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New Mothers Quotes To Support You Through This Life-Changing Experience

Jordan N. — Sat, 14 Jan 2023 19:13:31 +0000

New motherhood is full of surprises. Besides the good, there are also the bad and the ugly. But through it all, there’s one thing that every new mom needs: rock-solid support. So we’ve gathered some of our favorite new mothers quotes to help you get through those first few months (and beyond). From the hilarious to the relatable, these quotes capture everything about this fantastic—and crazy—journey. The journey is both beautiful and challenging. There are so many things to learn as a new mom and discover through every moment. It can sometimes feel daunting, but it is also an extraordinary time for you. And yes, becoming a new mother can be an overwhelming experience. And it is only natural for new moms to feel lost and unsure of what to do. Many new mothers worry that these feelings of uncertainty are signs that they are not doing the right thing. However, it is essential to remember that these times are part of the adjustment process, and all new mothers go through them. Please take a moment and take it all in slowly. Finding your feet as a new mom takes time; each day with your little one will bring discoveries and new challenges. Challenges provide unique learning opportunities – look at each as an opportunity to grow in confidence and discover more of what you can achieve. With every success, you will gain understanding and eventually conquer the mommy puzzle piece by piece! Here are some quotes for new mothers that may open up hidden feelings, give some needed laughs, and all in between. NEW MOTHERS QUOTES FOR YOU Birth “Birth is the epicenter of women’s power.” – Ani DiFranco “Birthing is the most profound initiation to spirituality a woman can have.” – Robin Lim “In giving birth to our babies, we may find that we give birth to new possibilities within ourselves.”– Myla and Jon Kabat-Zinn “Birth matters. It brings us into being, on many levels.” – Ananda Lowe “Birth takes a woman’s deepest fears about herself and show her that she is stronger than them.” – Unknown “A miracle is really the only way to describe motherhood and giving birth. It’s unbelievable how God has made us women and babies to endure and be able to do so much. A miracle, indeed. Such an incredible blessing.” – Jennie Finch Recovery “Just as there is no warning for childbirth, there is no preparation for the sight of a first child. There should be a song for women to sing at this moment, or a prayer to recite. But perhaps there is none because there are no words strong enough to name that moment.” – Anita Diamant “There is nothing like a newborn baby to renew your spirit and to buttress your resolve to make the world a better place.” – Virginia Kelley “A new baby is like the beginning of all things-wonder, hope, a dream of possibilities.” —Eda J. Le Shan “I begin to love this little creature, and to anticipate his birth as a fresh twist to a know which I do not wish to unite.” – Mary Wollstonecraft “There will be so many times you feel like you’ve failed. But in the eyes, heart and mind of your child, you are super mom.” –Stephanie Precourt “Postpartum is a quest back to yourself. Alone in your body again. You will never be the same, you are stronger than you were.” –Amethyst Joy “When the baby is born, all that pain (that was endured) vanishes in an instant. Love for that tiny baby makes one forget the pain, the fear.” – Hope Bradford Emotions “A mother’s arms are more comforting than anyone else’s.” – Princess Diana “The heart of a mother is a deep abyss at the bottom of which you will find forgiveness.” – Honore de Balzac “Whether your pregnancy was meticulously planned, medically coaxed, or happened by surprise, one thing is certain – your life will never be the same.” – Catherine Jones “A mother’s joy begins when new life is stirring inside; when a tiny heartbeat is heard for the first time, and a playful kick reminds her that she is never alone.” – Unknown “Nothing compares to becoming aware of the massive face of the universe hidden in a newborn’s stare.” – Curtis Tyrone Jones “A baby is something you carry inside you for nine months, in your arms for three years and in your heart till the day you die.” – Mary Mason Love “Love as powerful as your mother’s leaves its own mark…To have been loved so deeply… Will give us some protection forever.” – J.K. Rowling “We are born of love; love is our mother.” – Rumi “Before you were conceived, I wanted you. Before you were born, I loved you. Before you were here, I would die for you. This is the miracle of Mother’s love.” – Maureen Hawkins “Making the decision to have a child — it is momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body.” – Elizabeth Stone “A baby is born with a need to be loved—and never outgrows it.” — Frank A. Clark “I don’t remember who said this, but there really are places in the heart you don’t even know exist until you love a child.” – Anne Lamott “No one else will ever know the strength of my love for you. After all, you’re the only one who knows the sound of my heart from the inside.”- Kristen Proby “Loving a baby is a circular business, a kind of feedback loop. The more you give the more you get and the more you get the more you feel like giving.” – Penelope Leach Related Posts: 21 Most Inspiring Motherhood Quotes Every Mom Needs to Hear First-Time Mom? The Honest, Raw, and Obvious Truth Ways to Boost Your Confidence as a Mom in Nine Simple Actions Challenges “To all mothers in every circumstance, including those who struggle, I say, ‘Be peaceful. Believe in God and yourself. You are doing better than you think you are.'” – Jeffrey R. Holland “Being a mother is the highest paid job in the world. Since the payment is in pure love.” – Amina Sambo “The natural state of motherhood is unselfishness. When you become a mother, you are no longer the center of your own universe. You relinquish that position to your children” – Jessica Lange “You’re always going to wonder if you’re doing things wrong, but that’s what it means to be a mom, to care so much about someone else that you just want to be as perfect as possible.” – Naya Rivera “There are hard days in motherhood, but looking at your baby sleeping reminds you why it’s all worth it.” – Kara Ferwerda “Having kids – the responsibility of rearing good, kind, ethical, responsible human beings – is the biggest job anyone can embark on.” – Maria Shriver “Whilst challenging, you will find caring for your baby one of the best experiences of your life.” – Gina Ford Strength “Sometimes the strength of motherhood is greater than natural laws.” – Barbara Kingsolver “Being a mother is learning about strengths you didn’t know you had, and dealing with fears you didn’t know existed.”- Linda Wooten “Becoming a mother makes you realize you can do almost anything one-handed.” – Unknown “I like to think of motherhood as a great big adventure. You set off on a journey, you don’t really know how to navigate things, and you don’t exactly know where you’re going or how you’re going to get there.” – Cynthia Rowley “In giving birth to our babies, we may find that we give birth to new possibilities within ourselves.”– Myla and Jon Kabat-Zinn Lessons “When we encourage new parents to ‘treasure these moments because they don’t last forever,’ we need to remember to also reassure them that they will survive these moments because they don’t last forever.” – L.R. Knost “Tell the story of the mountain you climbed. Your words could become a page in someone else’s survival guide.” – Margan Harper Nichols “Everything has changed, and yet, I’m more me than I’ve ever been.” – Iain Thomas “Be patient with yourself. You and your baby are both learning new things each day.” – Unknown “You never understand life until it grows inside of you.” – Sandra C. Kassis “Don’t stand unmoving outside the door of a crying baby whose only desire is to touch you. Go to your baby. Go to your baby a million times. Demonstrate that people can be trusted, that the environment can be trusted, that we live in a benign universe.” – Peggy O’Mara “While we try to teach our children all about life, they teach us what life is all about.” – Angela Schwindt “Your most valuable parenting skill is learning to manage yourself first.” – Dr. Laura Markham Journey “To describe my mother would be to write about a hurricane in its perfect power. Or the climbing, falling colors of a rainbow.” – Maya Angelou “You’ll learn to lower your expectations about what you can accomplish in a day. Some days, it will be all you can do to keep a baby safe, warm, and fed, and that will be enough.” – Unknown “Everything grows rounder and wider and weirder, and I sit here in the middle of it all and wonder who in the world you will turn out to be.” – Carrie Fisher “A mother is always the beginning. She is how things begin.” – Amy Tan “Parenting is the easiest thing in the world to have an opinion about, but the hardest thing in the world to do.” – Matt Walsh “All those cliches, those things you hear about having a baby and motherhood –– all of them are true.” – Penelope Cruz Humor “Motherhood: The only place you can experience Heaven and Hell at the same time.” – Unknown “I want my children to have all the things I couldn’t afford. Then I want to move in with them.” – Phyllis Diller “People who say they sleep like a baby usually don’t have one.” – Leo J. Burke “Ah, babies! They’re more than just adorable little creatures on whom you can blame your farts.” – Tina Fey “I don’t want to sleep like a baby. I want to sleep like my husband.” – Nicole Fornabaio “Becoming a mom to me means you have accepted that for the next 16 years of your life, you will have a sticky purse.” – Nia Vardalos “Sleep is like the unicorn—it is rumored to exist, but I doubt I will see any.” – Unknown Beautiful Quotes for New Mothers New mothers have a particular time of adjusting to their new roles. Feeling clueless sometimes is normal, yet it also empowers you when overcoming a mom hurdle. As you embark on this motherhood journey, take a pocketful of quotes regarding new mothers. How you walk your path is unique to you alone. Growing and learning become your new way of life. Understandably, new mothers may feel out of their league when having a rough day. Learning new roles on the spot and managing new stress and anxiety levels can be challenging, especially when it seemingly doesn’t end. Knowing this is only temporary can provide new mothers with comfort as they bravely journey through motherhood. Although these rough days will undoubtedly test your limits, take heart in knowing that eventually, you’ll find new success and skill in each new challenge you face, growing stronger by the day. So if things seem too overwhelming today, remember to reach out for support, keep breathing and stay determined– things will get easier! We hope this post inspired, encouraged, and made you laugh and feel better. Please share this post or PIN it for later. Thank you.

