There are certain things that most, if not all moms, expect to happen right after childbirth. Things like a swollen vagina, a loose belly, bleeding, etc…You know, all that good stuff.
But there are several things that most moms don’t expect will happen immediately after giving birth.
These immediate postpartum symptoms are not terrible, but they certainly can take you by surprise if you aren’t aware of them.
It’s important to be prepared for these things so you don’t freak out when they happen!
**This post may contain affiliate links. I am NOT a licensed medical professional. Everything you read here is for informational purposes only. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional and do your own research before you do anything.
1. Contractions on the first latch
Ouch.
I did not expect these powerful, toe-curling contractions right after giving birth to my first baby.
Out of all the common, painful symptoms I experienced postpartum, these were the worst.
I certainly did not expect them to happen, especially not while breastfeeding!
Had I known, I would’ve made sure to have a bottle of this top-rated organic herbal tincture to ease my afterbirth pains.
To me, these afterbirth contractions felt worse than my actual contractions during labor.
The pain was sharpest during the initial latch and for the first couple of minutes while breastfeeding.
They subsided after that but I could still feel my uterus cramping the entire time.
Although they’re super uncomfortable, they’re normal. These uterine contractions after childbirth are triggered by the hormone oxytocin, which is released by skin-to-skin contact with your baby and breastfeeding.
The purpose of these contractions is to initiate the process of involution which is when your uterus shrinks back down to its pre-pregnancy size and shape. Although most moms do experience these, some don’t.
I experienced this both times and let me tell you, as a mom who has had 2 natural births, I would not power through these afterbirth contractions again without having anything natural to ease the pain. And it’s true when they say they get worse with each baby!
2. Intense shaking/shivering
What on earth?!
That’s the thought that crossed my mind after the birth of my first baby when I started to shake violently.
My nurse looked at me, smiling as she saw me shake and pulled out some warm blankets to wrap me up like a giant burrito.
Thankfully the shaking stopped no more than an hour after it began.
Postpartum shaking can be quite intense but it’s also very normal.
During the transition phase of labor, there is a surge in the hormone adrenaline to give you the energy you need to birth your baby.
This adrenaline flowing through you, along with hormonal shifts, contribute to these shakes that happen right after childbirth.
3. Extreme thirst and hunger
Bringing a baby into the world is hard work. It’s no wonder you will feel super hungry and thirsty right after childbirth….and even throughout your entire postpartum recovery, especially if you are breastfeeding!
Listen to your body and replenish it with what it needs to heal and to support breast milk production.
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Ditch the junk and aim for organic lean protein such as chicken, as well as complex carbs such as quinoa, and brown rice.
Raspberry leaf tea is great to drink after childbirth because it helps decrease postpartum bleeding by toning the uterus, and it also helps support lactation.
Coconut water is another great drink for postpartum since it helps replenish electrolytes lost during labor and helps repair damaged tissues.
If you plan on bringing red raspberry leaf tea to the hospital with you, make sure you get a good tumbler to keep your drink warm when you need it.
Also don’t forget to bring a giant water bottle to save you from having to refill it every hour.
4. Trouble going to the bathroom
Your first pee after childbirth may be a little shaky.
This is especially true if you’re a first-time mama and/or had a long 3rd stage of labor where you may have pushed the wrong way (just like I did with my first baby).
Your pelvic floor, bladder, and their supporting muscles and tissues endure quite a bit throughout the process of labor.
So having a little trouble urinating right after childbirth is usually no cause for concern.
However, if you are having significant trouble peeing 1-2 hours after giving birth, or if you can’t pee at all, let your healthcare provider know asap.
3 Postpartum essentials to help you pee after childbirth:
* An angled-neck peri bottle to take the sting out of your first postpartum pee and to help heal the area by keeping it clean
* Peppermint oil can be helpful if your muscles and bladder are shaky and confused after childbirth, and need help releasing. Put a few drops into the toilet water (not on your vagina!).
The vapors from the oil in the water will help relax your pelvic floor and should help you pee easily.
* A giant water bottle to make sure you stay hydrated. Also helps dilute your urine to make it sting less
** If you aren’t fully prepared for your postpartum recovery, you’ll want to check out my complete list of postpartum recovery essentials.
5. Night sweats
I remember waking up in a pool of sweat for several nights after giving birth. It was really quite annoying!
In fact, it’s one of the reasons why I always recommend that new mommies get at least 2 really good mattress protectors to help protect from any stains and bodily fluids.
Postpartum nights sweat are very much annoying but are normal and happen as a result of hormonal changes and your body ridding itself of extra fluids.
Final Thoughts
I hope this list wasn’t too shocking! It’s really not all that bad. Remember that many of these weird postpartum symptoms are temporary!
All in all, they were certainly worth it to me and I’m highly confident that you too will feel the same way, once you hold that little bundle of joy in your arms.
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