F is for Fundal Massage

F is for Fundal Massage

When you hear ‘massage’ you think about a relaxing day at the spa, this is not that kind of massage!  The fundal massage can be quiet uncomfortable.

Fundal Massage is when your nurse presses down on your abdomen firmly massaging the uterus, specifically the fundus, or top your uterus.  The reason for this massage is to reduce your risk of postpartum hemorrhage and assist your uterus in shrinking back to its pre-pregnancy size.  The pushing and rubbing of your uterus will cause contractions also referred to as afterpains.  These contractions will not be as painful as what you just went through, but still unpleasant…

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B is for Bleeding

B is for Bleeding

After your baby is born you will experience a discharge called lochia which is comprised of blood, mucus, and uterine tissue.  This discharge is experienced by all new mothers whether they gave birth vaginally or via cesarean.  This bleeding is to clear out your uterine lining and usually lasts about six weeks, gradually decreasing and changing to more mucus over that time.  The first five to ten days your bleeding will be heavy (comparable to a heavy period), bright red, and have some small clots – this is known as lochia rubra.  If you have any clots the size of a golf ball or larger you need to let your doctor know right away.  After the first week your bleeding will become more pinkish or brownish, and the clots should decrease and become less frequent – known as lochia serosa.  By the end of the first six weeks the lochia should no longer contain blood and be only yellow or white mucus discharge – known as lochia alba.  If you had twins or triplets your bleeding will likely be heaver and longer…

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A is for Afterpains

A is for Afterpains

You’ve just gone through hours of labor and delivered your baby, the pain is over now right?  Wrong!  After your baby is born you will still experience contractions referred to as afterpains.  These contractions are caused by the involution of your uterus from its pregnant state back to its non-pregnant state – roughly the size of a pear.  Some moms describe these as a barely noticeable or a mild annoyance while others compare their intensity to labor contractions…

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