Traditional Talks : After Delivery Myth & Postpartum Care

Scene 1: Hey wait! You can’t feed her, her aunt (Bua-your husband’s sister) is not here yet! She has to write ‘ohm’ in her tongue!  

Scene 2: Wait a minute! You can’t eat now, there is a puja you have to perform!

Scene 3: No, you should not eat these and that as these are not good for the baby!

Are you confuse right now? Are you thinking “what all this scene about?” what is going on?? Hahaha… 

Please don’t think in deep. There is a scenario that usually happens in a hospital room right after delivery. Yes! Now you grab it right! Yeah, I am talking about the ‘so-called rituals’ our new mom had to go through right after she gave birth to her baby. Because of these old talks many of our new moms have to suffer and many things go wrong. Let’s talk about our 1st scene where you can’t feed your baby as her Aunty (Bua) is not present. And that’s so wrong. I am not talking about that writing ‘ohm’ is wrong! No, I am talking about the timing as your baby needs your first milk in her first few hours of life. And that’s crucial as that will be giving her very first antibodies which will become a fundamental base for her immune system. You can write ‘ohm’ in her tongue after she drinks her first meal. Our god will not get angry. The same thing applies to the second scene too. Eat something after the childbirth if you can. You will obviously be hungry after that intense exercise, so grab some healthy food as your body needs it then sleep to your heart content. 

Okay, without further due, with HunyHuny, let’s start our journey to burst many more of these myths which are making our new moms suffer. 

Here are the myths and misconceptions after delivery.

Myth No.1: You should avoid certain foods that are ‘hot’ or ‘cold’.

It is absolutely ridiculous! Sorry for my language. In Indian food culture, according to many of our old people, vegetables like brinjal are referred to be ‘hot’, and okra (bhindi) and some fruits are treated as ‘cold’. Science doesn’t support this and declare it as baseless. Even in some cases, people wrongly advise the new mom to avoid potatoes and other root vegetables. As you just give birth, your body needs all the nutrients it can get. You should have a balanced diet and steer clear of unnecessary calories.  

Myth No.2: Eating betel leaf, commonly known as ‘Paan’ is good for digestion and provides calcium for the breast-feeding mother.

Hahaha! This one never fails to crake me up. If you eat ‘Shadapaan’ then, digestion is true up to some extent but calcium, really? Eating ‘Paan’ will not provide any calcium but only stain your teeth. 

Myth No.3: You can’t and shouldn’t lift anything heavy for a lifetime after a Cesarean section.

I was one of these people who thought like that. And I am sure many of you are still. So, I am very happy to let you know that- it is not true! Even after C-section, you will gradually get your strength back and resume your activities. And after 6 weeks, you can do all your normal work and lift anything heavy the same as before pregnancy.

Myth No.4: Having Ajwain (carom seed) water is compulsory for recovery after your delivery.

Yes, it’s true that ajwain aide digestion, breast milk production, and immunity. so, it is frequently recommended to new moms. But, if you don’t like the taste of ajwain water, switch to other drinks as that will tend you to drink less than you should. Remember, having enough fluid is more essential for your recovery and breastmilk supply than drinking only ajwain water. As long as your body is getting all the required nutrients that a well-balanced diet provides, and having rest as much as your baby allows, you will produce the sufficient breastmilk as your baby demand and likely to recover well. 

Myth No.5: Eating ghee strengthen your joint after delivery.

No, it is not true! Normally, ghee only acts as grease, allowing easy and pain-free mobility of the joints. But there is no relationship between ghee and joint pain or joint strength. During pregnancy, mom’s body releases a hormone called relaxin whose function is to relax your joints in preparation for the birth. Even after the delivery, the effect of this hormone takes a while to come off. Your joint strength will make it come back with time. On the other hand, the consumption of excessive ghee will increase your weight, risk of heart problems, cholesterol level, and risk of cancer. If you observe your joints are weaker than they were during pregnancy or they are painful, it might be a new medical condition that required your doctor’s attention.  

Myth No.6: Postpartum tummy binding help your stomach to get back in shape.

Probably not! But tying clothing around your tummy or using a corset in the weeks after giving birth can help you support and toned your healing abdominal muscles, improve your posture, reduced your waistline and extra fat, and prevent overeating. But be mindful, binding your belly tightly will be uncomfortable, sometimes painful, and itchy-which will lead to rashes where the skin stays moist because of sweat. It can also put pressure on your uterus causing excessive bleeding. And for moms who had C-Section, it can create complications in the healing of your wound. So, it is wise to get your physician’s approval before you try this out. Always remember, the binding should offer support, not squeeze the abdomen area.

