Recovery After Vaginal Delivery
Women's Health Physiotherapy Advice
Remember
- This is the "fourth trimester!"
- Pregnancy and childbirth takes an enormous toll on your body.
- Consider the postnatal period a rehabilitation process from the inside out. You need to lay good foundations to achieve your long term goals
Purpose
To know what is 'normal' to you, and being aware of any changes you notice that can be discussed with me at your 4 - week review
Well done!
Knowing your own body, and giving it the time to heal is a big step towards empowerment and taking control of your recovery.
Further Info
Read the following handouts in your link:
- DRAM Recovery
- Back & Pelvic Care After Birth
- Pelvic Floor Exercises
- Healthy Bladder & Bowel Habits
- Returning to Exercise After Birth
- Returning to Intimacy After Birth
Congratulations on the birth of your baby! Your body will need plenty of rest and time to recover from the pregnancy and delivery. The first 6 weeks post birth are particularly important for muscle and soft tissue recovery. Complete recovery can take 6 - 12 months, this is unique to the individual.
For the first six weeks
Ice - apply an ice pack or condom with frozen water (1- 3rd full) to the perineum on the day you give birth.
Place the ice pack under the maternity pad. Do not apply ice directly to the skin, or inside the vagina.
Apply the ice for 20 minutes every 2 hours whilst you are awake, for the first 3 days after birth.
Continue to apply ice if you experience pain, pressure or discomfort for the next 2 weeks.
Sleep - as much sleep as possible!This is the best way to promote healing for your whole body.
Rest - lie down regularly for the first few days after birth. This will elevate your pelvis and abdominal area, which will reduce swelling and improve healing. For the first 3 days aim for 30 minutes of rest every 2 hours. From 3 days - 6 weeks gradually reduce to 1-2 hours of rest lying down per day.
Pain management - take the pain medication prescribed by your doctor or midwife.
Compression - wear firm compression, i.e. shapewear to provide additional perineal and abdominal support whilst you are awake.
Pelvic floor exercises - you can start them now, provided there is no pain. See the Pelvic Floor Exercises handout.
To getin and out of bed - roll onto your side rather than use a sit up motion:
Avoid
Heavy lifting - if the movement or activity causes you to hold your breath, it is TOO hard! Post birth, you shouldn’t lift anything heavier than your baby.
Constipation and straining on the toilet- refer to Healthy Bladder and Bowel handout
High load abdominal work - sit ups, crunches, planks, standing weight lifting and jumping movements. If the exercise causes you to hold your breath, it is TOO hard! See the Returning to Exercise After Birth handout.
Activities and movements that cause lower back, pelvic, vaginal pain and/ or bulging - the safest way to manage these symptoms and return to exercise is to consult your Women's Health Physiotherapist for your 4 - 6 week review.
Sexual intercourse - at a very minimum, you will need to wait until your 6 week check up with your doctor to return to sexual intercourse. Once you are given the all clear, it's a personal choice. Refer to the Returning to Intimacy After Birth handout.
Remember your 4 - 6 week review with your physiotherapist to asses & monitor your
- Pelvic floor recovery
- C – section incision
- Exercises to close the abdominal separation
- Returning to exercise after birth
Disclaimer
Women are encouraged to discuss their health needs with a health practitioner. If you have concerns about your health, you should seek advice from your health care provider or if you require urgent care you should go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department.
Contact us
Performance Plus Womens Physiotherapy, 40 Lemana Crescent, Mount Waverley
03 9815 2555 (Main rooms)
