While most attention to pregnancy care focuses on the nine months of pregnancy, postpartum care is important, too. The postpartum period lasts six to eight weeks, beginning right after the baby is born.

During this period, the mother goes through many physical and emotional changes while learning to care for her newborn. Postpartum care involves getting proper rest, nutrition, and vaginal care.

Eating Right:

Getting proper nutrition in the postpartum period is crucial because of the changes your body goes through during pregnancy and labour.
The weight that you gained during pregnancy helps make sure you have enough nutrition for breast-feeding. However, you need to continue to eat a healthy diet after delivery.
Experts recommend that breast-feeding mothers eat when they feel hungry. Make a special effort to focus on eating when you are actually hungry — not just busy or tired.

avoid high-fat snacks
focus on eating low-fat foods that balance protein, carbohydrates, and fruits and vegetables
drink plenty of fluids

Getting enough rest:

Rest is crucial for new mothers who need to rebuild their strength. To avoid getting too tired as a new mother, you may need to:

sleep when your baby sleeps
keep your baby’s crib near your bed to make night feedings easier
allow someone else to feed the baby with a bottle while you sleep

Vaginal Care:

New mothers should make vaginal care an essential part of their postpartum care. You may experience:

vaginal soreness if you had a tear during delivery
urination problems like pain or a frequent urge to urinate
discharge, including small blood clots
contractions during the first few days after delivery

Schedule a check-up with your doctor about six weeks after delivery to discuss symptoms and receive proper treatment.

You should abstain from sexual intercourse for four to six weeks after delivery so that your vagina has proper time to heal.

Pregnancy And Postpartum Period With A GP

It’s important to stay as healthy as possible during pregnancy and during the postpartum period.

Stay on top of all of your healthcare appointments and follow your doctor’s instructions for the health and safety of you and your baby.

Dr Vinith Menezes, and Dr Katie Gault are experienced in pre and post-natal care, with additional qualifications in obstetrics and gynaecology to assist you through your pregnancy, birth and care of your new born.