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Kangaroo Care for NICU Babies

Jordan N. — Thu, 18 Nov 2021 14:44:51 +0000

Babies born prematurely have extensive need for medical interventions. However, what struck me the most was preterm babies’ responses to skin-to-skin experiences with their mothers. This healing and therapeutic experience are called Kangaroo Care or Kangaroo Mother Care for NICU babies. Having gone through a NICU experience when my daughter was born has been a frightening journey for our family. Prematurity had not been on my radar when I became a mom, but life has many surprises. What I loved and looked forward to the most during our stay in the NICU was the Kangaroo Care time. I remember holding my preemie daughter for the very first time. It was scary because of how fragile she was; simultaneous, it was a beautiful moment. First, the nurses helped me get settled on the recliner. Then, they carefully handed her to me on my chest along with the attached wires on her. The happiness I felt when she snuggled around me was incomparable. I grasped the reality of her being born at that time. I know, she was born five days ago. But when we both had that moment together, to be this close with skin-to-skin, I felt blessed – I was her mom. She was mine. Kangaroo care became our daily mommy-me time. I couldn’t imagine not holding her for a day, and my heart ached when I couldn’t as I lay on my bed at home. My husband did kangaroo care with our daughter too. When we visited with our son, he was close by gently putting his hand on her arm or back. We forged our family bond during this difficult NICU time. Our kangaroo care time was sacred to me, to our family. How and When Kangaroo Care Became part of the NICU Developmental Care As soon as kangaroo care is initiated, it can help your premature baby tremendously. However, it also depends on when babies are stable enough to be held by mom/dad per every NICU protocol. Even the tiniest premature babies can benefit from these moments of skin-to-skin contact with their mothers. Two physician-researchers first developed the kangaroo mother program in the late 1970s in Columbia. Back then, premature babies died of respiratory issues, infections and had very high death rates. The moms acted as human incubators and also did exclusive breastfeeding during the study. Conventional incubators were challenging to obtain at that time. Moms who were holding their premature babies most of the day – their babies thrived and survived. A new clinical trial was conducted among 2944 mothers and 3211 infants (2.2 lbs-3.7 lbs birth weight) with two methods: immediate kangaroo care and conventional care (kangaroo care initiated only after premature infant stabilization). The trial found that those infants who received immediate kangaroo care had an improved survival rate of 25% than infants stabilized before kangaroo care. This study involved four different hospitals in Africa and one hospital in India. The Benefits of Kangaroo Care for Premature Babies Stabilize their vital signs (heart rate, respirations) Promote growth and development, such as gaining weight Connection with parents. Keep the baby warm. In deep sleep and more calm wake hours for brain development. Reasons Why Kangaroo Care Helps Mom Too Helps with healing Supports breastfeeding Lowers stress and anxiety Fosters bonding Promotes confidence as you care for your premature baby. What can you expect during Kangaroo Care time? Talking with the NICU healthcare providers when you can do kangaroo care with your premature baby is essential. Once everything is determined that your baby can receive kangaroo care, you will be informed by the NICU staff. The nurses will assist you in getting situated first before they’ll get your baby out of the isolette. Then, the NICU staff will provide a comfortable seat or recliner to you. Wires and equipment are connected to your baby. It will not get in the way, so don’t worry. Make sure you take a bathroom trip ahead of time. Eat your meal, and you can pump your milk before doing kangaroo care. Silent your phone or keep distractions out of the way. Your baby will be placed tummy down on your bare chest. Then a soft receiving blanket will cover your baby’s back to keep warm. You can hold your baby for an hour or how long you and the baby can tolerate it. The nurses will check your baby through the monitors, and if sometimes alarms are going off, the nurses will be nearby. Keep your drink close by and the call light close to your chair if you need help from the NICU staff. RELATED POST: Helping a Sibling of a NICU Baby Adjust Kangaroo Time with your Premature Baby You can stay relaxed while holding your baby. You can talk to your baby quietly or sing. Tell your baby the story of your family, siblings. Or you can stay quiet together as your baby sleeps on your chest or listens to your heartbeat closely. These skin-to-skin care helped premature babies thrive in so many ways. In addition, NICU babies are comforted and feel secure when close to their moms and even dads during kangaroo care. There may be times that you aren’t around in the NICU; the nurses and even therapists who work with your baby will hold them for the time being. Knowing these makes your mama heart grateful that someone besides you cares for your baby. But, likewise, you may feel a slight pang of jealousy when you walk into the NICU seeing your baby being held by the NICU staff. There’s nothing to be ashamed of. You’re the mom of your child. Nevertheless, these feelings are surfacing, maybe accompanying some guilt that you can’t be there 24/7 in the NICU. Your feelings may be unsettled right now, which is understandable. However, you can speak with the NICU staff about it if it bothers you the most. They’re there to help you and your baby. Dads can also do kangaroo care. This presents the best opportunity to also bond with baby starting at the hospital. What if you’re not ready to do Kangaroo Care Not all moms are ready to do kangaroo care immediately when able. Moms who have experienced traumatic birth or past difficult birth experiences may delay holding their babies. Some emotions are best-addressed head-on when it comes to these situations. For example, moms are having a hard time connecting with their newborns. Give yourself some time. Sitting beside your premature baby near the isolette may be enough right now. That’s okay. Coping with traumatic birth can sometimes pile on a mom’s mental space. Then seeing your premature baby and having a fear of the unknown can be too much to bear. Talk to your healthcare provider about it. Please don’t bottle it all up inside. Speak with your spouse or trusted friend. Another alternative to kangaroo care is the hand hug. You can place one hand on the baby’s head and the other hand on the baby’s tummy or chest. You may hold the baby’s arm or leg with a gentle touch. It’s natural to be fearful when caring for your premature baby, especially in your baby’s fragile state. RELATED POST: Tips for a Struggling NICU Mom: Surviving the NICU Life Giving Kangaroo Care for Premature Babies in the NICU Holding your baby skin-to-skin is part of caring for your baby. Both baby and mom will benefit from doing kangaroo care when the opportunity presents. The timing as to when this will happen will also depend on your premature baby’s condition. However, this isn’t a hindrance to kangaroo care time. There are ways in which you can still touch or hold your baby even if life-saving equipment such as a ventilator is attached. Being around your premature baby will help with your healing and also boost your confidence as a mom. Your premature baby knows mama is close by and will feel your loving touch through kangaroo care. I hope as you go through NICU time, you’ll be able to have the chance to do kangaroo care. Doing so will pave the way to a smooth transition of your premature baby into the world. Continue kangaroo care time even after babies are discharged from the NICU. You’ll feel closer and bond with your premature baby at home. You’ll remember that first time you held your baby close to your heart – as you do kangaroo care. Share your Kangaroo Care story in the comments. How was your experience? Share this post to any mom who has a baby in the NICU.

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13 Hacks for Better Sleep for a Pregnant Mom

