Get ready... recover!

As the end of 266 days (more or less) of your pregnancy gets closer, you will start to day dream about getting your body back and once again feeling slim and sexy, instead of big and bloated.

So much has been written about the niggles of pregnancy, why they happen and how to deal with them. So you were prepared.

Many of you have indeed told us that you fully understood the changes that pregnancy brought and were prepared for the pain of labour or surgery.

But, you said, you were in no way expecting the time after birth to be so uncomfortable and challenging. In reality, it can seem that you’ve exchanged one set of discomforts for another.

Can anything be worse than a swollen body that groans each time it tries to move off an uncomfortable chair? Or swallowing yet another pill to ease the heartburn or nausea you feel? Not being able to sleep will make any bad situation worse and your joints seem so loose, they’re barely holding you together. No matter if you had your baby through the exhaust pipe (vaginal birth) or through the sunroof (caesarean), you’ll feel the impact of the process on your body. Usually, if you’ve had a vaginal birth, you’ll recover faster than if you’ve had major surgery.

But either way, taking care of yourself at this vulnerable time is important.

■ INABILITY TO PASS URINE. You’ll be expected to pass urine within six hours after birth. If you’ve been unable to do so, you may be suffering from something called urine retention.

While not life threatening, it can cause a great deal of pain and anxiety. Often listening to or watching water running or having a warm bath or shower will get things moving. If not, you’ll need medical intervention.

■ INSOMNIA AND FEELINGS OF “LOSING YOUR MIND” are to be expected after birth due to the heavy demands of a newborn causing sleep disruption. However, some moms experience dramatic changes in their emotional and mental health. Thought disorders, severe agitation, confusion, hallucinations and delusions can be symptoms of a rare condition called postpartum psychosis. Mild symptoms can quickly develop into serious mental illness, so it’s imperative that you get treatment.

■ HELLP SYNDROME is a complication associated with birth, and it can be lifethreatening. It’s seen as a kind of preeclampsia, or a complication of it. Both pre-eclampsia and HELLP usually occur during the later stages of pregnancy, or sometimes after birth.

HELLP syndrome involves an autoimmune response to the conditions of pregnancy. HELLP affects your liver function and how your blood clots. You may also feel as though you’re getting flu. HELLP syndrome after delivery can be even more stressful and frightening than the pre-birth form of the illness, as it is often unexpected and sudden. However, with proper medical care and adequate recovery time, most mothers will recover within a few weeks or months. The first 48 hours after delivery are generally the most dangerous, and intensive care may be necessary to support a woman’s body until her organs begin functioning properly.

However, symptoms can occur as many as six weeks after delivery. Late onset can be dangerous, as many women will dismiss signs like swelling and headaches as simple post-delivery factors.