The postpartum period is when women are most vulnerable and require careful attention; otherwise, postpartum ailments may arise. These conditions are easily contracted but difficult to fully recover from. Therefore, family members must be exceptionally attentive and provide diligent care during the new mother's confinement period.
I. Common Postpartum Ailments
(1) Postpartum Fever
Inflammation of the birth wound, mastitis, or urinary tract infections can cause fever, often occurring within 1 to 10 days postpartum. Typically, a new mother's temperature may be slightly elevated for 1 to 2 days after delivery. However, if a fever exceeding 38°C (98.6°F) persists during this period, it may indicate postpartum fever.
Prevention and Management Measures
1. Prioritize rest, stay hydrated, and allow wounds to dry and form scabs. Ensure adequate sleep to support recovery. Avoid excessive movement and premature bathing to minimize infection risk.
2. Maintain postpartum hygiene. Use sanitary pads to absorb lochia, which will continue for some time. Change underwear frequently and rinse thoroughly with warm water afterward to prevent bacterial growth and infection.
3. If fever results from wound inflammation, it usually subsides naturally within days with proper wound care. Seek prompt medical attention for persistent pain or redness to rule out small vessel rupture. Cesarean patients should avoid water contact to keep the incision dry; bathing is generally permissible after 10 days.
(II) Uterine Prolapse
Uterine prolapse occurs when the uterine ligaments and muscles become lax due to excessive straining during delivery or prolonged labor. This causes the uterus to shift downward through the vaginal canal, resulting in symptoms like a sagging sensation in the lower abdomen, a dragging pain, or lower back pain.
Prevention and Treatment Measures
1. During the postpartum confinement period, avoid prolonged standing, do not rush to lose weight or regain shape, and refrain from lifting heavy objects or performing squatting movements. Ensure adequate bed rest and frequently change positions.
2. Reduce abdominal pressure to prevent uterine displacement. Avoid constipation, as it increases abdominal pressure. Consume high-fiber foods to maintain regular bowel movements.
3. For severe uterine prolapse, consider treatment options such as pessary therapy to restore uterine ligament function and strengthen pelvic floor muscle support.(III) Mastitis
The first month postpartum is a high-risk period for mastitis. New mothers often experience breast engorgement and pain, sometimes accompanied by fever. This occurs when milk cannot be effectively expressed after childbirth, leading to milk stasis that fosters bacterial growth and infection.
Prevention and Treatment Measures
1. During late pregnancy, regularly wipe the nipples and areola with warm water. This toughens the nipples, reducing the likelihood of cracking after the baby latches.If milk production is excessive, avoid leaving milk in the breasts. Use a breast pump to express excess milk. Applying warm compresses can also help maintain milk flow.
3. If mild mastitis symptoms appear—such as a firm, movable lump in the breast accompanied by tenderness or stabbing pain—seek medical attention promptly. Diagnosis and early treatment are essential.
4. Mastitis is typically treated with traditional Chinese medicine. Under a doctor's guidance, heat compresses and physical therapy using heat-clearing and toxin-eliminating herbs may be applied.
5. Avoid breastfeeding from the affected breast to prevent worsening the condition. Use a breast pump to express milk from that side.
(IV) Urinary Retention
Some mothers fear bacterial infection during urination or worry about wound pain, leading them to forcefully hold urine. This places significant pressure on the bladder, potentially causing postpartum bladder dysfunction. Symptoms include difficulty urinating, a trickle of urine, and incomplete emptying—a condition known as urinary retention.
Prevention and Solutions
1. Women who received anesthesia during delivery should ideally have a urinary catheter left in place postpartum until bladder function recovers before removal.
2. Women who delivered vaginally and are in normal physical condition may choose to get out of bed and move around, which facilitates urine flow.
3. Closely monitor urination. If difficulty urinating occurs, address it promptly and identify the cause.
(5) Lower Back Pain
Postpartum uterine ligament laxity, weakened pelvic floor muscles, and reduced abdominal muscle tone can impair body control and hinder full uterine descent recovery. Prolonged sitting or squatting may then cause lower back soreness and weakness.
Prevention and Solutions
1. When breastfeeding, avoid straining your back. Use proper feeding posture and always support your back with sufficient cushions or pillows.
2. Minimize squatting or bending over. Keep frequently used items within easy reach. Avoid activities requiring bending, such as sweeping.
3. Ensure adequate calcium intake through diet, as calcium deficiency can cause back pain. Consume calcium-rich foods and foods rich in vitamins.(6) Mom's Hand Postpartum bodies experience significant depletion and require recovery. Tasks that seem minor or require minimal effort before pregnancy can become problematic afterward, causing numbness, weakness, or pain in the fingers. This primarily results from reduced metabolic rates and slower blood circulation after childbirth. Exercise extreme caution when using fingers or wrists to prevent tendonitis.
Preventive Measures
1. Moderate postpartum activity aids recovery, but duration must be controlled. Avoid prolonged activity or housework to prevent muscle damage. Keep muscles relaxed; rest immediately when fingers feel sore or swollen.
2. When hands feel sore or swollen, learn to relax. Have someone massage or stretch them, or perform self-hand-shaking exercises for relief.
II. How to Treat Postpartum Conditions?
1. Early Detection and Treatment
Postpartum conditions are best addressed during the confinement period. Many can be cured during this time. If neglected or undetected, prolonged conditions cause greater harm and become harder to treat.For instance, conditions like wind-cold invasion should be treated promptly during the confinement period. Herbal baths can help thoroughly expel internal coldness. After such treatment, avoid exposure to wind and cold to prevent worsening the condition. Other issues like back pain or joint pain require adequate rest during confinement, avoiding further strain.
2. Targeted Treatment
For postpartum ailments, avoid seeking random treatments or relying on folk remedies. Instead, promptly visit a hospital for diagnosis to identify the condition and its cause, ensuring appropriate treatment. This prevents medication errors that could worsen symptoms or delay optimal treatment timing.
3. Dietary Nourishment
During the confinement period, nourishing meals play a vital role in accelerating physical recovery. Adequate nutrition speeds up healing, replenishes losses incurred during childbirth, and strengthens overall constitution. Prioritizing calcium intake to prevent osteoporosis-related back pain is an essential part of avoiding postpartum ailments.
Mothers are truly remarkable. Even knowing the pain of childbirth defies description, even understanding that the experience is something husbands can never fully comprehend, even being aware of the inherent risks involved—they courageously face it all. They endure for that first cry at birth, for that first "Mama," for the promise of a complete family.