- Postpartum tips for the next 4-6 weeks after giving birth
- Did you know it takes your body about 4-6 weeks to get back to its pre pregnancy state?
- Be sure to nourish yourself with a healthy diet and drink lots of fluid to help your body heal and recover after birth, you need to replace blood and fluids lost at delivery and stay hydrated.
- You may be sleep deprived and exhausted after delivery so try your best to REST when the baby sleeps, like in between feedings. Let others help you if you can and rest when you can.
- Activity: do NOT lift anything heavier than your baby, no strenuous activity, some Dr’s say not to drive for a few weeks as your reflex’s may be off. Speak with your Dr./Midwife.
- You may take Showers but NO tub baths, swimming pools, jacuzzis, you do not want to sit in water others are sitting in to prevent infection, the only exception is a sitz bath if prescribed by your provider for lacerations and hemorrhoids. Continue peri care as you did in the hospital.
- If you are breastfeeding, wear a good supportive bra and attempt to feed every 2-3 hours on demand. If you are not breastfeeding, wear a supportive bra and do not have any stimulation to the breast like letting warm water run down your chest in the shower.
- Pain control : your provider will give you pain meds after delivery, if you take motrin, be sure to take it with food so it does not upset your stomach, narcotics may make you drowsy and constipated. You may have afterbirth cramps especially after nursing, this occurs when your uterus contracts. You may also try to ease your discomfort with ice, heat, rest, relaxation.
- Baby blues or Postpartum depression, some women may feel happy one minute and tearful the next, this is normal and can last a few days, it is due to the lack of sleep, hormones and adjusting to your new routine. If this last more than 2 weeks or so and you are having trouble coping with taking care of you and your baby, contact your provider.
- If you have pain, swelling or feel heat in the back of your calf, contact your provider it could be a blood clot. To prevent this , stay hydrated, keep moving every hour while awake. Report any symptoms to your provider.
- The big 3 complications to be aware of after delivery are these below and call your Provider. Call also for any other concerns you have with instructions your provider gave you at discharge.
- 1. Infection if you have a fever over 100.4, fever, chills, foul discharge, painful breasts, tenderness or swelling around incision.
- 2. High Blood pressure if you develop headaches, visual changes, epigastric pain, sudden swelling, decrease urine output, shortness of breath, call your Dr.
- 3. Heavy bleeding: if you soak more than a pad an hour, passing clots, feeling weak and dizzy. Call your Dr.
- Nothing in the vagina until the provider says you can resume activity, you could get pregnant or get an infection. NO tampons, or douching. You may or may not get a period in 4-6 weeks. You may not get one at all if you are breastfeeding, however you may still be ovulating and you could get pregnant even though you are not having a period.
- Vaginal bleeding should get less and less and turn from red to brown to yellow or white over the next few weeks.
- If you have any problems with urination or bowel problems contact your provider.
- If you had a cesarean section, keep the incision clean and dry, in the shower let water run over it but do not scrub it, just pat dry and follow any other instructions.
- Be sure to keep follow up appointment with your Provider.
Tips from Nurse Judy