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Sheryl Kingsber, PhD, Chief Division of Behavioral Medicine at University Hospitals MacDonald Women’s Hospital, shares tips for dealing with the physical and emotional effects of giving birth.

Having a baby changes your life, and there’s no way to fully prepare for how exhilarating and challenging it will be. From the deluge of emotions to your physical recovery, the first few weeks are intense.

• As your milk comes in, your breasts may hurt. Applying heat or moisturizing lotion directly to the area can soothe sore nipples. Please note that while the pros of breast-feeding far outweigh the cons for both mother and baby, sometimes breast-feeding may not be possible for a variety of reasons. Women should not feel inadequate about something they have absolutely no control over.

• Your perineum (the area around your vagina and anus) may be sore after the birth. Warm baths can help the area heal, and ice packs can ease swelling.

• The shrinking of your uterus can cause contractions that worsen when you breast-feed. You’ll also notice a lot of vaginal discharge — called placental involution discharge. This is usually a brownish-red, mucus-like discharge, and you may need to wear sanitary napkins until the flow subsides. It usually stops in about two months.

• Your menstrual cycle can resume as early as four weeks and as late as a few months after delivery. Generally, women who are not breast-feeding will resume their cycles sooner.

• You and your partner may feel periods of intense joy, sadness, anxiety or all of the above. Many women have mood swings as a result of changing hormone levels. While this is normal for the first couple of weeks, do not ignore more persistent symptoms of depression. Postpartum depression is very common, affecting 10 to 16 percent of all women who give birth. Asking your obstetrician for help is the best first step.

• You may experience constipation. A stool softener can help, as can drinking plenty of fluids and eating fiber-rich foods. As you begin to heal, put aside chores and cooking for at least the first week. Instead, order out or enlist help from family and friends. Consider asking a parent or friend to stay with you for a few days

While there are many physical and emotional signs to monitor, relax and enjoy your new baby.

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