Nutrition after-delivery
After-delivery, your body has used all its nutrition to manage itself through labour and infant feeding. An after-delivery guide suggests to eat nutritious food and avoid processed foods with saturated fats, sugar, and excessive salt. Make sure your food is protein, iron, calcium, and fibre rich. As your baby eats what you consume, you need to be extra careful about what goes into your body.
Sticking to the food pyramid will help during this time. Especially because now your body has entered the recovery phase, which needs to be permanent in nature, nutritionally. This is not exactly the time to count your calories, but studies suggest that anywhere between 1800-2200 kcal in a day should be enough. Even though most nutritionists and gynecologists have varied opinions on alcohol and caffeine intake, it is best to opt for the minimum amount as it can harm the baby.
Understanding your body
Please remember that this is not your permanent body. Your weight, how your stomach looks, patchy skin, stretch marks are all temporary and every woman goes through this phase. This is also a revitalization phase of the body. Your breasts may enlarge more than normal, but that will go with regular feeding. If the problem still persists, speak to your doctor.
Do not fret your vaginal discharge, this is just how your body reacts post-childbirth. This discharge can last up to two to four weeks. Vaginal discharge is your body’s way of clearing your uterus, which is filled with blood and tissue after delivery. You may experience blood clots, which can begin with heavy bleeding but this reduces with time. If this vaginal discharge smells bad, let your physician know. It is recommended to not use any product such as tampons in the vaginal area till the discharge subsides, to avoid infection.
Cramps are normal after delivery as well. As your uterus is shrinking back to its normal size, this can cause some discomfort. It is essential to remind yourself time and again that your reproductive system has gone through a 360-degree change, which needs time to recover. Breathe and let your body heal, naturally. This after-delivery care that you will give yourself will help your body heal and empower you in the long haul.
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