42-day confinement schedule How many days can you go out during confinement?

During the postpartum period, the body needs to excrete the excess toxins and water accumulated during pregnancy, so confinement is particularly important. If you take good care of yourself during this period, you can become more beautiful and charming than before pregnancy. There are many taboos during confinement. Here I will tell you how to stay healthy and stay away from confinement diseases during the 42 days of confinement.

42-day confinement schedule

▇The day of delivery▇

1. You must eat even if you have no appetite! Your body is tired after giving birth and needs adequate nutrition and sleep.

2. Your physical strength decreases and you may get cold easily. Remember not to catch cold during the confinement period.

3. The gastrointestinal function of postpartum women is relatively weak, so try to eat easily digestible food.

4. Soak a towel in hot water and clean the lochia every two hours.

5. In order to allow the bladder to return to normal, urinate within 6 hours of delivery.

6. Breastfeed the baby within 2-3 hours after delivery.

7. To facilitate uterine contraction, you should start walking within 24 hours after returning to the ward.

▇The second day after delivery▇

1. The pain is lighter than the first day, but there will be residual pain on the second day. Avoid excessive activity.

2. Feed your baby colostrum and massage the breasts regularly to relieve congestion and prevent pain.

3. When the room temperature cannot be adjusted, try to avoid taking a bath.

4. Have bowel movements and urination regularly.

5. Do some simple postpartum exercises to relax the muscles and help discharge lochia.

6. Maintain regular nutritious meals for three meals a day and avoid eating too greasy food.

7. Most women who undergo caesarean section will pass gas at this time, and they can drink porridge after passing gas.

▇ Third day after delivery ▇

1. After the milk flow is smooth, the breasts will be painful, please do not give up breastfeeding. Keep massaging the breasts with a hot towel to relieve congestion.

2. Women who give birth naturally can be discharged from the hospital and go home. They should pay attention to cleaning the lochia and continue to rest after taking a bath.

3. Even if your milk supply is not sufficient, you should still breastfeed more than 8 times a day. This can prevent breast pain and help the uterus contract.

4. When your body feels uncomfortable due to sweating and secretions, wipe it with a hot towel.

5. To prevent postpartum constipation and hemorrhoids, you should drink more water.

6. In order to recover after childbirth, the amount of exercise should be appropriate, and it is best to walk slowly at ordinary times.

▇Fourth day after delivery▇

1. Maintain a proper indoor temperature to avoid sudden changes in temperature. If you still cannot defecate 4 days after delivery, call your doctor immediately.

2. Don’t overdo housework or hold your child just because the activity has become easier.

3. The perineal suture area has not yet fully recovered, so do not exert too much force when defecating.

4. If your clothes become wet due to excessive sweating during the confinement period, you must change into dry clothes immediately; you should also wear socks indoors to maintain your body temperature.

▇Fifth day after delivery▇

1. The uterus shrinks to the size of a fist, urine volume returns to normal, and brown lochia is significantly reduced.

2. Let your child suck your nipple and massage your breasts every day.

3. Talking and chatting with family members can prevent postpartum depression.

4. Eat more foods containing protein and iron, such as fish, eggs, and lean meat.

▇Sixth day after delivery▇

1. It is easy to suffer from anemia after childbirth, and the condition will not be relieved until about 5 weeks after delivery, so you should continue to take the iron supplements you took during pregnancy.

2. Do not bathe for more than 10 minutes to prevent infection and cracking of the perineal sutures.

3. When doing housework, remember not to touch cold water. Do it according to your physical condition.

4. It is best to have help from your family when washing your hair, and remember not to bend over for a long time to wash your hair.

5. In order to recover quickly after childbirth, you must get enough sleep.

6. Exchange parenting experiences with elders, read more parenting books, and master the essentials of taking care of children.

▇Seventh day after delivery▇

1. Mothers who have delivered naturally have obviously improved, but have not fully recovered. They should rest more and get enough sleep. Mothers who have delivered by caesarean section should be prepared to be discharged from the hospital within 5-7 days.