Jordan N. — Sun, 31 Oct 2021 01:56:46 +0000

Are you sleeping enough these days? Sleeping during pregnancy can be tricky, no matter what trimester you are in. So finding hacks and strategies for a pregnant mom for better sleep at night – is a top priority for your health and your baby’s. Pregnancy-related bodily changes bring on challenges for the mom to get comfortable and have a restful sleep. You’re growing your baby every day, from conception to the day of delivery. It’s hard work. As you progress through pregnancy, you may discover that your sleeping patterns are jeopardized. Although pregnancy can be beautiful, it also becomes taxing and hard to get enough proper sleep. Pregnant moms are vulnerable to insomnia and sleep disruptions. It could also pose health risks to both mom and baby. This post may contain affiliate links; if you purchase from any of the links provided – I may earn a commission at no cost to you. Please read the complete disclosure here. Helpful hacks to help you sleep better as a pregnant mom in any trimester you’re in. 1. Consider the trimester you are in. During your first trimester, you may be more sleepy as your body tries to catch up on the fast-growing process in your pregnancy. As a result, tiredness and mild aches are the ones you may encounter during these times. Different bodily changes and responses happen in all three trimesters depending on what stage or weeks you’re in. For example, frequent urination, nausea, feeling unwell overall, and more. Hormonal shifts are expected. The third trimester will have you visiting the bathroom more often than you’d like to, and sleep becomes a battle for you. 2. Check your bedtime routine. Are you creating a bedtime ritual that’s calming? Are you consistent, at least to a portion of it? Setting up a bedtime ritual that helps you slow down is essential even if you are pregnant. So, while you’re experiencing pregnancy for the first time, you may continue to see through your bedtime routine. Your bedtime hour is your guide to getting yourself ready. That way, you have a set time to prepare your body and mind for sleep. Your ritual may consist of skincare, a warm bath or shower, reading, pregnancy yoga, or even a quick meditation. Choose the ones that replenish you and help you get into a relaxed mood. 3. Calm your senses. With pregnancy, your senses can change dramatically. You may become sensitive to smell and taste as much now as before. Try to choose home scents, detergents, or even essential oils that help you relax and not make you more nauseous during your pregnant state. If for some reason you are sensitive to scents at all, then maybe skip scents altogether. Smell – diffuse some essential oils that promote relaxation and inner calmness. Sound-play soft calming music such as ocean waves or forest night sounds. Sight – choose some calm, spa-like colored walls for your bedroom. Touch – wear soft, comfortable sleepwear for ease and non-sweat material. 4. Support for your body. Sleeping is hard when you’re pregnant. When I was pregnant, I couldn’t get the position to help me sleep well. Not until my husband bought me a huge body pillow for pregnant moms. It was perfect! Just what my pregnant body needed. It supported my back and pregnant belly. The pillow cradled my body, and it kept me comfortable all night. I also continued to use my body pillow during my postpartum recovery, careful of my C-Section wound. Here’s one that I recommend for that good restful sleep. Sure, you can stack pillows around you, but as you toss and turn, those pillows will end up on the floor. Why not invest in these pregnant pillows that can support your body as you sleep. You may opt to buy a mattress that conforms to your body and help your body stay aligned. If the household budget is a bit tight, choose the ones that can help you because sleep debt isn’t going anywhere. Instead, it’ll keep adding more and more hours of sleeplessness, and every day you wake up with fatigue and not feeling rested. Check your sleeping positions during pregnancy. Read on here what’s the best positions for pregnancy sleep. 5. Minimize clutter in your bedroom. Your visual sense is in play here. When you see clutter, your mind will somehow go on hyperdrive and keep your stress levels up. Always tidy up your sleeping space that way; visual disturbance is to the minimum. You need a tranquil space for a goodnight’s sleep. RELATED POST: Quick Declutter Tips You Need To Know About 6. Mindfulness before sleep. There’s a method to get into mindfulness. When you hear mindfulness, it may feel overwhelming, but here’s the thing about it – it’s merely paying attention. Yes, pay attention to your body and mind. Being pregnant comes with plenty of bodily changes going on. Try a body scan mindfulness practice to get you started on mindfulness. Get your body relaxed. Visualize your body from head to toe; how you feel when you travel down each body part or section. While doing these body scanning, practice your breathing and slow it down. Bedtime mindfulness is an excellent way to help you settle for the night and get restful sleep. 7. Limiting your fluid intake at night. Aiming to cut down on liquids before bed and making sure during an early dinner you’ve got your fill. Doing this will minimize your middle-of-the-night bathroom trips. Thus, cutting down on your sleep interruptions. Although you limit your intake of fluids at night, be sure to keep yourself hydrated during the day. 8. Be cautious when using sleeping aids (herbs/teas) Before incorporating these warm drinks after dinner, please ensure you have spoken with your doctor about the benefits and risks of taking natural herbs to help sleep. Most teas aren’t regulated by the US Food and Drug Administration or have not been tested on pregnant women. There are teas made for relaxation and sleep for pregnancies. But the ingredients used aren’t regulated. So it’s best to be cautious even if they are labeled safe for pregnant moms. Be careful with these because the dose in which your body absorbs them may be higher in concentration. Considering the nature of your sleep disruption and its severity, researching and talking with your doctor before starting anything can help you decide whether you need the extra sleep aids. Again, gather your information with your doctor’s guidance and determine if natural drinking teas are helpful options for you. 9. Enjoy a warm bath. If you prefer to soak in a bubble bath before bed, then do so. Opt for some natural bubble bath that helps relax your body and calm your senses. Be careful entering and exiting the tub; ask for help if you’re in your third trimester when balance might be a bit shaky. RELATED POST: New Mom Care Package for Postpartum Self-Care 10. Setting the room temperature and dimming the lights. When you’re about to start your bedtime routine, remember to set the aura of your nighttime environment. Wear comfortable sleep clothes and set your thermostat to your liking. Pregnant moms may feel hot at night, so keeping the room temperature a bit cooler will help with the flushing sensation. Easing into bedtime means turning off all electronic devices and screens. No unnecessary lights preventing you from sleeping. 11. Curtail the worries and write them down. It’s normal to feel new parents’ worries. You may lie awake at night thinking about your pregnancy, finances, work, or other concerns that are keeping you from your sleep. Write them down if you must. Then, dump everything into your pregnancy journal and be sure only to reread your writings the next day. Don’t dwell too much on what you wrote during bedtime. The purpose is to write down your worries, fears, and stressful thoughts. Manage your prenatal stress. RELATED POST: Journaling for Wellness 12. Pay off your sleep debt. How? Sleep deprivation can quickly add up. If you’re short on sleep, you may opt to take a shorter nap of 20 minutes but not longer than 30 minutes more. And remember to take this nap earlier in the day that can backfire if you do nap later, contributing to difficulty falling asleep. 13. Tackle your health for better sleep. Pregnancy can manifest other health problems that can disrupt your sleep, whether you have them now or before your pregnancy. Acid Reflux Pregnancy causes organs to shift around to accommodate the growing baby. It’s recommended that you elevate the head part of the bed slightly to help minimize acid flowing back up from the stomach – tips for managing acid reflux and heartburn during pregnancy. Sleep Disturbed Breathing Moms may experience this temporary health condition as they go through pregnancy. It may present due to maternal obesity. It shows as snoring or even obstructive like sleep apnea. According to this published article authored by Texas doctors, moms are predisposed to Sleep Disturbed Breathing in pregnancy when they have underlying health conditions such as chronic hypertension, older age, habitual snoring, and high pregnancy BMI. Addressing sleep breathing issues help lower the health risk to your growing baby inside. Restless Leg Syndrome This condition is seen among pregnant women and, fortunately, is temporary. Symptoms experienced by moms can range from mild to severe. These are more of a nuisance when you’re trying to sleep. You’re already bombarded with pregnancy-related sleep issues; adding on restless leg syndrome makes it harder to sleep. Assess your diet and have your doctor check your electrolytes and minerals levels; see if some are deficient and need treatment. Back Pain During pregnancy, it’s essential to keep watch of your posture and protect your back. Physical changes accommodating the pregnancy increases your risk of getting back pain. Comfortable positioning during sleep is critical to prevent pain in your back. Also, proper back support when you’re up and about is an excellent item to have as your pregnancy progresses. Mental Health Issues Why do moms need to address their mental health during pregnancy? Anxiety and stress can become causes of sleeplessness for most pregnant moms. The intricacies of mental health conditions affect the brain and also affect the mom’s emotional stability. Therefore, managing and getting help with your mental health is imperative to improve your well-being and sleep. Contact your doctor and discuss treatment plans that address your mental state and health. Insomnia Well, aren’t we done yet? If left untreated, insomnia can become a permanent resident affecting your health. According to American Pregnancy Association, insomnia can result from “difficulty falling asleep, waking up frequently during the night, difficulty returning to sleep and unrefreshing sleep.” It’s challenging to treat sleep problems during pregnancy when the mom already has underlying insomnia before pregnancy. Working together with your doctor will help you stay on top of this health issue and help prevent the worsening of your condition. These health conditions aren’t the only ones that affect you and your sleep during pregnancy. There are more that aren’t mentioned here. In addition, complications such as preeclampsia, high blood pressure, difficult labor, and other health-related conditions may also arise if continued sleep disruptions and lack of sleep happen. Sleeping during pregnancy is challenging enough. These helpful sleep hacks for a pregnant mom are simply recommendations for anyone battling sleeplessness or difficulty falling asleep. You know your body, your current health status, and how you’re addressing these sleep issues at home. Try to visualize your bedtime, set up a sleep-inducing environment, tackle stress and health issues, and embrace calming activities for better sleep. Taking a multi-approach in this temporary sleep predicament during pregnancy doesn’t have to be complicated. First, of course, reach out to your doctor for recommendations for sleep during pregnancy. These information and sleep hacks are in no way a substitute for medical advice and only intended for general information purposes. Share your tips and hacks for better sleep during pregnancy. I’d love to hear what helped...

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A Complete Guide to Postpartum Care Plan for New Moms

