10 postpartum issues no one ever told you about and how to combat them

Congrats, you just had a baby — now what?New moms know to expect sleep deprivation, a sudden shift in hormones and a challenging physical recovery in the initial weeks after delivery.The postpartum period can actually bring a wide range of temporary and long-lasting effects on the body — some are painful, others are bizarre and many are not discussed.Here are 10 postpartum physical signs that women shouldn’t ignore — and some ways that you can manage them.The potentially fatal blood pressure condition is becoming more common.It’s crucial to know the symptoms, which typically develop between 48 hours and six weeks after delivery.Signs include severe headache, vision changes, right ribcage pain and sudden swelling of the face and hands.

Seek medical care immediately.Tearing of the tissue between the vagina and the anus can naturally occur during vaginal births.The key is knowing if the wound is healing properly.Soreness in the early weeks is normal and can be managed with warm sitz baths, ice packs and over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen or ibuprofen.

Keep the area clean and dry and change pads frequently.Most of the discomfort improves significantly in the first six weeks.You should contact your doctor right away if you notice increasing pain, swelling, foul-smelling discharge or opening of the wound, which could be signs of infection or wound breakdown.If scar tenderness or pain during sex continues beyond a few months, your doctor may recommend pelvic floor physical therapy, topical treatments or, in rare cases, a minor procedure to address scar tissue.Sensitive nerves in the abdominal wall may have become irritated during delivery.While usually temporary, persistent discomfort and drainage from the incision may indicate an infection.You may need additional surgery to optimize care. Vaginal dryness is very common after having a baby, especially if you are breastfeeding.Breastfeeding lowers estrogen levels, causing the vaginal lining to ...