2. Start changing your baby’s diapers and providing simple care, and be careful not to hold the baby for a long time.

3. From now on, actively do postpartum exercises.

4. Understand the amount and rhythm of breastfeeding for your child.

5. Because you need to breastfeed in the middle of the night, you may not get enough sleep, so make up for it when you can during the day.

6. Observe whether the color and amount of lochia are normal and keep the perineum clean.

2-6 weeks after delivery

Week 2

1. You can eat maintenance meals and take tonic medicine.

2. Apply moisturizing cream on your nipples after taking a bath to prevent skin cracking.

3. The mother’s room should always be well-made with bedding to ensure that she can rest at any time.

4. The reason for insufficient milk may be lack of sleep.

5. The perineum heals and the amount of lochia decreases, so sanitary napkins can be used instead of sanitary pads.

6. Keep doing postpartum gymnastics to help with postpartum recovery and prevent postpartum obesity.

Week 3

1. It is forbidden to bend the body or sit for a long time. You can take a shower but not a bath.

2. Use a body shaper for pregnant women to prevent sagging abdominal muscles.

3. In order to ensure breast milk and prevent anemia, you should consume more high-protein foods.

4. If you are too tired, lochia will increase, so you should pay more attention.

5. Understand your child’s sleep cycle, sleep with your child, and ensure adequate rest.

Week 4

1. The first menstrual period after childbirth begins (if you do not breastfeed your child, the first menstrual period after childbirth will begin).

2. Go to the hospital with your child for regular check-ups.

3. You can increase the amount of exercise, but don’t force it.

4. If the recovery goes smoothly, you can take a bath, but try to choose a shower.

5. Deal with lochia promptly and disinfect the perineum promptly.

Week 5

1. If you recover quickly, you can have sex, but you need to be more careful.

2. If you feel anything abnormal, go to the hospital immediately.

3. In order to improve dryness and lack of elasticity, it is best to only do basic skin care.

4. Start adjusting your diet and stick to postpartum exercises.

5. You can take care of children and do housework independently.

Week 6

1. Even if menstruation has not started yet, ovulation may have already begun, so take contraceptive measures.

2. You can relieve stress through simple and relaxing exercises such as walking, yoga, swimming, etc.

3. Not only can you drive, but you can also take short trips.

4. A follow-up check-up 42 days after delivery is essential to understand the body's recovery status and progress.

Learn how to have a scientific confinement period

As my due date approaches, I have moved from preserving my pregnancy to preparing to welcome the baby. My future content will be more about confinement, physical recovery, and parenting experiences.

A few days ago, I listened to MUA’s micro-course on how to scientifically observe the confinement period after childbirth. I have coded the content for everyone to learn.

The content is relatively simple, it can be regarded as the beginning of learning, it is all practical and useful stuff!

Why do we need to observe confinement after childbirth and what are the benefits of confinement after childbirth?

Confinement: It takes about 6 weeks from the birth of the fetus to the recovery of all organs to their pre-natal state (except the mammary gland). During this period, the reproductive organs, breasts, internal organs, nerves, and bones undergo great changes. This is the best time to regulate the body.

Will I gain weight during confinement?

Many people worry about gaining weight during pregnancy, and that taking supplements during the confinement period will only make them fatter.

A proper diet after childbirth will not only prevent you from gaining weight, but will also help you get in shape as soon as possible.

Adhere to breastfeeding. 1 ml of breastfeeding will consume 0.6-0.7 kcal of heat for the mother.

Choose the right exercise method, exercise every day, and don’t give up halfway. It is not impossible to become a hot mom.

What are the differences between Eastern and Western people in confinement period?

People abroad do not observe confinement after childbirth due to different cultures and concepts. Patients are usually discharged from the hospital on the second day and return to the hospital for a follow-up examination three days later.

Both Eastern and Western people need to rest after giving birth. Westerners' diets are high in protein and fat, they exercise a lot, have good physical fitness, and have more postpartum checkups. So don't just compare them, but choose a confinement method that suits you.

