Recovery time from a vaginal delivery is usually shorter than the recovery time from a Cesarean section. But sometimes it can take a while, especially if you’ve experienced any lacerations or tears.
The perineum, or the region between the vagina and rectum, is vulnerable to tearing during delivery. Some studies show that women are more likely to tear during their first vaginal delivery, probably because this is the first time the area has been stretched to that degree. But whether it’s your first or your tenth, delivery technique can make a huge difference. One study revealed that if normal, spontaneous vaginal deliveries are unrushed and occur in a controlled setting with a nurse, doctor, or midwife guiding the pushing process, there is a lower risk of obstetrical trauma. Many health experts recommend perineal massage in the weeks prior to delivery as a way to lower the chances of tearing. Unfortunately, some women experience tears despite their own best efforts and the efforts of their health care professional.
Tears and Lacerations
Tears and lacerations vary in severity and are classified accordingly:
• First-degree tears are surface tears that involve the skin of the perineum and the vaginal connective tissue, usually near the vaginal opening. No muscles are involved. Healing time for first-degree tears is rapid, and women usually experience little discomfort. Stitches may or may not be required.
• Second-degree tears are deeper tears that involve the skin, connective tissue, and underlying muscles. Second-degree tears almost always require stitches, and healing time can vary. Most often, the stitches will dissolve on their own. Some women report feeling fine in a matter of weeks, others complain of experiencing pain for longer periods of time.
• Third-degree tears are more severe and involve the skin, connective tissue, and the external anal sphincter muscle, the muscle that you can squeeze to stop yourself from going to the bathroom.
• Fourth-degree tears are the most severe and can involve a tear through both the internal and external anal sphincter muscles and lining of the bowel. These tears often result in the loss of anal sphincter control, as well as fecal urgency and/or incontinence.
While third- and fourth-degree perineal tears are not common, they can happen to anyone. There are a few risk factors which may increase the chances:
• Larger babies
• Occiput posterior deliveries (baby is sunny-side up, or delivered faceup, instead of facedown)
• Nulliparity (delivery of first babies)
• Extended second stage of labor, or if the pushing stage lasts longer than an hour
• Midline episiotomies — unfortunately, some women end up tearing further than the controlled incision
• Forceps delivery
Third- and fourth-degree lacerations can be extremely painful and may interfere with all sorts of activities, including intercourse, for quite some time after delivery. Many women find going to the bathroom, especially having a bowel movement, a huge challenge. One woman with a third-degree tear told me that having bowel movements after her delivery was worse than the actual delivery itself.
The pain can persist for months after the baby arrives. A thorough follow-up is very important, so make sure that you see your health care professional several times after the delivery. Your doctor should examine the area and make sure the anorectal area is functioning properly. For many women, the pain and discomfort will subside within a few months and normal activities, including sex, can be resumed.
Some moms experience uncontrollable gas and/or fecal incontinence down the line. These problems should be brought to the attention of your physician immediately. In some cases, additional treatment may be necessary.
Episiotomies
An episiotomy is a controlled surgical incision made in the perineal area (between the vagina and rectum), prior to the delivery. In the past, the episiotomy was used routinely in order to lower the risk of vaginal tears during deliveries. But because newer studies have shown that these routine episiotomies have no real benefit for the mother, and may actually worsen the outcome and prolong healing time, episiotomies are becoming less common. In fact, several studies reveal that more severe lacerations were associated with the occurrence of an episiotomy.
Despite the new research about episiotomies, some women still get them. And it’s certainly true that in some cases, an episiotomy may be necessary, especially if the baby presents in an unusual position or is overly large; it may also be necessary if the doctor needs to speed up the delivery for health or medical reasons pertaining to the mom and/or the baby.
Recovery from an episiotomy is a lot like the recovery from a tear; it all depends on the extent of the cut or laceration. For most women, the pain and tenderness will subside significantly in one to two months. If a woman experiences a serious tear in addition to the surgical incision, recovery time may be prolonged.
C-section
The recovery from a Cesarean section, or the delivery of a baby through an abdominal incision, varies from woman to woman. In general, recovery time tends to be longer than the time it takes to recover from a normal, vaginal delivery, unless, of course, a severe tear or laceration is involved.
