Created for expats living in Japan

The Need for Postpartum Care

This article is contributed by Vitalité House.

Childbirth is an event that places a great burden on a woman's body. In order to nurture the baby, the uterus enlarges, putting pressure on the internal organs and pelvis. In addition, childbirth requires intense physical exertion due to contractions of the uterus and labor pains. These processes may cause damage to muscles and tissues. Therefore, postpartum women need a regimen to promote physical recovery and repair. After childbirth, it takes roughly eight weeks for the body to return to normal. During this period, care is needed to promote physical rest, wound healing, and pelvic recovery.

Hormonal balance changes also occur after childbirth. After delivery, progesterone and estrogen levels drop sharply and prolactin, a hormone associated with lactation, rises. These changes can have a variety of effects on a woman's body and mind. Nurturing is important to support hormonal balance and psychological stability.

After childbirth comes the new responsibility of raising a child. There are more activities that require more strength and energy, such as caring for a newborn and getting up frequently at night to feed the baby. A postpartum regimen is very important to help the mother get adequate rest and regain her strength. Postpartum regimens also help manage stress and maintain psychological balance.

So what specific care is needed?

Physical Care

The first step is to get some rest and help with physical recovery after childbirth. This includes pelvic and muscular adjustments, wound care, and posture and care during breastfeeding. It is also important to manage the changes in body shape and weight that occurred during pregnancy. After childbirth, there are many physically demanding situations such as breastfeeding and caring for the baby, so it is important to rest your body as much as possible with the help of family and professionals.

Nutrition and diet

Nutritional balance is especially important after childbirth. Proper nutrition and adequate fluid intake are important to promote postpartum recovery.

Rest and Relaxation

Childbirth is a physically and emotionally taxing event. It is important to rest after childbirth, and mothers need to be supported to ensure that they get enough sleep and time to relax.

Emotional Support

Childbirth and childcare are the beginning of new experiences and responsibilities for the mother. The postpartum period can bring a variety of emotional changes, including hormonal imbalances and anxiety about childcare. It is important to provide opportunities for support and consultation from family, friends, and professionals.

Thus, postpartum women need a wide range of support. Postpartum care serves to support the mother's efforts to raise her child and build relationships with her family by maintaining her physical and psychological health and promoting early recovery. Receiving support and information from medical institutions, postpartum care specialists, and midwives can help make postpartum care more effective.

English-Speaking Prenatal and Postpartum Care Center

Vitalité House provides provides a welcoming environment dedicated solely to prenatal and postpartum care, as well as professional hospitality in Kawasaki, Kanagawa.

Vitalité House
A: Wellness Living 2F, 3-24-10 Kosugi-cho, Nakahara-ku, Kawasaki-shi, Kanagawa
W: https://vitalitehouse.com/en/