Things to prepare for confinement

Giving birth is a matter of life and death for women. If you are not careful, two lives may be lost. Nowadays, women go to the hospital to give birth, where doctors help with delivery and provide first aid if an accident occurs during the delivery process. Women need to prepare a lot of things when giving birth, and also need to prepare a lot of things when they are confined to their mother's home. Let’s find out what you need to prepare for the confinement period.

1. What should I prepare for confinement in winter?

1. New mothers should wear loose and comfortable clothes

The weather is cold in winter, and new mothers are more likely to feel cold when breastfeeding or taking care of their babies. Since some of the fluid accumulated in the body during pregnancy needs to be discharged and you sweat a lot, sweat stains and dirt will stain your clothes, so you should take a bath frequently and wash and change your underwear frequently to keep your skin clean.

2. Keep the indoor environment warm, moist and fresh in winter

The key to "confinement" in winter is to keep warm. The indoor temperature should be kept between 20 and 25 degrees Celsius, and should not fluctuate suddenly. In the south where there is no heating, air conditioning and electric heaters can be used to maintain the indoor temperature; while for the north with a dry climate, it is also very important to maintain appropriate indoor humidity. Generally speaking, the indoor humidity should be between 55% and 65%.

3. The quilt of the new mother should be thinner and the bed should not be too soft.

It's freezing outside, but the house is warm, so in addition to regular ventilation, we must also be careful not to make the bedding too thick. Even in winter, the quilt should be thinner than in the later stages of pregnancy. You should choose soft and breathable products such as cotton or linen. Change and wash them and expose them to the sun every 1-2 weeks.

4. When new mothers take a shower, the water temperature should be appropriate and they should also pay attention to wind protection.

Taking a bath after delivery can relieve labor fatigue, soothe the mind, and also keep the body clean and hygienic, reducing the incidence of diseases. However, for new mothers who are in confinement during the winter, it is best to wait one week after giving birth before taking a bath. When taking a bath, pay special attention to the appropriate water temperature to prevent wind and cold from entering. When bathing in winter, you must go to a closed room to avoid wind and the bathroom should be warm. You can turn on bathroom heating equipment such as bathroom heaters in advance and adjust the indoor temperature to 20℃ before entering.

5. Dry your hair immediately after washing it. Combing your hair with a wooden comb will help promote blood circulation.

Dirty hair can damage the hair follicles of the scalp and make hair fall out easily, so you should wash and comb your hair, but avoid the invasion of dampness.

6. Nutrition should be balanced, and fruits and vegetables are essential

During the confinement period, you should eat nutritious, high-calorie and easily digestible foods, and drink plenty of water to promote rapid recovery of the body and ensure adequate milk supply. Postpartum women are often weak and have blood stasis, so they should avoid eating raw, cold or cool foods. Raw and cold foods can damage the stomach, while coldness can cause blood coagulation and retention of lochia, which can lead to many diseases such as postpartum abdominal pain, body pain, etc.

7. Don’t forget to supplement calcium while supplementing nutrition

The Chinese Nutrition Society recommends that the appropriate daily calcium intake for nursing mothers is 1,200 mg, and diet therapy is the safest and most reliable method. Foods high in calcium include sesame paste, spinach, leeks, lettuce, mushrooms, animal liver and brain, fish and animal bone broth, milk, etc., so pay attention to your intake.

In addition, continuing to supplement with some high-calcium maternal milk powder after delivery is also a good idea. The winter in southern regions such as Guangdong, Guangxi and Fujian is relatively warm. When there is no wind near noon and in the afternoon, you can open the windows to let in the sun.

8. Combining work and rest is also necessary during confinement

New mothers are weak and lack energy and blood. Various organs need to return to their original positions and the uterus needs to expel lochia. Therefore, proper exercise is needed after delivery. Activities can promote the circulation of Qi and blood and enhance the functions of the internal organs. Staying in bed for too long will cause fatigue and weakness, which is not conducive to the discharge of blood stasis.

9. Relax and get rid of postpartum depression

Due to physical, psychological and role adaptation issues, some negative psychological reactions often occur during the confinement period. Postpartum depression is more likely to occur, especially in winter when the weather is cold and there is insufficient sunlight. It manifests itself in loneliness, helplessness, grievance, sadness, doubt, irritability, laziness, and even mental dullness...