Right off the bat, the incision site will most likely be sore, although some women report that their incision feels numb and tingly. The pain will gradually subside and the numbness should lessen as well (although I’ve spoken to a few women who never fully regained total sensation in that area). Many women also complain of itchiness around the scar during the healing process. If the itchiness becomes intolerable, speak with your health care provider for options. Some doctors will recommend soothing creams, but others do not, so it’s important to get his/her opinion.
Some women who have had a C-section complain of cramps caused by the buildup of gas in the abdomen after surgery. Walking around or light exercise can help. This will usually go away within the first few days post-surgery, but it can linger, especially if you are not moving at all. Speak with your health care professional if it becomes a problem.
Don’t be shocked by the way the incision looks! For many women, seeing a dark red scar on the abdomen can be upsetting. But remember, it fades with time (and will likely look a whole lot better in six to eight weeks) and most doctors make the incision low enough that your pubic hair will eventually cover it.
Certain activities may be difficult right after a C-section; even coughing, sneezing, and laughing can be uncomfortable. Lifting anything heavy is out of the question, and it will be a while before you can have sex again. You also may need to wait to drive a car, especially if you experience pain buckling your seat belt or getting in and out of the car. Getting up and moving are important parts of the healing process, but you shouldn’t expect to run a marathon.
Here’s a good piece of advice: Don’t overdo it! Oftentimes, women don’t seem to realize that they have just had major abdominal surgery and they feel frustrated that they are unable to move around freely or lift heavy things. One woman I spoke to complained that the stairs in her house posed a major challenge. Another woman was upset that she was in too much pain to be able to cook for her older child. It normally takes an average of six to eight weeks to recover completely from a Cesarean, and for some women it can take several months.
Here are a few more tips to help speed your recovery from a C-section:
• Accept help. As simple as it sounds, it can make a world of difference. Many women are used to doing everything themselves. But this is not the time to be superwoman. Husbands, siblings, parents, friends, and even in-laws make great helpers. If they offer, take them up on it!
• Take it nice and slowly. Many women feel okay by that six-to-eight-week mark, but if you’re not among them, don’t do anything that makes you uncomfortable. Overexerting yourself can actually prolong the healing process.
• Don’t neglect your bowels. If you’re taking pain medications, be aware that certain types can cause constipation, which in itself can become a serious problem. Make sure that your bowel movements are regular, and if this starts to become an issue, speak with your health care provider. Stool softeners and laxatives might be necessary.
• Accept the mess. With tons of foot traffic through your home and visits from your extended family, your house may get messy. But you’re recovering, so leave it. This is a great opportunity to ask your mother-in-law to help clean up. Even if the mess causes you stress, it’s better to leave it for someone else to handle than for you to overexert yourself. Believe me, there will be many messes in the future you can dirty your hands with!
The above excerpt is a digitally scanned reproduction of text from print. Although this excerpt has been proofread, occasional errors may appear due to the scanning process. Please refer to the finished book for accuracy.
You promised to love, obey and to honor your husband. Stand beside him through sickness and health. The thick and thin and the good and bad. And now he wants out of the relationship. He no longer wants you. He wants a separation. Marriage separation is painful. But it is possible to quickly recover from a divorce.
There is no denying the pain. However, what is important is the will to steel yourself and recover. Surviving a divorce might be one of the most difficult things you have ever done. But every divorced woman needs to move on. And forget the person who has inflicted the pain.
After a divorce, you have to start thinking about your survival. So start making plans for life after marriage. Seek legal advice about divorce. Get a new apartment. Change your number if possible. You want to start afresh. The sooner you start rebuilding your life after a divorce the better.
A divorce is like an open wound. And dealing with separation and divorce requires healing. You will bleed but with proper time and care your divorce pains will heal. It is important to understand the nature of your wound. And what it takes to get on that road and quickly recover from your divorce.
Do not blame yourself for the fall-out of your marriage. Do not think of how you could have made a better wife. These thoughts are natural. But will not put your marriage back together. So let it go. Save yourself from greater hurt.
Do not dwell too much on your marriage. It takes two people to make a marriage. And marriages turn to divorce based on the differences of the people involved.
No one is perfect. And happiness in life comes from learning from mistakes. Accept your short-comings. Learn from your mistakes in marriage. Vow you will profit from what has happened. And get on with your life. Stop dragging your guilty feelings along.
Convince yourself in your mind that you can survive your divorce. Detach yourself from the past especially when nothing can be done to change what has happened. Accepting that there is a happy life for you and your kids after a failed marriage is a step in the right direction. All this helps you recover quickly from a divorce.
