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DO THE BEST FOR YOUR BREASTS
Keep abreast of all the changes that you might experience during pregnancy and early motherhood.
Large or small, round or pointy, breasts come in all shapes and sizes. While you may never have paid any attention to your breasts until now, you'll become very aware of them as they transform during pregnancy, childbirth andmotherhood.
In Pregnancy
Tender breasts are often one of the first signs of pregnancy, and you might notice them even before you miss your first period. As soon you conceive, your body will be preparing to nourish your baby after birth, and by six to eight weeks of pregnancy, your breasts will feel firm and full.
If your skin is pale, you might also notice the veins are closer to the skin surface. Tingling or even stabbing pains are common, and the glads in the areolae (the dark areas around your nipples) might become raised.
Breast discomfort is a normal part of pregnancy, as your hormones stimulate the development of tine milk glands.
Caring for your breasts
While you're pregnant, it's important to wear a good supportive bra - and it's well worth getting one fitted properly. If you're planning to breastfeed, you'll also need to be fitted for a feeding bra a month or so before the birth.
Choose one that's simple to undo, has wide shoulder straps and hooks and eyes to adapt toyour changing shape.
Keep your breasts clean by washing them as normal, but avoid heavily perfumed soaps and lotions as your breasts might be extra sensative.
After The Birth
During the days and weeks after your baby is born, your breasts will go through tremendous changes as they adapt to the needs of your baby.
In the three days after the birth, you will produce a type of milk called colostrum, which contrains valuable antibodies to protect your baby against same diseases.
After about three days, colostrum is replaced by breastmilk and you will notice and full. Many women feel very emotional at this stage, as their hormones kick in.
When your nipples are stimulated by your baby's sucking, or if you hear him cry, milk will floood into your breasts and may leak out. This is called the 'let down' reflex. The size of your breasts has no bearing on how much milk you produce. That is governed by hormones, a good blood supply and healthy diet.
Because of the added weight of your breasts, you'll need to wear a supportive bra, even at night (although, if you're not breastfeeding, your breasts should return to their pre-pregnancy size with in weeks).
Use absorbent breast pads inside your bra to mop up any leaks, and wash with warm water - you don't need soap.
BREASTFEEDING PROBLEMS
Once established, breastfeeding is an easy, enjoyable and convenient way of feeding your baby. However, discomfort in the early days if common and you'l probably need help from a midwife or breastfeeding consellor. Below are some problems you might encounter.
Engorgement
During the first week of breastfeeding, it's normal for breasts to become hard to the touch, over-full and painful. The longer you go between feeds, the more likely they are to become engorged, so frequent feeding is best.
What to do:
Soak in a warm bath to drain off excess milk, or apply warm flannels to soften your breasts.
Put a cold flannel on your breasts after feeding to reduce swelling.
Place chilled cabbage leaves in your bra for a cooling effect.
Sore Nipples
Your nipples might be very sensitive in the first week or so, particularly when your baby latches on. These eases once the milk starts flowing, but if the pain doesn't decrease after a few seconds, or if your nipples become very sore, check that your baby is positioned properly.
What to do
Ask a midwife to check that your baby is latching on correctly.
Change your feeding position frequently so your baby is not always pressing on the same part of your nipple.
Express a little breastmilk and let it dry on your nippples to soothe them.
Apply a litttle calendula cream - it's safe and you'll find it very soothing.
Avoid using soap on your breasts - it removes natural lubriating oils and leaves them vulnerable to damage.
Blocked duct
Tight clothing of engorgement can result in a blocked milk duct, which will cause a hard red patch on your breast.
What to do
Check your bras fit properly.
Encourage your baby to empty the breast when feeding, gently massaging the painful area as he sucks.
Express a little milk.
Mastitis
This can be caused by an untreated blocked duct or an infection. As well as sore red patch on your breast, you will have flu-like symptoms.
What to do:
See your GP who will prescribe antibiotics. These are not harmful to your baby.
Take paracetamol every four hours if your temperature is raised - again this will not harm your baby.
Offer your baby the sore side first to try and get milk moving through the breast.
take warm baths and soothe your breasts with warm flannels.
Thrush
If you suddenly develop soreness after previously painfree feeding you have cracked nipples that won't heal. It may be due to thrush, which can be passed to your from your baby's mouth and back again. You may nbotice that your baby has a sore bottom and white spots in his mouth.
