A fair POSTPARTUM PERIOD
You are now in the final weeks of pregnancy. The due date is approaching.
You are probably thinking about the birth itself and looking forward to meeting your baby.
In our experience, many couples haven’t given much thought yet to the time after the birth
— the postpartum period or “kraamtijd.”
We’d like to share some information about this special time, what you can expect, and which
professionals may be able to support you. Finally, we’ll give some tips about the most
common complaints after giving birth.
READ IN YOUR TEXTBOOK CHAPTER 2.4
The Postpartum Period — a “Pink Cloud”?
The postpartum period is a special time in which you, as new parents, get to know each other,
yourselves, and your baby all over again. It’s a period of great change and adjustment.
Alongside many beautiful moments, it can also bring uncertainties.
For the mother, physical discomfort, hormonal changes (such as the “baby blues”), and
fatigue can all be challenging — physically and emotionally.
For the partner, it can also be a time of searching for a new role, new responsibilities, and a
new balance — rediscovering each other both as parents and as a couple.
That instant feeling of being “in love” with your baby doesn’t come naturally to everyone. It’s
wonderful if it’s there, but it’s perfectly normal if it isn’t — yet. Love for your child has many
faces and often grows gradually. Building a strong bond takes time, and it’s different for
everyone — sometimes weeks, sometimes months.
People often talk about the “pink cloud” — the idea that everything should be blissful, happy,
and light. But reality is rarely that simple. Not feeling “pink” doesn’t mean things are dark or
grey. Most parents experience a mix of emotions: love, doubt, joy, uncertainty, fatigue. That’s
normal. Parenthood is intense, and it takes time to adjust.
Having a baby is one of life’s most beautiful and profound experiences — regardless of how
you feel in the first weeks.
If you find things difficult or feel stuck, talk about it. With each other, with your maternity
nurse, or with your midwife. There’s plenty of support available. You don’t have to do this
alone.
For Fathers/Partners
It’s not just about the mother and the baby!
As a partner, you play a major role — and that role goes far beyond “helping out.” This is just
as life-changing for you as it is for the mother!
Did you know your baby already knows and recognizes you? Your voice, your scent, the way
you hold them — all of it is familiar. Even as a newborn, your baby can already communicate
with you. Really! Watch your baby closely and notice the small signals: a look, a movement,
a sound. You’ll get to know your son or daughter better every day — and you’ll grow along
with them.
Together with the mother, you are one of the most important people to comfort your baby. In
fact, babies are often especially soothed by their fathers or partners. Research also shows that
babies love being cared for in different ways by both parents.
So: learn from the maternity nurse how to care for, comfort, and bathe your baby. And this is
your moment — the mother should sit back and let you do it
.
For questions after the postpartum period, you can contact:
Jacqueline Goes – Consultantbabycare.nl – 06-42725727
As a maternity nurse, she also provides postnatal follow-up care.
Breastfeeding
(Also read Chapter 2.4.1 of your textbook)
If you want to give breastfeeding the best possible chance of success, it helps to learn
beforehand what breastfeeding really is and how it works. It usually takes time for both
mother and baby to get used to it — often at least 2–3 weeks!
Prepare yourselves — accurate and realistic information is key.
You can find lots of reliable
information online, for example through this link.
Practical Tips;
Physical Discomfort After Birth and
Tender perineum
After giving birth, your perineal area can feel very sore, especially after a vaginal birth.
Fortunately, there are a few simple tips that can help:
- Cold compress: Cooling can be refreshing and relieve pain. Regular rinsing and
letting the area air-dry also help. - Arnica: Arnica can reduce swelling or bruising. It’s available in pharmacies as an
ointment, tablet, or pellets. Do not use the ointment on open wounds or stitches. - Paracetamol: For pain relief, Paracetamol (without codeine or caffeine) is safe to use,even when breastfeeding. You may take up to 6 tablets of 500 mg per day if needed.
Avoid using hot water bottles on your abdomen, as they can increase bleeding.
Bleeding
Bleeding after birth is normal and heavier than a period. On average, about 500 ml of blood is
lost during birth, and it can continue for a while afterward:
- First days: You may need two maternity pads at once and change them often.
Bleeding can be heavy, sometimes with large clots (up to fist-sized). - Over time: The flow decreases and turns brownish. You can switch to one pad.
- Eventually: After 4–6 weeks, bleeding tapers off to light spotting or yellow-brown
discharge. Use regular sanitary pads until it stops.
Constipation
It may take a few days for your bowels to return to normal. The first bowel movement can
feel intimidating, but nothing can “tear open.”
Tips:
- Drink about 2 liters of water daily, and start the day with a glass of lukewarm water.
- Eat high-fiber foods: whole grains, raw vegetables, soft fruit. Dried prunes or coffee
can help. Avoid hard crusts (like pizza or crackers). Ground flaxseed also helps
digestion. - Move your body as much as possible.
- Don’t delay when you feel the urge to go — it only makes things harder. Relax, take
your time, and avoid straining.
Hemorrhoids
These can occur from birth pressure or constipation. They often go away on their own, but
can be uncomfortable.
- Cold compresses: Reduce swelling and soothe pain.
- Curanol: An effective cream safe for pregnancy and breastfeeding (available at pharmacies — always read the leaflet).
After a Cesarean Section
Recovery after a C-section is slightly different:
- Post-surgery: You may feel weak or dizzy when standing. You’ll have a catheter and
IV. - Bowel function: After 1–2 days, your bowels start working again, and your belly may
feel bloated or sore. - Movement: Gentle movement helps your recovery and bowel function. Use a pillow
for support when coughing or sneezing. - Pain relief: Take your prescribed pain medication and rest as much as possible —even if sleep is limited.
- Breastfeeding:It can be a bit harder to start after a C-section, but it’s absolutely possible.
- Emotions: Feelings of disappointment or uncertainty are normal, especially if the C section wasn’t planned. Remember, you didn’t cause it — it was necessary for safety.
Visitors
Postpartum visits can be more exhausting than expected. Here are a few tips:
- Block 2–3 evenings per week with no visitors.
- For the first 6 weeks, keep one weekend day visit-free. Don’t fill up your weekends!
- If one of you isn’t feeling well, cancel or reschedule without needing to explain.
- Combine visits (family, friends, etc.) where possible — take the initiative.
- Always present a united front as a couple during visits.
- Thank people for their advice, say you’ll discuss it together, and then offer coffee — it
- helps change the topic; Every baby, person, and situation is different — there’s no one “right way.”
The Pediatric Physical Therapist
It’s not uncommon for babies to have some “muscle soreness” from birth, which can cause
restlessness.
It can be very helpful to have your baby checked by a pediatric physical therapist early on
(around the second week), especially if assistance was needed during the delivery.
When to contact a pediatric physical therapist:
- Restlessness
- Overstretching
- Preference for turning head to one side
- Feeding better on one breast than the other
Pediatric physiotherapy is covered by basic insurance (up to 18 sessions), with no extra cost.
Therapists can visit you at home up to the age of 2.
Contact:
Karin Thijssen, Pediatric Physiotherapist
Praktijk Bruyst
Tel: 073 656 4796
Email: karin@bruyst.nl
We hope this letter has provided you with enough information.
Finally, we wish you a wonderful final stage of your pregnancy and a smooth, happy birth!