Motherhood is a blessing and the feeling of holding your bundle of joy for the first time is one that compares to none other. However, being a new mom is like wading into uncharted territory and the hormonal instability, the stress of taking care of a newborn, the ingrained societal expectations and the feeling of not knowing your body can be daunting and exhausting.Childbirth is a challenging journey: both physically and psychologically and once you become a mother, you are likely to focus more on the baby rather than on yourself. Motherhood is indeed a beautiful journey a woman can experience in her lifetime but after childbirth, a mother can expect to have some physical changes and symptoms, however they are usually mild and temporary. Severe health issues are rare, vaginal birthing is a huge physical event and a C-section is no less than undergoing a surgery.
In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Dr Tanveer Aujla, Senior Obstetrician and Gynaecologist in Noida's Motherhood Hospital, shared some of the tips for new mommies:
• Full body recovery - First and foremost fitness tip for the postpartum period is resting and recovering. The recovery of the body post delivery is of utmost importance and a complete rest for 15-30 days is advisable.• Eat full balanced diet - As the mother will be breastfeeding and is bound to feel very hungry often, balanced nutrition is of paramount importance at this stage.
• Mild exercises - Exercise proves a safe and effective way to improve the physical, emotional and psychological well-being of early mothers. It lowers the risk of obesity, postpartum depression, and metabolic disorders. Proper exercise also helps in relieving stress, promotes better sleep and reduces the symptoms of postpartum depression.
• Be aware of the symptoms of postpartum depression - Postpartum depression is quite common owing to a new, restricted and tired lifestyle a mother goes through. The challenges of having a new tiny life in your arms who is completely dependent on you for their growth along with some very new pains and weight gains can have an immense impact on your mental well-being. New mothers should not hesitate to ask for help when needed. Don't be a hero and try to do everything on your own. It is ok! Ask for help and assistance from your family members.