Your GP will prescribe an antifungal gel to apply to your nipples. This won't harm your baby, who might also be presccribed antifungal drops.
When You Stop Breastfeeding
Once you decide to stop breastfeeding, take it slowly to minimise discomfort to you and upset to your baby. Drop one feed at a time, and allow at least a week before dropping another.
When you've stopped altogether, you may find your breasts are smaller than before, although some women find their breasts are larger - there's no way of telling how you'll be affected.
EARLY DAYS AFTER GIVING BIRTH
After having a baby your body will start to return to normal. You may feel tired this is due to the hormone withdrawal.
You must keep your fluid intake up so you remain well hydrated, this will leave you feeling better equipped to face the changes to come. Drink at least a pint of milk a day at least, and loads of ater, juices and non-alcoholic drinks.
Straight after delivery, your uterus starts to contract back to its pre-pregnancy self. The faster this happens the better whilst breastfeeding expect to feel these pains, a hormone called oxytocin which is involved in the production of breast milk, this stimulates contracts.
Giving birth has left your cervis and vagina stretched and will need loads of tender loving care. Itwill take about a week for your cervis to narrow and firm, this is because they have been left soft and slack from giving birth.
By practising your pelvic floor exercises, contracting and relaxing the pelvic floor you can spped up the recovery of these muscles. However, don't start the pelvic floor exercises until the flow of blood (lochia) has stopped.
The vaginal discharge you get after having a baby is called Lochia, this bleeding can last betwen 14 days - six weeks. At first the blood is bright red, this will change to a pink then brown colour, eventually becoming colourless.
Whilst you have the lochia avoid using tampons, as this can cause an infection. If the Lochia becomes foul smelling, see your GP, straight away. Breastfeeding is known to reduce the length of time the Lochia lasts.
As anyone knows who has suffered from piles, that piles otherwise known as haemorrhoids can be very painful. Tey are very common during pregnancy, and after giving birth. Piles may cause pain, itchiness, lumpy swellings just inside your back passage, and sometimes they will bleed when going to the toilet. With proper care though, piles can shrink and fade away, see your doctor for best advice he may also give you some cream to help shrink the piles.
Relight My Fire! (or, the truth about sex after birth)
Passion is probably the last thing on your mind right now, but your desire will return. You may have some niggling worries, so here's how to get your love-life back on track.
Will I ever have sex again?
You probably won't be in the mood for making love in the first days, possibly even weeks or months, after giving birth. You're physically exhausted because of the labour, plus you're caring for your demanding new baby, then there's the drastic changes in your hormone levels.
There can be a vast range in the number of weeks between birth and the resumption of intercourse - from one week to a year. So rest assured, however long it takes to resume your sex life, it's completely normal.
How will it feel?
It's understandable that you may feel nervous the first time you have sex after birth.
There have been so many physical changes to your body, and you're probably wondering if you can possibly enjoy your first experience, and it's not just the physical discomfort - you emotions are riding high too. You may even worry that the first time during intercourse may course pain.
Your hormones are constantly fluctuating and you're probably anxious about whether you're caring for your new baby properly - the responsibility alone is enough to push anyone to exhaustion point.
First-time anxieties
However long it takes, you will at some stage feel ready to have sex again, despite a few worries. Here are some common concerns and tips to overcome.
"I've had stitches"
"When is it safe?", "Will it hurt?" are common questions asked by women who have torn or had an episiotomy.
Usually advise abstaining for the first week, and after that it's down to comfort. It varies according to how bruised you are, the number of stitches you had, or the size of your scar. Take things slowly and explore the area gently with your partner before trying full intercourse".
Try to Get you partner to feel your scar which will help him to be sympathetic. A warm bath before sex and using a vaginal lubricant, such as KY Jelly, may also help. Try side-by-side positions rather than man-on-top. If you think there's a problem with scar tissue or trapped nerve endings, see your GP.
"I'm too tired"
"Sleep deprivation can have a devastating effect on desire", "Tirdness causes a drop in testosterone levels, which regulate libido in both men and women".
Try to Share the night feeds with your partner if you're bottlefeeding . You can also nap when your baby does. If you don't feel the need to sleep during your baby's naps, make that your 'special time' for each other.
Forget sex at bedtime - the only thing you'll want to do by then is sleep, so why not try it first thing in the morning?
