Not so normal!

ANY PUS, PAIN AND BAD SMELL may indicate that you have an infection – be it an episiotomy, tear or caesarean wound. This happens more frequently than you may think, so any unusual, consistent pain in these areas need to be addressed and brought to your caregiver’s attention. Urinary tract infections can also plague you, so report any burning to your doctor. WHILE BLOOD LOSS IS TO BE EXPECTED, bright red blood escaping from the vagina, and a uterus that is ”boggy” and bloated after a week is not normal. If bleeding does not subside, and there is a feeling of a swollen uterus, you may have bits of placenta that have been retained or the placental site that is not healing. This may be accompanied by fever, but not always. Speak to your caregiver sooner rather than waiting for your six-week check-up. BREASTFEEDING SHOULDN’T HURT. If it does, something is wrong! Hard, swollen breasts that can’t be touched, accompanied by fever and flu-like symptoms may indicate the start of mastitis. You’ll need prompt treatment in the form of antibiotics, and advice from a lactation specialist will help you continue breastfeeding through this potentially rough time. Cracked nipples aren’t as serious but can cause a lot of pain, so get help. Immediately. Don’t wait – it’s usually a simple matter of correcting the way the baby takes the breast that dissipates the pain within minutes.

LONG-TERM SADNESS OR DEPRESSION (three months or longer) is something to be concerned about and should be brought to your doctor’s attention immediately. This can affect the way you manage and bond with your baby, and doesn’t mean that you’re failing as a mother. Sometimes just talking it out with some counselling is all you’ll need, but sometimes medication may be necessary for a short while.

EXTREME JOINT PAIN can persist for months after birth, but you should visit a physio or chiropractor to make sure your spine is aligned. Exercises to help do that will strengthen your core. Wrist pain that doesn’t subside may need intervention in the form of a small operation to ease the pressure that’s causing the pain.