Underline to get to the point

1. Postpartum diet principles

2. Changes that occur in postpartum mothers

3. Daily care during confinement

4. Summer is here. How can mothers spend the hot summer safely?

5. What does the 42-day postpartum examination include?

1. Postpartum diet principles

Conditioning is carried out according to the Dietary Guidelines for Chinese Residents and the needs of postpartum mothers.

1. Diverse food and balanced nutrition

2. Eat more fruits and vegetables, milk, soy and nuts

Fruits and vegetables, milk, and soy are important components of a balanced diet. Nuts are a beneficial supplement that can provide rich vitamins and minerals and prevent constipation.

3. Eat small meals frequently, less salt and oil, and a light diet

The mother is weak, so reduce the gastrointestinal burden and facilitate nutrient absorption. The salt should not exceed 6g, and the oil should not exceed 30g. If there is edema, the oil should be reduced, but it does not mean that no oil can be added at all; seasonings can increase appetite and help eliminate blood stasis in the body;

4. You must eat breakfast. Don’t be picky about food or avoid certain foods blindly.

Meet your own and your baby's needs and do not break the rule of three meals a day;

5. Eat meat with soup

Drinking more fish soup, bone soup, chicken soup, etc. can promote milk secretion. You also need to eat meat, which contains a lot of nutrients.

6. Eat fish, poultry, eggs, and lean meat in moderation

It can provide vitamin A, high-quality protein, B vitamins, fish fat is low, contains unsaturated fatty acids, and it is recommended to eat it every day.

Total amount 120g-200g;

7. Do not drink tea and coffee frequently

It is best not to drink it, as it will affect the intestinal absorption of iron and cause anemia. The caffeine contained in it will be passed to the baby through breast milk and affect sleep and physical recovery.

2. Changes that occur in postpartum mothers

1. Postpartum lochia

There are three types of lochia: First, bloody lochia: the amount is large, bright red, and contains a large amount of blood, small blood clots and necrotic decidual tissue; it lasts for 3-4 days;

Second, serous lochia: light red in color, contains a lot of serous fluid, a small amount of blood, but more necrotic decidual tissue, cervical mucus, uterine exudate, and bacteria, which lasts for about 10 days;

Third, white lochia: viscous, white in color, contains a large number of white blood cells, necrotic tissue decidua, epidermal cells and bacteria, etc., and lasts for 3 weeks;

Normal lochia has a bloody smell but no foul odor.

There are individual differences, and the normal period is 2-4 weeks. If there is an odor or the amount is large, you need to seek medical attention immediately.

2. Postpartum polyuria

The body excretes water, and frequent urination is a normal phenomenon. If there is edema, the amount of excretion will be more obvious;

3. Prevention of postpartum constipation

Long-term bed rest slows down intestinal peristalsis and weakens the abdominal and pelvic floor muscles, which can cause constipation. Therefore, you should pay attention to a light diet, a combination of meat and vegetables, eat more fruits and vegetables, and encourage more activities out of bed;

4. Postpartum uterine contraction pain

You will feel labor pains 1-2 days after delivery, which will disappear naturally after 3-4 days. Reflex oxytocin will increase the pain of contractions during breastfeeding. Uterine contractions are good for the body.

5. Breast changes

After childbirth, breast function is strong, so you should wear a comfortable, cotton bra;

It is normal to have physiological breast swelling a few days after delivery. You should do the following:

Breastfeed as early as possible, ensure the correct sucking posture, avoid nipple damage, and avoid pressing the milk ducts with your fingers to affect milk discharge;

Breastfeed on demand, when the baby wants to eat or when the breasts are full;

If the breast duct is blocked, you should pay attention to clearing the breast duct and use a breast pump to empty the milk to prevent bacteria from invading the duct and causing mastitis.

6. Puerperal sweat

Excessive sweating is a normal physiological phenomenon. The room temperature should be 22-26 degrees. Wear appropriate clothes and covers, keep the temperature appropriate, wipe sweat frequently, and change underwear in time to prevent heat stroke during the postpartum period.

7. Restoration of menstruation and ovulation

It will be affected by breastfeeding. If you don’t breastfeed, your period will recover in 6-10 weeks. For breastfeeding mothers, it will be longer, or even no menstruation during the entire breastfeeding period.

