Keepers at Home-Childbirth and Postpartum Care

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Purification after Childbirth/Laws of Motherhood

Leviticus 12:1 And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,

²Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, If a woman have conceived seed, and born a man child: then she shall be unclean seven days; according to the days of the separation for her infirmity shall she be unclean.

man child=son or male

³And in the eighth day the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised.

Genesis 17:10 This is my covenant, which ye shall keep, between me and you and thy seed after thee; Every man child among you shall be circumcised.

Genesis 17:11 And ye shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin; and it shall be a token of the covenant betwixt me and you.

Genesis 17:12 And he that is eight days old shall be circumcised among you, every man child in your generations, he that is born in the house, or bought with money of any stranger, which is not of thy seed.

https://evidence-for-the-bible.com/scientific-evidence-for-the-bible/scientific-evidence-for-circumcision-on-the-eighth-day/

Please note our content is intended solely for informational purposes and should not be used in place of official medical advice.

What is Circumcision?

Circumcision is a surgical procedure to remove the foreskin from the penis. The foreskin is the loose skin that covers the tip of the penis.

Benefits of Circumcision:-

Prevention of urinary tract infections in infants
Prevention of penile cancer in adult men-Although cancer of the penis is rare, it's less common in men who have been circumcised. What's more, cervical cancer is less common in the female sexual partners of men who have been circumcised.
Prevention of penile problems in adult men-Sometimes, the foreskin on a penis that hasn't been circumcised can be hard or impossible to pull back. This is called phimosis. It can lead to swelling, called inflammation, of the foreskin or head of the penis.
Reduced risk of developing certain sexually transmitted diseases and infections-The risk of UTIs in males is low. But these infections are more common in males who haven't been circumcised. Serious infections early in life can lead to kidney problems later. Men who have been circumcised might have a lower risk of certain sexually transmitted infections, including HIV. But it's still key to have safe sex, which includes use of condoms.
Reduced risk of developing cervical cancer in female sexual partners
Reduced risk of developing penis infection and swelling
Easier hygiene-Circumcision makes it simpler to wash the penis. Still, boys who haven't been circumcised can be taught to wash regularly beneath the foreskin.

What to expect after the procedure:-

It usually takes 7 to 10 days for the penis to heal. The tip of the penis is likely to be sore at first. The penis might look discolored, swollen or bruised. You might notice a small amount of yellow fluid on the tip of the penis as well.

If your newborn is fussy as the pain medicine wears off, hold your baby gently. Be careful not to put pressure on the penis.

You must always wash your hands before touching the incision area.

It's OK to wash the penis with warm water and mild soap as it heals. Then gently pat dry. For newborns, change the bandage with each diaper change. Your healthcare professional may tell you to put antibiotic ointment on the bandage. Or you can put a dab of petroleum jelly on the tip of the penis. This keeps it from sticking to the diaper. Change your baby's diaper often, and make sure the diaper is loosely fastened.

If there's a plastic ring instead of a bandage, it drops off on its own. Often, this happens in about a week or 10 days. Once the penis heals, wash it with soap and water during regular bathing.

Problems after circumcision are not common. But call a healthcare professional if:

Urination doesn't resume within 12 hours of the circumcision.
Your baby runs a fever.
Your baby cries a lot, and you think your baby might be in pain.
Bleeding doesn't stop.
A color change at the tip of the penis gets worse after 3 to 5 days.
There's foul-smelling drainage from the tip of the penis.
The plastic ring remains in place two weeks after the circumcision or moves onto the shaft of the penis.

More information can be found at these sites below

https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/circumcision/about/pac-20393550

https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/treatment-tests-and-therapies/circumcision

Leviticus 12:4 And she shall then continue in the blood of her purifying three and thirty days; she shall touch no hallowed thing, nor come into the sanctuary, until the days of her purifying be fulfilled.

A woman is unclean for 40 days (7+33) after bearing a son. During this time there can be no sex with your husband.

Leviticus 15:19 And if a woman have an issue, and her issue in her flesh be blood, she shall be put apart seven days: and whosoever toucheth her shall be unclean until the even.

