Avera Medical Minute: Self-care and recovery after birth

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Dakota News Now) - May is not only Women’s Health Awareness Month, but it is also Mental Health Awareness Month, making it a perfect time for moms, both seasoned and new, to take the time and focus on their own health and wellness journeys.

Dr. Dominique Boadwine is an OBGYN with Avera Health, and she explains why it’s important for moms to give their own health attention after delivery.

“So, the postpartum period can be the most magical time of a woman’s life, but it’s also the most unpredictable time. Many things can happen to your body during pregnancy and the postpartum period. So, you have changes in your cardiovascular system, your breasts, your muscular system, your skeletal system, and in order to prevent injury or illness, we want you to prepare for pregnancy in the postpartum period to allow you time with your baby,” said Dr. Boadwine.

Q: What are some of the key elements of postpartum health?

“I think the most under-recognized part of the postpartum period is your mental health. And it is such a shift from just taking care of you. I’ve had four pregnancies and four postpartum periods. And what I’ve learned is life doesn’t stop for you to bond with your baby. There are things that you have to deal with outside of just taking care of yourself and taking care of your baby. I encourage all my patients to fast from social media, to pick up some artistic things, whether it’s spending time in nature or with the arts like music, to help with that mental health aspect. We know that despite all of your best effort, postpartum depression can sneak up, and it is a real thing. And you should never feel like you are alone. Postpartum depression impacts a lot of women. So, certainly if you feel like those tears last longer than a couple of weeks postpartum, bring it up with your provider,” said Dr. Boadwine.

Q: Why is hypertension and high blood pressure a focus postpartum?

“Yes, so after you deliver a baby, your cardiovascular system shifts significantly. There is a disease process called preeclampsia that can happen in the postpartum period. Preeclampsia is a very common phenomenon, and we monitor you closely in the postpartum period. In the first 48 hours to 72 hours while you’re in the hospital, if we see signs of preeclampsia, then Avera has a remote monitoring system that we enroll you in so we can watch you at home, and you don’t have to come to the clinic and disrupt your daily life,” said Dr. Boadwine.

Q: What’s some words of advice or words of encouragement that offer patients?

“I think women are so strong. If you are in the postpartum period, you just grew a person and you birthed a person. So that is amazing. Give yourself some credit, but give yourself some grace. Certainly, community is necessary when you have a baby at home and having that companionship in someone to talk to because you’re just taking care of a crying baby all the time, and it can be lonely. I think move your body. So, whether you’ve had a C-section or a vaginal delivery, your body and your muscles have undergone a lot of change and whether it’s gentle walking or something called 360 breathing where you can reconnect to your core, your pelvic floor rehabilitation, those are all really important in the physical recovery,” said Dr. Boadwine.

For moms experiencing postpartum depression, Avera Behavioral Health hosts a 4th Trimester Postpartum support group. Referral or registration is not required for this open group. For more information, go to avera.org/medicalminute.