lovesouthernsocial.com

Understand what this process is and how to choose the best postpartum absorbent for your health and the environment

Edited and resized image by Sharon McCutcheon is available on Unsplash

A postpartum pad is needed to contain uterine blood flow after the baby is born, but some options can be harmful to both the mother's health and the environment. Understand and discover healthier and more environmentally friendly options.

What is postpartum bleeding?

For many pregnant women, the anticipation of seeing and holding their new baby makes it difficult to spend a lot of time on details before delivery. But not everyone is used to the idea that before and after childbirth, the mother also needs care. A little commented detail is the need to use the postpartum absorbent.

During pregnancy, the volume of blood in a woman's body increases by 30 to 50%; it serves to nourish the growing fetus and prepares the body for postpartum bleeding, which is similar to menstruation.

• What is menstruation?

After not having a period for about ten months, this postpartum bleeding can last for weeks. Bleeding that occurs after childbirth is called lochia. Like menstruation, it is the lining of the uterus, with the difference that it served as a "home" for the fetus for a few months.

As the uterus moves through the involution process, which is when it shrinks back to its pre-pregnancy size, the postpartum woman experiences postpartum bleeding. It doesn't matter if the delivery was normal or cesarean, postpartum bleeding will happen anyway and will require the use of a sanitary pad. It is a mixture of mucus, blood and tissue from where the placenta was attached to the uterine wall. Clots the size of cherries or even small plums can also be noticed. Postpartum bleeding can last from two to six weeks, with a change in color, consistency and amount over time.

Immediately after delivery, blood is intense and bright red or brownish red. This can continue for three to ten days after giving birth. After that, it starts to clear up. changing from red to pink or brown and finally to a light yellow or cream color.

Although the progression of postpartum bleeding should start to slow down and then slow down, certain activities and even positions can temporarily increase blood flow, such as:

• Get out of bed or stand in a reclining position;
• Any type of moderate physical activity;
• Breastfeeding, which releases the hormone oxytocin and stimulates uterine contractions;
• To exert force during evacuation or urination;

Disposable Postpartum Absorbent Hazards

During the first six weeks after giving birth, nothing should be inserted into the vagina. This means that tampons, menstrual collectors, etc. should not be used. Generally speaking, the larger the postpartum absorbent, both laterally and longitudinally, the greater the feeling of security.

Some women even choose to wear adult diapers. However, a study published by the National Agency for Sanitary Safety in Food, Environment and Work (Anses) of France that analyzed disposable diapers found 60 toxic substances, including glyphosate, the most used pesticide in the world.

• Glyphosate: widely used herbicide can cause fatal diseases

Among the substances found, there are also endocrine disruptors and carcinogens. In addition to glyphosate, which is used during the planting of diaper raw material, there are other substances intentionally added to give it aroma.

Other hazardous substances from the raw material of diapers found in the samples were PCB-DL (a chlorine derivative), furans (highly flammable and toxic), dioxins (potentially carcinogenic) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) . These harmful components are the result of combustion at high temperatures, usually arising from the burning of diesel during the planting of the raw material for diapers.

• Glyphosate: widely used herbicide can cause fatal diseases
• PAHs: what are polycyclic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
• Ascarel: do you know what PCBs are?
• Dioxin: know its dangers and be careful

In prolonged contact with the skin, these toxins go directly into the bloodstream and spread throughout the body - the condition is aggravated in sensitive mucous membranes such as the skin of the vaginal tissue, which is highly permeable.

The case of the disposable absorbent is not very different. Similar to diapers, the disposable absorbent is basically composed of cellulose, polyethylene, propylene, thermoplastic adhesives, silicone paper, superabsorbent polymer and an odor-controlling agent.

• Know the types of plastics
• What is silicone?

The plastic of this type of absorbent can release endocrine disruptors called bisphenols, which are related to the development of cancer, reproductive diseases, infertility, among others. In addition, this material impairs ventilation in the genital region, making the environment more conducive to the proliferation of fungi and bacteria. Dioxin used in cellulose bleaching is also linked to the development of cancer, endocrine disruption, and reproductive and immunological problems.

