Have you ever thought about how important it is for mothers to receive postnatal care in Singapore? It could be a matter of life or death. Before you can welcome your new children into the world, mothers have to undergo a period of drastic change. One of the biggest challenges is how pregnancy and childbirth affect their bodies. Nine months might not seem like much in your entire lifespan, but while you’re waiting for the new member of your family, it could feel a lot longer.
Pregnancy can take a toll on your body– that’s why new mothers need all the help they can get to manage through this tough time. Not only do you have to battle growing pains, but also morning sickness, changes in your appetite, sore feet, headaches, and more. These changes to your body can have a huge impact on your health, which is why you need care during this time.
But if you think that you’ll immediately go back to normal after giving birth, then you should dispel those notions. Pregnancy is not something that goes away overnight, many of the effects of pregnancy will be felt weeks to months after delivery. At times, they can even hang around for the rest of your life.
Don’t be scared of this prospect. Having a new child is a wonderful blessing to have, and with the proper care, many mothers can reduce most effects of pregnancy. You’ll need to be willing to put in the proper effort it takes to return to normal. For example, your doctor may recommend you to perform diastasis recti exercises to address your ab muscles. You may need to stick to a healthier diet to maintain your weight.
The weeks after delivery are one of the most stressful and risky times. Many studies have shown that there are high mortality rates (for both mothers and their babies). Just because your baby is delivered safely, does not mean you’re free from any risks. Your sensitive body is going through a turbulent time as it tries to adjust to life after the birth of your baby.
Are you adequately prepared to address the common issues that many mothers face after giving birth to their children? You should read up on what you should expect after delivering your baby.
Common health issues affecting new mothers
What kinds of health issues do new mothers face? You should be prepared to tackle some issues that many mothers face after birth. These abrupt physical changes can have effects that last years. Here are some common ones (and what you might want to do to address them).
1) Stretch marks. Your belly can expand to many times its normal size to accommodate a growing infant. Astonishingly, your organs will also shift to move around, and your skin can stretch dramatically. The stretched skin and muscle can mean that your postpartum belly will reflect evidence of this change. Once your baby is no longer occupying your body, your skin and muscle will take some time to go back to normal. Don’t worry about stretch marks. They are harmless and will fade as your body recovers. It will take some time for them to go away. Treatments can help reduce their appearance, but they won’t fully disappear.
2) Breast pains. Among other areas in your body, your breasts will undergo the biggest changes. Your breasts will start to produce milk for your unborn child. After birth, they will continue to lactate. Lactation can make your breasts feel full if your baby doesn’t feed as often as it should. Your breasts may begin to feel swollen or tender as your body tries to adapt to how much milk it needs to produce for your child.
3) Diastasis recti. Since your baby’s growth in your belly stretches your skin, it isn’t surprising that it affects your abdominal muscles as well. Diastasis recti, also known as the divarication of the recti, is when the left and right parts of your rectus abdominus separate from each other. Usually, they lie close together, but in certain circumstances (such as during pregnancy), the muscles may separate. In a lot of instances, they may return to their normal position. If you find that your ab muscles haven’t recovered yet after a few weeks, you might want to consult a doctor. They can advise you on certain exercises to get your body back in shape.
4) Pelvic organ prolapse. Pregnancy can weaken your pelvic muscles. After childbirth, you might find yourself vulnerable to pelvic organ prolapse. One or more of the organs near your pelvis (usually the bladder, uterus, or bowels, can slip down and protrude into the vagina. It can seem serious, but thankfully it is not life-threatening. You might experience a little pain or discomfort if it is not treated, though. To treat it, you need ample rest after childbirth and refrain from lifting heavy objects. Consult your doctor if you experience pelvic organ prolapse.
5) Urinary incontinence. Do you have instances wherein you fail to hold in your urine? Leaking urine at the most inopportune of times can be embarrassing, but it’s a fact of life for many new mothers. Pressure from the weight of your growing belly can weaken the bladder muscles that keep your urine in place. Due to this, urine might leak out of your body at the slightest movement, such as sneezing or laughing. Urinary incontinence is normal for six months (or even longer) after the delivery of your baby. While your muscles recover, you can engage in exercises that strengthen your pelvic floor muscles.
Orchard Clinic is here to help new mothers and their babies during and after delivery. Reach out to their talented professionals to receive medical care on urinary incontinence and more in Singapore.
