After Birth: What Nobody Tells You - How to Recover Body and Mind

by Jessica Hatcher-Moore

Overview

While there is a wealth of advice for new mothers on caring for their babies the same is not true for postpartum health. Fulfilling this vital need, After Birth is the ultimate postnatal primer for women facing changes to their bodies after having a baby. Addressing issues great and small­ - from hair loss and stretch marks, to bladder and bowel leaks, painful sex, diastasis recti and mental health - researcher and writer Jessica Hatcher-Moore brings together straight-talking advice on preparation for childbirth, healing, and recovery in the weeks, months and even years that follow. She also offers insights for partners, whose role is often overlooked at this critical time. Blending knowledge from the full spectrum of modern and traditional therapies with honest experiences from mothers, here is balanced advice with no agenda. Taking a broad look at what we can do for ourselves at home, and also when to seek expert help, After Birth will reassure, inform and empower women to reclaim their post-birth bodies.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781788167741
Publisher:	IPS - Profile Books
Publication date:	11/08/2022
Pages:	416
Sales rank:	824,977
Product dimensions:	5.08(w) x 7.80(h) x (d)

About the Author

Jessica Hatcher-Moore is a non-fiction writer who has won awards for her reporting on women in conflict, women's rights and global health issues. She was educated at Oxford University and now lives in North Wales. Follow her @jessiehatcher on Twitter and @jessiejanehatcher on Instagram.

Table of Contents

Introduction 1

1 The Making of a Mum 14

Part 1 Prehab - Preparing for Birth 25

2 During Pregnancy 28

3 During Birth 45

Part 2 The First Six Weeks 53

4 Vaginal Birth Recovery 58

5 Caesarean Recovery 71

6 Cramping and Bleeding 77

7 Breasts and Breastfeeding 85

8 Rest and Sleep 108

9 Nutrition 116

10 Mental Health 124

11 Wee and Poo 148

12 Belly, Core and Floor 154

13 Self-care 161

14 The Six-week Check 167

Part 3 Stronger in the Long Run 175

15 Pelvic Floor - Incontinence, Prolapse and Pain 179

16 Core Strength 242

17 Musculoskeletal Pain 261

18 Exercise 266

19 Diet and Weight 280

20 Breasts 293

21 Skin, Hair and Nails 301

22 Sex, Intimacy and Fertility 306

23 Psychological Transitions 324

24 Doing It Again 336

Part 4 Preparing Your Partner to Support You 346

25 Advice for Partners 349

Afterword 386

Acknowledgements 393

Bibliography 397

Resources 399

Index 402

Editorial Reviews

'An absolute treasure trove on women's physical and mental postnatal health' Milli Hill, author of Give Birth Like A Feminist and The Positive Birth Book

From the Publisher