Taking Care Of Yourself After Your Baby Is Born
Maternal Health Following Pregnancy
Taking Care of Yourself After Your Baby is Born (Postpartum)
Pregnancy changes your body in more ways than you may have imagined, and it does not stop when the baby is born. Here's what to expect after delivery.
- Postpartum Visit. After you deliver your baby, you will want to schedule an appointment with your practitioner to follow your recovery and to proceed with normal healthcare. The classic time for this appointment is about six weeks after childbirth, although you may want to schedule your appointment earlier than that if any issues come up, particularly if you think that you may be experiencing postpartum depression, have medical problems, or if you had a cesarean delivery and need to have stitches or staples removed.
- Sore breasts. Your breasts may be painfully engorged for several days when your milk comes in and your nipples may be sore. Engorged breasts resolve as your breastfeeding pattern becomes established or, if you are not breastfeeding, when your body stops producing milk — usually within a few days
- Breastfeeding. You need adequate sleep, fluids, and nutrition. An easy way to stay on top of drinking enough fluids is to have a glass of water whenever your baby nurses. Until your milk supply is well established, try to avoid caffeine, which causes loss of fluid through urine and sometimes makes babies wakeful and fussy. If you have any breastfeeding problems, talk to your doctor or a lactation specialist. If you develop a fever or chills or your breast becomes tender or red, you may have an infection (mastitis) and need antibiotics. Continue nursing or pumping from both breasts unless your doctor advises otherwise.
- After pains. After giving birth, your uterus will continue to have contractions for a few days. These are most noticeable when your baby nurses or when you are given medication to reduce bleeding.
Emotionally, you may be feeling:
- "Baby blues." Up to 80% of new moms experience irritability, sadness, crying, or anxiety, beginning within days or weeks postpartum. These baby blues are very common and may be related to physical changes (including hormonal changes, exhaustion, and unexpected birth experiences) and the emotional transition as you adjust to changing roles and your new baby.
- Postpartum depression (PPD). More serious than the baby blues, this condition is evident in 10%-25% of new moms and may cause mood swings, anxiety, guilt, and persistent sadness. Your baby may be several months old before PPD is diagnosed, and it's more common in women with a history of depression, multiple life stressors, and a family history of depression.
Some other things to consider during the healing process include:
- Birth control You can become pregnant again before your first postpartum period. Even though this is less likely if you are exclusively breastfeeding (day and night,at least 8 times a day, never going more than 6 hours without feeding), have not had a period, and your baby is younger than 6 months old, it is still possible. If you want to protect against pregnancy, discuss your options with your doctor. This may include barrier methods (condoms, diaphragms, spermicidal jellies, and foams), IUDs, pills, or shots.
- Baby Well Checkups Healthy babies need check-ups to keep them healthy. Babies should receive check-ups at 1,2,4,6,9,12 and 15 months. Call your doctor today and make well-child appointments. For more information about well child checkups, you can call Hoosier Healthwise Helpline at 1-800-889-9949.
