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There is an enormous feeling of relief and gratitude once the delivery is over. After months of waiting and apprehension, when the child is born healthy, the sense of fulfillment is immense. But the first few weeks, even months after childbirth, with the baby can be confusing and emotionally draining. There maybe other reasons for distress as well. If the delivery does not take place as planned. If you have a Caesarean section, or an assisted delivery when all the while you were told it would be normal. All this can have great emotional consequences for the mother. You may feel cheated, angry and very sad.
These events can cause postnatal depression in new mothers. There is still no universal definition for postnatal depression. It is accepted that it is a type of depression that mother’s experience weeks or months after childbirth. 10 to 15 percent of all new mothers undergo postnatal depression. But some researchers believe the rate could be higher as a number of cases go undiagnosed. There are three main types of postnatal depression:
The ‘Blues’: This is alternatively called ‘three-day-blue’ or ‘baby blues’. More than half the new mothers suffer from this, sooner or later, within the first week after childbirth. The main symptoms are feeling like crying without any reason and feeling down in the dumps. The only treatment this kind of depression needs is a lot of love, support and sympathy from the immediate family of the new mother.
Postnatal depression: If depression commences weeks or months after delivery, doctors would diagnose it as postnatal depression. But it is likely that the symptoms were present months before the diagnosis. Most new mothers will feel anxious, feel tired, and seem to lack confidence, feel less energetic and feel guilty. A mother with postnatal depression may experience a number of the following symptoms together:
Lack of Energy.
Breaking down into tears every now and then.
Feeling anxious.
Feeling of guilty.
Increased irritability.
Seems to be in constant confusion.
Experience sleep disturbance.
Indecisive.
Lack of self-esteem.
Lack of confidence in her ability to be a good mother.
Does not enjoy motherhood.
Fears that she will harm herself or her baby.
Show loss of interest in her sex life.
Lose her appetite.
Hostile or indifferent to people she loves.
Lack of concentration.
Feel ashamed at being unable to be happy.
Feel helpless.
Puerperal Psychosis: This is most severe form of this depression and occurs very rarely. There may be one or two cases in every 1000 new mothers and if is different from postnatal depression. In this illness, the mother may seem to lose touch with reality from time to time. She may even have hallucinations and have mood swings. Sometimes she maybe very energetic and at other times very lethargic. This kind of behavior can be upsetting to her family members, who will soon realize that she is ill whereas in postnatal depression the family members may not know that the mother is depressed until she tells them explicitly. In most cases, the mother will have to be hospitalized, preferably with the baby. The patients can recover completely though it may take some time.
Mothers facing postnatal depression must look for support and help from where ever they can get it. Whether it is their family, friends, mother-to-mother support groups or doctors. They must ensure they get help; otherwise, it will affect both the mother and her newborn baby

A woman’s body undergoes tremendous change during pregnancy. As soon as the baby is out of womb, the body begins its physical healing process, so as to restore the body to its pre-pregnancy state. The uterus, which during pregnancy contains four-and-half liters of water, begins to reduce in size almost immediately after delivery. In about six weeks time, the uterus, reverts close to the pre-pregnancy weight of about 50g from a weight of 1000g. The lining within the uterus crumbles and is drained away as Lochia. This is the blood that is lost over a few weeks after delivery. Important organs like the heart, lung and circulatory system that were burdened during pregnancy get back to functioning normally. The vagina slowly returns to its former shape.
Exercising the vagina will help it regain its original shape quickly. Wounds to the uterus, perineum (the area between the vagina and anus) and vagina heal rapidly. After delivering the child, the levels of the hormone progesterone are restored to normal. Hence a number of problems related to pregnancy disappear. Heartburns vanish, varicose veins get better and constipation is reduced. Piles take a longer time to get better. During pregnancy, hormones soften the joints of the pelvis and spine, and these take time to return to normal. You can have trouble with your back for many months after delivery, so one should avoid lifting and carrying things that are very heavy. The stomach muscles that have been stretched to twice their length, regain their firmness in a few months.

