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10
Most Frequently Asked Questions about Pregnancy, Childbirth and Postpartum
Recovery: Part III
6. Will sex during pregnancy hurt the unborn baby? Assuming you have no restrictions during your pregnancy, sex will not hurt the baby. One Obstetrician tells his patients they can have sexual intercourse up until labor as long as the baby’s head doesn’t get in the way! It is important for you and your partner to remain intimate throughout your pregnancy, however sexual intercourse is not the only way to express your love for each other. Hugging, kissing and just cuddling can be very satisfying. Mutual masturbation is also an option. Communication is the key for maintaining a positive relationship with your partner during pregnancy and after childbirth. Having a baby can be a very exciting time in both of your lives but can also put a strain on your relationship. Tell your partner what your wants, needs and desires are and encourage him to do the same. Concern for each other’s welfare goes a long way during times of stress. After the baby is born, at least by the six-week check-up, find alone-time with your partner. If you can arrange it, make a date on a regular basis to spend time together even if it means taking a walk together or going food shopping. Your love made a beautiful baby. Be sure to nurture your relationship and everyone will benefit. 7. What’s the best way to prepare for Labor and Delivery? Learning to breathe diaphragmatically is the most important tool for preparing for the labor and delivery experience. This means that when you inhale, you fill the lungs with air and expand your belly allowing the diaphragm to drop into the abdominal cavity. As you exhale, the diaphragm will rise and the belly will contract. To practice this breathing, sit comfortably in a chair and place one hand on your chest and one hand on your belly. As you inhale, fill your lungs and move the air down to the lower lobes of your lungs by expanding your belly. As you exhale, contract the belly, pulling your belly-button toward your back. Try to breathe a little slower and a little deeper each time you practice. Spend at least five minutes every day practicing this breathing technique. Breathing with your diaphragm will also help you in times of stress or uncomfortable situations. There are so many things that we cannot control. What kind of labor we have is one of them. Birth plans can help you decide on choices you have during the birthing experience. However, you need to be flexible. Childbirth is an experience of “letting go.” Physically, your body needs to allow the baby to be born. Emotionally, you need to be ready for all possibilities. You can’t always control what happens to you, but you can control your reaction to it. Practice relaxation breathing to reduce stress during pregnancy, calm the mind and body during childbirth and meet the challenges of caring for a new baby. 8. How will I know if I have enough milk to feed my baby? The greatest concern for breastfeeding moms is whether the baby is getting enough milk. The easiest way to know is to count the number of wet diapers. A baby should wet at least six diapers per day. If your baby is not wetting at least that many diapers, then you should discuss this with your baby’s doctor. Your fluid intake is the most important factor in producing breast milk. Be sure to drink at least eight to ten glasses of water a day or more if you are thirsty. Try to drink a glass of water with each meal and each time you breastfeed to replenish your fluids. 9. How soon can I resume exercise after delivery? You can start to exercise as soon as bleeding stops and you have clearance from your health care provider. In the early weeks, taking your baby for a walk is the best way to start out building your stamina. Try walking at a comfortable pace 10-15 minutes and then increase to maybe twice a day. For general fitness as well as weight loss and weight maintenance, eventually try to walk 30-45 minutes a day at a pace that you are able to talk but not able to sing. You don’t need to go to a gym or buy special equipment in order to exercise. In addition to taking your baby for walks, put music on and dance with your baby. Babies love the movement and studies suggest that moving to music stimulates brain development in the newborn. It is important not to do too much too soon. If you feel fatigued after exercise or start to bleed vaginally again, then you need to slow down and decrease the intensity of your exercise session. Special exercise classes for new moms and their babies are excellent ways to get back into shape and network with other new moms. Postpartum is a time for your body to recover from pregnancy and childbirth. It is also a time for adjusting to a new baby. It may take six to nine months before you resume your pre-pregnancy shape. By exercising regularly, eating sensibly and resting as needed, you will be able to meet the demands of motherhood feeling good and staying healthy. 10. I just had a baby and feel totally consumed with baby care. How do women find time to do anything for themselves, let alone exercise? There’s nothing like a new baby to make you feel totally disorganized. Just taking a shower can feel like a monumental accomplishment! Get into the habit of scheduling at least 30 minutes a day for your self. It could be during one of the baby’s naps or when your partner comes home. Try not to be too hard on yourself about housework. Put well-meaning friends and relatives to work. When people come to visit, ask them to vacuum, put a load of clothes in the washer, prepare a meal or watch the baby. Use your time to take a walk, sit in the bath, read a magazine or just catch up on some rest. Taking a daily break will give you more energy to care for your new baby and put you in a positive frame of mind. If you are having difficulty finding time for your self, try this: Get a calendar and hang it on your wall or refrigerator in clear view. For the next day or two, schedule a 30 minute break to take some time for yourself. Think about who might be able to watch the baby and what times they are available. Consider the usual times that baby naps. Talk to your partner and find out when he is available to care for the baby. On the calendar, mark the days and times you end up choosing for yourself. Then, on a piece of paper, write all the things you would like to accomplish in the next several days. This is your “to do” list. On another piece of paper, make three columns. On the top of the first column, put an “A“, on the second a “B” and on the third a “C.” Then, prioritize your “to do” list. If it has to be done today, put it in the “A” column. If it can wait a day or so, put it in the “B” column. If it could wait for a week or more, then put it in column “C.” As you accomplish your tasks, cross them off. Every couple of days, revise your list as situations and priorities change. Reward yourself when you’ve accomplished everything on your “A” list. THE BEST WAY TO PREDICT THE FUTURE IS TO PLAN IT! Bonnie Berk, MOTHERWELL founder, is a Registered Nurse, Childbirth Education Specialist, and Certified Personal Fitness Trainer, with a degree in Health Education. Visit www.motherwellfitness.com for more information. 10
Most Frequently Asked Questions About…Part I |
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