Jordan N. — Sat, 28 Aug 2021 12:00:00 +0000

Mama, are you feeling anxious about your upcoming birth? You probably have a birth plan in place already; that’s great! As new moms also prepare for post-delivery, what about adding a plan for your postpartum care? Getting ready for Homecoming Day can bring up concerns about your time of healing and transition. Have you ever thought about your specific plans to recover at home? New moms can focus on healing, recovery, and bonding at home once the postpartum recovery plan is in place. Who wouldn’t plan for their post-delivery recovery? After a significant medical event, it’s helpful to have at least an outline regarding your postpartum care. Although any birth is unpredictable, you can be adaptable regarding your plans during your postpartum period. This care plan acts as a guide for you, your recovery on what you can expect, and tells your support system what your wishes are. New moms can make a postpartum care plan ahead of time, understand why they need one, and write down the structure of their recovery plan at home. What is a Postpartum care plan? The postpartum care plan guides or outlines your postpartum expectations and strategies to have a smooth transition at home. In addition, it’s a document that can describe your wishes as a recovering mom. It states who is involved in your immediate hospital care and home care. Also, who’s in your baby’s care team. It covers everything from feeding, personal support, navigating work, and other adjustments regarding your postpartum period. Why do New Moms need to create a postpartum care plan? It helps you set up your healthcare team and your baby’s It promotes preparedness on your part and your spouse Guides you to what you’ll be needing when it comes to healing Acts as a reminder when things get overwhelming at home Lessens some anxiety through planning ahead It helps you transition into parenthood Photo by Sharon McCutcheon on Unsplash What is included in building your recovery plan at home? Your New Role Becoming a new mom is a beautiful experience. However, you might hear from other moms that it’s tiring and exhausting; there’s no denying those as well. You will go through a tremendous change within your body, hormones, emotions, thoughts, and overall well-being. In addition, you’ll be responsible for your baby and their needs. Knowing postpartum expectations will help you prepare for these new parenthood transitions. It is a massive leap from being responsible only for yourself to extend that responsibility to your newborn baby. Your Healing Time You’ll use your energy taking care of your baby while you heal. You may even forget that you also need to take care of yourself as a new mom. Give yourself ample time to heal physically and emotionally. You can read about being a First-Time Mom in this post that shows what to expect as a new mom. Feeding plans When you’re breastfeeding or bottle-feeding – the choice of feeding your newborn falls on moms. However, nourishing your baby will be included in your birth plan and shared with your birth team. Your desire to breastfeed your newborn will outline how you want it to happen. When you’re at home, you continue to breastfeed your baby and address any lactation issues or baby concerns timely. Moms also have the choice to bottle-feed with pumped breast milk or formula. Whatever the circumstance preceding your decision to bottle-feed is entirely up to you. You may even begin with bottle-feeding with pumped milk at first, as is the case for many NICU moms, and when the premature baby comes home, you resume breastfeeding your baby. Or you may breastfeed at first, and have personal/health reasons you switch on bottle-feeding (pumped milk/formula) – it all comes down to what you decide. This plan also includes pumping breastmilk at work if you choose to do so. In addition, you may contact your boss when your Maternity Leave is about to end regarding accommodations for expressing milk during your break hours. Sleeping Arrangements for Baby Have you thought about where the baby will be sleeping? For example, will it be in your bedroom with a small cot next to the bed? Or will your baby be sleeping in a nearby room after a few weeks/months? This decision planning of where baby sleeps will probably change as soon as you get adjusted in the few weeks. Whatever works for you and your baby, as long as you follow a safe baby sleep method. Photo by Tuva Mathilde Løland on Unsplash Post-delivery Care Plan for New Moms includes a Postpartum Recovery Kit It’s great to have a plan when it comes to your postpartum recovery. Therefore, you need the bare essentials to promote your healing and improve comfort as you transition into your new role – MOM. Check out this postpartum recovery Kit for a C-section Mom. Also, here’s a New Mom Care Package for yourself to promote self-care. If you had a C-section, you might want to know how to care for your C-section Wound and prevent infection. Make sure you have the supplies you need at home. You don’t want to be trying to remedy any postpartum issues without any of the needed items on hand. For example, for nipple cream for cracked nipples or stool softeners, you can create a personalized postpartum care basket at home. Parenting Roles: You are communicating your plans in handling baby care. You are the primary caregivers of your baby as new parents. Mom may do most of the baby care during the day as dad may be working. Then Dad will take on night care every time the baby wakes up. Or help you out with diaper changes before a feeding session. Plan what you think will work for your schedule. Your newborn will have their schedule; adjusting and being flexible will help with your parental arrangement. Meal Plans: Are you going to prepare a couple of weeks’ worth of meals? Will you accept a food train coming from relatives and friends? Are you going to be ordering out for the first week home? It’s great to plan so as not to overwhelm yourself with meal planning and cooking while you recover from birth. Once you got that meal preparation, you can quickly reheat the meals up. Visitors Handling: Your postpartum period is a crucial time for the mom, the baby, and the immediate family. Every culture is different as you go through the fourth trimester. New moms may want to spend these couple weeks with just the three of you. You are recovering from delivery and learning about your newborn together. Moms may prefer a close relative (your mom or anyone you trust) to be around you and your new family to help you adjust for a week or a month. Well-meaning visitors may ask to see you and the baby right after you get home. Make plans for what you are comfortable with. Talk with your spouse – how you’ll handle visitors from each side of the family, friends, and even co-workers. You must talk about this topic ahead of time so that when the time comes, there’s a clear line to what you’ll accept and not tolerate. It will also depend on how you are recovering. For example, you may have complications during your delivery, or your baby may need close monitoring of their health. So, conveying your wishes is important as not to step on anyone’s toes or feelings. The important thing is what you prefer; YOU – who’s healing, bleeding, breastfeeding, and more. Your comfort and preference are what matters here. So for husbands, make it about your spouse, your new baby, and your new growing family. Be her number one recovery advocate. Photo by Yagi-studio from Getty Images Signature Postpartum Team: These people are part of your postpartum team: OB/Gyn doctor, Nurse, Lactation Consultant, Care Coordinator, and Primary Care Doctor. Getting in touch with your healthcare team is a great way to keep a smooth recovery at home. Make sure that you set up your appointments before you leave the hospital. Also, if you plan on breastfeeding, you may want to continue to see the lactation specialist after you are discharged from the hospital. Keep those contact numbers together with your records. I also mentioned Care Coordinators/Case managers because they can be a great ally in getting the resources you might need at home. Discuss your current needs before you go home and then follow up as needed. Your nurse will also teach you warning signs/symptoms to watch for at home, medications, newborn care, and other discharge instructions. Your primary care doctor plays a role in your postpartum recovery. For example, suppose you have underlying conditions (diabetes, hypertension, etc.) before or after delivery. In line with that, you may want to follow up with them as well for disease management. Baby Team: Pediatrician, Pediatric Nutritionist, Nurse As far as I remember, I had to set up appointments with recommended pediatricians with my babies. So I asked for referrals from my OB doctor for a list of known pediatricians with good standing. Around seven months, I met with these pediatricians by appointment. I asked them questions about babies, check-ups, and their practice. It’s almost like interviewing the pediatrician and choosing which ones are a fit for your family. Even though you have decided on the doctor for your baby, there may be changes that’ll arise. Such circumstance includes: Babies born prematurely. High-risk babies. Babies who are sick when born. Other health-related issues. Or, if you and your baby’s current pediatrician don’t see eye to eye or are not a good fit, then you can change your baby’s doctor. When my daughter was born prematurely, I went with the pediatrician for premature babies assigned to her when she was almost discharged. There were neonatologists in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Still, those are the ones who are in-patient doctors that are designated for specialized NICU baby care. NICU nurses are healthcare professionals who care for newborns who are born prematurely or ill. Their support for new moms is tremendous. If you have a NICU baby, they’ll be the ones who will care for your baby closely until discharge. Postpartum Appointments for Mom and Baby: You will have your first postpartum check-up with your doctor, which will be the initial visit after the delivery of your baby. Be sure to get your questions written down, bring up any issues in recovering at home, and ask for help if you’re struggling. As for your baby, newborn visits will be frequent for the first month. It will be checking up on growth and development, feeding and concerns, overall adjustment at home, and more. It’s also good to have your questions regarding your baby written down so you won’t forget to bring up any concerns. Mental Health Support for New Moms as part of your postpartum care plan: New moms are at high risk of experiencing emotional and mental health challenges. It’ll be the time to set up a plan for when you or your spouse thinks you may need additional support with your mental wellness. Don’t hesitate to reach out for help if you are struggling with postpartum depression or postpartum anxiety. There are licensed therapists and mental health professionals who can help you navigate your condition. Ask for a referral from your doctor for a postpartum evaluation with a licensed mental health provider. For all emergencies, call 911. Seek assistance from NAMI Helpline Photo by psphotograph from Getty Images Pro Rounding up your support system as a New Mom: Besides your spouse, you get to select the most trusted persons in your circle to provide support throughout this critical period of healing and adjustment. When you open up yourself to ask for help, be mindful of how people react to your established boundaries around this postpartum period. You need people who respect your wishes, you don’t need added stress to fend off, and you need genuine support from them. Extend adequate consideration to yourself when help is offered. You don’t have to do this alone. Whether you need...

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Postpartum Kit for a C-section Mom

