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As a first-time mom-to-be, you may feel anxious and not know what to expect following the birth of your baby.

Sleepless nights? Being “on-call” 24/7 for your new-born? Feeling fatigued throughout the day?

Surely, having your new-born cuddled up in your arms would be the best feeling ever. However, the first few weeks will not be short of challenges and being aware can give you a head start.

Thus, here are some things you should expect right after having a baby.

1. Bleeding and discharge from the vagina

With both vaginal delivery and cesarean section, it is common to experience bleeding, also known as ‘lochia’. It occurs as the body tries to rid itself of the extra blood used in the growth of the baby. Along with that, extra tissue from the uterus may also be excreted from the vagina in the form of discharge.

The bleeding may be bright red and heavier during the first few days, especially during the first 24 hours. It is also normal to see some blood clots, smaller than the size of a quarter during this period. The bleeding should normally subside after 10 days and spotting may be observed until 6 months post-delivery.

What you can do: Pack up maternity pads that can be worn when experiencing heavy bleeding. Once the bleeding transitions to spotting, you can switch it out for regular pads.

Note: If the heavy bleeding persists past the third-day post-birth and if you get a clot bigger than the size of a plum, do not hesitate to call a doctor or call 911. Watch out for other symptoms like dizziness and bleeding that soaks up a pad within an hour as these depict a serious problem known as postpartum haemorrhage. Please take note that it can happen within the first 24 hours after birth too.

2. Vaginal tears or soreness

Vaginal tears and soreness are common complications for women who undergo childbirth. Tears are a common occurrence if one is having a baby for the first time and there are other factors that come into play too. For example, a baby’s head being too big to facilitate vaginal stretching, a high birth weight baby, long labour, or assisted birth (with forceps or ventouse) increases the chances of getting vaginal tears.

There are varying degrees of tears one can get, ranging from a first-degree tear- only the skin is torn, to a fourth-degree tear that is more extensive- extends into the anal canal or further.

Despite these, fret not! Such tears can heal within 7-10 days with proper treatment, however, there may be soreness that persists within the area during the following weeks. And usually, stitches would be required for second to fourth-degree tears.

What you can do: Keep the area clean to prevent any infections by having regular showers and regular changing of pads. Antibiotics may be provided by your doctor to reduce the risk of any infections.

To prevent constipation that could worsen the situation, try to include fibre in your diet by opting for more fruits, vegetables and whole-meal bread. If you face constipation, your doctor can provide you with laxatives to aid bowel movement.

Ice packs can also help by reducing swelling and pain if applied to the affected area for 10 to 20 minutes at a time.

Note: If one undergoes caesarean delivery, it’s still important to keep the stitches in the area dry and clean in addition to eating a well-balanced diet for quick healing.

3. Toilet complications

After giving birth, women usually experience incontinence (inability to control urination or defecation). Although it’s no fun, it is nothing to be ashamed if such an accident occurs.

After delivering a baby, the body goes into recovery mode. Due to many reasons like dehydration and diet, physical inactivity and stress, the body may face troubles in regulating normal bowel movements and faces constipation. At times, due to unconscious actions like avoiding going to the toilet when it’s really needed, as it may hurt, may cause constipation too! It may hurt at times and even sting a bit when you pee but will heal in a few days.

Some may even develop haemorrhoids which are swellings near the anus, due to the pressure of carrying the baby and weight gain.

What you can do: To strengthen the pelvic floor muscles, a simple at-home exercise like Kegels can help. If the constipation is serious, your doctor can provide stool softeners to ease the trouble. Other than that, maintaining a well-balanced diet and staying active can be in your favour.

As for haemorrhoids, there are over-the-counter creams that are available as a treatment. If the haemorrhoids do not subside or go away, consult a doctor to discuss possible treatment options.

4. Postpartum cramps

As the uterus makes an effort to hop back into its original size after birth, it may contract in a way similar to menstrual cramps. These afterpains also occur to hold back the blood vessels in the uterus from excessively bleeding. At times, these pains can be severe and more intense than menstrual cramps. It’s common to get cramps especially on the first 2 to 3 days after birth and then the coming few days (7-10 days).

What you can do: You can try using a heating pad for pain relief. However, if the pain is unbearable, your doctor may advise you to take over-the-counter pain medications. Additionally, if the pain lasts for too many days, do speak to a doctor to rule out any other causes.

5. Postpartum depression

A lot of women experience a jumble of emotions right after having a baby. About 80% of women experience “baby blues” which is a period where you feel down, worried and fatigued within the first week or two after having a baby. This is very normal and should go away within a few weeks.

After the delivery of a baby, the levels of hormones- estrogen and progesterone drop significantly. The abrupt change may lead to depression. Postpartum depression (PPD) is not the same as baby blues. It is more intense, affects your ability to function and is more long-lasting. PPD can cause severe anxiety, hopelessness, exhaustion, mood swings and even suicidal thoughts in serious cases.

What you can do: If you suspect you have symptoms of PPD, do consult a doctor. The doctor can advise you to proceed with medication or therapy. Other than that, making time for self-care despite having a new little one around would really help. Make sure to get enough rest and get your family to help out if you feel overwhelmed.

6. Hair loss

During pregnancy, due to the increase in certain hormones like estrogen, the hair grows at a faster rate than it sheds. This is why women feel that their hair feels lusher and stronger. Unfortunately, once one gives birth to the baby, the hair sheds and goes back to how it was prior to pregnancy. The shedding phase can last for about 5 months.

What you can do: Keep eating healthy by eating lots of fruits, vegetables and good proteins to ensure you’re getting enough nutrients. Food like dark leafy greens, sweet potatoes, eggs and fish can help taper down the rate of hair loss. Other things you can do are skip the heat styling to prevent more damage and continue taking vitamin supplements.