What happens after having my baby?

Pregnancy involves different changes in a short period of time. It is common for you to wonder what follows after childbirth, what changes your body presents, and what is out of normality. So today I want to talk about the days after delivery. Which is known as quarantine.

What is quarantine?

It is the stage that passes from delivery to the next 6 to 8 weeks. During this time, the body structures return to their pre-pregnancy state almost completely. Although it is called a quarantine, it lasts more than 40 days.

Let’s start from the beginning. Quarantine comes in 3 stages.

Stage 1:

Occurs after delivery and lasts 24 hours.

The main objective is to achieve adequate uterine hemostasis. That is, stop the bleeding after delivery and do not bleed excessively. For this, structures called living Pinard ligatures are formed in the uterus. That closes the blood vessels.

It is very important that you rest during this time. Limit family visits so you can focus on your recovery and your baby.

Stage 2:

It occurs from the second to the seventh day.

At this stage, your breasts will be huge and full of milk. Uterine return causes vaginal bleeding known as lochia. It will be red until the second or third day. Then it will be pink for 2 or 3 weeks and then yellowish. You will feel cramps caused by uterine contractions that work to return the uterus to its original state.

Stage 3:

From the tenth day up to 6 or 8 weeks.

It is important that during all this time you do not use tampons or menstrual cups. Also, do not have sex to avoid infections. After childbirth, 5 to 6 kilos are lost at once. Of course, this will depend on each woman. In addition, breastfeeding supposes a daily caloric expenditure of 500 kcal. So it will help you regain your figure.

When should you see a doctor after childbirth?

• If the bleeding of your lochia is greater than that of a normal rule.
  
  
• If the lochia have a bad smell or look bad.
  
  
• If you have fevers over 38° C.
  
  
• If you start to have abdominal pain that you did not feel before.
  
  
• If one of your breasts becomes very swollen.

Ultimately, your life will no longer be normal. So quarantine will not be difficult for you to cope with. Also, after all, just by looking at your baby and seeing his smile, you will know that it was all worth it.