Pregnancy is a stage that is as challenging as it is beautiful for future mothers, who often must deal with the various manifestations of this period of their lives for nine months. However, it doesn’t end there.
After childbirth, other issues can also arise, which can be detrimental to a new mother’s health — whether it is because of aesthetics or general well-being. Because of this, the importance of knowing how to both identify these issues and recognize when you may need help from a health professional is also critical.
Postpartum Depression
The exact cause of postpartum depression is still largely unknown. Nevertheless, it can, unfortunately, cause so many mothers to harbor negative feelings toward both their children and themselves. In turn, it can make it much harder for them to properly care for and raise their babies.
The treatment of postpartum depression is individualized, as each mother who suffers from it is different. However, the main treatment recommendations are based on dialogue, rest, free time, and psychological therapy.
Special attention must be paid to unplanned pregnancies, early pregnancy, a history of previous depression, alcohol consumption, and financial problems, as these are the mothers who have more risk factors for developing postpartum depression. Furthermore, even though postpartum depression typically occurs right after delivery, it can still appear up to a year later.
Pelvic Floor Dysfunction
Pelvic floor dysfunction after childbirth includes a wide range of symptoms. Research shows that up to 1 in 10 women may undergo a surgical procedure related to pelvic floor dysfunction in their life. It can present itself in the form of urinary incontinence, prolapse, and even anal incontinence.
Maternity is the largest and most important risk factor for developing this issue. It’s especially true in cases of vaginal delivery, as there is considerable damage to both muscles and nerves in the anatomical region. In fact, a big consideration for cesarean delivery is avoiding possible trauma to the pelvic floor.
Statistically, women with vaginal delivery present a number of symptoms associated with dysfunction of the pelvic floor greater than those with cesarean delivery; this is not indicative enough to prefer a cesarean section, but it is definitely a factor to consider. The most common symptoms of it are urinary leakage, pain or pressure in the pelvic area, and incontinence, especially when coughing or standing.
There are numerous alternatives for treating pelvic floor dysfunction, including drug therapy, vaginal pessaries, and pelvic floor muscle training. It is always a good idea to consider pelvic floor therapy, as it can help dramatically relieve the symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction.
Abdominal Diastasis
Are you wondering what diastasis recti looks like for mothers after giving birth? Among the many consequences as a result of the growth of the baby in the uterus, abdominal diastasis is one of the most frequent. This occurs due to the separation of the muscles of the abdominal wall, which can have both aesthetic and functional repercussions.
Untreated abdominal diastasis can be detrimental to your health as well as your self-esteem. It can lead to lower back and abdominal pain, dyspareunia, discomfort when urinating, and even digestive problems.
Although many women try to correct their abdominal diastasis with physical exercise, this can worsen it. This is because exercising the abdomen can aggravate the injury. Unfortunately, classic sit-ups and crunches can actually be counterproductive in correcting abdominal diastasis.
The ideal treatment for it instead is hypopressive abdominal exercises, which are the opposite of common abdominals. The goal is to decrease abdominal, thoracic, and pelvic pressure, not the other way around. A physical therapist (or similar trainer) should monitor your process to ensure that you are taking the appropriate measures to correct postpartum abdominal diastasis.
Postpartum Anemia
Anemia is one of the most common issues that new mothers face. It typically occurs as a consequence of blood loss due to childbirth and the dilution of plasma that persisted during the nine months of pregnancy. Due to the high and constant demands of the fetus for iron, which is essential for its growth and development, it is not surprising that the mother may lower than normal hemoglobin values.
Poor nutrition and decreased iron absorption can also contribute to postpartum anemia. It is often characterized by dizziness, sadness, irritability, and a rapid heartbeat. Fortunately, it’s easily corrected with a diet rich in iron or iron supplements. In extreme cases, however, blood transfusions may be necessary.
The consequences of childbirth can be incredibly broad and complicated. Because of this, it’s extremely important to recognize them in order to help maintain your overall well-being after giving birth. Being a new mother can be an incredibly rewarding time, but being a healthy mother can help ensure the best possible outcome for yourself and your little one.
I’m a 20-something stay-at-home mother and wife. I have an amazing husband, a beautiful daughter, two loving dogs, and a lazy cat. I wouldn’t change my life for anything! I love to read, listen to music, cook and blog!
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