Pesticides used in cotton and cellulose plantations, such as glyphosate, remain in the absorbent after harvesting and processing, being able, like bisphenols, to pass into the bloodstream. Glyphosate ingestion is associated with gastrointestinal disorders, obesity, diabetes, heart disease, depression, autism, infertility, cancer, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, microcephaly, gluten intolerance and hormonal changes. Despite being a different route of exposure, it may indicate that it may not be healthy to have mucous membranes like those of the vaginal tissue exposed to this type of product. In March 2015, the World Health Organization (WHO) Cancer Research Agency (IARC) declared glyphosate to be “likely to cause human cancer”. The decision was based on research by 17 cancer experts from 11 countries, who came together to assess the carcinogenic potential of five pesticides. The cancers that were of most concern were: Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma, Bone Cancer, Colon Cancer, Kidney Cancer, Liver Cancer, Melanoma, Pancreatic Cancer, and Thyroid Cancer. In early 2013, documents were revealed showing that Monsanto (the company that makes glyphosate under the trade name Roundap) has long covered up the carcinogenic potential of glyphosate.

Its use is also related to the development of microcephaly. In 2009, the Argentine geneticist and researcher, Andrés Carrasco, published an analysis showing the serious effects of glyphosate on the occurrence of the birth of babies with microcephaly and other deformities.

Which postpartum pad to use?

Each woman is unique and has her own demands. However, some recommendations can be helpful. Remember to prepare your postpartum pads before the baby is born, because after the baby comes, the demand for time is great. Also, do not hesitate to delegate functions to the child's father or those close to you who are willing to help.

Postpartum bleeding can come with a heavy or low flow, you will only know while you are going through it. So reserve postpartum pads of various sizes. And try to opt for less harmful models. One way to reduce exposure to chemical agents mentioned in the topic above is to opt for postpartum absorbents made of organic cotton that have not undergone a bleaching process and that do not contain added products such as fragrances and aromas.

This type of absorbent can be found in disposable and reusable forms. But if you can't find them, you can also use unbleached organic cotton towels. You can buy this type of towel and cut it to whatever shape you need; or ask a seamstress in your neighborhood to make a custom pad, with button flaps or even sewn to a very comfortable panty.

The reusable absorbent is a more option. ecofriendly compared to disposable postpartum absorbent, which is difficult to recycle and can still release toxins into the environment. But remember that, in this period of turmoil of emotions, it's important to prioritize your well-being. If your environmental conscience has more weight in your decisions, stick with the reusable one and avoid using chlorine in the washes. If you value the practicality and time saving, don't blame yourself for using the disposable in this period of just ten days, you have all the rest of your cycles to compensate for this environmental impacts using reusable sanitary pads and even the menstrual collector (it shouldn't be used as a postpartum absorbent ).

When is postpartum bleeding a problem?

Postpartum bleeding can be inconvenient, but it is a normal part of the postpartum experience. Certain symptoms, however, can be signs of a problem. These symptoms can include:

• Fever above 38°C or shivering;
• Strong, unpleasant odor of postpartum bleeding;
• The blood flow starts to clear and suddenly turns dark red;
• Appearance of very large clots or very heavy bleeding in less than an hour;
• Blood flow remains bright red and intense more than four days after you give birth, even when you are resting;
• Bad cramps or severe pain in the abdomen;
• Dizziness or fainting;
• Cardiac arrhythmia;

Symptoms like these can indicate an infection or postpartum hemorrhage (excessive bleeding after the baby is born). Although most cases of breast cancer happen soon after childbirth, it can also happen later.

Most cases occur when the uterus does not contract hard enough to properly compress the blood vessels where the placenta has been attached. Another cause of this excessive bleeding can be when small pieces of the placenta remain attached to the uterine wall.