Post Natal Guidelines

October 24, 2011

Birth and Post Natal Guide

Post natal is a long period of confinement that is to restore the body and bring it back to its original form. During the delivery process, especially when pushing the baby out, a lot of energy was used to contract and loosen the vaginal wall muscles and also enduring a lot of pain. The pelvic area became so tense and sometimes can cause stiffness.

There were mothers who suffered from anemia due to losing so much blood during delivery. Thus, restrictions were imposed which was passed down from past generations that it should be followed by young mothers. Among the old traditional guidelines and tips that you should observe for your after childbirth health as below.

1. Movement

* Mothers are required to control the movement after labor, by not making too much of movements, and if walking is required, walk slowly and do not hurry for fear of loosen stitches and blood vessels rupture.

* Mothers are required to always wear socks to protect their feet. Beware of accidentally stepping on hard objects for fear of reflex which could cause spasm at pelvic area and may slow down recovery.

* Mothers should be sitting in a posture that narrow and close the inner thighs to aid the vagina to shrink back to the original condition

Women that are observing these above routines are getting lesser as they are more confident with modern medication as well as heeding the advice from gynecologist. However, that doesn’t mean the restrictions imposed by older generations are myths. There are reasons for it. It is better to follow the advice from old folks as they have been through it and are much wiser.

2. Food

post natal * Consume a spoonful of turmeric extraction (or powder form) mix with water every morning for several days (between 3-7 days) after delivery. This is to facilitate and improve blood flow and also act as an antibacterial agent

* Drink catfish soup mix with ginger and black pepper to speed up recovery of vaginal wounds

* Do not eat starchy foods or food that contain coconut milk such as curries because it may cause stomach upset as well as increasing cholesterol. During this confinement period, it is easy to gain weight, so make sure not to consume too much oily food in order to return the body to the original form

* Do not eat vegetables or fruits that are having ‘cold’ elements to avoid the ‘wind’ in the stomach (such as spinach, long beans, bittergourd, cabbage, eggplant, young jackfruit, banana) and fruit that is sour (acidic) and ‘cold’ (like mango, lime and other etc.)

I remember when my mom was in confinement, she does not eat meat with gravy, but rather eat hot rice with grilled fish (sprinkled with little salt and turmeric) and some black pepper powder. My mother also take two boiled eggs mixed with honey. The whole body will be sweating because of the ‘heat’ from turmeric and black pepper and reddish face (not pale) indicating the health restoration in progress.

You will be surprised by how fast this traditional methods help in the recovery.

3. Bathing ( Brewed Herbal Bath)

* Bath each morning with brewed herbal bath (boiled water with the herbs leaves such as pandan, lemon grass perfume, Noni, Kadok, saffron, guava, and others with tamarind, cinnamon and cloves included.

* Or the more convenient way now is you can buy the mixed herbs in herbal shop. It is specially packed in sachets which you only need to boil it with water in a large stock pot.

4. Massage

* After a day of stressful and worn out vaginal delivery, between 3rd-7th day, it is good to have the body massaged for about 1 hour each day. Massage should preferably in the morning, as the condition is fresh and cool atmosphere.

* The focus of the massage is on the abdomen, with purpose of raising the uterus to return to the original position.

* This massage is very important to make sure uterus is back in the original position because it is worried that pelvic prolapse may happen if massage is not done.

* This massage can last until 44 days to 50 days depending on situation.

To know more about postnatal massage visit this site at http://www.pregnancy-to-childbirth.com/postnatal-massage.html

5. Prior to Resume Sex

Before you resume your sex life, always make sure you have your vagina checked by your gynae and ensure all clear to resume sex with husband. During this time, it is best if you can use a type of cream which contain manjakani. This gel or cream is very good to tighten up the loose muscles and strengthen the foundation of your vaginal wall. It also enhance sexual experience as though you are not affected by the childbirth.