During the postpartum recovery period, especially for mothers who have undergone cesarean section, it is crucial to have a good confinement period. Due to the different delivery methods, the care during the confinement period also varies, with more detailed care needed for cesarean sections.
In the early postpartum period, new mothers should wait for degassing before eating on the day of the surgery. They can choose easily digestible liquid foods such as thin porridge, sealed foods, fruit juice, fish soup, or bone broth. Radish soup can effectively promote intestinal peristalsis and reduce bloating. During this stage, it is advisable to avoid foods containing sugar, beans, or starch, as well as greasy, spicy, and heat-inducing foods to prevent worsening bloating or constipation issues. From around the fourth day onwards, the diet can gradually become richer and more diverse, following the principle of color matching to ensure a balanced nutritional intake.
After a cesarean section, abdominal wound pain accompanied by uterine contractions during breastfeeding can make new mothers feel very uncomfortable. At this time, family understanding and comfort are particularly important. To promote the uterus’s return to its normal size, it is recommended to perform abdominal massages even if there is pain. If the wound appears red and swollen, trying applying 95% alcohol on gauze and seeking medical attention promptly as wound healing usually takes 4-6 weeks, varying from person to person.
If physically allowed, mothers who have undergone either natural birth or cesarean section are advised to get up and move around as soon as possible to promote physical recovery. Although early movement may cause pain at the incision site, moderate exercise helps speed up the recovery of the digestive system. Throughout the confinement period, simple postpartum exercises can be done or consulting professional yoga instructors can be beneficial. Moderate exercise not only accelerates physical recovery but also aids in body shape restoration, contributing positively to postpartum depression prevention.
Ensuring sufficient sleep is crucial for postpartum recovery. However, many mothers report severe sleep deprivation during the confinement period due to frequent night awakenings and daytime baby crying, impacting their recovery. Even with expectations of improvement after the confinement period, accumulative fatigue and dark circles are often noticed. Therefore, finding suitable methods to improve postpartum sleep quality is highly necessary.
