The postpartum period covers the 6-8 (42 days) week period after the separation of the placenta and its membranes after the labor is over. At the end of this period, all changes in pregnancy return to pre-pregnancy state. During the postpartum period, mothers and babies need meticulous care to protect them from diseases.

Perineum Care

• Hands should be washed frequently,
• Medicated water should be used for dressing the stitches (batticon solution). Cleaning should be done with toilet paper from front to back,
• The pads used should be absorbent, soft, clean, colorless, and odorless,
• Pads should be changed frequently, and cotton underwear should be preferred. In normal births and stitched births, swelling, tension, and discomfort may occur in the area for the first few days, and difficulty in sitting may be experienced. The stitches are not removed as they fall off on their own. When the wound is kept clean, it heals in 1-2 weeks,
• Bleeding continues for an average of 40 days. In the first week, the amount of bleeding may be as much as menstrual bleeding. Then, if there is more intense bleeding than the menstrual bleeding, fever rises or a malodor comes from the discharge, continuing as a brown, yellow, and white discharge, after 40 days, a health institution should be consulted,
• In people who have had a cesarean section, in case of swelling, redness, and discharge in the suture area, a health institution should be consulted without delay.

Breast Care

• The shower should be taken once a day for breast cleaning,
• Before each breastfeeding, hands should be washed and the nipple should be wetted with some breast milk,
• A breast pad can be used after breastfeeding is over.

Nutrition

• All kinds of food should be taken sufficiently and meals should not be skipped,
• Gas-producing foods (dry beans, chickpeas, lentils, carbonated drinks, etc.) should be avoided until defecating a few times after the birth,
• Consuming plenty of fluids is beneficial both for the regular functioning of the intestines and for the increase in milk. Caution should be exercised when consuming bitter, sour, spicy, and gas-producing foods, as they will pass to the baby with milk,
• Substances such as cigarettes and alcohol should not be used, and excessive consumption of tea and coffee should be avoided.

Sexual Life After Childbirth

Whether it is a normal birth or a cesarean section, during the first 6 weeks after the baby is born, that is, the postpartum period, a discharge called "lochia" comes from the vagina. This discharge, whose color is light red at first and gradually turns yellow in the following weeks, comes from the uterus, where the baby settles, that is, during the recovery and healing of the uterus. In addition, the tears that occur in the vagina in those who give birth normally or the stitches that are applied due to the incision (episiotomy) in order to allow the baby's head to come out easily during birth also take place in this period. Therefore, it is generally not recommended to have sexual intercourse during the postpartum period in order for the stitches to heal easily and the uterus not to be exposed to infection. During the postpartum period (42 days), sexual intercourse should be postponed. It should not be forgotten that it is possible to get pregnant during the first intercourse. Pregnancy in less than 2 years is inconvenient for maternal and infant health.

Sleep and Rest

After the birth, the mother cannot spare enough time for rest and sleep due to fatigue, pain, feeding, and care of the baby. However, since sleep is extremely important for maternal health:

• Help from family elders should be sought and visitors should be restricted,
• Since sleep is frequently interrupted at night due to breastfeeding, at least 2 hours of rest and sleep should be provided during the day,
• Heavy work should be avoided during the postpartum period,
• Resting on the back should be avoided as it increases circulation.

Coping with Postpartum Blues

Crying, unhappiness and anxiety may occur in the mother as a result of hormonal changes or the mother's feeling of inadequacy in baby care. This situation is defined as maternity blues and is experienced by many of the new mothers. Although the symptoms are similar, it should not be confused with depression. Maternity blues usually occurs on the 3rd or 4th day after birth, the symptoms are temporary and last 1-2 days or 1-2 weeks. Emotional support is important during this period. If the period of maternity blues bursts longer than 10-14 days, it is necessary to consult a specialist because of the possibility of developing postpartum depression.

Postpartum Exercises

Benefits of Postpartum Exercises:

• It strengthens the abdominal and perineal muscles that were stretched during pregnancy,
• It helps to improve the body image that was distorted during pregnancy,
• It prevents low back pain and possible vascular problems,
• It helps burn excess fat,
• It ensures the preservation of the breast shape,
• It helps to improve the psychological state.

Important Points to Know About Postpartum Exercises:

• While exercising, the room should be well ventilated, comfortable clothes should be worn, bladder and breasts should be emptied,
• Exercises should be started 6 weeks after birth,
• Pelvic floor exercises (Kegel) can be started after 6 weeks,
• Each exercise should be started with two repetitions at least twice a day (morning and evening),
• Exercises should be done by avoiding slow and sudden movements; when one exercise phase is tolerated, the next one should be started.

Kegel Exercise

Kegel exercises prevent urinary incontinence. It provides pleasure from sexual intercourse. In addition, it is extremely important in women's lives as it prevents the sagging of the reproductive organs. It should be done regularly, especially during pregnancy, postpartum and menopause periods.

The exercise should be applied with the following stages:

• Empty your bladder, wear comfortable clothes,
• If you are going to do the exercise lying down, elevate your head with a light pillow,
• You can also lie down with your knees bent and do it standing or sitting,
• First, take a deep breath,
• Focus on relaxing your body and focus on the muscles around the vagina-anus,
• Contract your muscles around the vagina and anus together, but do not contract your abdominal and leg muscles while doing so.
• Exercise by placing your index and middle finger on your vagina to make sure you are contracting the right muscle group,
• It will be beneficial if you repeat this exercise package 6-8 times a day or every hour.

Do not hold your breath during the contraction, and do not contract your hip and abdominal muscles.