Jordan N. — Fri, 13 Aug 2021 22:13:00 +0000

Undergoing major surgery such as a C-section poses recovery challenges for moms at home. Having a postpartum care kit in your fourth trimester can help you recover as a C-section Mom. This article talks about postpartum challenges you may face as you heal and bond with your baby, along with the postpartum products to help you. As a C-section Mama myself, assembling my recovery care kit helped me prepare ahead of time, helped me stay organized, and got me into a healing state mindset. It’s great to have handy essential items for your optimum healing and recovery. Let’s tackle it from the ground up – the items that can help you heal from C-section. **This post contains affiliate links. I may earn a small commission when you click the product links and purchase from those links at no extra cost to you. The information in this post is for general purpose use only. This information cannot be used as a substitute for medical or other healthcare advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult your doctor regarding your health and recovery. See full disclosure.** Postpartum Care Kit for a Mom with C-section Birth Compression Socks Compression socks help with swelling and blood flow on your legs and feet. But, how are they going to help you at home? When you undergo surgery, you will have extra fluids in your body. Waking up in your hospital room feeling swollen and unable to walk because your feet are poofed up, these socks can help decrease the swelling and discomfort. These socks also help prevent blood clots from forming in your legs. Remember those squishy pump devices (called SCDs – sequential compression devices) around your calves during your hospitalization? That was to help you decrease the risk of developing blood clots. Walking is one of the most critical activities after surgery and even being home from the hospital. Make sure you have the proper size fit compression socks. Your nurse may provide you a pair of those white knee-high surgical stockings. Wear them as recommended. Sanitary Pads Moms can include this postpartum item in their care kit – being a C-section Mom; you’ll still have the expected postpartum discharge. You’ll also have some vaginal discharge from the lining of your uterus shedding. It has to come out somewhere. Hence, postpartum pads are a must. C-section Undies Who would have thought to buy these beauties? I had never heard of these before when I had my son a decade ago. Maybe they were on the market already but weren’t on my mom radar. These helped with my second C-section. Finding underwear that doesn’t irritate your C-section wound, especially the first two weeks, is necessary. Look for high-waisted coverage for maximum comfort like these. Scar Balm (Use only when cleared by your doctor) Once your C-section wound has closed and healed, you can start using this specially formulated balm. As a reminder above, make sure that you already saw your doctor/surgeon and received clearance to use this balm on your healed wound. What this C-section balm does, helps reduce the appearance of scars. Although you may not need it as you recover for the first four weeks, it’s good to have it handy. Hemorrhoid creams Indeed, you may not experience hemorrhoids during C-section. However, changes to your hormones can contribute to hemorrhoids forming during the third trimester. You may not be aware or not feel them at all. Yet, when constipation happens, that’s when moms first have discomfort or sharp pain around their bottom. Having them included in your recovery care kit can give you peace of mind that it’s available whenever you may need them. Stool Softeners Speaking of moving your bowels, here come stool softeners. The surgery itself can slow down your gut movement. In addition, anesthesia from your surgery can add to your risk of having constipation in the hospital or at home. Why do you think you’re going to be given a stool softener every night during your hospital stay? It’s to prevent constipation and help you poop. So, be prepared at home with these capsules to help you with bowel movements. The key here is to take them as directed by your doctor. The first week you may be prescribed to take a dose at night until your regular pattern returns. Ask your doctor for a specific frequency of taking this medication, even if moms can buy it over-the-counter. Peri-Bottle Wash This wash bottle will come in handy when you need to use the restroom. If you have hemorrhoids, this can be an additional helpful item to ease discomfort. Unless you have a toilet bidet installed already, this peri-bottle is the next best thing. Abdominal Binder Recovering from C-section and moving about at home can be challenging. Grab this abdominal binder to help you get around at home. It helps keep everything supported when you get out of bed, sitting down, and walking. This postpartum item was a life-saver for me when I got myself around and drove back/forth to visit my daughter in the NICU. You may already have received one from the hospital; continue to use it as directed. You can purchase this one for a backup in case you need to wash the soiled one. Comfy Pants You may want to continue to wear comfy loungewear or pajamas when recovering from C-section. This postpartum loungewear is perfect for comfort and non-irritating to your C-section wound. You can get this before having your C-section and can wear these pants wear around your third trimester. Related Post: Your Postpartum Checkup After A C-section and What To Expect For C-section Mamas who plan to breastfeed their babies: Nursing Gowns and Tops You may want to wear nursing gowns or nursing tops, whichever you prefer for ease of breastfeeding, comfortable wear, or worn for an outing with a baby. There are many selections: nursing tops, sleeping wear, postpartum gowns, and nursing dress. Nursing Bras and Pumping Bras Having a good nursing bra to support your breastfeeding journey is crucial to have. Pick the ones that you can wear comfortably during the day and even wear while sleeping. If you plan to go to work and pump, a great pair of pumping bras are a must-have for working moms. Pumping flanges are easier to maneuver when I used pumping bras; I don’t have to hold the pumping parts, and I can eat my lunch or do something else during my break time. Choose the ones that can last long-term use, support you with ease, are non-irritating and tight. Nursing Pads Nursing pads will be worn inside your bras when you’re lactating or when you are going out. Moms can have breast milk leaking while going about their day. So it’s great to have nursing pads included in your postpartum care kit. You can pick two highly recommended disposable nursing pads: Medela nursing pads and Lansinoh nursing pads. I’ve personally used these brands and have exceptionally delivered what they’re intended for. If you prefer washable nursing pads, check these out – Lansinoh Reusable Nursing Pads or Kindred Bravely Organic Nursing Pads. These are great to have on your diaper bag or purse. Therapy Packs for your Breasts C-section moms can experience engorgements and other breast discomforts. Have these therapy breast packs available for you to use. Nipple Butter The best I’ve ever used is this nipple butter from Earth Mama Organics. This nipple butter will have your nipples protected from breastfeeding issues such as dryness, crackedness, and soreness. It’s essential to clean your nipples before and after each breastfeeding session. Then, you can use it before each feeding, and it’s baby safe. Guess what? You can also apply the nipple butter around your pumping flanges to ease discomfort if present while pumping. Mom Tip: Ensure you have the correct flange size for your nipples for optimum comfort during your pumping sessions. If you prefer a vegan version – check this vegan nipple butter out. Lactation Teas and Treats If you’re planning to breastfeed your baby, the best way to get your supply up is to nurse on demand. However, sometimes moms may need some boost in milk supply. If there are breastfeeding issues, you can also try out some lactation teas to help build up your supply. Please know that these recommendations are based on what worked for me and my situation. Yours may be entirely different. Check with your lactation consultant or even your doctor about breastfeeding issues. I pumped at work for my daughter’s milk stash at home. But, sometimes, it isn’t as easy as hooking it up and getting what you expected. Check out this lactation tea from Earth Mama or this other tea from Traditional Organic Mother’s Milk. Also, try these lactation cookies and emergency brownies. **This isn’t a sponsored post, and I don’t have an affiliate connection with Milky Mama products – but these are the ones that got me through my rough breastfeeding/pumping days. I highly recommend their products created by Krystal (a mom, a nurse, and a board-certified lactation consultant).** Nursing Pillow To help you position your baby for nursing, you can use this nursing pillow at home. If you are not breastfeeding, you can also use this during bottle-feeding your baby. I’ve used them both when I bottle-fed my son and breastfed my daughter. Other Mom Basic Items for your Postpartum C-section Kit Pain Relief Whether you have a prescribed pain medication from your doctor or you bought some OTC pain relievers. You can expect to grab onto them for the first few weeks of your recovery and healing. There will be pain around your C-section wound and the surgery. Take it easy on yourself. When pain intensifies, try to get as much rest as possible. If your pain becomes severe – call your doctor, and for an emergency, call 911. Your uterus will also be healing and shrinking as the days progress. So the cramping can be expected, and having these pain relievers on hand will help you reduce the pain and discomforts of healing. Before taking any medications, be sure to ask your doctor first or your baby’s doctor (if planning on breastfeeding). Acetaminophen and Ibuprofen are the pain relievers most recommended from the OTC category. There are higher doses of Ibuprofen which you can receive a prescription for from your doctor. As any reminder to moms, please consult your doctor first before taking any medication. Water Bottles Hydration for any mom recovering from surgery is essential. You can also expect to drink more water if you are breastfeeding. Try to take sips throughout the day to replenish what you exert in recovery and breastfeeding. Hydration helps with healing, so try to keep up with it. Healthy Snacks and Meals Grab a few of those oatmeal granola bars or fresh fruits to help you nourish yourself while recovering. You can freeze meals ahead of time if you have a scheduled C-section; that way, you don’t have to worry about dinners once you are all home with the baby. Prenatal Vitamins Your body is recovering after a C-section birth, and it needs the essential vitamins and minerals to promote healing. Moms are recommended to continue taking their prenatal vitamins even if they’re not breastfeeding. Take them for at least the first six weeks of your postpartum period. Postpartum iron deficiency can happen after delivering a baby. Eating iron-rich foods in your diet may replenish what you need. Iron supplements are one of the recommendations from doctors for postpartum moms to keep up with their iron levels. But, again, talk to your doctor about this. Well-balanced nutrition for recovering moms are highly encouraged. Having a baby is the most exciting time for parents. However, new moms with C-section births face challenges during their recovery period. Being prepared and having these items in your postpartum care kit will make it smoother and more manageable to recover as a C-section mom. For friends and families trying to buy a postpartum self-care kit, you can also add these essentials items to gift for the newest C-section mom in town. If you liked this post, please share it....

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My Personal Story of Postpartum Anxiety (More Than I Can Handle But Overcome with Grace)

