaphragm, cervical cap, contraceptive sponges and condoms.

You can be fitted for a diaphragm or a cervical cap at your 6 week postpartum visit, by your doctor. You will need to be fitted even if you have used one before, since after your pregnancy and childbirth you may need a different size.

Hormonal methods, such as birth control pills prevent a pregnancy by suppressing ovulation. The pill may have side effects (including nausea, headaches, acne, increased blood pressure, breast tenderness, bloating, weight gain and depression) – so you will have to have your doctor prescribe the most suitable kind for you. If you are breastfeeding you will be prescribed a pill that may cause you to not have your menstrual period until you stop taking it or switch to a different kind. Those pills are taken nonstop, different from the regular pill you take for three weeks and then have a week off, during your period.

The patch uses estrogen and progestin to prevent pregnancy and can be applied on the buttocks, abdomen, upper torso or outer arm. It is used for a 4 week cycle and each patch lasts for 1 week. You use 3 patches, one for each week, and no patch for the week during which you have your menstrual period. The patch has side effects similar to the pill.

The vaginal contraceptive ring is a thin, flexible ring that is inserted into the vagina. It releases hormones that prevent pregnancy. These hormones are the same ones used in most birth control pills. The ring is left in the vagina for 3 weeks. You will remove the ring after 3 weeks and your period will start. After 7 days, you will insert a new ring.

Hormone shots work much like the pill to prevent pregnancy, but also may have some side effects, such as headaches and changes in your period, mood and weight. There is a shot that prevents pregnancy for 1 month and another that lasts for 3 months.

Sterilization is another way to go. This is when a man or a woman has an operation to permanently prevent pregnancy. If you decide you do not want to have any more children, sterilization may be the right choice for you.

Tubal ligation, or “getting your tubes tied”, involves closing off a woman’s fallopian tubes so eggs can no longer travel through them to reach the uterus. A device called Essure can also be used to close off a woman’s fallopian tubes. Essure is a metal coil that is inserted into your fallopian tubes by your doctor.

Men are sterilized with a vasectomy. The man’s sperm ducts are closed off so sperm cannot get through.

Speak to your healthcare provider about all the options and which is most suitable for you. Do not take a chance with ‘withdrawal’ or safe-days; these are not effective methods to avoid becoming pregnant.

About 70% of new moms experience some form, or another, of baby blues. They are caused by a sudden shift in hormone levels after childbirth and are perfectly normal. Other factors that may trigger the baby blues include: a feeling of anxiety caused by the new responsibility of having a newborn, fatigue and lack of sleep that comes from being a new mother and even frustration over breastfeeding difficulties or other problems.

Though baby blues are normal and common and usually disappear on their own, there is no reason to just accept them. If you want to chase them away sooner, ease the symptoms and/or feel better faster.

Beating the baby blues may be easier than you may think. Try the following to get back to your old self sooner:

You will be surprised what exercising regularly can do for your mood (and your body.) Wait with exercising, until after your postpartum doctor appointment (usually six weeks after childbirth) and ask your doctor if it is okay to resume physical activity.

Eat a healthy, well-balanced diet. If you are nursing you will find that you need this well balanced diet more than you ever did.

Join a support group for new mothers. It is always nice, and can be helpful, to know people in the same situation as you. You may make new friends and learn a trick or two to make your new lifestyle easier to handle.

Make time daily for something you enjoy! While you are a mother now, you are still a woman and it is important to make time for yourself. If it is hard to make the time, take a look at your priorities and change them, if need be. You will thank yourself for it!

Give yourself a change of scenery by meeting with a friend for a cup of coffee or enjoy an evening out with your partner. Parenting does not mean life is over, just different. Still you need to nurture your relationships in order to be the best mother you can be.

Divide the parenting responsibilities between you and your spouse so you do not feel like you are doing everything by yourself. This does not mean you have to divide everything equally, after all, your Hubby cannot breastfeed, but there are many things that you can both do and Dad needs time to bond too.

The 40 week (give or take) long journey is done. The birth is behind you, the announcement boy/girl has been made, and the Apgar test has been done. If there were no complications, your baby is in your arms, skin to skin, maybe already learning how to latch on or nursing.

Now that the birthing process is over, you are likely exhausted from the delivery and feeling overwhelmed with emotions of excitement, relief, and love.  However, before you are left to bond with your baby, there are a few things your obstetrician may need to do.

• Your baby may have been delivered, but your placenta needs to come out as well. Your doctor / midwife may ask you if you want to see it.

• If you had an episiotomy or have a tear requiring stitches, your midwife or doctor will stitch up your perineum.

• Your bladder will be checked and you will be asked if you can go to the bathroom.

• If you had an epidural, it will be removed.

• Your midwife or the labor nurse will massage your uterus to help it contract and stop bleeding. This may feel uncomfortable, and you may feel liquid gushing out.

• If you are having difficulties nursing your baby, or haven’t done so yet and wish to, you can ask your midwife or a lactation consultant at the hospital for assistance.

Your baby will also be checked by your doctor / midwife.

• Right after birth, your newborn’s airway will be cleared and gently suctioned with a rubber bulb to remove blood and fluid from the nose and mouth.

• The umbilical cord will be cut.

• The APGAR test will be done one minute after birth and then again at five minutes.

• If you chose to bank your baby’s cord blood, your obstetrician / midwife will clamp or cut the cord and then collect the cord blood.

• He will be dried and covered to keep him warm.

• Your baby will then be laid on your stomach or chest so can bond and/or start nursing.

• The doctor or nurse will examine him to make sure there are no obvious problems that need emergency treatment.

CONGRATULATIONS!

After 40 weeks (give or take) of carrying and nurturing your baby inside your womb, doctor visits, parenting classes, a baby shower, research and advice, some may think you should be ready for the arrival of your newborn. But how can you be ready to perform a roll you never had any practice in?

Talking to friends and family, taking parenting classes at your hospital, and researching for blogs and books, are all ways to get yourself ready for the arrival of your offspring. But there is nothing like first hand experience, which you will get once your baby arrives. Ready or not, you will find that you deal with what life and your newly expanded family hands you.

So what should you expect when your newborn arrives? The level of emotions you will feel is personal. You may bond with your baby immediately or it may take a little longer. Either way, take into account the temporary ups and downs you may experience if you suffer from baby blues. Feeling overwhelmed, no matter how prepared you may believe you are for this baby, is natural and normal. After all, your life as you know it has changed and you are now a mother.

You can expect little sleep and not very much time for yourself in the beginning. But this will change with time. As your baby grows, he will learn to sleep through the night and you will feel more comfortable to take some time for yourself.

If you plan to breastfeed, you may experience an adjustment period where your body will learn how much milk to produce for the needs of your newborn. Until that happens, you may be leaking (so get pads for your nursing bras). Also you may experience engorgement, nipple pain and other discomforts that will disappear with time and experience. While you are still in the hospital, ask to see a lactation consultant to learn about breast feeding tips and make sure your baby latches on correctly.

Having a baby is demanding, can be exhausting, sometimes nerve wracking and above all, a big responsibility. But at the end of the day, raising your newborn is the most rewarding job you can have. You will melt when your baby starts to smile and find tremendous joy seeing him accomplish milestones and learn new things.

Give it time. You will feel more comfortable in your new roll with experience, and your baby’s growth and development will be an indicator to the fabulous job you are doing.