What is postpartum?
Postpartum refers to the period after childbirth. During this time, many new mothers experience sadness, emptiness, and depression (known as the baby blues). Fortunately, most of these feelings go away naturally within 3 to 5 days. However, if the mother finds it difficult to cope with such feelings, it is recommended to consult a psychologist to speed up postpartum recovery.
Do Surrogate Mothers also experience postpartum?
Of course. For a Surrogate, these negative feelings are often accompanied by other emotions, such as satisfaction, satisfaction, and joy at being able to give expectant parents the child they so desperately desire.
Although a Surrogate pregnancy may feel like a personal pregnancy, the similarity ends once the Surrogate mom delivers the baby. In personal pregnancy, the birth mother may be busy bonding with and caring for her new baby (and possibly other children in her home). Maybe she’s tired of changing diapers and waking up every now and then to feed the newborn.
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Surrogate motherhood and postpartum depression
Whether it’s a woman pregnant with her own child or a Surrogate carrying a pregnancy for another family, the actual causes of postpartum depression are usually the same: Hormones. Hormones are chemical messengers that play important roles in pregnancy and childbirth. They play a major role in postpartum depression because estrogen, progesterone, and estrogen levels drop rapidly within 48 hours after birth.
While surrogacy experts address some psychological issues during Surrogate screening, there is no test to identify issues regarding postpartum depression, which can be exacerbated by a surrogacy arrangement.
Although a Surrogate Mother may not worry about feeling separated from the child, she may feel sad for her Intended Parents. This is mostly due to the type of relationship both parties maintain throughout the pregnancy. It is important to know that the relationship between Intended Parents and their Surrogates goes beyond exchanging phone calls and emails. Both parties can develop a close relationship and share personal information and intimate experiences during surrogacy.
Risk factors of postpartum depression
Although all new mothers are at risk of postpartum depression, there are some factors that may increase your chance of developing the condition. This includes:
- Psychosocial stress
- Premenstrual dysphoric disorder
- Lack of social support
- A history of the great depression
Remember: If the Surrogate suffers from depression, she may not be qualified to carry someone else’s baby in the first place.
About 10 to 20% of women experience postpartum depression, usually within a few months after giving birth.
Symptoms of postpartum depression
The symptoms and signs of baby blues can vary from person to person, and can range from mild to very severe. Common ones include:
- Tears
- Unhappy mode
- Difficult to sleep
- tired
- Appetite issues
- Inability to concentrate
- Suicidal thoughts
- Feelings of rejection or inadequacy
- Inability to enjoy pleasurable activities
Postpartum depression can also decrease a woman’s ability to care for herself or her baby.
Postpartum recovery
A great way to heal after giving birth is to avoid feeling alone by surrounding yourself with supportive family and friends and finding time to talk to past Surrogates about how they faced the situation. If a Surrogate suffers from postpartum depression for more than two weeks, she needs to see her doctor or health care provider. They can suggest treatments and medications to help her recover after giving birth and offer valuable information on managing her condition.
How can a Surrogate Mother recover from postpartum?
1. Find your “own people
Connect with other Alternates – whether through online forums or your agency’s social media groups – to discuss your feelings and read others’ stories. Postpartum can be a very difficult and emotional time for a new mother. These people have been in your situation, and sometimes, it helps to talk and laugh with someone who knows exactly what you’re going through.
2. Buy accessories that will help you recover
Your body goes through a lot of stress during your pregnancy. It’s time to let yourself heal. Below are some items that can help you feel better:
Belly bands
Following childbirth, many women continue to experience pain and pressure due to the contraction of the uterus and abdomen or gas trapping in the female genital tract (especially if a cesarean operation is performed). Belly bands can help relieve gas pain and make the uterus contract faster.
Donut pillow
Perineal pain and hemorrhoids are common side effects of childbirth. They make it difficult for new mothers to comfortably walk, sit, lie down, etc. In addition to helping your posture, sitting on a donut pillow will also prevent pressure that can be caused by a couch, chair seat, or bed.
Sitz bath
This bath is taken in shallow, warm water to relieve discomfort or pain in the genital area due to childbirth.
3. Keep things “moving”.
As your body heals and returns to its normal state, it is very important to do everything possible to promote the health of your body.
Hydrate!
Drink plenty of water. Staying hydrated not only prevents dehydration and fatigue; it will also allow you to keep things “moving” and help remove harmful substances (toxins).
Stool softeners
Having a bowel movement after delivery is scary! It doesn’t matter if you had a cesarean or vaginal birth, there is usually a fear of pushing or pressure. Stool softeners can make bowel movements easier and help you overcome your fears.
Probiotics
Many women will experience abdominal pain after an invasive procedure or surgery. This can be caused by the procedure itself or by gas trapped during the operation. Recommended solutions for this are gas relief products and probiotics.
Although a Surrogate may use antibiotics after a C-section to protect against infections, it’s important to remember that antibiotics can cause stomach pain. Probiotics will relieve gas pain and ease stomach discomfort.
4. Cesarean recovery
If you end up having a C-section birth, you will encounter some additional challenges while recovering from your surgery. Due to blood loss, you may experience some fatigue after delivery. The area around your stomach incision (incision) may also be painful.
Your physician will give you all the necessary information about taking pain medication, which can provide temporary relief. However, you need to take it easy on physical activity.
Ask for help around the house. Besides you just gave birth, you also underwent major surgery. It will take time to get your strength and energy back.
If you’ve had a C-section delivery, it’s important to consult with your physician about when you can resume physical activity. A cesarean birth is not the same as a vaginal delivery. Thus, the timeline for recovery and initiation of physical activity may vary.
5. Treat scars
A c-section scar is usually located below the bikini line, so it’s not easy to see. However, there are products you can use to treat your scars, such as Mederma or specialty products such as ScarAway’s C-section Scar Sheets.
how nutrition help with postpartum recovery?
Nutrition is as important during surrogate pregnancy as it is for postpartum recovery.
A deficiency in certain nutrients can increase your risk of developing postpartum depression or other mood disorders after birth. Pregnancy and breastfeeding can cause a woman’s body to lack these essential nutrients because the growing baby can get nutrients from the mother’s stores if she doesn’t get enough from food.
Important nutrients associated with postpartum depression are
- Vitamin D
- Essential fatty acids (EPA/DHA)
- B vitamins (B12, B9, B6) and
- Minerals, such as iron, zinc, and selenium.
Diets rich in legumes (black beans, lentils), seafood (sardines, salmon), and animal proteins (eggs, beef, and chicken) contain high amounts of these nutrients and should be consumed daily during pregnancy and after childbirth.
Physician’s Surrogacy has registered OBYNs on the team who will help ensure that you are receiving adequate amounts of these nutrients to meet the needs of the growing baby during your surrogacy pregnancy. Our medical experts will also help you know what diet or nutrition your body needs after giving birth. Focusing on these key nutrients during your early postpartum period will ensure a faster postpartum recovery and help you feel normal again!
For any questions about surrogate pregnancy and postpartum recovery, feel free to get in touch via chat.
If you are interested in becoming a surrogate, fill out the form to check if you qualify for our program.
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