recovering from labour
31 Mar 2010

Recovering from labour

2 mins to read
Giving birth to your child can be one of the most incredible experiences of your life, but you may be also feeling physically and emotionally exhausted. Naturopath Stephanie Hamilton gives some simple tips and nutritional advice to ensure you recover well.


Prepare, prepare, prepare

Your body will naturally undergo changes in preparation for childbirth. A few simple steps may help to prepare your body for labour and may even have a beneficial outcome for you and the baby - and also help to shorten the recovery period:

  • Raspberry leaf (Rubus idaeus) has traditionally been used as a uterine tonic to prepare the uterus for delivery and facilitate labour.
  • Frequent pregnancy yoga classes, especially in the last trimester, have been shown to improve maternal comfort in labour and may facilitate the labour process.
  • Meditation, breathing and relaxation techniques.
  • Perineal massage and pelvic floor exercises.
  • Adequate rest in the days and weeks leading up to your due date.

Recovery

The first few days or weeks following the labour can be incredibly intense. Lack of sleep and the physical aftermath of labour may have your body feeling exhausted.

Your mind is muddled and you may be feeling weak and tired. You may also be recovering from a caesarean or episiotomy or other birth complications.

Sleep

The biggest healer is sleep, so the more you can sleep the quicker you will heal. Sleeping when the baby sleeps is the best way to get some rest and give your body and mind the time it needs to recover, especially in the first couple of weeks.

Adequate sleep will help reduce the impact that stress has on the body and improve your immune system. Proper rest will assist with breast milk production, and a well-fed baby is a happier baby! If you are finding it difficult to sleep, then engage in conscious breathing exercises or practice meditation to relax and heal. 

Nutrients

It is essential that you are getting the following adequate nutrients to help with the recovery process:

  • Vitamin C is vital for proper connective tissue repair and is important for wound healing. It improves immunity and helps to prevent infections.
  • Zinc is important for proper wound healing and prevention of infections.
  • Iron supplementation may be needed if you lost a lot of blood during childbirth or surgery.
  • Iron deficiency may present as fatigue, confusion, poor immunity, hair loss and low mood.

Other helpful tips

  • Avoid too many visitors in the first few days, as this can be very exhausting and can make it difficult to establish a routine.
  • Avoid caffeine. Relying on the coffee kick will ultimately result in a poorer quality of sleep and worsen your exhaustion.
  • Drink lots of filtered water. This is essential to keep up breast milk production.
  • Eat enough protein to aid healing.
  • Ask for help.


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