Jordan N. — Wed, 04 Aug 2021 14:57:16 +0000

This post is my personal story of Postpartum Anxiety and how I overcame it. As I recount my experience with postpartum anxiety, I am baring myself, open and vulnerable. Even though it’s scary to share this part of my life, I’m sharing this personal story because I want to do my part – in helping at least one mom who is experiencing Postpartum Anxiety. There may be triggering words in this post for moms who had pregnancy losses and intrusive thoughts. Becoming a mom was the most joyous occasion in my life. I’ve never felt vulnerable and joyful at the same time. Motherhood indeed takes you to a high level of emotions, yet it can also take you to the lowest of low. You know my career background as a nurse and a mom of three. In my nursing education, we had lessons on perinatal mental disorders, and I’ve never particularly paid much attention to postpartum anxiety as much as postpartum depression. I couldn’t say I put effort into acquiring more knowledge about the topic before it happened to me. But, when I experienced it with my firstborn, that’s when it all began. I felt sidetracked when postpartum anxiety (PPA) hit me during my first delivery. I wasn’t entirely aware it could happen that quickly and fiercely. But, when it did, it knocked me off my feet. Yes, that feeling. I wasn’t prepared to look PPA straight in the eye and stay along with the path paved around my postpartum period. My story of Postpartum Anxiety: What was it like for me? It was the scariest and out-of-mind experience I’ve ever been on. When I was recovering home after the birth of my son, I was constantly alert with heightened worries and physical symptoms. My heart was invariably racing at all times; I couldn’t sleep, my body was crumbling. In addition, I would have constant nausea and felt stressed all the time. I didn’t want to go outside. I didn’t want anyone visiting our home. Also, the constant unannounced visits made it worst. I was a first-time mom, and I thought all of these visits were supposed to make everyone happy besides me. **Trigger Warning: Death, Intrusive Thoughts I would have racing thoughts as he will be in grave danger and die anytime soon. But then, I would constantly check if he was okay. He was a healthy and happy baby; he was perfectly safe. To me, it was the excessive, repetitive thoughts and images of harm coming to my son that shackled me to the ground. Then it progressed to thoughts of me getting harmed or dying as well. And, finally, the feelings of impending doom – strike whenever, wherever. I know in my heart that I would never hurt my baby or myself; I was even scared to have those recurring thoughts. But I couldn’t shake them off, no matter what and how I tried to do it on my own. Almost identical to having obsessive-compulsive symptoms on top of my severe anxiety. I felt slowly sinking in my dangerous thoughts, and my body was responding in a way that I can’t control either. It was very much like a spin-around ride of unending negative thoughts repeatedly cycling, and I can’t stop it. It wasn’t just once. **Trigger Warning: Death, Miscarriage Postpartum anxiety didn’t happen only when I had my son. I also came face-to-face with it again when I lost my baby girl and when I had my premature daughter at 28th weeks. Although, I had it more times than others. Every experience was different each time. Losing a child was the hardest to overcome, along with the postpartum anxiety and depression. It was like seeing yourself in a horror movie, crawling out of a shut window in a cold basement with blood all over you. My miscarriage was the most heartbreaking experienced I’ve ever encountered. I never really know how it was for many moms who had pregnancy loss until I walked through it. The moment I felt my heart stopped hearing the words that there wasn’t a heartbeat anymore. I was hemorrhaging at home five days after discovering my pregnancy loss, and I had to undergo surgery. I was in my second trimester already; it wasn’t supposed to happen. But sadly, it did. I questioned myself why it all happened. I blamed myself for the things I had no control of. It was crippling. The anxiety symptoms came back along with depression. Insomnia, excessive worrying, uncontrollable bodily symptoms, and all depression symptoms you can ever read about. I never in my mind that I could ever have survived feeling both at the same time. That was beyond what my human power could handle. RELATED POST: Postpartum Anxiety and Tips for Moms Who Have It Instead of being truly happy being pregnant again, anxiety crept back in… Going through pregnancy after a loss was way beyond what I could ever imagine. It was like flying through a raging storm cloud, unable to see the end of it. Every little thing was triggering me. When another threat of early miscarriage, my perinatal anxiety continued to rise to an absolute height. Any twinge or discomfort in my body, I was hyper-alert, and I would worry excessively. Even going to the bathroom was a nightmare, fearing there’ll be a sight of blood. I would constantly listen to my baby’s heartbeat using a home portable doppler. I would call my OB clinic more times than I can ever count. (My OB clinic addressed every question and concern I ever had.) The constant fuel of worries and fears… Suddenly I was bleeding around the 16th week (second trimester) while at work. I had to be monitored closely for more episodes of intermittent bleeding by my OB doctor. The bleeding finally stopped. My baby was safe and unharmed inside. Then my anxiety got worse. When I had an early C-section due to preeclampsia, I was not responding to treatment after grueling five days in the hospital. Again, my baby was only 28 weeks at that time. It was too early but life-saving for both of us. It was too much, more than enough for me to go down the drain again. Every day was a struggle for me. This time was different from the previous episodes. It was still difficult, but I was able to recognize what was happening to me. Although that was the case, it wasn’t easy at all. Just thinking about what will happen to my sweet baby girl and being in the NICU was enough for my mind to spin over. It was enormously more challenging when I also had to be present and be there for my son. Although I know my husband was there for him, I’ve felt I’ve failed him as his mom. He didn’t deserve to have a mom that was barely hanging on. I still have to wake up, show up and keep going. On top of that, my daughter is fighting for her life in the NICU. So she also needed a mom who cares for herself and strives to stay healthy – mind and body. My husband was the trooper in all of these. When I couldn’t show up for everyone or myself, he picked up what he can and carried us all through. And the person who reminded me that it’d all be alright. How did I manage all that? Although all of it was crippling me, I continued to stay positive. However, it was beyond difficult due to my emotions being all over the place. I’m thankful for my supportive husband that through it all, he’s my rock. I also made sure I reached out to my village: my parents, relatives, friends, and close nursing colleagues. I continued my trust in God. There wasn’t anything He can’t do. He’s my Amazing Grace and my Refuge. He strengthened me and kept me in His Perfect Love. The most loved verse of mine at that time was “Perfect Love casts out fears.” 1 John 4:18 I reached out to my doctor and sought help. As a result, I started on meditations, relaxation methods, and other interventions. To sum, all three experiences of having postpartum anxiety required different approaches each time. Exercise also helped with my mood, both my anxiety and depression. Somehow, it lifted me and gave me another purpose to focus and push more for myself. Self-care practice helps me save myself. I’ve learned to calm my mind through meditation and yoga practice. In addition, writing how I felt when anxiety comes full force helped me reduce some of my burdens. Lastly, I committed to putting myself first for my healing and recovery. It wasn’t easy to overcome all of it, but I gave my best. All of these postpartum anxiety experiences and my story had made my motherhood hard. However, it made me a stronger person coming out of it. I am grateful for being a mom, and I wouldn’t exchange it for anything. It taught me that even how prepared I was to become a mom finally, I did not know what comes ahead. It taught me that healing could happen no matter how slow; it’s steady and full of grace. The people who loved me will be there no matter what and are willing to support me. For that, I’m grateful. I’ve been fortunate that I have a solid support system, and my healthcare team is responsive. In addition, my faith in God kept me centered. Takeaways for Moms with Postpartum Anxiety I want to let moms with postpartum anxiety know that they can overcome it, and your story doesn’t end there. To know that you aren’t alone in this battle. You are more powerful than you think. You’ll heal in time and recover at your own pace. Don’t let it define you or your motherhood. When you take a step forward to acknowledge what you’ve been through, you’ll discover a new strength that is incomparable to your past or what you’ve gone through. Find strategies that can help you in your healing journey with PPA. Remember, there is help for you. Also, set clear boundaries around your postpartum period regardless if you are experiencing postpartum mental disorders. It has been shared by many moms, especially first-time moms, the overwhelming pressures of others. It is your healing time, your recovery phase. You decide what you can take and limit what you can’t. RELATED POST: First-Time Mom? The Honest, Raw, and Obvious Truth Here are simple tips for managing postpartum anxiety: To know yourself and the profound changes in your body and mind. Take care of yourself; prioritize yourself Speak up about your fears around your pregnancy, labor, birth, and recovery. Create a strong system of supportive people in your life and ask for help. Take it easy on yourself, don’t blame yourself that it happened to you Continue to seek help when needed – from your doctor, therapist, and other healthcare providers. Make time to bond with your newborn as you possibly can It may be hard to see the end of the tunnel, you may think you aren’t good enough for your baby, or you may think you failed. Those are not true. These thoughts will all be lessened in time, and hopefully, you’ll recover. Healing from your postpartum anxiety can take a long time and requires your commitment. Take it each day at a time, as I did. In the end, you heal from within, and your overall mental health and wellness will resurface in time. My story of postpartum anxiety is one I keep tucked in my heart, knowing I fought the hardest and I healed. If you are battling postpartum anxiety and need help, please reach out to your doctor or call the resource below. Moms can reach the NAMI HelpLine Monday through Friday, 10 a.m.–8 p.m., ET.1-800-950-NAMI (6264) or info@nami.org RELATED POST: Postpartum Anxiety and Tips for Moms Who Have It Have you gone through postpartum...

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Postpartum Anxiety and Tips for Moms Who Have It

Jordan N. — Thu, 29 Jul 2021 21:20:54 +0000

What is postpartum anxiety? Why does it happen? What can you do if you or anyone you know are experiencing anxiety after giving birth? Postpartum anxiety (PPA) is a mental disorder experienced by moms who have recently given birth or around the recovery period of 6 months to a year. Awareness of postpartum anxiety is not as full-blown as information on postnatal depression that moms get access to. Unfortunately, the discussion about this particular maternal mental disorder has less searchable information on the web either. According to Postpartum Support International on Anxiety During Pregnancy and Postpartum, “Approximately 6% of pregnant women and 10% of postpartum women develop anxiety. Sometimes they experience anxiety alone, and sometimes they experience it in addition to depression.” Another study by Lorraine Byrnes Ph.D., PMHNP-BC that 11-21% of US women are vulnerable in the perinatal and postpartum period to develop anxiety disorders. Many moms face this period of distress as they transition into their new role as mothers and even as mothers who have had more children. PPA doesn’t pick its host. It settles within whether you are ready or not. When can Postpartum Anxiety occur? How long does it last? It sets in anytime during your postpartum period; it can be as early as a few weeks and as late as a year or so after. But, when it shows itself, you may not realize that it has. It can crawl slowly unnoticed, or it can be as loudly stumping around you. Any mom can experience it once or more times in succeeding deliveries. I had it with all three of my babies, three distinct pregnancies, and experiences. If you had postnatal anxiety after your first baby, you might or might not experience it after the next child. Everyone is different, and each pregnancy/recovery is unique. An epidemiological study on women at Chaim Sheba Medical Center maternity ward indicates that approximately 40% of women postpartum experienced severe anxiety. Moms experiencing postnatal anxiety can last an extended time without proper treatment and support. The recovery from anxiety will depend on the severity of her status, when she reached out for help, whether she has a supportive circle, and her willingness to commit to helping herself get better. There are many circumstances that moms learn how to manage their anxiety in their day-to-day living, and it’s entirely possible to attain it with proper care and treatment. Why does it happen? Causes and Risk Factors for Moms When moms cross the threshold of birth, the hormones can shift significantly in the body. It can cause massive changes because hormones are decreasing abruptly, such as estrogen and progesterone. Additionally, other hormones are increasing after birth, like prolactin, oxytocin, and thyroid hormones. Also, the chance of experiencing postnatal anxiety increases with every delivery. In general, causes are unknown; however, risk factors can contribute to the PPA setting in. The risk factors that may increase your risk of experiencing Postnatal Anxiety: Anxiety (personal or family history) Previous experience with anxiety or depression Difficult pregnancy Trauma at birth/PTSD Sleeplessness/Sleep disruptions Thyroid imbalances Medical Problems (Baby or Mom) Other mental disorders Postpartum Obsessive-compulsive disorder (POCD) Pregnancy Loss/Stillbirth Even if you don’t fall into the categories above, you can still experience PPA during the first week to a year after birth. Therefore, it’s best to know PPA and continue to work closely with your doctor during postpartum recovery and postpartum visits. Signs and Symptoms of Postpartum Anxiety Symptoms of anxiety can be seen as usual around your recovery. However, when it interferes with your thoughts, emotions, and daily living, it can pose a threat to your wellbeing and even your newborn. Trouble sleeping Constant Excessive Worry Sleep and Eating Disturbance Increased Heart Rate, or Palpitations Increased Respirations, and Blood Pressure Dizziness, Headache, Being Flushed, Excessive Sweat Stomach Pain and Nausea Panic Attacks Racing Thoughts Feelings of impending doom or death Unable to relax and be still Irritable and sometimes anger Feelings of Overwhelm and Distress Inability to focus Memory Lapses RELATED POST: My Personal Story of Postpartum Anxiety Treatment and Help for Moms with Postnatal Anxiety Your healthcare provider will screen you for perinatal mental disorders, including postpartum anxiety using a standard screening. Some providers may screen you a few weeks before the due date to anticipate postnatal anxiety signs and symptoms, especially if you’re high risk. You may undergo a complete psychiatric evaluation by a licensed mental health professional to determine the cause of anxiety (whether caused by other factors). Although you can quickly look up symptoms online, be sure to visit a doctor for assessment, diagnosis, and treatment. Knowing what your treatment options are and when to ask for help Reach out to your doctor when symptoms occur early on. It’s crucial to bring attention to what you’re experiencing to your doctor so interventions can begin. The treatment can start with a non-medication approach and therapeutic counseling. When symptoms become severe, you may be prescribed medications and other supportive supplements by your doctor. If you are worried about taking medications when breastfeeding, please talk with your doctor and pediatrician. They can give you the best advice on how to move forward with this treatment option. Your support system can also help you be alert; they’re the ones you encounter daily or sometime during your recovery and the vulnerable postpartum period. Other modalities can help moms with postnatal anxiety, such as guided meditations, cognitive behavior therapy, or essential oils. These alternative methods in managing anxiety for moms can get added to your primary treatment mentioned above. Joining a mom group can also help with belonging to a community that understands what you’re going through and can support moms experiencing PA. I was fortunate enough to find a support group when I was on the difficult journey of postpartum anxiety. For immediate help, call 911. Also, call the SAMHSA’s National Helpline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357). Please don’t hesitate to call. Can you also get perinatal anxiety? Yes, it can happen, especially to first-time moms—the fear of the unknown and fear of birth (voiced out or unspoken). When new moms encounter worries around labor and delivery, it can predispose them to have perinatal and postpartum anxiety or other perinatal mental disorders. Also, moms told that their babies might have abnormalities or die at birth or soon after. In addition, postnatal anxiety is seen among those already distressed pregnant moms. Even moms who already delivered other children, perinatal anxiety can set in. For Moms who had previous losses, it can increase their risks of perinatal anxiety occurring. Therefore, it’s essential to have strong support and follow-up. Sometimes, moms who work outside the home can also experience ongoing anxiety and go back to work after the baby’s birth. Any scenario involving moms can give way to stress and eventually develop into PA. Tips on New Moms with Postnatal Anxiety 1. Be aware of yourself (emotions, thoughts, and other changes) and your recovery. 2. Acknowledge your fears and worries (labor, delivery, and recovery). 3. Seek out help from your doctor and other healthcare professionals. 4. Have a solid supportive circle around pregnancy and postpartum. If you’re at high risk, your spouse can also be another eye to monitor signs and symptoms of PA. 5. Take it easy during your recovery period. (Easier said than acted on, but it’s achievable with help). 6. Remember to care for yourself and make time. (Self-Care for Moms). 7. Bonding with your baby may be delayed because of your condition; know that you aren’t failing your baby. 8. Write down your experience – labor, birth, recovery (only if it’s not triggering you). Write everything out to keep your mind out of it or talk it out with someone. 9. You can meditate and pray. Let your mind re-focused on the positive. Practice deep breathing every day. Pray for the strength you need and guidance to overcome this trial. 10. Give yourself love and take it one step at a time. Ways you can support someone with Anxiety after Birth Be ready to listen with no judgment. Encourage the mom to seek help and check in regularly. Ask what you can do to help her. Sometimes, the mom will decline your help. But, if there’s an opportunity to do something at home, do it. You may see her cry, rage, panic, or be apathetic. Try to understand her raw emotions. Show her that she is loved and supported. Pray for her and offer some encouraging words (Bible verses, other religious statements based on her affiliation preference). Words of Encouragement for Moms who has Postpartum Anxiety Mama, you are enough, beautiful, the mom your baby needs, and you are supported. You may not feel yourself at this moment. You may blame yourself for what’s happening. Know that it isn’t your fault or undoing. When you seek help, you are the bravest. You put yourself first and find what works. It may not come easy, but it will get better as time goes. Getting your anxiety under control and treated can help you heal and recover. In addition, working through your anxiety can improve the state of your life. Finally, enjoy your motherhood experience with your newborn. Disclaimer: Although The Motherly Heap strives to provide accurate general information, the information presented here is not a substitute for any professional advice, and you should not rely solely on this information. Always consult your doctor or healthcare professional. If you find this post on postpartum anxiety helpful, please Share It. In addition, you can also Subscribe to The Motherly Heap Newsletter. Thank you.