But regaining your originally weight may take some time and effort from your side. Most of the weight is lost within a few days of childbirth, as the excess water carried during pregnancy is flushed out as urine. Thereafter weight loss slows down, but if you continue to breastfeed your baby for more that six months, you will find that your weight in decreasing naturally. The entire process of being pregnant and childbirth is an emotional time. So it will help if you have someone to talk to about how you feel, your fears and apprehension etc. If you cannot find anyone to talk write it down, even this will help you feel better. Some maternity homes allow the new parents to go through the experience they had. Doing this helps to reduce the emotional impact for the parents. If the parents were dissatisfied by the care given to them at the maternity home, they can raise this issue here.

Childbirth and care of the newborn are both physically exhausting tasks. Most new mothers’ find that, they do not have the same energy level that, they had before their baby was born. In the first few months the mother’s night sleep is disturbed and this adds to the exhaustion. The pressures of taking care of a newborn and managing the house leaves the mother mentally and physically drained. A number of new mothers have found that, finding the time to do a few simple exercises, increases their energy levels and makes them feel better mentally as well.
Before you join any postnatal exercise class, it is better to consult your doctor and once he has given you a clean chit of health, you can start exercising. Joining an exercise class will not only keep you fit, but you will make friends with other new mothers, with whom you could form a support group for each other. Here are a few simple exercises that you could try:
Leg slide: Lie flat on your back, with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor. Put your hands under your lower back, flat on the ground. While you breathe out, slide your legs gently forward, bringing the knees to the ground. Breathe in and slowly slide your legs up to the starting position.
Pelvic rock: Lie on your back with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor. While breathing out move your pelvis in a rocking movement so that your lower back is flat on the floor. Then move your pelvis again so that your lower back is lifted from the floor.
Pelvic floor exercises: Contract your vagina in the same way as you would to stop yourself from passing urine and count till four. Then relax; you should feel the difference between the two positions. Repeat this exercise in set of six several times a day. Contract and relax your vagina in quick succession. Breathe normally while doing these exercises.
Start exercising at the earliest after delivery, even if you have had a Caesarean section. Exercising will improve circulation and aid in healing. Begin slowly in the initial weeks after childbirth. Do not lie flat on your back and lift both your legs in the air. Do not do sit-ups.

If a new mother in your family is suffering from postnatal depression, it is difficult to deal with the person. But the family and friends of the new mother must be supportive and lovingly help her through this phase. Here are some tips on how to help:

Allow and help the mother of express her anxieties openly. Do not disregard them, as they are real to her.
Mothers going through postnatal depression find it difficult to cope. Make sure that there is someone with her at all times.
Encourage her in whatever she is doing and praise her when she is making a sincere effort. Try not to sound patronizing.
Do not force her to do anything she does not want to.
Ask her to take time off and go out with friends while someone takes care of the baby.
Do not say things that will reinforce the feeling of guilt, which is already present because she is unable to appreciate and enjoy the baby.
Do not point out mistakes she makes, jobs she hasn’t been able to finish or comment on the way she looks. She maybe feeling miserable just watching you do things more efficiently than she can.
There are numerous ways that family and friends can help and support a mother going through postnatal depression. We have gathered some tips from depressed mothers on the areas they would like help:
Be sensitive enough to understand when they need help and when they want to be left alone.
Help in running the house and the care of other children
Shop for the things the new baby needs and the mother cannot go out to buy.
Postnatal depression is such an illness that it can easily be hidden from family and friends. In most cases the women are so ashamed and guilt ridden about the way they feel that they do not ask for help at all. Many doctors have started screening women for postnatal depression with the help of a simple questionnaire. This is being done to help those who require it. Help is offered through counseling, forming support groups or use of medication.
Counseling: In this form of the treatment the mother is encouraged to talk openly and honestly about her feelings. The therapist listens to her without being judgmental or critical. Together they will find a way to cope with the situation at hand.
Support groups: Meeting and talking to others who are going through the same experience gives the mother an opportunity to realize that she is not the only one, going through postnatal depression.
Medication: Doctors usually prescribe anti-depression or hormones or even Prozac. But studies show that these medications are not good for the baby as the mother is breastfeeding. Counseling and support groups can help just as efficiently in recovery.
Here are a few things the mothers’ suffering from postnatal depression can do to help them through this period:
Talk about your feelings to anyone who will give you a patient hearing. It would be best to talk to your husband or a friend. You should talk to your doctor as well.
Just take care of yourself and remember that what you are going through is not your fault.
Doctors have found that joining exercise classes, yoga or a walking club helps new mothers relax and helps them recover easily from depression.
Keep in mind that this is just a passing phase and that you will get better, even if it takes time. Recovery may be speedy if you ask for help and support from family or even take professional help.