3. Daily care during confinement

1. Get out of bed as soon as possible

Normal pregnant women, it is a physiological process, after a good rest, get out of bed as soon as possible, never stay in bed;

Gradual and appropriate exercise without overexertion can prevent lower extremity venous thrombosis and promote lochia discharge and bowel movements;

2. Ensure nutrition and good rest

Mothers should get a good night's sleep, eat nutritious and easily digestible foods, and drink plenty of water to promote recovery and ensure adequate milk supply;

3. Keep a happy mood

Due to physiological changes, emotions are easily fluctuating and the psychological pressure is relatively high. Therefore, the family needs to understand and care for them, especially the husband should give more care.

4. Pay attention to personal hygiene

Mothers have more secretions in the perineum, so they should keep it clean, wash it with warm water, and change sanitary napkins frequently;

Because the mother sweats a lot, after she recovers, she can take a bath or shower according to her recovery. The first bath should be accompanied by a family member.

Since you eat a lot after giving birth, pay attention to oral hygiene, use warm water and a soft-bristled toothbrush;

5. Breastfeeding as early as possible

Postpartum breast congestion and swelling are more obvious. Breastfeeding as soon as possible is conducive to stimulating milk secretion and having a good start. It can also stimulate uterine contraction and recovery. Before and after breastfeeding, you must pay attention to the cleanliness of your hands and breasts to avoid breast infection and neonatal intestinal infection.

6. Regular postpartum check-ups

It is very important to have a follow-up examination 42 days after delivery;

7. Prohibit premature sexual activity

The reproductive organs need at least 56 days to recover after pregnancy and childbirth, preferably after menstruation.

Summer is here, how can mother spend the hot summer

In summer, special climatic conditions will bring more worries to mothers. Mothers can start from the following methods to safely pass through the most critical confinement period.

1. Room environment

The temperature should be within 25 degrees. If the mother feels comfortable, she can open the window for ventilation 2-3 times, each time for about 15 minutes. When opening the window, the baby and mother can go to another room.

You can turn on the air conditioner when necessary, but don't blow it directly, and clean the air conditioner filter frequently;

When the humidity in the room is high, you can turn on the dehumidification function of the air conditioner, and the humidity should be around 55 degrees;

2. Daily Clothing

In summer, choose cotton as the material is breathable and sweat-absorbent, and the same applies to socks when you sweat a lot, especially when you sleep and just wake up;

Bring extra underwear and close-fitting clothing to avoid excessive sweating and catching a cold;

3. Daily diet

Drink plenty of warm water to replenish the water lost through sweating. Eat a rich diet, including more vegetables and fruits containing plant fiber. Avoid eating food taken out of the refrigerator and wait for a while before eating.

4. Daily care

Brush your teeth, wash your hair and take a bath. Keep your skin pores open and sweat normally. Dry yourself immediately after showering to avoid catching a cold.

Pay attention to protecting your teeth, rinse your mouth after meals, and brush your teeth before going to bed;

5. What does the 42-day postpartum examination include?

Completed between 42-56 days from birth

Mother's examination:

1. Routine check-up: weight, blood pressure

Give dietary advice based on weight changes, for example, ensuring adequate breast milk for faster recovery;

Long-term high blood pressure can cause vasospasm throughout the body and harm organ tissues;

2. Pelvic floor examination

Childbirth affects the pelvic muscles and nerves, so examinations are needed to help restore muscle tone and elasticity.

3. Breast examination

Examination can promptly detect swelling, pain, etc. Severe mastitis can cause breast congestion;

4. Routine blood and urine examination

Check for urinary tract infection, pregnancy complications, anemia, and postpartum hemorrhage;

5. Abdominal examination

Check whether the uterus has recovered and if it was a cesarean section, check the wound condition;

6. Gynecological examination

(1) Pelvic examination

(2) Leucorrhea (examination of vaginal discharge)

(3) Cervical examination

Whether there is erosion, it can be treated promptly within 3-4 months after delivery

(4) Ultrasound examination

Common diseases such as ovarian cysts and uterine fibroids; have a gynecological examination at least once a year.