"I've had a casarean"
You haven't had a vaginal birth, so there'll be no damage down below. But you've had a major operation, so no rushing things if you're feeling any discomfort from your scar. Remember, you'll still have bleeding and discharge for up to six weeks after the birth.
Try to Experiment with different positions, such as 'spoons', so you don't put any pressure on your scar.
"I feel slack"
If you've had a vaginal birth, sex might not feel as intense, as the muscles in your pelvic floor have slacked.
Try to Do regular pelvic-floor exercises, which can improve sensation dramatically. Ask your GP how to do them.
"I'm breastfeeding"
This can affect your libido either way. The hormone oxytocin which is produced during breastfeeding can heighten your sex drive or reduce it. The physical side of breastfeeding may put you off sex (swollen, tender and leaking breasts), and your partner might not be as keep either. He may stop seeing your breasts as a sexual part of your body, but a food source for your baby.
Try to Ask your partner how he feels and gets intimate in other ways, such as cuddling.
"My vagina is dry"
Until your hormone levels are back to normal, your vagina won't lubricate itself as quickly as before birth, no matter how much foreplay you have. This can make sex feel uncomfortable.
Try this Use a lubriant, such as KY Jelly.
"I'm not sexy any more"
With a saggy tummy, leaky breasts, and breast pads and extra weight make you feel anything other than a seductive sex goddess.
Try to Take time out to pamper yourself, have a candle-lit bath with sensuous oils to help you feel sexier. Also throw out the unflattering maternity knickers and do some gentle excercise, to help you lose the surplus weight. It's generally safe to start six weeks after the birth, but ask your GP if you're worried.
If all else fails............
In some cases, loss of libido can be a symptom of depression, which could be caused by a difficult or traumatic birth. If your sex drive does not return, or if you're feeling generally down and that you're not coping with your baby, speak to your GP for help and advice.
Don't forget contracpetion..........
When you visit your GP for your six-week check-up, she'll ask if you've had or tried to have sex. But this is not because she expects the answer to be yes. GP and Mother & Baby expert Philippa Ridley explains, 'The main reason for your GP to ask about your sex life is so you can discuss any contraception problems you have. It's important to use contracepton after the birth, even if you're breastfeeding, because ovulation can still occur. Talk to your GP about the options available to you.
http://www.babycenter.com/calculators/passionpredictor
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FIVE WAYS TO BEAT VARICOSE VEINS
Put your feet up, and rest as much as possible.
Eating garlic is good, as this improves your blood cirulation, if, however, you don't like garlic, garlic capsules are the next best thing.
Walking will help strengthern the muscles at the back of your legs, calf muscles, walking will also help improve your circulation.
Standing for long periods of time, is not good. So make sure if you are going to be standing for a long period of time, to stretch, and flex your calf muscles, rotate your feet from time to time.
Witch Hazel applied to reduce swelling, or lemon to a warm bath. Remember when you are pregnant, only to have warm baths, NO HOT BATHS.
10 Ways To Protect Your Back
Here are 10 tips, to protect your back, so no more carrying heavy shopping, decorating, or moving the furniture about.
Before lifting anything, make sure your bend your knees, keep your back straight. Any heavy lifting is to be avoided.
Never bend from your waist to pick things up. You are likely to put your back out. First you must lower yourself into the squatting position, and keep your back straight at all times.
Try to imagine, you have a book on your head, and you have to keep it on your head, so walk with head high, this should encourage you to straight the curve at the small of your back.
Tuck your pelvis under your hips to reduce any curving in the spine. This will help you to keep a good posture.
Do not wear high heeled shoes, you are pregnant now, and not walking the catwalk. So low-heeled shoes is advisable, and will help keep your back and pelvis straight.
When in bed, use a pillow and place it between your knees, making it more comfortable for sleeping. It will also help keep your spine aligned.
Always roll on your side first, and use your arms to push you up into the sitting position, when getting up from laying down in bed.
When getting into a car, sit, then swivel into the car, keeping your legs together as you swivel, when getting out of the car, bring both legs together, and swivel to get out of the car.
Getting a buggy or pram with adjustable handles is best, so you can adjust them to suit you, and be at the height best for you.
When doing the housework, try to keep your back in mind, the last thing you need is to put your back out, and end up having bed rest, so any heavy jobs, get someone else to do. Avoid carrying any heavy shopping. After you have had the baby, no carrying baby against your hip as you do the housework
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