10 Things Not To Do After Giving Birth But You Probably Will Anyway!
Pregnancy is no walk in the park. The mood swings, stress, weird cravings, and swollen ankles and feet make any pregnant woman wish their pregnancy gets over soon. But any mom would tell you that getting through your postpartum period is no piece of cake either. You have a tiny squishy baby who is demanding your attention all the time. And it’s hard to do all the right things when you are completely exhausted and sleep-deprived. It’s like, most of the time we are aware of what we should be doing, but we choose to do the opposite. Here are a few of those things which you shouldn’t do, but probably will anyway (Don’t do it!):
1) Don’t Skip Your Meals
Yeah, it’s a pretty simple thing to do: eat. But for a sleep-deprived mom who is busy taking care of the baby and doing everything else in between, it’s easy to skip her meals. Rather than skip, oftentimes, most moms forget they haven’t eaten anything since morning. You are always caught in a dilemma where you have time either for a short nap or food. And, of course, sleep always comes first.
2) Don’t Think Breastfeeding Will Be Easy
Breastfeeding may come naturally to some, but others might take a lot more time. Don’t fool yourself into believing something you don’t know. Instead, educate yourself and be aware of everything you need to know about breastfeeding products, latching, and different feeding positions. Better be prepared than feeling sorry for yourself later on.
3) Don’t Wear Your Good Underwear
Don’t kid yourself by putting on your good undies. Unless, of course, you are prepared to throw it away. Instead, go for mesh underwear or disposable ones that are comfortable and airy.
4) Don’t Start To Clean Up The Minute Your Baby Goes To Sleep
There is a reason why your doctor and even fellow mommies say ‘ Sleep when the baby sleeps.’ Because that is the only time you can rest uninterrupted. But the minute your bambino hits the bed, your natural instincts kick in and you start vacuuming the floor and run down the basement to do the laundry. Your body just gave birth to a human being, give it some time to rest and recover.
5) Don’t Do Heavy Lifting
Just because you can walk around and do all the cooking and cleaning doesn’t mean your body has completely recovered. Seriously, give your body some time to recover.
6) Don’t Allow Too Many Visitors
This is something which every mom should do, even if they don’t want to the least bit. We understand you don’t want to come off as rude to someone who is excited to see your baby. But I’m sure they will respect your need for some time alone now. After all, you’ve got the best excuse in the world. So, why not use it?
7) No Tight Jeans Or Pants
Your lady parts have just gone through a lot of wear and tear. And you might be wearing your granny panties and maxi pads because everything is a bit delicate down there. Still, you can’t resist picking up your old skinny jeans and squeezing your body through it to see if it fits. You will have plenty of time for that later, but now leggings might be your perfect companion.
8) Don’t Strain Yourself To Poop
Pooping might be a dreadful task for you during your postpartum period. Your body and muscles are still in shock from the labor. If you have a perineal tear, your doctor might have recommended some laxative or stool softeners. So, take your time and use the right products instead of straining yourself to poop.
9) No Intercourse
Intercourse might be the last thing on your mind, but there are going to be exceptions to the rule. Before you see a window of opportunity to get down to business, make sure you get the all-clear from the doctor.
10) Don’t Use Tampons
Tampons are not going to suffice for all the postpartum bleeding. Tampons also increase the risk of infections (1). So, if you are thinking of using tampons, just don’t. Go for maxi pads instead.
It’s a time in your life where you are most vulnerable, physically and emotionally. So, trust me when I say this – take care of yourself like you take care of your baby. Things are going to be fine if you respect your body and give it enough time to rest.
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