The recovery time recommended by most gynecologists is approximately 40 to 60 days, counting from the birth of the baby, as this is the time that the uterus needs to heal properly.
In this phase, also called puerperium or quarantine, there is an adaptation of the routine with the arrival of the baby, and it is important for women to take care of their own health, as the body is still recovering from the changes caused by pregnancy and childbirth. See the main changes in the body after childbirth.
Therefore, it is recommended to rest adequately, avoid carrying weight and drink plenty of fluids. Furthermore, you can return to intimate contact only after approval from the gynecologist and when you feel physically and mentally prepared.
What to do during shelter-in-place
Some week-by-week care measures are:
1. Week 1 of protection
The first week of sheltering is the most intense due to adapting to the new routine and changes in the body after giving birth.
This week, it is important:
- Measure body temperature in the first 72 hours after birth, as it helps identify possible infections;
- Rest adequately and whenever possible, to help the body recover from childbirth, which can be done while the baby sleeps;
- Avoid carrying excess weight, in addition to the baby, to help with recovery from birth, whether vaginal or cesarean;
- Sit down to breastfeed and, in the case of an episiotomy, avoid sitting for long hours;
- Apply a warm compress to the abdomen if you have uterine cramps;
- Place a warm compress on the breasts and breastfeed every 3 hours or whenever the baby wants, to avoid discomfort in the breasts;
- Use a laxative prescribed by the gynecologist if the woman is constipated;
- Drink plenty of fluids to help with milk production and speed up recovery;
- Eat properly, including vegetables, fruits, whole grains and lean proteins in your diet. See what postpartum nutrition should be like;
- Use external absorbents and avoid using tampons or menstrual cups until approved by your doctor;
- Change the pad regularly, observing signs of infection, bad smell and bright red color for more than 4 days. It is also important to wash your hands with water and neutral soap before and after changing the pad, to avoid infections;
- Seek medical help if you experience anxiety, exhaustion, frequent crying or insomnia.
If a woman has had an episiotomy or cesarean section, the stitches must be taken care of, keeping the scar always dry and clean. See the main precautions for cesarean section and episiotomy.
2. Week 2 of protection
During the second week of protection, it is important for women to continue avoiding carrying excessive weight.
In addition, you should drink plenty of fluids and you can start a short walk, with medical advice, walking a little indoors or taking a walk around the block, for example, to help with the feeling of well-being and aid recovery.
3. Weeks 3 to 6 of shelter
At this stage, vaginal bleeding is lighter, however, it is still recommended to avoid carrying excess weight.
After 15 days of natural birth or 6 to 8 weeks after a cesarean section, the woman can start strengthening exercises for the abdomen and pelvis, as long as they are approved by the gynecologist. See the main exercises for postpartum.
After the 3rd week, the psychological symptoms of feeling exhausted usually pass. However, if sadness, mood changes or difficulties relating to the baby persist or appear frequently, you should consult your gynecologist to assess whether it could be postpartum depression. Know how to identify the symptoms of postpartum depression.
Generally, after 6 weeks of treatment, the doctor can allow you to have intimate contact.
What not to do
During the recovery period, it is recommended not to carry excess weight, avoid driving in the first month if you have had a cesarean section or episiotomy, consume alcoholic beverages and smoke.
In addition, heavy exercise should be avoided for around 45 days after a natural birth and up to 3 months in the case of a cesarean section, in addition to avoiding swimming or bathing in the bathtub, until approved by the doctor.
During protection, intimate contact should be avoided until cleared by the gynecologist and the woman feels physically and psychologically prepared for it.
When to have intimate contact
After giving birth, it is common for the desire for sexual intercourse to be reduced for a few weeks, not only because it is very tiring to take care of the newborn, but also because the hormones released during the breastfeeding phase have this effect on the woman’s libido. .
Furthermore, after giving birth, it is also common to feel sore in the genital area or even have pain caused by the scar stitches and, therefore, it is necessary to give the body time to recover.
Intimate contact can be authorized by the gynecologist after protection and if the woman feels well physically and psychologically.
Tips to improve your intimate life after giving birth
After giving birth, a woman’s desire for intimate contact is very low, however, it is important to maintain an active intimate life.
To this end, some tips include giving preference to intimate activities that include only touching and kissing, talking to your partner about the activities you feel comfortable in, drinking around 2 liters of water a day to facilitate genital lubrication and doing exercises that strengthen the pelvic muscles, such as Kegel exercises.
These tips help prepare women for intimate contact, as they remove stress and make this phase a more natural step.
When to go to the doctor
During protection, it is important to consult a gynecologist if symptoms arise, such as:
- Fever;
- Heavy bleeding, with the need to change the pad every hour, or with a bad smell;
- Appearance of pain or worsening of pain in the abdomen or vagina;
- Swelling, redness, fluid or pus leaking from the cesarean section or episiotomy scar;
- Pain or burning when urinating, urgency to urinate or difficulty controlling urine;
- Pain, swelling, redness or hardening of the breast;
- Nausea, vomiting, coughing or chest pain;
- Headache or changes in vision;
- Swelling, pain or redness in the legs.
In addition, a gynecologist should be consulted if a woman presents symptoms such as irritability, depression, hallucinations, anxiety, thoughts of harming the baby and herself or thoughts about suicide.
It is also important to consult a gynecologist when, after starting intimate contact, the relationship continues to be painful for a long time, as it may be a sign of vaginismus, a condition that requires individual medical monitoring. See what vaginismus is and how to treat it.
Make an appointment with an obstetrician in the nearest region:
Taking care of your health has never been easier!
