Family Birth Center
Caring for Your Baby: A New Mother's Guide
Taking Care of a New You: Advice for Mothers
During the time following childbirth to six weeks after
delivery, your body undergoes many changes as you recover
and return to where you were before your pregnancy.
Important Symptoms
Call your doctor immediately if you experience one or more
of the following conditions:
- A temperature over 101 degrees Fahrenheit. (Take your
temperature with an oral thermometer if you have chills,
or feel hot and are perspiring.)
- Excessive vaginal flow. (Soaking one or more pads in one
hour.)
- Foul odor of vaginal flow or pads. (Should be the same
odor as normal period.)
- Burning sensation when urinating, or frequent urination.
- Persistent or severe constipation.
- Discharge, redness or swelling of abdominal incision.
- Sore breast which may be red, hot or tender for more than
one day.
- Leg pain, when walking accompanied by areas of redness,
tenderness or warmth.
- Increased pain anywhere.
- Severe depression. Symptoms may include inability to
cope, feelings of inadequacy and overwhelming feelings of
guilt, shame, and isolation.
Post-Delivery Care
After delivery, your uterus is the size of a large melon.
That's why you still look pregnant. Over six weeks, the uterus
shrinks to its normal size and position in the pelvis.
Office Checkup
Before you leave the hospital or soon thereafter, contact
your doctor's office to schedule a six-week checkup. If you
have delivered by C-section, you will need to schedule a 2-week
checkup, also. Appointments are important to keep because
your caregiver needs to evaluate your healing and recovery
process.
Vaginal Discharge
Vaginal discharge of the uterine lining where the placenta
was attached may continue four to six weeks until the area
is healed. The discharge at first resembles a heavy gushing
period, is bright red, sometimes with small clots. In a few
days, it becomes a pinkish-brown and lasts for another five
to seven days. Then it becomes a yellowish-white, yellowish-brown
or colorless discharge. Use sanitary pads during this time,
because the cervix is still open and tampons can cause bacteria
to come into your uterus. You may see a slight increase in
flow when you first go home, if you are active. Flow progresses
from heavy menstruation to a lighter flow in two to three
weeks (can last four to six weeks). When first rising in the
morning or after a long nap, you may notice an increase in
flow of blood that has pooled in the vagina while lying flat.
This is normal. Flow should not have a foul odor: contact
your doctor if so.
After-Birth Discomfort
As your uterus contracts downward after delivery, you may
feel cramping. This generally lasts a few days and goes away.
Contractions may be stronger in nursing mothers or mothers
who have had more than one pregnancy. For relief and comfort,
gently massage your abdomen, urinate frequently, take pain
medications and use a heating pad.
Episiotomy Care
During delivery, you may have had an episiotomy that helps
the birth. In the next two weeks, as this area heals and stitches
dissolve, you may have some pain and itching from wounds or
stitches. Clean the area by sitting in a bathtub of warm water
mid thigh level three times a day for 15 to 20 minutes. Whenever
sitting, tighten your buttocks in and sit as flat as possible
to avoid stretching the stitches.
Bowels and Hemorrhoids
After going to the bathroom, wipe only from front to back
to prevent contamination or infection. To avoid constipation,
eat a diet including fresh fruit and bran products, drink
at least eight glasses of water every day, do moderate exercise
(walking) and avoid straining during bowel movements. If you
are nursing your baby, extra liquids and protein are important
for milk production. If necessary, your doctor may prescribe
a mild laxative or stool softener. Sometimes hemorrhoids appear
after delivery from pushing. Hemorrhoids should become smaller
and disappear. Your doctor may recommend medication for discomfort.
Activity and Exercise
Increase activity gradually, as it feels comfortable, with
frequent rest periods. Take a nap while your baby sleeps.
Start with walks; avoid strenuous exercises until after your
first postpartum check-up. Avoid heavy lifting, pushing or
pulling anything heavier than your baby for at least six weeks.
Use common sense. If you don't feel right or your vaginal
discharge or flow from your period increases or changes color,
you need rest.
Nutrition
Continue your prenatal vitamins as long as indicated by your
physician. Eat a well balanced diet high in fiber. Continue
drinking plenty of fluids. Breastfeeding mothers should add
200 calories a day to their diet. Eat sensibly and your weight
loss will occur slowly. The postpartum Period is a time for
recovery, not dieting.
Menstruation
Your first period will start about six weeks after delivery.
If you are breastfeeding, you may not menstruate; this is
normal-but you can get pregnant. Do not douche or use tampons
until your doctor says it is okay.
Sexual Activity
Sexual intercourse is not recommended to resume until after
the bleeding has stopped and the episiotomy has healed-usually
after the six-week checkup with your doctor. Remember that
pregnancies can occur immediately after having a baby. Breastfeeding
mothers may experience decreased secretions and a lubricant
may be helpful. Discuss this with your physician.
Hormonal Changes/Postpartum Blues
Hormonal changes after childbirth may lead to "postpartum
blues" with fatigue, changing moods, anxiety, guilt and depression.
It is experienced by almost all new mothers to some extent.
Feelings of resentment, lingering fatigue, self-doubt, irritability,
nervousness, extreme sensitivity and loneliness occur often.
You may feel dull, weepy, deprived, bored, fat and confused.
Understand that these feelings are normal and talk about them
with others to make them more bearable. No matter how difficult,
try to develop a support system, take frequent rest periods
and get someone to care for the baby while you get away for
a little time by yourself. Within two to three weeks, these
feelings should pass. If not, consult your physician. Support
is also available through Community Mental Health. a 24-hour
crisis line, at 616-966-1456.
Rubella Vaccine
If you have never had rubella (German measles) or are not
immune, your physician may prescribe a rubella vaccine after
delivery. Pregnancy should be avoided for 12 weeks after receiving
the vaccine.
Rest
Fatigue is normal after having a baby. You need time to recover.
Learn to nap when the baby does. Try to limit your visitors
in the first few weeks-entertaining can be more tiring than
a new baby. Let someone else do the laundry, cooking and cleaning
so you can rest and enjoy your new infant. And remember-there's
more to relaxation than just sleeping-schedule some time for
yourself and loved ones. Sibling Rivalry If you have other
children at home, you can expect some competition for your
attention as they learn to accept the new family member. Spend
some private time with the other children that is "special"
for them. Also involve them as "good helpers" in the care
of their brother or sister. It is important to realize that
some jealousy is normal since your children are having to
make some adjustments in their routine as well. Look at the
strengths of each child and never compare them.
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