My First 2 Weeks Postpartum
So I will preface this with my case was a bit odd. I had Hyperemesis Gravidarum throughout my pregnancy (this will be a topic all on its own) so it's safe to say I felt like death pretty much the entire time. The moment that damn placenta was birthed, it was literally like a light switch. A fog had lifted and I was able to eat and drink anything I wanted. I wasn't constantly nauseous and having to be on a SUPER strict timeline of meds, and water, and food. Because the moment I fucked that all up, I went downhill quickly. So literally right after my son was born I was so happy I felt normal and could walk and talk and not rely on meds, and OMG the food. THE FOOD. SO. MUCH. FOOD. I can't tell you how amazing the hospital food was (I know gross in reality but to an HG mama it's literally amazing). So I got up and did things I was not supposed to be doing, because even though I technically felt like hell, it was so much nicer than what I had just felt like for 9 months. AKA Don't do what I did.
Anyways back to just birthing a watermelon out of your vagina.
I remember the first day after I had my son I bled a lot. Like A LOT. Like I stood up to go to the bathroom and next thing I knew there was blood running down my legs and all over the floor. That one time was the only time that happened, but no one warned me about that. They said you would bleed like a heavy period, and I was told that heavy bleeding was "normal" but that seemed excessive. So I asked the nurses and they said while not common, it wasn't anything I should worry about and that they'll keep an eye on me. Ummmm lady, I literally just bled all over myself and the floor and you're going to tell me not to worry!? The bleeding did calm down and it eventually tapered off in about 7 or 8 days for me (so like a long period). Some women bleed longer though, and some women will bleed less. It's all determined on how quickly the wound where the placenta was heals.
For the first week after you give birth, it is recommended to stay in bed and horizontal (stay off your tailbone). I highly recommend getting your belly binded, your doula can find someone to do it for you or they can possibly do it for you, but having that extra support for your core is really beneficial! During the initial postpartum time your organs are slowly moving back into place, you have a placenta sized wound in your uterus that is healing (this is where the lochia comes from), and you're taking care of this tiny helpless human that just exited your body. On top of trying to figure out breastfeeding.
You. Are. Swollen. Everywhere.
Fun fact about me: 3 days after giving birth, I had to go to the ER (it was after hours) because my butthole was swollen shut (like literally swollen shut) and I was in excruciating pain thanks to the stool softeners you're supposed to take. No one told me that. No one told me you swell to high heavens after giving birth from the pushing and the exiting. But alas, that dissipates in a few days as well (padsicles were a life saver. It's like an icicle for your lady bits. But this is the only cold thing you should be using). As for the swelling, I am mainly talking about your nether regions. If you had a hospital birth and were given IV fluids, you will swell a little more in your body from those fluids, but any swelling specifically in the hand and face that isn't normal should be seen by your doctor. Pre-eclampsia can even rear its ugly head postpartum.
As for the second week, that is typically still very much a calm week as well. You should still try to remain in bed as often as possible but getting up and walking around your bed or your house is ok. No grocery shopping or weeding your damn driveway (*insert eye roll* I told you, I had HG and I was feeling physically great. Now mentally, by about the end of week 2 postpartum my baby blues had already turned into full blown postpartum depression but that again is for a different post.) It is still a time for your body to be healing, whether or not your lochia has finished. Let the house go. Forget about laundry for a little bit, or better yet, have someone come over and do it for you. Don't let them hold the baby, make them clean the house, do your dishes, make you food, do your laundry. Don't be a host. I personally didn't want anyone at my house for the first 2 weeks as I didn't want the pressure from people and society. It was mine and my family's time to bond and process the experience we just went through. I was struggling hardcore to breastfeed and by this point I was exclusively pumping because my son just wouldn't latch (he eventually latched at 4.5 weeks and we've been breastfeeding ever since).
food.
Let's talk a little about food! You're supposed to be eating warming foods during this time as well. Soups, stews, anything warm with warming herbs in it (cayenne, cinnamon, ginger, black pepper, etc). There's tons of recipes online that you can download and meal prep before your little one arrives but we don't want anything too jolting to your system. And soups/stews can be frozen and thawed super easily!
my favorite postpartum recipe: turkey chili
Ingredients:
1 tbs. olive oil
large onion, chopped
3-4 cloves garlic, minced
1 yellow and red bell pepper, chopped
1 pound pastured ground turkey
1 can (28 ounces) diced organic tomatoes, undrained
1 can red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
1/4 cup chili powder
2 cups homemade chicken or beef stock
1 1/2 tsp. sea salt
1 tsp. dried oregano
2 tsp. cumin
Directions:
In a large stock pot, saute onions and bell peppers in olive oil over medium heat until onions are translucent. Add ground turkey and garlic and cook until browned.
Add remaining ingredients and stir well to combine. Reduce heat and simmer for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally.
The biggest take away from this should be to ask for help when you need it.There's nothing to be ashamed about. In western society we have lost our tribe and it is time we begin to build our tribes and surround ourselves with people who love and support us. This tribe is especially important regarding your birth team. Please choose your team carefully. BE PICKY. These will be the people who will be in your intimate birth space and watch you bring life into this world.