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Ways to Boost Your Confidence as a Mom in Nine Simple Actions

Jordan N. — Fri, 23 Jul 2021 03:30:36 +0000

Looking into how you parent and how you feel about yourself can be challenging. Are you looking for ways to boost and build up your confidence as a mom? Becoming a parent, no matter how you think you are prepared, there’ll be an impression of doubt within yourself in your parenting. You may even question yourself if you are equipped to face the challenges of being a new parent. There are ways you can incorporate in your life to gain confidence in being a mom and boost yourself as the ride begins. You can start by examining yourself on how you feel about your role as a mom. When the hard questions start to roll: How confident are you in becoming a mom? What are the pressing issues that you have as a mom? Are there any obstacles that you’ve overcome? What are the experiences that make you proud of yourself in parenting? How is your relationship with your child? In becoming a new parent, what were your emotions? These questions are simply a few of the many that moms have. However, doing some deep reflection of yourself and how you feel about your parenting will open up issues that may need to be addressed. When I became a mom for the first time, I wasn’t confident. I nearly question every single choice and put my parenting under a microscope. I didn’t slip into mothering naturally, to be honest. After almost 12 years of parenting under my belt, I’m more settled and confident in how I parent and how I feel about it. What others think of my parenting isn’t a focus of my mothering days anymore. Instead, I do what feels suitable for my kids and me. So here I am sharing and listing some tips to help build you up and become confident in your parenting. Here are Nine Ways to Boost your Confidence as a New Mom 1. Encourage yourself. Initially, believing that you can do it will help you gain new confidence through experience. Then, as a new parent, that trust will root in how you see and trust yourself to achieve the goals you’ve set as a mom. I know it’s easier said than done. Drawbacks can arise, and it’s not going to derail you in your quest to build confidence. Whenever you feel like a total failure on some days – don’t beat yourself up. Brush yourself off this time and learn from any parenting obstacle. Setting up realistic expectations as a mom will allow you to be flexible and practical with your mothering skills. Life can get tough as you continue to grow into motherhood and, more so, even adjust when your nest becomes empty. Every mom learns along the way; there isn’t one answer to all the questions that occupy her mind every day. So every move and each choice you make in parenting – focus on what you can do now – appreciate the process, plan for tomorrow and remain steadfast within you. 2. Gather more baby knowledge. There isn’t a perfect manual in becoming a parent; heck, there isn’t a manual at all when it comes to parenting/raising your kid. Yes, you can read plenty of parenting books and parenting classes you can join nowadays. In addition, your detective and researching skills will be heightened as you take on your new role. So, it’s good to boost your knowledge about baby’s development, what to expect, remedies in kids’ common ailments, and such. By doing so, you are more secured in handling new situations around you and your baby. You can not go wrong with equipping yourself with information to help your parenting journey. But, as always said, time and time again, experience is the best teacher. The same as parenting, you learn as you go through it, retain what works and change what didn’t. 3. Choose the advice you want to take. As you navigate motherhood, parenting advice floods in from well-meaning friends, in-laws, your parents, co-workers, and such. Their advice can give you more insight on both sides as to what you think is best for you and your kids. It doesn’t mean you’ll have to follow them; take them as a guide. Whatever advice that doesn’t align with what you believe and think is for your kids’ best interest and safety, you can keep them on the sideline. You decide what you do- you’re the parent. You know yourself and your kids, and you definitely know what works and what doesn’t. Please don’t dwell on parenting battles with whoever; they’re not the parent of your kids. At the end of the day, the mom who gets to go home with your kids is you. You’re the one whom your kids need. Criticisms can be hard to hear, especially from moms who are already ahead of the game. It might throw you off your path sometimes. Brush it off. Don’t get caught up in the battle of all other know-it-all moms. Stick with the values you uphold and your decisions; if changes need to happen, you can be flexible enough to do it. 4. Listen to your mom gut. This one goes with #3 as you take what you feel is best in the course you’re in, listen to your own instinct. Following your parental instinct is an intrinsic trait you do have. By doing so, you become confident in your actions. Moms rely on our instincts whether we are newly delivered or already an experienced mom. Remember, the times when your kid felt sick, and you brought your child to an ER, you get brushed off sometimes that it isn’t severe, only to find out it was after you’ve already left. We have the innate motherly voice that tells us – it just doesn’t seem right, and we push for further actions. I’ve been there myself. I always feel like I’m overboard, but in the end, it is my child, and their best interest is my priority. As a mom, I’d prefer to be on the safe side than be on the regret side. Yes, I’m a nurse, but I’m a mom first. I do everything I can at home to remedy any ailment, injury, etc. However, you’ll know in your heart when it’s time to see the doctor or visit the ER. 5. Practice positive self-talk can help boost your confidence as a mom. Why do we need positive self-talk? This practice helps us regain control of the flow in our lives. So we don’t linger around negative thoughts and overcome negative issues trying to crawl out of our space. Positive thoughts bring positive emotions and boost our worthiness and confidence. Of course, we can never negate all negative flow; however, we can reroute our thoughts and actions away from it. We have the will to choose what we feed our minds and what we allow ourselves to feel. I ‘m not saying for you not to feel these emotions; I’m saying find ways to cope positively and seek help when you get overwhelmed. You can be mindful of everything within and around you. Also, you can reflect on what you can do to make it better. So dive deep into your emotions and keep an eye on the everyday maternal mental stress that can occur anytime. 6. Reach out to your kids’ doctor. Taking in information from the experts can help you support your quest to gain more confidence in your parenting. Through that information, you can stretch the knowledge you’ve acquired about your kid’s development and health. So do your research and be informed. There may be instances that you’ll doubt yourself or not follow the recommendations. However, you as a parent have this choice. Additionally, being informed and knowing the facts – you can freely choose what’s best for your situation at a given moment. No kids are identical, even twin siblings. You parent your kid according to what you think is for the best. 7. Create a supportive mom circle as your village. Over time as you develop your mothering, there’ll be times you will also rely on your village. Other moms who have been there and moms are going through the same situation as you, although different. You share your joys of motherhood, and you carry the burdens of the journey – together with your circle. Basically, you don’t have to do this alone. Learning when to raise the flag and ask for help is a big step. When you learn other moms’ situations and see how they handle such matters – you get an insider’s perspective. You also extend your support to those moms in need and strengthen bonds among your circle. Having a strong support system is essential for moms. You can strengthen your confidence knowing you have fallback support when the going gets tough. 8. Embrace the journey head-on and hold on. Mothering is not an easy feat. There’s never a dull moment; you are always on the go. Your kids change in season, they grow up, they become more independent as the years come. You also need to adjust to these changes to handle the new season of your motherhood gracefully. Hold on to those tender moments of parenting, the feeling when your kid flourishes in front of your eyes. Enjoy those moments. Be brave in facing any challenges along the way of your parenting. Parenting can be messy, and I honestly can say it’s hard. No one denies that absolute fact. Yet, these too shall pass, your doubts will turn into a firm stance, your confidence will soar high as you learn from experience, and you adjust accordingly. 9. Get inspiration from God’s words. Starting your day with a prayer and reading His words will give you guidance in your parenting. Leaning on His plans for you helps you become centered in the daily grind of motherhood. You can rest assured that His words will not fail you. There’s always a lesson behind everything you’re going through and will go through. From there, your confidence will not fall nor become frail. Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. 1 Peter 5:2-3 NIV Finding ways to boost your confidence as a Mom in whatever season you’re in. Your motherhood journey is your own. However, the lessons you gain from your experience will immensely help build your confidence in parenting. Working on yourself and solidifying your self-esteem can also aid in the growth of being a confident mom. Stand tall for yourself and take pride in your own mothering. In sum, boost your confidence as a mom through encouraging yourself, picking what advice to take, listening to your gut, and boosting your knowledge. Plus, practicing positive self-talk, reaching out to the experts, creating your circle, taking in your journey, and trusting God’s word. As time continues to roll, you will grow steadily on your own and be the confident mom you’ve set to be. What are ways you do to help build up your confidence as a mom? Do you feel like your parenting isn’t enough? Would you mind sharing your story to help another mom out there? Also, share this post with your friends and family. Thank you for your continued support. Want to read more about motherhood? Check out these motherhood posts.

