The Juna Women Podcast is a weekly discussion where Juna Founder, Sarah Kuhn, talks to Moms about their health, work, parenting, and all the different ways they’re keeping it together.
This is Episode 06 of Season 03, Postpartum Stories: 55 Hours of Labor
In this episode Sarah talks with Becca Pardess, a Mom of baby Shane. Becca shares her postpartum story and birth story, which includes a 55-hour labor and getting preeclampsia during labor.
The doctors then had to put her on a magnesium drip, which basically makes you feel like you’re hung over. And then she pushed for four hours and 45 minutes and topped it off with a second degree tear and then an episiotomy.
In this episode Sarah and Becca go into detail about:
- -how she got put on a benadryl drip to help soften her cervix
- -the postpartum shakes
- -cursing at her own placenta
- -feeding a baby after having gestational diabetes
- -ice diapers
- -magnesium drip
- -attempting to breastfeed for the first time
- -postpartum depression
- -postpartum nightmare about giving birth in a baby factory
- – and much more!
Healing time depends on the severity of the perineal tear. Tissue healing takes 12 days to 6 weeks depending on the type of tissue involved. If muscle is involved in the tear (2nd degree and greater), the wound will take closer to 6 weeks to heal.
Tips for the first two weeks:
-Rest as much as possible for the first 2 weeks postpartum. The first 2 weeks are critical for proper tissue healing.
-Air out the area; wear breathable clothing, avoid tight underwear
Use cold packs when needed to alleviate pain/discomfort; 5-10 minutes
-Wrap your hand in toilet paper and apply pressure on the perineum during a bowel movement to provide support and ease pain
-Use a squirt bottle with warm water to help relax the pelvic floor muscles when urinating or having a BM
Tips for weeks 3-6:
-Start gentle kegel exercises lying on your back. We have a postpartum recovery plan in the Juna App.
-Begin slow, 10-minute walks to improve blood flow and muscle function in the pelvis
-Kegel and breathe out prior to and during strenuous activities: bending, lifting, coughing, sneezing.
-Warm, sitz baths can help further tissue healing and ease muscle tension/pain.
-After 6 weeks, you can begin a light to moderate exercise routine which will further improve perineal tissue healing and pelvic floor muscle function.
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