When asked about their experience of delivering a baby, most women will tell you that, it was like rebirth. There is no doubt about the fact that, having a baby is one of the most exhilarating experiences in the world. But there is as much pain as there is joy in this experience and a lot of people overlook this fact. A new mother not only has to care of her newborn baby but also has to take care of herself as well, to ensure that she heals well. Even in a normal delivery sometimes it is likely that you have had an episiotomy. An Episiotomy is a surgical cut to enlarge the vagina to allow the baby’s head to emerge easily during delivery. Some women may tear their perineum (the area between the vagina and anus). In both the above cases, you are likely to have stitches that need taking care of. Given below are a few easy tips to ensure that the stitches heal well:

Ensure that the perineum is clean at all times. After using the toilet, take a mug of lukewarm water pour it slowly between your legs while sitting on the toilet. Urinating while bathing will help reduce the pain. After this dry gently with a soft towel. Do not use a hair dryer to dry out excess water, as it hinders healing and may infect the wound.
You can bath as and when you feel like. Use water with or without antiseptic or salt will do just as well.
You can add a little lavender oil to your bath water and have a very soothing bath.
Replace maternity pads as often as you need.
Use disposable panties or comfortable cotton panties with a high waist.
While sitting down make sure you sit on something soft.
You can try using gel pads; these can be used easily like a panty liner. These are specially made to reduce the discomfort and pain most women feel after delivering.
Try to move around as much as you can. It may be difficult and painful at first, but this will increase blood circulation, decrease swelling and speed up the healing process.
The experiences of many women suggest that taking arnica tablets reduces bruising and helps recovery. There is no research to support this fact, but you can still try it.
If pain persists in spite of these measures, you should consult a doctor. If your stitches are too tight then they will have to be redone or the doctor may give you an anesthetic cream to apply locally. Take whatever measures are required to recover comfortably and you may not suffer any unnecessary pains.

Caring For Stitches , Helping Postnatal Depression , Pacing & Exercises , Postnatal Body Babycare Doubts , Postnatal Depression

Soon after the baby arrives, all your energy and attention will be focused on the care and comfort of the baby. You may consciously want to focus on the baby and not pay much attention to taking care of yourself. Inspite of your busy schedule you will have to make time to take care of yourself. Your health both physical and psychological is undergoing a healing process after delivery and you will have to pay attention to it. Once the baby has arrived all your family and friends will want to visit you and your newborn baby. Having too many visitors just after delivery, with the new baby can be very stressful and extremely difficult to handle, whether in the hospital or at home. It would be best if you could control the number of visitors you have, by asking friends and family to space their visits.

During the initial weeks after delivery, it is best to accept all the help you can get in doing the various chores around the house. It would be ideal if you could get your mother, mother-in-law, any relative or friend to stay with you for at least the first month. This will definitely ease the pressure off you and will help you get used to having the baby as part of your routine. The first few weeks can be overwhelming and some new mothers just cannot cope with the pressures of having a new baby. If you have a relative or a friend staying with you, the pressure on will reduce considerably as they will pitch in. You may even find some free time for yourself while they are taking care of the baby. Here are a few tips to new mothers to cope with those initial days:
Take breaks from taking care of the baby as and when you can. When you do so, don’t feel guilty, as it is necessary for your mental and physical well being.
Have your meals regularly.
Make sure you include fresh fruits and green vegetables in your meals.
Use pre-prepared foods to reduce time and energy spent on cooking.
If friends and family are willing to take over some of your chores, allow them to do so.
Your night’s sleep will be disturbed in the initial days. So learn to sleep whenever your baby sleeps.
This is a period of great emotional upheaval. Talk to people who can help and will support you - mother, friend, doctor or anyone who will give you a patient hearing.
If there is a local support group for new mothers, it would be a good idea to join it or at least attend a few meetings.
The important thing is to find time to rest and relax. As a new mother you must not think about anything other than the baby and yourself. Try to enjoy this new status to the fullest, despite the difficulties.