Myth No.7: Wearing Brassiere Post-delivery hampers milk production.

Our elders used to say not to wear Brassierepost delivery as it will hamper milk production. Its completely a myth, your boobs get heavy post-delivery because of milk production and it needs support, do not stop wearing them otherwise breasts will become saggy with time. And other reasons why our elders prohibit from brassiere as its difficult to access to feed babies suddenly but nowadays you will find good maternity bras to help you out with easy feeding options.

You may like: HunyHuny Feeding Friendly Yellow Check Comfortable Maternity Top

There goes the myth, now let’s see the proper way for recovering from delivery.

Your body has done one of the most remarkable things it will ever do-grow another life. On the big day, your childbirth may have been complicated or easy. You may have a vaginal delivery or a c-section. Your labor maybe for a few hours or a few days. No matter how your childbirth goes, your body is going to need time to recover. It won’t be just a few days. For full recovery from pregnancy and delivery, your body will take months. If not, it can take longer. So, try not to be frustrated. Rest, eat well, and give your body a break. 

The path for recovery health:

Just like everything, this postpartum recovery has its challenges. It is normal to feel your body is not healing as quickly as you want. Just eat, sleep, and care for your baby and that will be enough. In just a few months, you will be on your way to recovery. if you have a c-section, you will have more restrictions about what you can do in the days and weeks following delivery. 

Here are the things you must consider:

• Drink plenty of water, especially the need for breastfeeding moms.
• Take rest as much you can.
• Nourishes your body with a well-balanced diet.
• Want to eat foods like panipuri, aloo- Tikki, or other street food, make them at home and have them.      
• To reduce abdominal pain, apply a hot-water bag or heating pad or hot water bottle to that region.
• Try to confide in a friend or family member, when you are feeling sad. It is nothing to be ashamed as this is a common condition in maximum new moms called baby blues.
• Constipation is common in the days following childbirth. To ease it, drink lots of water and eat fiber richer foods. But if you haven’t had a bowel movement by four days postpartum, seek your physician immediately. 
• You might have developed hemorrhoids during your pregnancy, if not then from the strain and pushing during childbirth. They cause pain and bleed after a bowel movement. They can also itch. Consult your doctor for appropriate medicine.
• Use an icepack several times a day for 10 minutes for relieving the perineum soreness (The perineum is the region between your vagina and anus). During the first week postpartum, also use a squirt bottle to wash the perineum with warm water after using the toilet to prevent any type of infection.
• If your soreness of nipples and breasts continues beyond a few days, it may be your baby is not latching correctly. Try changing positions or seek help from experts.
• For stitches, it will take 7-10 days to heal if they are in a premium area and take 12 weeks to completely heal for c-section. There is no need to remove them as they will absorb over time. Gently clean with warm water and pat them dry to prevent getting infected. Remember, not to wipe that area with toilet paper or you could irritate the stitches and delay its healing.
• Use sanitary pad only for vaginal bleeding and discharge as tampons can introduce bacteria and lead to infection. If your clots are bigger than a quarter, consult your doctor.

When to seek a doctor:

• Excessive heavy vaginal bleeding that soaks more than one pad per hour or is increasing day by day instead of decreasing.
• Passing large clots
• Fever more than 100.4’F
• Fainting or dizziness
• Continuous severe headache or change in vision
• Painful or difficulty urinating
• Strong odor vaginal discharge
• Chest pain or breathing difficulty
• Vomiting
• The cut area becomes red or weepy with pus or swollen
• Severe abdominal pain
• Sore breast that is red or feels hot to the touch
• Pain in the leg with redness or swelling

So, these are the things you have to take extra care of. The purpose of today’s topic is, you my dears don’t have to suffer from these ‘Post-Partum Myths’ and get proper care after the delivery, know when you have to seek medical attention during your recovery path. 

Your strength is always greater than any struggle!

"Because both you & your baby are emotionally and physically vulnerable, you will be wise to follow certain guidelines. No matter where or how you had your baby, a long period of postpartum nurturing is essential. If you gave birth in the hospital, the details of eating, resting, and caring for your baby may be orchestrated by the staff for the first few days. Let yourself feel like a pampered queen; you deserve to be given good care." -Robin Lim

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