Care for the Mother

Postpartum Care

Taking good care of yourself

• Rest as much as possible during the first few weeks. Take a nap when your baby is napping. Limit housework and activities for the first few weeks, and then slowly return to your normal activities.
• Do not lift over 15 pounds, limit stair climbing and long drives.
• If you are not breastfeeding, your milk will dry up in about 1-2 weeks. Do not express milk. Wear a supportive bra. Use cold packs on your breasts for comfort.
• Ask your doctor when it is safe to start exercising and what exercises are best.
• As a new mother, you should be sure to eat more iron-rich foods. Eat low-fat meat, dried beans and peas, dark green leafy vegetables and fortified cereals. Drink juice daily to help your body use the iron in the foods.
• Your doctor may want you to continue taking your prenatal vitamins.
• Talk to your doctor about when you can drive again.

Bleeding

Quick Links: Helpful Information for Parents Baby Business Bathing Bottle Feeding Breast Feeding Car & Home Safety Care for the Mother Cord & Circumcision Care Crying Diapering Growth and Development Jaundice Medical Care/Immunizations You and Your Changing Family Community Resources for Help

• You will have vaginal bleeding after your baby is born. It will be dark red bleeding (like a period) for the first 3 or 4 days. Then it will change to a pinkish brown color, which may last for several weeks. The discharge then will change to a yellow or white color for another week or two.
• You may have more bleeding or discharge when you are more active. You may notice blood clots or more discharge when you stand up after resting, or while breastfeeding.
• You may still feel cramps for several days after your delivery.

Your Period

• Your period will start anytime from 4 weeks to 3 months after your delivery. If you are breastfeeding, it may be longer.
• You can get pregnant before your period starts again. Talk to your doctor about family planning.

Stitches

If you had a vaginal birth and/or stitches in your bottom:

• Continue to rinse with water bottle given to you at the hospital every time you urinate. Pat dry from front to back.
• Gently clean your stitches with soap and water during your daily shower and after each bowel movement. Wipe from front to back to prevent an infection.

The stitches will dissolve by themselves in a few weeks. Soaking in a tub of warm water for 15-20 minutes and letting the stitches air dry can help the discomfort of the first few days at home. If this does not help be sure to call your doctor and ask what medication would be safe for you to take.

If you had a Cesarean birth:

• Your incision will be tender for a week to two weeks.
• Follow your doctor's directions for care of your incision and what medications to take to help with the discomfort.

Family Planning

• Decide which birth control method you wish to use. Spacing between babies is important for healthier babies and mothers. Ask your doctor or nurse for information. There are many choices for Family Planning. Most birth control methods are safe with breastfeeding.
• Remember, breastfeeding is not a form of birth control.
• If you used a diaphragm before your pregnancy, the size needs to be checked by your doctor before you use it now that you have had a baby. This will be done at your 6 week check-up.
• If you have intercourse before you see your doctor, and are not using another method of birth control, foam and condoms can be used.

When you are ready for sex

• Most doctors recommend waiting to have intercourse until 4-6 weeks after the birth of the baby.
• No intercourse until your vaginal discharge has stopped and any stitches you may have are not painful.
• You may not feel like having sex for a while. This is normal. Talk about these feelings with your partner.
• If you have any problems or concerns, check with your doctor.

Baby Blues and Postpartum Depression

Emotions
It is normal to feel many emotions after the birth of your baby. You may feel happy, excited, tired, or frustrated. You may feel like crying for no reason. These and other feelings are all normal. Give yourself time to adjust to this big change in your life. Share your feelings with someone close to you. Have someone watch your baby for an hour or two, and use that time for yourself.

Most of these emotional changes or "baby blues", will get better by about 2 weeks after delivery. Some women have trouble with depression. Some signs of depression are:

• Extreme sad mood, nervousness, or anger
• No enjoyment in any usual activities
• Feeling guilty, worthless, or unable to handle things
• Extreme tiredness, no energy, unable to do normal daily tasks
• Sleep problems - unable to sleep at all or sleeps all the time
• Appetite changes - not interested in eating or overeating

If any of these signs last longer than 1-2 weeks, you or someone you know needs to call the doctor.

IF YOU HAVE ANY THOUGHTS OF HARMING YOURSELF, YOUR BABY OR OTHERS, YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW NEEDS TO CALL YOUR DOCTOR RIGHT AWAY.

Call your doctor if...

• Bleeding or discharge smells bad
• You pass clots larger than the size of a quarter
• You fill a pad in less than 2 hours (If you fill a pad in less than 30 minutes, it is an Emergency)
• You have a steady flow of bright red blood
• You are bleeding more and it is not relieved by rest
• You feel very sad or down frequently or for long periods of time
• You have a sharp pain in your legs or chest
• You are bothered with constipation; most women have their first bowel movement within 3 days after delivery
• If you have a sign of an infection:
  • Fever
  • Redness, swelling or more pain around your stitches or incision
  • Bad smelling discharge
  • Hot, red, tender areas on your breasts
  • Pain during urination