After birth

Having a child is an intense and often emotional event for both mother and partner. You can feel very emotional and this can also vary from an ultimate feeling of happiness and the well-known pink cloud, to uncertainty about your new role as a parent(s) and sometimes also depressive feelings. That is very normal, because it takes time to get used to all the changes.

Maternity tears and finding rhythm

In the first days after giving birth, most parents live on adrenaline. But then fatigue often starts to take its toll. The 5th day after giving birth is an emotional day for maternity women, often with crying fits. The fatigue, hormones and physical discomfort are often at their peak and many women experience postpartum tears. Fortunately, this will get a lot better on its own, but that does not mean that you will be completely back to your old self within a week after giving birth. The pregnancy and delivery took a lot of energy. Finding the baby's rhythm can also be difficult, especially at night. Take your time for your recovery and don't expect too much of yourself too soon. The better you listen to your body, the easier your recovery will be.

Physical recovery and depregnancy

Detangling and physical and emotional recovery takes time. After giving birth you may feel different and your body will also feel different.

After giving birth, you will still lose some blood for a while, but this will become much less after a few days. It usually takes 6 weeks for it to completely go away. If it takes longer, it is important that you contact us.

Pelvic floor area: exercises and recovery

Being pregnant and giving birth also has an effect on the pelvic floor. Sometimes you have stitches because you have been torn or cut. Even if this is not the case, the pelvic floor needs time to recover. It can help with this pelvic floor muscle exercises to do. We can give you a brochure with some useful tips for this. By taking the time to recover and doing exercises, you can ensure that the pelvic floor regains its old strength and you do not suffer (or keep) from unwanted urine loss, stool or gas.

Sexuality: having sex after giving birth

After giving birth, it often takes some time before you can and want to have sex again. Physical complaints, fatigue and getting used to the new situation can cause less desire for sex. Only start having sex again when you are both ready and feel like it.

As long as you have blood loss, you are susceptible to infections. It is therefore wise to wait until the blood loss has stopped before having sex.

If you are breastfeeding, you may experience leaking breasts during sex. Your vagina may also be a bit drier than normal due to the hormones, so a lubricant can help.

You can become pregnant again soon after giving birth, even if you are breastfeeding. So think about it in time birth control. We can give you more information about the different options.

Psyche: emotional recovery and postnatal depression

Getting used to parenthood takes time. You may experience the first weeks after your birth differently than you expected. These feelings are not bad and are part of it, but it is important to express these feelings to your partner or to us. It can help to talk about it together. By making it a topic of discussion, we can also monitor whether you continue to do well.

If you notice feelings of sadness or other negative feelings in yourself, we advise you to discuss this with us during the follow-up check or earlier if necessary. You can also go to your doctor if you have feelings of depression.

If such feelings are strongly present, this may indicate postpartum depression or an increased risk thereof. If we are aware of how you feel, we can guide you in the right way.

You can find more information about postpartum depression here read.

Follow-up check

You are very welcome for a follow-up check-up about 6 weeks after delivery. The follow-up check is a good time to discuss the birth, ask questions and, if necessary, check your blood pressure, iron levels and healing of the pelvic floor. Of course, we always enjoy seeing your child again.

You can call us to make a follow-up appointment. We try to schedule a follow-up check with the person who supervised your birth.