Chemotherapy is a treatment used for treating cancer by destroying the cancerous cells. The individual undergoing this treatment has to undergo physical and emotional stress.
The type of chemotherapy for cancer depends on various factors such as your general health, type of cancer and also whether the cancer is spread on to different parts of the body. The major disadvantage of this treatment is that it affects the healthy cells along with cancerous cells.
Some of the common side effects of chemotherapy are infection, anemia, hair loss, nausea, fatigue, blood clotting problem, fluid retention, mouth, throat problems, effects on sexual organs and Flu- like symptoms.
Some important guidelines which will help your body recover after chemotherapy are described below:
* You should totally stop the intake of alcohol and cigarettes. These harmful substances would have an adverse effect on your body and would increase the risk of getting other cancer.
* You should go for regular health check-ups which would help the doctor to check the progress of the chemotherapy treatment and also discuss your side affects with the doctor. Consult an expert or specialist if you are experiencing some severe problems such as thought impairment or memory loss.
* Make sure to take balanced diet and regular exercise. You should opt for taking fresh juice of carrots, apples or ginger regularly. Opt for soft food during the chemotherapy. You should avoid the intake of soft drinks, canned food, fried food and coffee.
* You should take proper care of your body which will help you to protect yourself from infection and weaken the immune system. Avoid coming in contact with an individual who has cold or flu.
* Opt for taking multi-vitamin in consultation with your doctor.
* For relaxation from the stress of undergoing this treatment, you should opt for mediation, or engage yourself in some hobbies such as singing, playing music or recreational sports or games.
* Another excellent option is to go for a body massage or nutritional therapy. Besides these, you can also opt for joining a support group in your local area which will help you share your feelings. It will help in reducing the stress and enhance your immune system which in turn would speed up the recovery process.
* For hair loss, you can opt for new hair styles and take proper care of your hair. You should use a mild shampoo twice a week. You should avoid straightening of hair and or using a hair dye.
The information included in this section is very helpful as it would help in the recovery process after chemotherapy and improve the chances of chemotherapy survival.
Working out does wonders to the immune system. If you want to experience a faster recovery from injuries, illnesses and medical treatments, you have to have an excellent immune system.
Health professionals recommend their patients to get on their feet as soon as possible, get active and exercise to help them recuperate faster. People who have been running are deemed to have a speedy recovery after medical treatments like surgery because their immune system is well-built.
Effects of Working Out on the Immune System
Many female runners who once survived breast cancer remain free of the disease years after. They attest that the secret to their successful recovery after bouts with cancer was their being runners. Although their recuperation may not have been easy, they were still able to bounce back and experience normal lives again.
Foundations of Well-being
It gets alarming how sometimes people we know are diagnosed with life-threatening health conditions and diseases such as cancer, heart diseases, diabetes and many others. Some of the contributing factors to living a long life and enjoying great health are proper diet and working out. Thus, if you devote a little time being active or performing a strict exercise regimen, you will also enjoy overall wellbeing.
Track and Field in Schools
Way back in the 1960s and 1970s, public schools in Canada encouraged every student to take part in what was called “Participaction” program. Track and field became the highlight of the physical education curriculum in public schools. Track and field competitions were set up for students. Many of the students back then were surprised to find out they had a knack for competitive running. Some of them had never tried playing any other sports, like basketball, volleyball and swimming, until track and field was introduced in public schools. After graduation, some of them continued to make running as part of a regular routine to keep fit.
Keeping a Running Log
If you make running a part of your regular work out regimen, it is best if you keep a running logbook. A running logbook is a great way to keep you motivated, keep track of your running progress, and serve as a gauge of your current fitness level. Whether you are merely brisk walking or darting for several miles, or whether you run regularly for fitness or training for track and field competitions, you will realize the importance of keeping a running log. It will make you enjoy and appreciate your running skills all the more, making your running regimen an important part of your schedule, and keep track of the great favor you are doing your body and overall health.
Conclusion
There are a lot of things you can do that are beneficial to your health. If you want to be healthy, make a few lifestyle adjustments and prioritize all that will have a positive impact on your overall wellbeing. With the right diet and regular exercise regimen, you are boosting your immune system; thus, you are less susceptible to acquire several health conditions and illnesses. You will also be able to recuperate from any injuries to the body. As with anything else in life, there are no guarantees, but there are things you can do to maintain a level of assurance.
