Aftercare childbirth

After the birth

After giving birth, it is necessary for the midwife to regularly check the hardness of the uterus, blood loss and any stitches. it is also important for bonding with your baby to have as many cuddle moments as possible. After nine months in mom's womb, your baby needs a lot of physical contact. It is important to take as much rest as possible between feedings and nursing to recover from the birth. Your body needs time to "detox". The first few days you may suffer from afterpains. These cause your uterus to contract and return to its original shape and position, as well as controlling blood loss. After childbirth, hormones can sometimes cause mood swings and crying fits. The "baby blues" are completely normal. Be sure to talk about your feelings.

Do you want to know more about postpartum baby care? Read it here.

Where can I find support as a new parent?

Early parenthood is an adventure full of love, but also mixed feelings and difficult moments. The period up to two years after the birth is particularly challenging. Sometimes you run out of oxygen and then the right support can really be a relief.

That's why Te Gek!? launched the "That's a relief" campaign in 2024. Take a look at the page below and learn more about how you can ask for support from those around you or a professional. This will give you more breathing space.

Healing

If a cut or tear occurred during childbirth, the wound needs time to heal. You will be given pain medication for this if you want it. The stitches dissolve on their own and do not need to be removed. It is important to keep your wound clean and dry. Therefore, change pads regularly, rinse the wound with water and dry thoroughly afterwards. Bleeding may continue for up to six weeks after delivery, but it gradually diminishes and changes colour. After six weeks, your period may return. If you are exclusively breastfeeding, your cycle will start later. Note that you may already be fertile, even if your period remains off for now.

About 6 weeks after giving birth, you will have a postpartum examination with your gynaecologist. This is the perfect time to talk to your gynaecologist about discomfort, menstruation, contraception, sexuality and postpartum physical therapy.

Care after caesarean section

After a cesarean section, you'll need some extra care. You will have an IV and bladder catheter that will be removed the day after the cesarean section. After the bladder catheter is removed, the midwife will help you stand up for the first time. This is important for recovery and to prevent thrombosis. You will also receive injections against thrombosis during the first few days. The doctor will draw up a basic schedule for pain relief but it is possible to ask for additional pain relief. The midwife will teach you how to feed the baby without straining your wound.

Wound repair after caesarean section

The incision of the caesarean section needs time to heal. During your stay, the midwife checks the wound, cleans it and provides a bandage for you to shower with as soon as you are able. Depending on what type of sutures were used, you will be advised on how to remove them if necessary. Try to take short walks that do not overexert you. For the first six weeks after the caesarean section, it is recommended that you do not lift anything. You may, of course, carry your baby.

Postnatal physical therapy

After about six weeks, postnatal physical therapy can be started. You can follow this with a physiotherapist. The exercises focus mainly on the pelvic floor muscles in order, among other things, to avoid urine leakage as much as possible in the future. Physiotherapy can also be recommended after a caesarean section. Your gynaecologist will inform you about this during your postnatal examination.

Postnatale kine materniteit (175.86 KB)