2. You’ll feel very sweaty, especially at night, as your body gets rid of excess fluids. Sleep on a towel, with a couple of spares next to the bed, so if you wake up clammy you can do a quick swap.
3. To reduce the risk of incontinence, keep doing your pelvic floor exercises after birth, tightening the muscles you’d use to stop yourself mid-wee. Do a mixture of slow and quick clenches.
4. Breastfeeding helps your uterus to contract back to its pre-pregnancy shape, so why not give it a go? Your stomach will be back to normal faster.
5. If you’re constipated, drink lots of water and eat a fibre-rich diet (fresh fruit and veg, brown bread, and wholemeal rice and pasta). Fresh orange juice is also amazingly effective.
6. When your milk comes in, your breasts may feel hot, hard and painful. A chilled Savoy cabbage leaf inside each bra cup works wonders.
7. Stretchmarks should gradually fade after the birth, although they’ll never disappear completely. Minimise the chances of developing any more by losing weight steadily, rather than crash dieting.
8. Afraid of bursting your stitches when you poo? You could put a pad of loo roll or a sanitary towel over the wound for support.
9. Try the homeopathic remedy Arnica for bruising. It’s available from health food shops and larger chemists.
10. To help delay the return of your periods, breastfeed for as long as possible. They’re unlikely to return while you’re exclusively breastfeeding (feeding your baby every three to four hours and not giving him bottles of infant formula or water, or even dummies).
11. If you’re suffering from piles, take plenty of warm baths to ease the itching and pain.
12. Cold treatments can also help, so try a cool pack (available from pharmacies) or a packet of frozen peas wrapped in a clean tea towel to ease discomfort.
13. Alternatively, soak a sanitary towel in witch hazel (from health food shops) to soothe piles and bruising – but always check with your midwife fi rst, especially if you have stitches.
14. Don’t panic if you’re losing clumps of your hair. It’s caused by hormonal changes, and should stop in two to four months. A new haircut will help hide the evidence (and to perk you up). Eating a balanced diet will help, too.
15. If your afterpains are severe, it’s safe to take paracetamol or use a TENS machine (a device commonly used in labour which blocks pain messages to the brain – ask your midwife or health visitor about where to hire one).
16. Sore, cracked nipples? Breastmilk is renowned for its healing properties, so express a few drops and massage into your nipples.
17. If your breasts are sore and engorged, try soaking fl annels in warm water, wringing them out and placing them over your boobs.
18. For a DIY way to soothe a bruised perineum, keep your sanitary towels in the freezer – instant relief whenever you change them.
19. Don’t be surprised if, when you leave hospital, you’re given a list of exercises to do. Working out may be the last thing on your mind, but they can help you recover more quickly – especially if you’ve had a caesarean.
20. Don’t overdo it. Regardless of the birth you hd, try not to lift anything heavier than your baby for two to three weeks (six weeks if you had a ceasarean) to let your body heal. Likewise, don’t head for the gym too soon, drive or sit still for long periods and definitely steer clear of the worst of the housework…
"This extract is reprinted from THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO YOUR CHILD'S FIRST YEAR available from your local WHSmiths £5.99"
1. If you have a tear or stitches, it may sting when you wee. Try pouring a jug of warm water over your perineum to dilute the urine, or wee in the shower or bath.