After the birth

Midwife

In the days following the birth, your midwife will continue to monitor you and your baby. She will monitor your uterus, your blood loss, and the healing of an episiotomy or Caesarean section, if you have had one.

If you are breastfeeding, she will check your breasts and nipples. She will provide information and guidance to help your breastfeeding proceed in the best possible conditions.

At home, you can always contact a midwife if you have any questions about your baby or your own health. They can be contacted at the hospital, or through the association of midwives.

Postpartum period

The 'postpartum period' is when your period returns after you give birth.

If you are not breastfeeding, your period will return within 4-6 weeks of birth. If you are breastfeeding, it will happen later than this. It will return after you stop nursing. If you continue to breastfeed your baby, your periods will come back around 3 months after the birth.

You should have a postnatal check-up with your gynaecologist between 6 and 8 months after giving birth.

Pelvic floor rehabilitation

The pelvic floor is the group of muscles which support your genital organs. The pelvic floor suffers a great deal of pressure during pregnancy. During birth, the muscles of the perineum are stretched, and sometimes torn or cut (episiotomy).

Normally, the perineal muscles will recover their tone after a period of time. However, certain women are no longer able to properly control these muscles, and suffer from urinary or bowel incontinence.

In this case, the gynaecologist may prescribe a course of pelvic floor rehabilitation exercises with a physiotherapist.

Sex

After birth, sexual activity can resume as soon as the couple is willing and feels ready. However, before resuming any sexual activity, it is important to ensure that any perineal tear (or episiotomy) has properly healed.

Fertility after birth

The absence of a period means that the menstrual cycle has not recommenced. However, a woman may ovulate even without monthly bleeding. Even if you do not yet have your period, you could still fall pregnant. It is therefore important to always use contraception.

Contrary to the commonly held view, a breastfeeding woman can still get pregnant. Ask your gynaecologist for advice on choosing a method of contraception that is compatible with breastfeeding.

Minor ailments

Baby blues

The so-called baby blues is a reaction after birth. It refers to a moment of depression which occurs in the days following the birth, and may result, depending on the woman, in:

• weeping profusely for no apparent reason,
• hypersensitivity,
• a feeling of sadness,
• irritability,
• anxiety.

Things are not helped by the exhaustion of early parenthood. The baby blues can last for between a few hours and a few days.

If the baby blues is extended or becomes worse, it may evolve into postnatal depression. Ask your gynaecologist or midwife for advice.

Constipation

Temporary constipation is normal in the 2-3 days after birth. If constipation continues, talk to your doctor or to maternity professionals.

Haemorrhoids

It is quite common to experience haemorrhoids during childbirth. They are caused by swelling in the veins around the anus, due to the pressure from the weight of the belly, and constipation.

Haemorrhoids may lead to itching and pain, and sometimes even bleeding. Ask your doctor to prescribe you some haemorrhoid cream.