Caring for yourself
Your body can look and feel very different straight after birth. Learn more about how your body changes in the postnatal period and how to look after yourself after birth here: https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/labour-and-birth/after-the-birth/your-body/
If you feel generally unwell, it’s important to get yourself checked out by your midwife or GP, as these symptoms can be signs of infection:
- Lower abdominal pain
- Pain, redness or heat in the breast and other signs of mastitis
- Redness, discharge or swelling around incisions or stitches
- Offensive, foul-smelling vaginal discharge/blood loss
- Difficulty urinating or pain when urinating
- A high or low temperature
- Headache
- Feeling generally unwell
Our support in the postnatal padlet has lots of useful resources to support you through the postnatal period: https://padlet.com/chester_classes/postnatal
Emotional Wellness
Approximately 1 in 5 parents experience depression, anxiety, or other emotional difficulties during this period. For some, these may not be severe and don't last very long. For others, they become worse which can make it difficult to enjoy parenthood and get on with life.
If you experience these difficulties, it is essential that you are given the right type of support as soon as possible. There are a range of different treatments and services available to help with your recovery.
Our Parent Education Information Padlet has useful resources and information to support your mental and emotional wellbeing: https://padlet.com/chester_classes/perinatalmentalhealth
Exercise after pregnancy
If you had a straightforward birth, you can start gentle exercise as soon as you feel up to it. This could include walking, gentle stretches, pelvic floor and tummy exercises.
It's usually a good idea to wait until after your 6-week postnatal check before you start any high-impact exercise, such as aerobics or running. Find out more: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/baby/support-and-services/keeping-fit-and-healthy-with-a-baby/