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After you deliver your baby, your body will go through several changes. All women have a different postpartum experience, but most women share a few common problems. Fortunately, natural and medical treatments can cure the most common ailments. Here are some good ideas for improving your health after a successfully labor and delivery.
In This Post:
Painful Urination and Bowel Movements
You might have urination problems the first few weeks after your delivery. The problem will usually resolve on its own. In the meantime, you can pour warm water over your vulva while you are urinating. You should contact your doctor if the pain does not go away in a few weeks. You could have a urinary tract infection. You might have painful bowel movements after the delivery as well. If the veins near your anus are swollen, you could have hemorrhoids. Your doctor can prescribe a topical hemorrhoids medication. You can also apply witch hazel to the swollen veins. If the hemorrhoids do not go away within a few days, your doctor can prescribe a stool softener
Losing Weight and Stretch Marks
Most women lose several pounds after delivering a baby. If you want to lose more weight, you should eat healthy foods as the first step. Stretch marks will not disappear after the delivery, but should lighten after several months. Say GOOD-BYE Forever to Stretch Marks!If you had a dark line on your stomach while you were pregnant, the line will fade a few weeks after the delivery. Retin-A cream will lighten red stretch marks. If your stretch marks do not fade after a few months, you should ask your dermatologist about Microdermabrasion. The procedure can lighten older stretch marks as well. Your dermatologist can also lighten stretch marks with a laser treatment. After the laser treatment, the stretch marks will blend into your skin.
Leg Veins and Varicose Veins
Almost 40 percent of women develop varicose veins during pregnancy. Varicose veins will usually appear on your calves and thighs. Varicose veins may fade slightly after childbirth. Your doctor can inject a solution into the veins, and they will fade within two weeks. According to Ivein, a Utah Vericose Vein Center, most doctors will not treat varicose veins until six months after the delivery, and you may need more than one treatment. Muscle cramps, stinging, and redness are temporary side effects.Your doctor will schedule a routine postpartum checkup six weeks after your delivery. At your doctor’s appointment, they will make sure you are healing properly and may recommend Kegel exercises or write you a prescription for birth control. Be sure to bring up any other health issues you might be experiencing.