Women will inevitably undergo a lot of changes after they give birth to their first child. But these changes might be a shock to them if they don’t know what to expect. In line with this, here are some things that women should be ready for:

Physical changes

·         The tummy will feel round and soft; even if you won’t look pregnant, your body is still adjusting to the birthing.

·         Pain in the uterus. Breastfeeding can stimulate the “afterpain” when the uterus contracts.

·         Breasts will become bigger. The breasts will increase in size because your milk will come in.

·         Vaginal discharge. The uterus will still shed the remaining lining for a few weeks. It will look like lochia for the first several times and it will turn red. Then it will become brown color and cream. It is important to use sanitary napkins to protect your clothes.

·         Tiredness. Aside from feeling tired most of the time, you might feel like weeping. This is quite normal so you need not worry about postnatal depression unless you suffer from extreme emotional distress.

Some new mothers were not prepared for these changes so they had a hard time adjusting to parenthood. Being aware of these physical changes early on will let you avoid distress when it comes.