New mothers should also monitor the temperature and firmness of their breasts . If a red, swollen, hot, painful lump in the breast is felt, accompanied by a sensation of heat, and the body temperature rises rapidly, even exceeding 39°C, mastitis is a very likely symptom. Initial treatment may include warm compresses, medicine, and appropriate antibiotics under a doctor’s guidance. If suppuration develops, surgery may be necessary. In this article we are going to discuss that how important are 48 hours after childbirth.
Mastitis is often caused by poor milk secretion, which leads to milk lumps in the mammary glands . This, combined with cracked nipples, allows bacteria to enter. Therefore, nipples should be washed before delivery, and after delivery, milk lumps should be massaged to treat cracked nipples. A breast pump can also be used to help release milk, “preventing problems before they occur.”
2 hours after delivery: observe the amount of bleeding
Once the wound is sutured, the mother is removed from the delivery bed and taken to the observation room for rest and observation. This is also known as the fourth stage of labor . During these two hours, the mother is monitored for uterine involution, vaginal bleeding, and perineal edema. Therefore, during this fourth stage of labor, the mother is encouraged to actively cooperate with the doctor. The doctor will periodically perform uterine fundal compressions to monitor bleeding.
Postpartum hemorrhage is a common symptom after childbirth , primarily due to poor uterine contractions, which affect the closure of the blood sinuses within the uterus and cause blood accumulation in the uterine cavity. When the blood accumulation in the uterine cavity cannot be discharged in a timely manner, the uterus becomes like a large sack and no longer contracts, resulting in postpartum hemorrhage. Of course, other conditions can also cause postpartum hemorrhage , such as: retained placenta or fetal membranes ; vaginal lacerations that are not discovered in time; or the mother’s own anemia during pregnancy, which can lead to problems with the coagulation mechanism and cause coagulation disorders and bleeding. If the mother notices heavy vaginal bleeding during this period, she should notify a doctor immediately to come and see her to detect any abnormalities and avoid dangerous excessive bleeding.
During this period, mothers should also be aware of frequent urges to defecate or a sensation of anal prolapse, and should report these to their doctor immediately. This is often caused by vaginal hematomas, which occur when the larger head of the fetus tears blood vessels in the vaginal wall during delivery . Once discovered, the doctor will suture and stop the bleeding. When urinating, do not hold it in; it must be discharged promptly. An enlarged bladder can compress the uterus, hindering contractions and causing postpartum hemorrhage. Urinate as soon as you feel the urge. Some women are afraid to urinate due to the pain, which often leads to urinary retention.
4-6 hours after delivery: urinate as soon as possible
If you had a vaginal birth, drink plenty of water after getting off the delivery bed. During labor, the descent of the fetal head can compress the bladder and urethra, causing bladder paralysis and postpartum relaxation of the abdominal wall muscles, making it difficult to urinate. An overfilled bladder can affect uterine contractions and lead to postpartum hemorrhage.
In addition, blood loss during labor and insufficient intake can also lead to fluid loss, so it’s important to drink plenty of water to replenish fluids. Generally, mothers can urinate on their own within 4-6 hours after a normal birth. However, due to vulvar trauma, mothers may be afraid of pain and hesitate to urinate forcefully, which can easily lead to urinary retention. Once urinary retention occurs or urination is incomplete, bacteria can enter and cause a urinary tract infection. If you still can’t urinate normally 6-8 hours after delivery, or even during the confinement period, and your bladder still feels full, you may have urinary retention.
Therefore, it is crucial to urinate as soon as possible. Besides drinking plenty of water, there are other helpful methods: Listening to the sound of running water. Using conditioned reflexes to relieve urination inhibition, triggering the urge to urinate, and promoting urination. Hot water therapy. Rinse the vulva with warm water; fumigate the lower body with boiling water, allowing the vapor to reach the perineum, taking care to avoid contact with the water to prevent burns. Alternatively, place a hot water bottle in the middle of the lower abdomen to stimulate bladder contraction . These methods can promote bladder muscle contraction and facilitate urination. In short, the first 6-8 hours after delivery are the most vulnerable time for urination. If you are unable to urinate, seek medical attention.
Within 24 hours after delivery: take body temperature regularly
Postpartum fever is a serious matter. Don’t just treat it as a headache or fever. New mothers should develop the habit of taking their body temperature regularly after giving birth. If it exceeds 38°C, be careful.
In the first 24 hours after giving birth, mothers may experience a fever of up to 38°C due to excessive fatigue, but their temperature should return to normal afterward. If a fever persists, the cause must be identified and treated appropriately. Some mothers may experience a fever due to breast engorgement, but the temperature will subside as the milk is released. If the fever persists after the milk is released, there may be another cause.
The most common cause of fever is puerperal infection , commonly known as “puerperal fever”.
Puerperal fever can be caused by a variety of factors, including birth canal infection, urinary tract infection , and breast infection. Postpartum women experience significantly reduced physical strength, bleeding, and a loosened uterus. This allows bacteria, both native to the vagina and from outside, to thrive and spread to the reproductive tract or episiotomy wound. The lochia can have an odor and the abdomen can be tender. If untreated, it can develop into chronic pelvic inflammatory disease , a condition that persists for a long time. Highly virulent bacteria can also cause dangerous peritonitis or sepsis .
Therefore, mothers should pay attention to their body temperature, drink more water, and pay attention to nutritional intake. If the high fever persists, they should see a doctor immediately.
