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Hello, my name is Brenda Minica. I am a San Antonio doula certified with Childbirth International.
Having had six children of my own I have "been there" and I know how helpful a little encouragement and the right information can be.
Even if you don't need a doula in San Antonio, TX right now I would love to help you in whatever way I can!
So please e-Mail me,
or connect with me on Twitter
or my Facebook group if I can be of service.
With love, Brenda
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Top Concerns For Mothers After Childbirth
Some women think that pregnancy is difficult and that life can’t be any harder then that…boy are they in for a surprise. Having kids is one of the most amazing things you will ever experience but it is also one of the hardest.
After the child is born you still have many issues to deal with like the following:
- Hormonal changes while your body tries to get back into sync with regular womanhood
- You are exhausted from your baby waking at night wanting to eat or cuddle
- If you breastfeed the demand is all on you and your nipples and breasts are sore
- You now just feel fat because you have extra weight but no baby inside of you as your excuse as to why you just chowed down on two quarter-pounders with cheese
- You have a low sex drive because you feel fat, are exhausted and terrified of another nine months right away
Well the good news is that you are not the only one that feels like that after having kids. Every new mother has some concerns, self esteem issues, etc. We are human…mothers are sometimes Super Human but every woman who has a baby goes through the same thing.
Here are some tips to help you deal with the main after childbirth issues.
Lack of Sleep
When you have a baby you need to be on your A-Game so mommies please sleep when your baby sleeps. I know you think there is laundry to fold, food to cook, dishes to clean etc but just sleep! Your husband would much rather have a rested wife than a clean house. People hate to ask for help when they need it but if you are too exhausted to function ask a friend, relative or babysitter to come over for a few hours so you can get the much needed sleep that you need.
Loosing the Excess Pregnancy Weight
The best way to loose your pregnancy weight is with a healthy diet and exercise routine. Don’t push yourself the day you get from the hospital. Understand that your body just went through an amazing yet exhausting experience and needs time to heal. Remember it took you nine months to gain the weight so it may take that long to loose it. Crash diets will not work so eat right and exercise by taking your baby on walks.
Getting and Feeling Sexy Again for Your Man
This is a scary thing for women because they don’t feel sexy. Mommies believe it or not your husbands actually think you are sexier now than they did before you gave birth to their child. They are actually in total awe and jealous of what your body has just done…men think they can do everything but they can not give birth to a human being!
To keep the spark alive or to reignite it you will both have to work at it. Let your partner know your concerns so he can help you feel better about them by complimenting your new curves, etc. Before you know it you will feel sexy again.
Taking Care of Yourself
My husband said that the second our son was born the mommy switch inside clicked on and has never turned off. I, like most mothers, have a tendency to always make sure that my husband and my son have everything they need before I do. That is a noble thing but you can’t neglect yourself or you will gain resentment that is unhealthy. Doing something small to take care of yourself like a manicure, hair cut, eyebrow wax etc is not selfish it is healthy.
Finding Some Alone Time
Every mom needs some alone time for relaxation to get away from baby spit up, dirty diapers, crying and more. Take some time for yourself every day and enjoy a hot bath, two chapters of a good book, your favorite dessert. Make sure to do something that will make you happy and relaxed so you can hit the next day and the next task with full force and a big smile.
Author: Jessica Chamberlain
Visit http://www.onestopshopforkids.com for everything you need for motherhood, babies and kids!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jessica_Chamberlain
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Perineum Massage and Healing After Birth
The perineum is the area of tissue between the anus and the vagina. During labor and especially the second stage, all the pushing and pressure from the baby’s head causes reduced blood flow and therefore swelling to the perineum. This swelling in the perineum causes discomfort for the first few weeks after birth. Now that your baby has been delivered, you will need to care for the perineum with massage, especially if you have had stitches, in order to help in the healing process.
Here are some helpful hints to help with this healing process:
Avoid touching the perineum area.
Apply ice packs every couple of hours for the first 12 to 24 hours. This will help to reduce swelling
During urination, use a peri bottle or perineal squirt bottle to direct warm water on to the perineum so that the urine is diluted and won’t sting. Use it after a bowel movement too for added cleanliness.
Don’t strain when having a bowel movement and support the perineum when you are having a bowel movement.
After urination, pat the area dry from front to back (this prevents germs from the rectum entering the vaginal area).
Change your sanitary pad very regularly.
If you can get some peace and privacy, lie on your bed minus the sanitary pad to let the area “dry out in the fresh air”.
After the first day, heat helps to increase circulation to the perineum and aids the healing process. You can use a heat lamp, a blow dryer or a warm sitz bath. A sitz bath can be a normal bath with salt added or you can sit in a bowl of very warm water with salt added for 20 minutes. An old remedy for a soak is to mix equal parts uva ursi, shepherd’s purse and calendula (available from a herb supplier) in a large jug. Fill the jug with boiling water, seal it and let it stand for 8 hours at room temperature. Strain the herbs from the liquid and add the tea to the bath water.
Daily Kegel exercises increase the circulation to the perineum helping to reduce swelling and promote healing. Tighten the vaginal muscle (as if you are trying to stop urinating) and hold for 20 counts for 20 times per day. You can do these exercises in groups of 5, 4 times per day.
Always avoid standing or sitting for long periods during the healing process (the first 6 weeks after delivery).
Try to relax and give yourself time to heal. You have a new baby to care for but you also need to make sure you are caring for yourself too.
If you are experiencing pain or a fever, consult your midwife or doctor. Fever can be a sign of infection (which is always possible when stitches or cuts are involved though the risk is small).
With time and care, the few weeks of discomfort will quickly pass and by the time you go for your 6 weeks checkup, your perineum will be completely healed.
| By Jaid Chambers Published: 9/8/2007 |
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