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Save"Fourth Trimester" Body Changes
Your body is still in for some major postpartum changes as it recovers from the pregnancy and labor and adjusts to its new demands, like breastfeeding. Here's a guide on what to expect.
What: Edema
When: Immediately after delivery
Why: Pushing during labor also pushes those extra fluids that you've been carrying to your face and extremities, says Kristina Sole, MD, an associate ob-gyn at the Cleveland Clinic. Indeed, shortly after I delivered my son, Campbell, I inflated like a float at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade, as much of the extra fluid that I'd been toting throughout my body for the past nine months spread to my legs.
Women who have c-sections are also likely to find themselves swollen, thanks to the IV fluids they received. Fortunately, within five days of delivery, your kidneys will kick into overdrive, and you'll start peeing and sweating out this water. If your legs, ankles, or feet resemble those of the Stay Puff Marshmallow Man, elevate them above your heart with a pillow while lying down. However, "if the swelling is worse on one side or if pain is involved, you may have a significant problem like deep vein thrombosis, a condition where there is a blood clot that usually occurs in the leg," says Nicole Karjane, MD, assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Virginia Commonwealth University, in Richmond. Contact your doctor immediately if you feel you may have this rare but serious condition.
