A Caregiver’s Guide To Postpartum Recovery
Childbirth is a milestone for almost everyone in this world. For mothers, it means bringing a new life to this world. Another would be the act of giving their love to a beautiful baby: Their family and friends also celebrate this memorable life chapter. One instance would be sending blessings and best wishes to both the mother and child. You would even encounter relatives throwing parties before childbirth to show their excitement. With this, postnatal care in Singapore is as necessary as the celebrations and excitement you showed during the early stage.
What does this mean? Always strive for a holistic approach to health. Make sure to touch all aspects to ensure a steady recovery, especially for overwhelmed mothers after childbirth.
One common issue is a postpartum belly that affects their self-image. For caregivers – both immediate family and medical practitioners – always give emotional support to the mother. Let us explore ways of doing this.
THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT POSTNATAL CARE
Giving childbirth is a beautiful and fulfilling experience for a mother. One can even say it is a roller-coaster ride of emotions and physical changes because they care for the baby. Another would be the social aspects as it is also a family affair – for some people. For starters, newbie mothers experience challenges like a postpartum belly that drains their self-esteem and even divarication of recti- another physical change.
These changes are regular occurrences for them. However, it takes a toll on their mental health because it can be overwhelming. Another would be the preconceived notion about how these changes make them less desirable. No one sees urinary incontinence in Singapore as something beautiful, right? Overall, the key is to accept these as regular instances while addressing them.
TRAITS OF A GOOD CAREGIVER
If you are a caregiver or an immediate family member taking care of a recovering mother, read this to learn more about the traits you should have. Adopting these characteristics would help you achieve healthy postnatal care in Singapore.
Tactful
Let’s face it: newbie mothers can be emotional and hormonal. They also exhibit mood swings that might affect their existing relationships with other people. As a caregiver, make sure to think before you speak. Why? They might take the wrong message or misinterpret your opinions. If they think having a postpartum belly is undesirable, never comment anything about it. Think of their feelings before saying something you might regret.
Hopeful
Postnatal care in Singapore is about achieving recovery in all aspects. As a caregiver, you want to give them a sense of hope. One example would be consoling or telling the mother that things will get better. Another would be motivating them to act upon their desires and goals. However, do not be too hopeful and still be realistic.
Patient
The postpartum belly and divarication of recti can make the mother a bit irritable. They also exhibit mood swings that affect their relationship with people. Be patient with them to achieve stable recovery. You should also be calm at all times and avoid saying things you might regret. Overall, the mother is already emotional. Be a better person by being patient.
Humourous
There is such a thing as postpartum depression. Mothers experience this due to physical and mental changes. Having a sense of humour can brighten up their day, but never make a joke about their appearance or anything that might ruin their mood. Always practise good conduct when doing postnatal care in Singapore.
Helpful
Always lend a helping hand to them. If the mother needs regular diastasis recti exercises, offer your assistance. Their conditions limit their abilities when doing activities, so you should always help them. However, as a caregiver, respect each other’s boundaries. You are there to help, but if you think the demand is ridiculous, saying no is an option.
WHAT TO AVOID SAYING DURING POSTNATAL RECOVERY
One integral aspect ofpostnatal care in Singapore is emotional support. Mothers – especially first-timers – can exhibit cognitive imbalances and mood swings. Also, some caregivers overlook the importance of mental health, so one way to achieve overall recovery is having the right balance between body and mind.
Essentially, you socialise with the mother every day for a few months of recovery. You also talk to them during the day when they accomplish tasks. Here are the things you should avoid saying to them:
Statement #1: You do not look like someone who went through childbirth.
For some, this can be harmless. By observing it closely, the statement insinuates that childbirth makes a mother undesirable. Sure, having a postpartum belly is not a glamourous trait, but never comment on this as it can affect the self-image. You become a part of the bigger problem when you have all the means to break the stigma.
Statement #2: Do not cry about it because everything is normal.
Experiencing postpartum depression and urinary incontinence in Singapore is normal, but this statement is a form of invalidating their struggles. Why? You make it appear that releasing emotions is a bad thing. Another would be the thinking that mothers should accept their physical and mental changes.
Statement #3: I am sure you can lose weight in no time.
The most problematic statement anyone can say. Not only does this affect how people think about pregnancy, but it also insinuates a wrong concept about body image and weight. First, postpartum bellyand weight gain are typical for a mother after childbirth. However, you have no concern about anyone’s shape or weight. Another is the problem about how people make it a sole factor of wellness.
Statement #4: My baby was not like that.
Naturally, you want to give and receive advice to help other mothers. One problem is that such a statement brings more harm than good. Remember that postnatal care in Singapore is not “one size fits all”. Your recovery, care techniques, and baby are different from someone else’s. Saying this to a new mother is like comparing your letter A to her letter B – they are different.
Having a postpartum belly and urinary incontinence in Singaporecan be overwhelming. Get in touch with Orchard Clinic to achieve recovery after childbirth.