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You've just brought a new life into the world, a moment that blends excitement and exhaustion. After a difficult labour, it's natural to feel drained, sore, and emotionally overwhelmed. But here's something you must know- rest is one of the most significant parts of your healing journey. Skipping it or pushing yourself too soon can inhibit recovery and impact your mental and physical health.



Let's explore why your body needs rest after a stressful delivery, what happens if you don't get enough, and how you can actually include rest in your new routine.



What Happens to Your Body After a Difficult Labour?Having a baby can be stressful on your body. If labour continues for a long time or gets complicated, you might end up with:

• Stitches or perineal tears can make it hard to move around comfortably
• Tired or painful muscles from those prolonged contractions
• Too much blood loss leading to paleness or dizziness
• Your legs, hands, or the vaginal area could swell because of fluid retention or pressure

Plus, involution or shrinking starts in your uterus, which can cause cramps or bleeding for a few weeks. With all these things going on, your body needs energy and rest to get better.



Why Do You Need Rest to Recover?While you rest, your body repairs tissues, balances hormones, and restores blood vessels. After a difficult labour, these processes take longer and need more support.



Here's what an adequate rest can do:

• Rest supports muscle repair by reducing inflammation and helps wounds (such as stitches from a caesarean delivery) heal faster.
• After giving birth, your hormones rapidly fluctuate. Getting some sleep really helps enhance your mood and energy.
• Resting up can reduce stress and clear your mind. That way, you can handle your feelings and connect with your newborn easily.
• Proper rest helps your body produce sufficient breast milk by keeping hormone levels steady.

What If You Don’t Rest Enough?Ignoring rest can affect your recovery far more than you might even think.

• Your body diverts energy from repair to movement
• Lack of rest makes you more prone to infections
• Doing too much can make the postpartum bleeding worse
• Always being tired can make you feel irritated or even cause bleeding after birth

How Can You Manage to Take Rest?Resting while having your newborn by your side isn't easy. But small things can really help.

• Get some sleep when the baby does, even short naps can recharge your energy
• Get your partner, family, or friends to take over the baby duties or housework for a bit
• Include protein, iron, and fibre-rich foods to boost strength
• Try to keep visitors to a minimum. Rest is your priority now.
• Turn your room into a comfortable and quiet place
• Drink plenty of water as it helps your body heal and prevents dehydration, especially if you’re breastfeeding.

Remember, resting isn’t just about sleeping. You can also lie down, listen to music, or close your eyes for a bit.



When Should You Schedule a Follow-up After Delivery?Feeling tired? That’s normal, but watch out for some things that need medical care.

• Afever or chills that’s not going away
• Swollen legs or some infection
• Heavy or foul-smelling bleeding
• Extreme pelvic or abdominal pain
• Frustration, sadness, or difficulty bonding with your baby

How Are Rest & Mental Health Connected?Your mind can feel just as tired as your body does after a difficult labour. If you’re not sleeping well, your hormones are fluctuating, and you’re constantly taking care of your baby, you might feel low or annoyed. Rest allows your brain to reset. It lowers stress hormones, such as cortisol and enhances mood.



How to Get Support from Your Loved Ones?Having support from loved ones can really speed up your recovery.

Ask your family to:

• Help with diaper changes and those late-night feedings
• Give you support without judging
• Take care of cooking and household chores
• Encourage you to take a rest instead of multitasking

What Are the Next Steps?

• During the day, try to take a nap at least once
• Avoid lifting heavy objects
• Drink lots of water regularly and eat wholesome food
• Don’t use your phone right before bed
• Know how you feel and talk about it

Social & Emotional Well-beingAfter going through labour, rest doesn’t indicate weakness, but it signifies self-care. Adjusting to motherhood takes time, so be kind to yourself. Rest up so you can enjoy those first moments with your baby.



It's fine to take it easy, ask for help, and focus on getting better.



Rest after giving birth isn't a treat; it's essential. Your body just did a marathon, and now it needs time to regain all its strength. Make rest a priority, ask for help, and go easy on yourself. If you get enough rest and support, getting back to normal would be easier, and you’ll bond better with your baby.



Whether you’re pregnant, a new mom, or navigating postpartum, you don’t have to do it alone. Join our support group to connect, share, and support one another.



FAQs on Why Rest Is Crucial After a Difficult Labour

How long should I rest after giving birth?

It’ll take you at least 6 to 8 weeks of rest, but it is all about the way you’re recovering. Listen to your body and follow medical advice.

Is it normal to feel extremely tired weeks after having a baby?

Feeling tired can stick around for weeks, especially if labour was tough. If it doesn’t get better, talk to your medic.

Can inadequate rest affect breastmilk production?

Yes. Inadequate rest can disrupt hormones such as oxytocin and prolactin, which are vital for breast milk production. Getting adequate rest helps maintain a healthy milk supply.