The period after giving birth, commonly known as postpartum, is one of the most important phases for a new mother. It is marked by extensive physical recovery, emotional adjustments and understanding of new responsibilities. Everyone has their own postpartum journey and the celebrities are the first ones to share theirs. Recently, well-known designer Masaba Gupta opened up about her experience of returning back to work after giving birth to her daughter, Matara. She shed light on the fact that she returned to work before the customary 40-day postpartum period was over. However, while speaking candidly on Instagram, she admitted, “I wish I gave myself some more time.”
This interaction of Masaba with her followers highlights an important crossroads where new mothers often find themselves; balancing personal recovery and professional commitments. Let’s dive deeper into this, and understand the nuances of the postpartum period and what to take into consideration when considering getting back to work after giving birth.
The Importance of the Postpartum Period
According to Dr Vidhyashri Kamath, OBG, KMC Hospital, Mangalore, the first six to eight weeks after childbirth is referred to as the ‘fourth trimester’ or postpartum period. This period is very crucial for the new mother since it involves a lot of healing and adaptation to new responsibilities.
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Recovering Physically
After the placenta detaches during giving birth, it leaves a ‘dinner-plate’ sized wound in the inside of the uterus. The uterus also contracts to its pre-pregnancy size and vaginal bleeding continues. Also, if there are tears or incisions from a cesarean or vaginal delivery, they require proper care to prevent infections or complications. The postpartum is very important for the new mother as it gives her the time to physically recover from the immense stress of childbirth and give her body time to recover.
Emotional Adjustments
Mood swings, fatigue, and postpartum blues are very common during the postpartum period as round-the-clock care of a child, while recovering from childbirth can take a big toll on a new mother. At this time, it is important to rest, and get support in order to reduce the risk of postpartum depression and anxiety.
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When Is the Right Time to Return to Work?
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. The decision to resume work depends on various factors, including the mother’s physical recovery, emotional readiness, job flexibility, and available support system. Here are some key considerations:
The answer to this question varies person to person as it depends on a range of factors. The decision to start working again after childbirth needs to be taken after considering the mother’s physical recovery, emotional stability, and the kind of support that might be available. It is also important to take into account how flexible the job is given the mother’s new circumstances.
Tips for a Smooth Transition Back to Work
It is important to strategize before returning to work after childbirth. Here are a few tips that can make the transition relatively smooth for the new mother:
Prioritise Yourself
Try to get yourself adequate sleep and balanced diet, along with some light exercises. Focus on avoiding overexertion and any kind of unhealthy habits.
Practice Time Management
Try stimulating a workday routine before your first day back in order to identify the possible challenges and solutions to create a balance between work and childcare.
Communicate at Work
Discuss your return date with your employer and explore options for flexible hours or remote work. Familiarize yourself with workplace facilities like lactation rooms and policies that support new mothers.
Seek Support
Reach out to friends and family members to share responsibilities or hire some kind of childcare help. For emotional encouragement and advice, lean of support groups or certified professionals.
Bottomline
Masaba Gupta’s readiness to open up about her postpartum journey can serve as a reminder to other mothers to acknowledge their own journey and listen to their bodies. Her choice to resume work early is hers, but what can be learnt from her experience is the her dedication to prioritise self care.
At the end of the day, deciding when to get back to work after childbirth is not a one-size-fits-all answer. It should be guided by what feels right to the mother and her family, which can be navigated by taking a mindful ad well-supported approach.