Leviticus 15:25 And if a woman have an issue of her blood many days out of the time of her separation, or if it run beyond the time of her separation; all the days of the issue of her uncleanness shall be as the days of her separation: she shall be unclean.

Leviticus 12:5 But if she bear a maid child, then she shall be unclean two weeks, as in her separation: and she shall continue in the blood of her purifying threescore and six days.

maid child=girl or female

threescore=3 times 20 or 3x20=60

A woman is unclean for 80 days (14+60+6) after bearing a son. During this time there can be no sex with your husband.

https://www.webmd.com/parenting/baby/your-newborn-girls-genitals-bleeding

https://www.seattlechildrens.org/conditions/a-z/vaginal-bleeding/#:~:text=Newborn%20Vaginal%20Bleeding.&text=It%20can%20start%20any%20time,than%203%20or%204%20days.

⁶And when the days of her purifying are fulfilled, for a son, or for a daughter, she shall bring a lamb of the first year for a burnt offering, and a young pigeon, or a turtledove, for a sin offering, unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, unto the priest:

⁷Who shall offer it before the Lord, and make an atonement for her; and she shall be cleansed from the issue of her blood. This is the law for her that hath born a male or a female.⁸And if she be not able to bring a lamb, then she shall bring two turtles, or two young pigeons; the one for the burnt offering, and the other for a sin offering: and the priest shall make an atonement for her, and she shall be clean.

What is Childbirth or Labor?

Childbirth or labor is the process of giving birth to a child.

Labor happens in three stages. The first stage begins with contractions. It continues until your cervix has become thinner and dilated (stretched) to about 4 inches wide. The second stage is the active stage, in which you begin to push downward. Crowning is when your baby's scalp comes into view. Shortly afterward, your baby is born. In the third stage, you deliver the placenta. The placenta is the organ that supplied food and oxygen to your baby during pregnancy.

Mothers and babies are monitored closely during labor. Most women are able to have a baby through normal vaginal delivery. If there are complications, the baby may need to be delivered surgically by a Cesarean section.

Labor is the process of giving birth. Signs that you might be going into labor include:

Contractions that are regular then start to come closer together
Leaking fluid or bleeding from the vagina
Low, dull backache
Abdominal cramps

What is Postpartum Care?

The postpartum period begins soon after the delivery of the baby and usually lasts six to eight weeks and ends when the mother's body has nearly returned to its pre-pregnant state. The postpartum period for a woman and her newborn is very important for both short-term and long-term health and well-being.

Moving well in bed after birth | Recovery after vaginal birth | Mater Mothers

Here's what can happen physically and emotionally after a vaginal delivery.

Vaginal soreness

You might have had a tear in your vagina during delivery. Or your healthcare professional may have made a cut in the vaginal opening, called an episiotomy, to make delivery easier. The wound may hurt for a few weeks. Large tears can take longer to heal. To ease the pain:

Sit on a pillow or padded ring.
Cool the area with an ice pack. Or put a chilled witch hazel pad between a sanitary napkin and the area between your vaginal opening and anus. That area is called the perineum.
Use a squirt bottle to spray warm water over the perineum as you urinate.
Sit in a warm bath just deep enough to cover your buttocks

Vaginal discharge

After delivery, a mix of blood, mucus and tissue from the uterus comes out of the vagina. This is called discharge. The discharge changes color and lessens over 4 to 6 weeks after a baby is born. It starts bright red, then turns darker red. After that, it usually turns yellow or white. The discharge then slows and becomes watery until it stops. Contact your healthcare professional if blood from your vagina soaks a pad hourly for two hours in a row, especially if you also have a fever, pelvic pain or tenderness.

Contractions

You might feel contractions, sometimes called afterpains, for a few days after delivery. These contractions often feel like menstrual cramps. They help keep you from bleeding too much because they put pressure on the blood vessels in the uterus. Afterpains are common during breastfeeding. That's because breastfeeding causes the release of the hormone oxytocin. To ease the pain, your healthcare professional might suggest a pain reliever that you can buy without a prescription. They include acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others).