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C-Section Wound Care: How To Care For Your Incision at Home

Jordan N. — Tue, 29 Jun 2021 19:09:05 +0000

You delivered your baby via C-section and now have a low incision cut around the pubic area. You received your discharge papers and were hoping you’ll remember everything right after walking out the door. Now, you must be reading this post looking for instructions on how to care for your C-section wound. Remembering the nurse’s instructions the day of discharge and the excitement of going home isn’t a great combo. So, my nurse tip for you is to work with your nurse closely in having 1:1 wound care instructions a day before your planned discharge. It will also be beneficial if a family member is present during this wound care teaching. This way, you can ask questions, clarify wound care steps, and be prepared when you go home. Don’t forget to ask what kind of closing method the doctor/surgeon used to close your incision. You’ll know later why it’s crucial. In this post, you’ll learn about: How Do You Take Care of Your C-section Wound? Take a Close Look at Your Wound Steps for C-Section Wound Care How long does the wound healing take? What to watch out for? What to do? Signs and Symptoms of Wound Infection When does wound infection happen? What will happen next if an infection occurs? Complications of C-Section Wound Infections What can you do to prevent infection? Your C-section Wound Opening Up In Caring for your C-section Wound and Recovering You must be feeling glad that finally, after 3-4 days in the hospital, home is waiting for you. Now, you’re going to change into your home clothes, and the first thing you see is the bandaged area on your lower abdomen. How did the nurse say the wound care was? First, it’s necessary to follow your doctor’s instructions. If you forgot the instructions, your discharge papers would have your reminders. If you lost them for some reason, then keep on reading. Your following questions would be how you will change the dressing properly and how long the c-section wound will heal. When I had my two c-sections, it was reasonably easy to care for my wound despite the factors leading to them happening. Even though I was a post-surgical nurse at those times, my husband helped me for the first two days, and I took over afterward. However, if you aren’t used to seeing surgical wounds, not to mention your incision wound. So then, hang in there, and I’ll walk you step by step in dressing and caring for your c-section wound. How Do You Take Care of Your C-section Wound? Firstly, if you have your spouse or someone at home who can help you, the better; however, if it’s just you, that’s okay; you can do this from top to bottom. Secondly, you will need to gather all the dressing materials ahead of time you’ll need before opening your current bandage. Then, get some loose-fitting clothes ready, so you can wear them after your shower and wound care. Recommended Read: First-Time Mom? The Honest, Raw, and Obvious Truth Take a Close Look at Your Wound Your wound will look puffy for the first 2-3 days, and eventually, the slight swelling will subside. There may be a subtle pinkish tone because of the cut. Severe redness is something else. Your wound will also feel tender to touch. It usually goes away around 2-3 weeks. Steps for C-Section Wound Care: 1. Open the bandage tape slowly, taut the skin on the opposite side, so you’ll not feel a hard tug on the tender skin. Remove it gently. 2. Inspect the incision area. Is there swelling? Mild to moderately raised? Is there a discharge? Blood, pus, or clear discharge? What about pain? Mild to severe pain? 3. If you have steri-strips (keep it in place) while you shower. DO NOT remove the strips or glue (skin adhesive), and just let the water run through your body. You can use mild soap on the wound area. DO NOT scrub the area. 4. DO NOT soak in a tub, hot tub, or swim. 5. Pat dry the incision with a clean towel. DO NOT rub. 6. If your doctor instructed you to keep the incision covered, use non-adherent gauze and paper tape to secure it. DO NOT put any cream unless directed and prescribed by your doctor. 7. Change your dressing once a day or when it is soiled (wet or dirty). 8. You may use your abdominal binder over the bandaged wound. When you’re moving about, the binder can help support your lower abdomen. Important to note: The Steri-strips will fall off on their own in about seven days. However, if you have stitches, some may dissolve, and some may have to be taken off. For staple wound closures, the doctor will remove them before you are discharged, but sometimes you will have to follow up with your Obstetrician to remove them at a designated date. How long does the wound healing take? Your C-section wound will take about six weeks to heal in general initially. Every mom is different and depends on underlying circumstances or complications you’ll encounter at home. Another thing not to feel alarmed about is the loss of sensation in the area of the incision. The numbness is normal, and it’ll come back over time. Although, some moms have reported to have not felt the sensation back around the scar. What to watch out for? What to do? Every time you change your wound dressing, always keep an eye for anything out of the ordinary. You can monitor the appearance, smell, healing progress, and everything about your wound. Additionally, you can observe any abnormality on your C-section wound and around it and take the necessary steps to care and call for help immediately. Signs and Symptoms of Wound Infection: The wound is severely red, painful, and swollen. There’s a pus-like discharge and not healing correctly. The wound smells funky or a different smell. A high fever (100.5ºF to 103ºF, or 38ºC to 39.4ºC) and chills. You have severe lower abdominal pain not relieved by prescribed pain relievers. Foul-smelling vaginal discharges (you can still have light bleeding even up to six weeks with a C-section) It’s imperative to seek medical help immediately to prevent complications from your wound infection. When does wound infection happen? Be vigilant in your wound healing and overall health. Wound infection can happen before you leave the hospital, but most occur after a few weeks at home. Alert your doctor for any signs/symptoms above or anything you are concerned about. What will happen next if an infection occurs? Your doctor will diagnose wound infection after carefully assessing the wound appearance, the progress of wound healing, any present bacteria, or presence of infection symptoms. Your doctor will provide treatment based on the wound condition and your health. For example, if there’s pus, the doctor may drain the wound using a syringe or make a small opening in the skin. The wound fluid taken may be sent to a lab for further diagnostic testing. You may be given oral antibiotics to take at home. However, you may be re-admitted to the hospital for IV antibiotics therapy and wound care. If the doctor believes further investigation is needed, he may open your wound under anesthesia and make treatment recommendations. Complications of C-Section Wound Infections are as follows: Wound Cellulitis – a skin infection of the deep layers of the skin when bacteria enter your skin. Wound Abscess – a collection of pus build-up within the tissue of the body. Sepsis – a life-threatening response to an infection, a complication affecting your organs, tissues and can cause death. Other infections Read here for more detailed information on Complications of Wound infections after a C-section. What can you do to prevent infection? Keep your C-section wound dry, clean, and intact. Do not scratch the area when itchy. Always wash your hands before and after tending to your incision. Follow your doctor’s postoperative wound care instructions. Then, contact your doctor as soon as you have any signs/symptoms of wound infection. When your wound heals, there’s going to be a noticeable scar across your lower abdomen. As time permits, the C-section scar will look flatter and lighter, or even the same color as your skin. For information about C-Section Scar care, check here. Your C-section Wound Opening Up The incision wound can also open up, or rupture can be due to straining. Remember the instructions not to lift anything heavier than your newborn. It can be due to strenuous activities such as exercising too early or climbing a high flight of stairs. Another reason for the wound to be closely monitored is the healing process. Moms can have poor wound healing and can be due to underlying medical conditions, such as obesity or diabetes. Not enough oxygen around the wound can lead to the death of the surrounding areas, thereby preventing the site from healing. So you must make sure to inspect your wound daily closely. In case of emergency, call 911 and seek immediate medical help. In caring for your C-Section wound and Recovering Your outlook after C-section surgery underlies how you are recovering overall. Your body will adjust as the days and weeks continue after your major surgery. Therefore, caring for your C-section wound will need you to follow methods for preventing infections and promoting proper wound healing. Through careful c-section wound care, you’ll be able to heal and recover smoothly at home. So enjoy your newborn baby during this momentous time and stay healthy on the road to your full recovery. Are you having a planned C-section? List down all your questions for your healthcare provider. Are you recovering from a C-section surgery at home? Make a note of the wound care tips in this post. If you found this post helpful, let me know in the comments. Share this post or pin for later. You can also subscribe to the blog Newsletter for updates on motherhood.

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