A nurse will clean the vulva within 24 hours after delivery, but you should clean the vulva in time after defecation to avoid infection.
If you have a fever, see a doctor immediately to determine whether it is a normal fever or a fever caused by infection. If you also experience abdominal pain or pain in the perineum, see a doctor immediately and do not delay the treatment.
Postpartum nutrition: Eat more fruits and vegetables
During the first day after giving birth, you should eat soft but nutritious foods, such as meat, eggs, fish, and tofu. Soups, such as chicken soup and pork rib soup, are effective for promoting lactation. Fresh vegetables and fruits rich in dietary fiber not only increase vitamin intake but also help prevent constipation.
In short, a balanced diet of meat and vegetables is essential to stimulate the appetite and provide variety. Postpartum women with anemia should eat more pork liver, duck blood, and spinach. Women experiencing cramps and joint pain should continue to take calcium supplements. To ensure lactation, a late-night snack of semi-liquid or pastry is also recommended.
Postpartum exercise: sit and walk
Many mothers spend most of the first day after giving birth lying down. This isn’t a good idea. In fact, women who deliver vaginally can sit up 6-8 hours after delivery, and those who have undergone a cesarean section can do so 24 hours afterward. It’s important to sit more and sleep less, and avoid lying in bed all the time. Lying in bed not only hinders recovery but also reduces urinary sensitivity, potentially hindering urine flow, causing urinary retention , and potentially leading to blood clots .
Therefore, if the delivery went smoothly, you can return to bed and exercise as needed after delivery, depending on your physical strength. You can move freely for 24 hours after delivery, but avoid standing or squatting for long periods of time, or doing heavy work, to prevent uterine prolapse . You can gradually return to normal work eight weeks after delivery. Also, try doing some gentle exercises after delivery to help you regain your shape.
Postpartum mentality: a change of roles
After giving birth, you become a mother, and your social role changes. You must adapt as quickly as possible. You must be rational and sober in your treatment of yourself and your baby. First, don’t be willful. Everything must be based on the baby. During breastfeeding, a baby may develop cracked nipples due to incorrect latching position. This is not the baby’s fault; it’s our fault for not mastering the feeding position properly. Therefore, we must adjust and persist in breastfeeding. The baby is your own, and mothers who give birth naturally recover quickly. You must get out and about as soon as possible and take care of the baby yourself. Never leave your baby with a confinement nanny, as this will delay breastfeeding, delay the establishment of the parent-child relationship, and delay the baby’s lifelong sense of security.
Some new mothers may experience depression because the baby’s gender is different from what they expected; because they don’t know how to take care of the baby; because of the pain of uterine contractions after delivery; because of inadequate care from their family members, etc. They should adjust their emotions in time, treat themselves, their babies, and their family with a positive and optimistic attitude, overcome depression, and face everything around them optimistically.
What should I pay attention to after a cesarean section?
There are some differences between cesarean sections and spontaneous births. A cesarean section involves an abdominal incision and requires anesthesia. Modern women generally carry an anesthesia pump . Doctors instruct women to lie flat on their backs without a pillow for six hours, allowing them to drink small amounts of fluids and eat liquid foods, and then eat only after passing gas. This is because recovery from anesthesia requires a gradual process to avoid headaches. Eating without passing gas can cause nausea and vomiting, which can worsen abdominal distension. Therefore, after a cesarean section,
try to turn over frequently in bed to stimulate bowel movements and expel gas quickly. A urinary catheter will be placed after surgery, making movement difficult. Regardless, breastfeeding is crucial. The catheter can be removed after 24 hours, and it’s important to get up and move around as soon as possible
To facilitate recovery. Other care during
the first 48 hours after delivery: There are many things a mother should pay attention to during the first day after delivery.
1. Physical recovery:
The birth process exhausts the mother’s energy, so rest is crucial during the first day to ensure recovery. Many mothers now room in their babies, requiring feedings and diaper changes every three to four hours. A crying baby can leave the mother with even less time for sleep, so it’s important to take time to rest.
After giving birth, everything feels new and exciting, especially the precious little one you brought into the world after countless hardships. However, rest and recuperation are paramount. There’s still a long way to go. You can see your baby anytime, but remember that a good rest is crucial to having the energy to care for him or her.
2. Heart discomfort
In the 24-28 hours after delivery, mothers often experience palpitations, chest tightness, inability to lie flat, and shortness of breath. This is because during pregnancy , as the fetus grows, the uterus also enlarges, causing the diaphragm to rise, pushing the heart upward. During pregnancy, the heart’s workload gradually increases, causing it to slightly enlarge and the heart rate to increase. During labor, each uterine contraction increases the heart’s workload. After the fetus is delivered and the placenta is expelled, the uterus suddenly shrinks, and the blood circulation previously established with the placenta ceases. Suddenly, all the blood in the uterus enters the mother’s circulation. This series of changes is a severe test for the new mother’s heart. Therefore, if a mother notices any unusual symptoms such as heart discomfort after delivery, it is important to report it to her doctor immediately.
3. Refusing visits
Nowadays, after a baby is born, the mother, father, parents-in-law, extended family, and friends and relatives often gather at the delivery room entrance. When the mother and baby emerge, they all rush to catch a glimpse of them. However, the mother is weak and the baby is young, so a large crowd should be avoided. Only the husband and one or two relatives should be present. Too many people can’t properly rest the mother and increase her risk of bacterial or viral infections. It’s not too late for others to visit after the mother returns home or after the baby is one month old.
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