Leaking urine

Pregnancy, labor and a vaginal delivery can stretch or hurt your pelvic floor muscles. These muscles support the uterus, bladder and rectum. As a result, some urine might leak when you sneeze, laugh or cough. The leaking usually gets better within a week. But it might go on longer. Leaking urine also is called incontinence. Until the leaking stops, wear sanitary pads. Do pelvic floor muscle training, also called Kegels, to tone your pelvic floor muscles and help control your bladder. To do Kegels, think of sitting on a marble. Tighten your pelvic muscles as if you're lifting the marble. Try it for three seconds at a time, then relax for a count of three. Work up to doing the exercise 10 to 15 times in a row, at least three times a day.

https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/womens-health/in-depth/kegel-exercises/art-20045283

Hemorrhoids and bowel movements

If you notice pain during bowel movements and feel swelling near your anus, you might have swollen veins in the anus or lower rectum, called hemorrhoids. To ease hemorrhoid pain:

Use a hemorrhoid cream or a medicine that you put into your anus, called a suppository, that has hydrocortisone. You can buy either without a prescription.
Wipe the area with pads that have witch hazel or a numbing agent.
Soak your anal area in plain warm water for 10 to 15 minutes 2 to 3 times a day.

You might be afraid to have a bowel movement because you don't want to make the pain of hemorrhoids or your episiotomy wound worse. Take steps to keep stools soft and regular. Eat foods high in fiber, including fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Drink plenty of water. Ask your healthcare professional about a stool softener, if needed.

Sore breasts

A few days after giving birth, you might have full, firm, sore breasts. That's because your breast tissue overfills with milk, blood and other fluids. This condition is called engorgement. Breastfeed your baby often on both breasts to help keep them from overfilling. If your breasts are engorged, your baby might have trouble attaching for breastfeeding. To help your baby latch on, you can use your hand or a breast pump to let out some breast milk before feeding your baby. That process is called expressing. To ease sore breasts, put warm washcloths on them or take a warm shower before breastfeeding or expressing. That can make it easier for the milk to flow. Between feedings, put cold washcloths on your breasts. Pain relievers you can buy without a prescription might help too. If you're not breastfeeding, wear a bra that supports your breasts, such as a sports bra. Don't pump your breasts or express the milk. That causes your breasts to make more milk. Putting ice packs on your breasts can ease discomfort.

Hair loss and skin changes

During pregnancy, higher hormone levels mean your hair grows faster than it sheds. The result is more hair on your head. But for up to five months after giving birth, you lose more hair than you grow. This hair loss stops over time. Stretch marks on the skin don't go away after delivery. But in time, they fade. Expect any skin that got darker during pregnancy, such as dark patches on your face, to fade slowly too.

Mood changes

Childbirth can trigger a lot of feelings. Many people have a period of feeling down or anxious after giving birth, sometimes called the baby blues. Symptoms include mood swings, crying spells, anxiety and trouble sleeping. These feelings often go away within two weeks. In the meantime, take good care of yourself. Share your feelings, and ask your partner, loved ones or friends for help.If you have large mood swings, don't feel like eating, are very tired and lack joy in life shortly after childbirth, you might have postpartum depression.

Weight loss

It's common to still look pregnant after giving birth. Most people lose about 13 pounds (6 kilograms) during delivery. This loss includes the weight of the baby, placenta and amniotic fluid. In the days after delivery, you'll lose more weight from leftover fluids. After that, a healthy diet and regular exercise can help you to return to the weight you were before pregnancy.

Here's what can happen physically after a C-section

The area around the stitches, staples, or tape on your belly will be sore for the first few days. Keep it clean to prevent infections. You can do a few other things to speed your recovery:

Take it easy. A C-section is a major surgery. Don’t lift anything heavier than your baby for the first couple of weeks, and keep everything you might need within reach.
Support your stomach. Hold your belly when you sneeze, cough, or laugh to keep it still.
Ease your pain. A heating pad (set on low) or a warm washcloth can help with pain around your belly. You may also need acetaminophen, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), or other pain relievers. Most are safe to take if you’re breastfeeding.
Drink fluids. You’ll need to replace the water you lost during delivery as well as what you lose if you nurse your baby.