{"id":2187636,"date":"2024-08-11T10:05:27","date_gmt":"2024-08-11T17:05:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tinybeans.com\/?p=2187636"},"modified":"2024-12-04T07:38:39","modified_gmt":"2024-12-04T15:38:39","slug":"things-not-to-do-after-giving-birth","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tinybeans.com\/baby\/things-not-to-do-after-giving-birth\/","title":{"rendered":"10 Things Not to Do In Postpartum Recovery"},"content":{"rendered":"

After squeezing out a baby, your body feels like it\u2019s been through the spin cycle of your washing machine. You\u2019re exhausted and even the tips of your toes ache, but you still want to be there to look after your newborn. This means middle-of-the-night feedings<\/a>, countless diaper changes, and basically doing all the things. But it\u2019s important to remember to take care of yourself, too<\/a>\u2014and that includes knowing the things not to do after giving birth.<\/p>\n

Elizabeth Quinkert<\/a>, certified nurse-midwife and administrative director for the Tree of Life Birthing Center<\/a>, says it\u2019s a good idea to assemble your village before giving birth because as soon as the baby\u2019s born, all focus moves to your newborn. \u201cWe\u2019re so busy making sure the baby is taken care of, but birthing parents need time to recover as well,\u201d Quinkert says, something that\u2019s easy to forget when they jump into their caregiving role so quickly.<\/p>\n

Whether you had a vaginal birth or a C-section, your body requires rest to rebuild. To help out your sleep-deprived brain<\/a>, we\u2019ve prepared an easy-to-follow list of the things you shouldn\u2019t do after giving birth. If you have any questions about your postpartum recovery, don\u2019t hesitate to contact your care provider.<\/p>\n

1. Don\u2019t drive.<\/h2>\n

Your brain might be telling you to get in the car and check some errands off your ever-growing list, but your body needs time to heal. Whether you\u2019ve delivered vaginally or via cesarean section, one reason not to drive is blood loss. According to The March of Dimes<\/a>, it\u2019s normal to lose some blood after giving birth, but it can slow down your reaction time and impair your driving ability, Quinkert says.<\/p>\n

So when is it safe for you to hop (or lightly step) behind the wheel again? Your healthcare provider can help you decide. Most experts suggest waiting two weeks<\/a> before driving after you\u2019ve had a baby. Since moving your foot from the gas to the break and turning your head to check your blind spots requires some ab work, Healthline<\/a> suggests it can be longer if you had a C-section. If you\u2019re taking opioid medication for pain management to assist in your recovery, discontinue use<\/a> before you sit in the driver’s seat again.<\/p>\n

2. Don\u2019t ignore your pain or skip your checkups.<\/h2>\n

When you have a baby, stuff hurts. Your body is going to feel achy and exhausted from giving birth, and most of these feels are normal. Soreness, tiredness, and some emotional and hormonal changes are expected since your body has been through a major change, says the Cleveland Clinic<\/a>. However, there are pain levels and symptoms you shouldn\u2019t just \u201cpush through.\u201d Quinkert says if the pain starts to become worse, you feel an unusual pressure, or notice an increase in swelling, these are symptoms to let your provider know about. If your overtired brain is wondering which aches and pains you shouldn\u2019t ignore, the Cleveland Clinic lists the following as postpartum symptoms you don\u2019t want to overlook:<\/p>\n