You have just welcomed your newborn and you can't wait to be able to to carry, to keep it as close as possible to you and benefit from the happiness and benefits of babywearing. However, pregnancy and childbirth have put your body and especially your perineum under severe strain. Discover in this article tips for combining carrying and perineum in complete safety and comfort.
Protecting your perineum after childbirth
The perineum of a young mother
THE perineum is an area of the body between the pubis and the coccyx. It is a set of muscles that form a hammock for support the bladder, uterus and intestines. It is not for nothing that it is also called pelvic floor : it has a fundamental role for maintain these organs in their places and functions.
It is present in both men and women and is essential throughout life. However, for parturients, protect it and take care is specifically important. Indeed, with pregnancy and childbirth, the perineum is subject to significant modifications, due to pressures that he endures.
Taking care of your perineum in the weeks following the birth of your child
Giving birth is not trivial and women must recover physically and psychologically. So, in addition to the fatigue and psychological upheavals of the arrival of a newborn, the body needs time to return to its pre-pregnancy state. This is particularly valid for the gynecological area and the perineum.
Here are the recommendations for this period:
- Favor them lying postures on your back or side, with your legs slightly elevated to promote blood circulation.
- In a seated position, use two cushions or cloths to slide under each buttock to limit contact of the perineum with the surface you are on.
- Contract your perineum when a risk of pressure occurs: coughing, sneezing, laughing, carrying a load.
- Adopt a good diet to avoid the risk of constipation.
- Born not holding back from urinating too long
Signs of perineal dysfunction
The pelvic floor has a major role in continence (urinary and fecal), the support for abdominal organs (bladder, uterus, rectum, intestines) and the body stabilization.
Thus, a relaxation too much of the perineum can have significant repercussions:
- urinary incontinence or fecal;
- urinary urgency;
- difficulty emptying your bladder;
- pelvic or lower back pain;
- gravity in the small pelvis : sensation of a poorly inserted tampon;
- abdominal diastasis…
Waiting for pain to set in or a failure of one of the functions is a mistake. From the first signs of discomfort, consultation with a specialist is recommended.
Postnatal perineal rehabilitation
Sessions of perineal rehabilitation can, in the majority of cases, help you to correct these inconveniences. It is recommended to wait 6 to 8 weeks after delivery before starting rehabilitation.
Of the home solutions like the Emy perineal probe can allow you to complete perineal strengthening sessions to progress at home, at your own pace.
Learn more about the Emy probe
Carrying and perineum
The advantages of carrying
Carrying your child from birth is possible and involves real benefits :
- it provides freedom of movement;
- it strengthens the bond with your infant;
- it improves the feeling of parental competence;
- it promotes breastfeeding.
In addition, if the chosen baby carrier allows physiological installation of your infant, carrying supports its harmonious development and prevents congenital hip dislocation.
Mistakes not to make
In order to preserve your perineum while carrying your baby, some precautionary measures should be respected.
- Choose your baby carrier or sling carefully. The device must be comfortable and allow a uniform distribution load on the shoulders, back and pelvis.
- The carrying system must allow you to carry your little one with the upper body without forcing your stomach muscles in order to preserve your perineum. It is therefore important to choose a suitable model and to respect the maximum weight indicated.
- During the first weeks, limit asymmetrical carrying at short times, so as not to unbalance the distribution of weight on the two parts of the body.
Tips for reconciling carrying and protecting your perineum
- When you are standing: tilt the pelvis forward so as not to arch your lower back and keep your back straight at all times. If you start to bend over or, on the contrary, extend yourself to compensate for the fatigue that is coming, it is time to stop.
- Start with moments of carrying short term. Right after giving birth, physical weakness impairs your endurance.
- When installing your baby in a carrier, remember to: blow so as not to create tension on your perineum, linked to the effort.
- If your little one falls asleep easily while carrying, but you feel too tired, you can lay down on a big balloon. This allows you to rock it while carrying it while protecting yourself.
- Encourage your partner to use the carry. You will thus be able to relay during walks.
MAMA HANGS carrying systems: allies of your perineum
A range of physiological baby carriers for the baby and his parents
MAMA HANGS is a French brand maternity accessories. To facilitate access to carrying for young parents, MAMA HANGS has created several carrying systems. Their development and laboratory tests allow safe and physiological carrying for babies and their parents.
You can opt for:
- the CARRY AND PACK baby carrier
- Baby carrier clothes: MOTHERHOOD hoodie, MAMA HANGS OUT sweatshirt or SUMMER MAMA T-shirt.
These innovative carrying devices Thanks to an ingenious system of tightening the panels, you can carry your baby in a prone position, facing you, from birth. Their design offers even weight distribution of your little one on the upper body, in order to exercise the less pressure possible on the perineum.
Quick and easy to install
With MAMA HANGS accessories you equip yourself for carrying easily and in record time! This is the great strength of these products, which prevent you from being tired before even going for a walk! Alone two links must be tightened to place your newborn in a physiological position. This way, no unnecessary effort is placed on your perineum.
Comfortable to wear
In GOTS certified organic cotton, the materials are gentle and respectful of your skin and that of your baby. Your child's weight is admirably distributed in order to maintain a posture adapted for your comfort and respect for your pelvic floor.
Products designed for both women and men
MAMA HANGS wishes democratize carrying for men. Thus the CARRY AND PACK baby carrier and the hoodie FATHERHOOD, allow dads to fully experience carrying their child. This way, they can pass on the benefits of carrying to their infant from birth, if you need it. rest and lighten your perineum. Subsequently, they can take over from you on longer outings so that you can gradually improve your endurance.
Taking care of your perineum is therefore compatible with pleasure and benefits of babywearing. However, following a few precautions is essential so as not to exceed your bodily limits.
Diligently practice perineal rehabilitation will then allow you to regain your full capabilities. In addition, if you have any questions or doubts, do not hesitate to consult a specialized professional (midwife, gynecologist, physiotherapist).
