No one told me it would still hurt after labor was over!
When people hear the word "childbirth," isn't "labor pain" the first thing that comes to mind?
"Once I get through labor, it's over."
That's what I thought.
But the reality was different.
Childbirth isn't the finish line; it was just the start of a series of painful experiences.
Today, I want to talk about "postpartum pain" that I hope those expecting a baby and their families will know about.
I don't want to scare you.I would just be happy if you could mentally prepare yourself a little by knowing that "these things can happen."
Isn't breastfeeding supposed to be a happy time!?
Don't you have an image of a baby nursing as something happy and peaceful?
I had that image before I gave birth, and I was so determined to breastfeed exclusively!
But the reality was...
It hurts. It hurts so much!!!
The baby wasn't good at nursing yet, and
since it was my first time breastfeeding,
they couldn't latch on properly, and my nipples cracked.
Even just having shower water hit them was painful 😭
Even just having my clothes rub against them was painful 😭
And yet, I had to breastfeed every 3 hours...
It hurt so much that instead of thinking "how cute," I found myself thinking, "it's time to breastfeed again..."
Of course, it's not the baby's fault.
The baby is trying their best to drink and is so cute.
But it really hurt.
I've given birth three times, and my nipples cracked every single time.
Is there anyone who didn't have this happen? 🤔
I'd love for you to share your tips... 😭
(I'd be happy if you could share tips in the comments!)
An episiotomy is way worse than I imagined too!!
I had an episiotomy with my first child,
and my birth canal also tore.
The adrenaline makes you not notice it the moment you give birth, but
as time passes...
I can't sit down!!!
Walking is slow.
Going to the bathroom is scary.
Many people use donut cushions, but
I'm lazy (lol),
so I just lived through the pain.
I used a harsh method of just enduring the pain, and by the second day, I got used to it (lol).
I don't really recommend this, though lol
I didn't know there was such a thing as "afterpains"!!
Labor was over, but my stomach hurt again.
"Huh? Is something wrong?" I pressed the nurse call button.
...Apparently, it's afterpains 😇 lol
Even though I knew it was a necessary pain for the uterus to return to its original size, it still hurt.
I was prescribed Loxonin, but I heard that "taking too much can affect the uterus returning to normal," so I endured it as much as I could.
*Please follow your doctor's instructions regarding pain medication.
💫 Summary
Childbirth isn't the "end," it's the "beginning."
I felt that deep in my bones.
・Breastfeeding and mastitis
・Episiotomy
・Afterpains
・Sleep deprivation
・Swelling
・A body that doesn't recover as expected
・Tenosynovitis
・Having to have lochia manually removed because it wasn't coming out well
(↑ I haven't experienced this, but my sister said it was incredibly painful 😭)
From the moment the baby is born, a mother must recover her body while raising the child.
That's why, for mothers who have finished childbirth,
instead of saying "you're back to normal now, right?"
"You really did a great job."
I would be happy if people said that to them.
❇️ Things I want to tell partners
If there are any dads or partners reading this article, I have one request.
Breastfeeding is the only thing you can't take over.
That's exactly why,
making formula,
taking over holding the baby,
doing housework...
there are many things you can do.
And above all,
the reason the baby was born is because the mother risked her life to give birth.
Postpartum isn't "over because you gave birth."
For the mother, that's when a new daily life begins.
"Thank you."
"You really did a great job."
Don't forget to say those words, and let's work together as a couple to raise our child!
Was there anything you found "the most painful" postpartum?
It will be helpful for those who are about to give birth, so please let me know in the comments if you'd like 🌷