How to Properly Heal From Birth: Quick Fixes Don’t Work

We all know that pregnancy is one of the most demanding times on a woman’s body. However, what many don’t consider is that postpartum is actually even more demanding than pregnancy. The demands of nutrient depletion coupled with the physical changes that women experience during childbirth are incomparable. This is why it is important to learn how to properly heal from birth.

Contrary to popular belief, it is not a priority to lose the baby weight right away after having a baby. Instead, it is important to focus on how to heal the body the correct way instead of using “quick fixes” that don’t actually work. At Pillar Physio – Georgetown, Texas, we strive to provide lasting relief to all women who come to us for their healing needs.

What Happens to the Pelvic Floor During Birth?

During pregnancy and childbirth, the pelvic floor experiences tremendous strain. The added weight from a growing fetus plus the release of the relaxin hormone require your pelvic floor muscles and ligaments to become flexible (something that is not normally required of it).

During childbirth, your pelvic floor must stretch and open to accommodate the birth of a human being. This is a traumatic experience and it deserves attention and care. Your pelvic floor is the real MVP of your childbirth experience.

3 Reasons Why Quick Fixes Don’t Work

Many women want to bounce back to their pre-baby body and weight and therefore resort to quick fixes to get back into shape. However, this plan doesn’t work for the very reasons mentioned below.

Band-Aid Approach

Quick fixes are considered a band-aid approach. They simply cover the symptoms you are experiencing instead of focusing on your future health.

Short-term relief

Quick fixes provide short-term relief instead of focusing on the root cause of the issue. Yes, you will likely feel better quicker when you use a quick-fix approach. However, the pain and discomfort you feel after birth can come back just as quickly because you didn’t address the actual issue.

Can Do More Damage

Quick fixes can actually do more damage than good. For example, a woman with diastasis recti might think that doing crunches every day will help her lose the tummy pooch. Instead, all of the crunches exacerbate the diastasis recti, causing more ab separation, more tummy pooch, and more pain.

How to Properly Heal From Birth

Now that you understand why quick fixes don’t work, you can focus on how to properly heal from birth. Use the following tips to begin your healing journey the right way.

Pelvic Floor Therapy

One of the top ways you can properly heal from birth is by participating in pelvic floor therapy. During pelvic floor therapy, your physical therapist will work with you to heal your pelvic floor after birth.

Every woman is different. Therefore, your treatment plan will be unique to you when you partner with Pillar Physio. Our hands-on, whole-body approach is designed to help women experience lasting relief from pelvic floor pain. Heal the right way with pelvic floor therapy.

Rest

When your body has experienced a traumatic event, rest is the best thing you can do to properly heal. Your body needs time to heal on the inside. When you rest, you are allowing your body to focus your resources on healing. Resting is important following childbirth.

Hydration and Nutrition

Hydration and nutrition are essential to properly heal from birth. Your body has lost key nutrients and minerals needed to sustain life. Replenishing those vitamins and staying hydrated with water and electrolytes will help you feel better and will ensure your body has what it needs to heal.

Ask friends and family for a meal train to help you with nutrition and hydration. In addition, purchase food items that will promote healing. Your family needs you to be well.

Listen to Your Body

Your body has a way of telling you when it is tired, hungry, and overwhelmed. Listen to your body. It knows what you need. Your intuition will be the best thing for you to heal properly after birth.

Start Your Journey to Properly Heal from Birth

The decisions you make today have the potential to affect your body now and in the future. Therefore, it’s crucial that you take steps to heal properly after birth. Pelvic floor therapy is the first step in your healing journey.

Quick fixes don’t work for overall healing. While other women are focused on getting back to the body they had before pregnancy, you can focus on feeling better than ever before.

Contact Pillar Physio today to schedule your assessment with one of our expert physical therapists. You deserve to live life pain-free. It’s time to take care of you; your family and community need you.