POSTNATAL HEALTH
Postnatal health refers to a mother’s health after giving birth. It is the period beginning immediately after the birth of the baby and extending for about 6 weeks. New parents may be stressed, tired and anxious due to the changes necessitated by the arrival of their baby. A newborn requires special attention and care and it is important for parents to quickly adjust to manage the demands of a baby.
Just as in pregnancy, a woman’s body changes as it recovers from child birth. Women should take time to heal and rest after the baby’s birth. Support from a partner, friend or family is important to make a smooth transition into new parenthood, allowing for sleep and recovery time. Some elements of pregnancy and birth may result in complications. A woman should talk with a health professional about the best options for treatment and recovery.
Many women may be anxious to lose the weight she gained during pregnancy. Nutrition is very important, especially when a woman is breastfeeding. In fact, breastfeeding has been shown to help promote a healthy return to pre-pregnancy weight while being an excellent opportunity to bond with the baby. Appropriate amounts of physical activity is also a healthy way to lose weight, although a woman should start slowly and build up over time as not to strain her body. Consulting a health care professional will help a woman develop an exercise routine that will be safe and appropriate.
A woman should also examine her mental and emotional health after giving birth. A certain level of stress and anxiety is normal for new mothers. Some women may feel sad after giving birth, possibly because of hormonal changes. However, if this sadness continues beyond 10 days, a woman should talk to her healthcare professional about the risk of Postpartum Depression.
For specific information on Breastfeeding and Maternal Mental Health please refer to the following: Breastfeeding; Maternal Mental Health.
For additional information and resources particular to women who have recently given birth, and their infants, please refer to the following: Preconception Health: A Healthy Lifestyle; Alcohol; Medications, Supplements, and Illicit Drugs and Smoking; and Prenatal Health: Healthy Weight Gain and Domestic Violence.