You’re expecting, congrats! In this article we will address three postpartum issues that some women experience and are not told about.
While it’s common to accept morning sickness, bouts of hormones that make you cry or laugh randomly, craving pickles with whipped cream, enduring the pains of labor that feel SO good (yeah, right!), and those sleepless newborn nights, there are just some things that no one warns you about!
1. Postpartum Issues- Morning Sickness
Most all women have some sort of encounter with ‘morning’ sickness, that is, morning sickness, brunch sickness, noon sickness, 2 o’clock sickness, night sickness, and no reason at all sickness.
Great fun! Not.
After nine or more months of sickness, then giving birth, should bring the reward of a normal you, right? Well actually, even after you’ve pushed out that little bundle it takes some time to get all those lovely hormones out of your system. Which for you means that the sickness caused by those pregnancy hormones may not completely subside until your body regulates back to its normal hormone levels.
Morning Sickness Remedies
Keep hydrated- Choose foods carefully
- Notice nausea triggers
- Breathe fresh air
- Snack often, rather than big meals
- Vitamin B-6 supplements (pyridoxine)
- Ginger
- Over- the-counter options such as doxylamine (Unisom)
- Your Doctor may prescribe anti-nausea medications
- Hypnosis
- Acupressure wristbands
- Essential oils can help
2. Pregnancy Hemorrhoids
Oh hemorrhoids! These pesky things are caused by increased blood flow and pressure of the veins in the rectal area… so a varicose vein in your bum!
During pregnancy there is a great increase in blood flow to your ‘lady bits’ and also the pressure of a baby, uterus, placenta, and fluid. So, don’t be surprised if you start to develop hemorrhoids, especially if you already have the awesome pregnancy symptom of constipation.
Some women are lucky enough to escape this dreaded side effect, but are surprised to find that the strain of giving birth causes hemorrhoids to appear- with a vengeance!
Hemorrhoids may last for a week or for the rest of your days, giving one more annoying obstacle of postpartum recovery.
Pregnancy Hemorrhoids’ Remedy
- Have warm baths and soak the area. Don’t use soaps.
- Avoid long periods of sitting. Prefer to lie on your side or stand.
- Apply witch hazel medicated pads to your anal area.
- Speak to your Doctor about a suitable hemorrhoid cream.
3. Postpartum Issues- Stinkiness
It makes sense that during pregnancy you may sweat a little more from carrying around that bowling ball of a baby. However, did you know that for many women your once not smelly sweat turns into a stench a lumberjack would cringe at?
There’s just something about giving birth that causes your crazy hormones to make you sweat more and smell not so great.
It’s believed that breastfeeding adds to the odor because of the hormones released. And not to mention the lovely after birth discharge your body gets rid of, called lochia. It can have a strong unpleasant smell and make you feel dirty and just plain gross. After knowing that, who wouldn’t want to have a baby?
Pregnancy Body Odor Remedies
- Regular showers.
- Deodorants and antiperspirants.
- Wear loose clothing made from natural fabrics.
- Use foot powders on feet.
- Eat healthy nutritious food.
- Drink plenty of water, keeping hydrated.
- With lochia, having a bad, or odd smell may indicate an infection. See your Doctor if this is the case. Antibiotics is the usual treatment.
Even after all of the pains, aches, and frustration of pregnancy and birth, there is absolutely nothing more amazing than holding your precious creation for the first time and knowing you really are Super Woman- you gave birth, you can do anything! Postpartum issues will eventually go away.
