1. Birth injuries are nothing unusual
Even if it probably doesn’t fit your idea of a dream birth, many women experience birth injuries during a vaginal delivery. It sounds worse than it is, because in most cases it involves only small tears in the tissue or swelling, which you won’t notice after a few days. If you want to minimize the risk, you can prepare your perineum for the stress of birth with regular perineal massage towards the end of pregnancy.
2. Privacy? No way!
If your birth takes place in a hospital, it’s quite possible that there will be a constant coming and going in your room. During early labor, midwives and your doctor will regularly examine your cervix and feel your abdomen. When your baby is born, they will actively support you with breastfeeding, examine your nipples, and ask you questions about your bowel movements. What may initially sound strange doesn’t have to be uncomfortable at all. The medical staff has seen all of this many times before and only wants the best for you and your baby. You can then, hopefully, make up for the undisturbed time as a new family during the postpartum period and enjoy it in peace.
3. Your child is not necessarily cute – but still beautiful
When you think of newborns, do rosy babies with big eyes and chubby cheeks appear in your mind’s eye? At least immediately after birth, your child probably won’t match that image. More likely, a wrinkled, red-blue little creature, covered in blood and vernix and with a possibly slightly misshapen head (the passage through the birth canal leaves its mark ;)), will be placed on your stomach. One thing is certain: even if your little explorer looks a bit wrinkled after birth, he will be the most beautiful baby in the whole world to you from the very first second.
4. Birth does not end when your baby is born
When you hold your baby in your arms after birth, the pain and hardships of the past hours quickly fade away. But birth isn’t completely over yet, because the placenta still needs to be delivered. Since it is soft and you are probably already completely enchanted by your little one, it may be that the afterbirth causes you little pain. However, in the days following birth, contractions can still occur as the uterus, which has stretched significantly during pregnancy, contracts back to its original size. These so-called afterpains are experienced by every new mother, regardless of whether it was a vaginal birth or a cesarean section. Their intensity can vary, and while some women find the afterpains painful, others hardly notice them.
5. Your organs need to find their place again first
The larger your baby becomes in your belly, the less space there is inside. Towards the end of pregnancy, the lungs, stomach, liver, and intestines are therefore significantly pushed upward. After birth, your organs gradually move back down to their original positions. At first, your empty belly is not only very soft from the outside, but can also feel quite empty from the inside. Some moms describe the feeling in their abdominal area after birth as loose, as if their organs are falling out. Even though this, of course, cannot happen, girdle panties or your old maternity pants or tights can provide your belly with the necessary support in the postpartum period and help you feel more comfortable.
6. Postpartum pads will become your favorite companion
Not only will your baby be diapered, but you will also become acquainted with thick postpartum pads, so-called fleece diapers, after the birth. After delivery, lochia begins, during which your body expels remaining blood, uterine lining, mucus, and other remnants of pregnancy from the uterus. Lochia lasts about two to six weeks and is significantly heavier than your period. Although they are not particularly attractive, you will soon appreciate the oversized pads. If you give birth in a hospital, you will be provided with some postpartum pads for the first few days. However, you can also purchase them in advance at the pharmacy or drugstore. It’s also best to stock up for the first few weeks on breathable, slightly larger cotton underwear that will hold the pads well and won’t cut into you anywhere.
7. The first diaper content of your baby is black
When you change your baby’s first diaper, you might be quite surprised: does the content really look like that? Don’t worry, it’s completely normal for your baby’s first stool after birth to be dark green to black in color and sticky. With the so-called animal feces or meconium your little explorer excretes everything from amniotic fluid to skin cells that he swallowed in the womb. With a little oil and a soft cloth, the first bowel movement can be removed easily. If you want to know what else to expect in your child’s diaper in the coming months, check out the article " Baby's bowel movements ". ;)
8. The baby blues can affect you
For months, you have been looking forward to the day when you can finally hold your baby in your arms. However, when the time comes, it’s completely normal to feel like crying instead of feeling pure joy. A few days after birth, the sudden drop in hormones often leads many women to experience what is known as the baby blues, along with symptoms such as feeling down, anxiety, and intense emotionality. Sleep deprivation and uncertainty about handling the new situation can contribute to this mood. Usually, your hormone balance stabilizes within a few days, and the mood swings will soon pass.
9. The milk coming in can overwhelm you
Approximately two to five days after birth, the moment finally arrives when your breasts noticeably enlarge, become tense, and are sensitive to pressure. Your body then fully begins milk production, known as the milk let-down. If your breasts are painful, warm compresses or a warm shower can provide relief. In the meantime, you can also manually express some milk to reduce the pressure. If milk leaks between feedings, special nursing pads that you can place in your bra can help. Although the sudden milk let-down can be uncomfortable, it does not mean you are producing too much milk. If you are breastfeeding your baby, your body will adjust to their needs after a few days and regulate milk production accordingly.
You probably want to use the postpartum period to get to know your baby calmly and find your way together into your new family constellation. Even if you could do without physical discomfort and some restrictions may feel inconvenient, your body performed at its best during birth and continues to do so. Try to be patient with all the changes, and keep reminding yourself how proud you can be of yourself. :) We wish you a beautiful and restful first days with your baby!
