<<
back to postpartum
Congratulations on the birth of your new baby! We at VOB
would like to provide you with some information once you have
been discharged from the hospital. There are a number of typical
questions that new mothers ask. We have tried to answer these
questions in the material below.
At the end of this discussion is information that relates
to your postpartum visit. Please make note of it.
ACTIVITY
Don’t be surprised if you are not feeling 100% on your first
day home. You will gradually notice an increase in your stamina
with each passing day. It usually takes around six weeks after
delivery for your body to return to normal. You should increase
your activity gradually each day. You should be able to resume
a light exercise schedule within two to three weeks. Avoid
abdominal exercises until you have been seen for your six
week postpartum visit.
BREAST CARE FOR NON-NURSING MOTHERS
If you are not breastfeeding, we recommend wearing a firm
bra and avoiding any stimulation to your breasts. You may
try applying cabbage leaves tot he breast in order to dry
the milk supply. Apply the cabbage leaves twice to three times
a day for about 45 minutes. Call us if you have localized
tenderness, redness or fever.
BREAST CARE FOR NURSING MOTHERS
Wear a good supportive bra. Discuss with your pediatrician
issues such as adequacy of the newborn’s intake, supplementing
with formula, or use of medications while breastfeeding. Call
us if you have any problems with breast feeding such as cracked
or bleeding nipples. Localized breast tenderness or localized
breast induration or redness associated with a fever may be
a sign of mastitis. Please inform your physician.
CONSTIPATION / GAS PAIN
Try increasing your fluid intake and your intake of fresh
fruits and vegetables. Mild laxatives such as Metamucil, Dulcolax
and Peri-Colace may be taken as directed. For gas, you may
take Gas-X (simethicone 40 - 80 mg) three to four times a
day with meals and at bedtime. For hemorrhoids, you may use
Preparation H or Anusol as directed.
DIET
Now that you are no longer pregnant, you can be a little more
liberal with your dietary choices. Nursing mothers must remember
that nursing is more of a nutritional demand than pregnancy
ad as such, you must be careful not to skip meals. You should
also increase the amount of fluids in your diet to ensure
an adequate milk supply. You should try to drink 8-10 glasses
of water a day. Keep in mind that foods that you eat will
end up in the breast milk usually within two to four hours.
This way you can keep track of foods in your diet that may
affect either the taste of your breast milk or that tend to
make your baby colicky. A good rule of thumb is foods that
tend to give you gas will also do the same to your baby. We
recommend you continue the prenatal vitamins while nursing.
INCISION CARE AFTER CESAREAN
If you had staples placed after the cesarean section, the
staples will be removed prior to your discharge from the hospital.
If you had stitches placed at the incision site instead, the
stitches will dissolve and do not have to be removed. You
may remove the steri-strips (small adhesive strips placed
on the skin) in a week if they have not fallen off on their
own. You may shower with steri-strips in place. Keep the incision
site clean and dry. Call the office if you notice any increased
redness, increased pain, or pus-like drainage from the incision
site.
MEDICATIONS
You may take Tylenol or ibuprofen as needed for pain. Occasionally,
over the counter medications may not be sufficient for pain
relief. You may ask your physician to provide you with a written
prescription for stronger medication.
PERINEAL CARE / STITCHES
It is very common to feel sore and bruised in the vaginal,
perineal and rectal areas after delivery. If you have had
stitches, these will dissolve gradually and do not need to
be removed. It is important to keep the perineal area as clean
as possible. After either urination or bowel movement, the
area should be rinsed with warm water and gently dried. You
may use sitz baths for relief from discomfort (sit in a bath
of 6-8 inches of warm water for 15-20 minutes, may repeat
2-3 times a day, may add Epsom salts to the water). You may
use a topical anesthetic spray such as Dermoplast for additional
relief.
POSTPARTUM BLUES
Emotional lability, anxiety, irritability, fatigue are common
after delivery. The postpartum period may be a time of uncertainty
and anxiety for new parents, and when coupled with hormonal
changes and lack of sleep, transient mild depression known
as Ababy blues@ is not unusual. Please call us if the blues
last longer than a few weeks, it if seems severe, or if you
are unable to take care of yourself of the baby.
VAGINAL BLEEDING
You will have vaginal bleeding for two to six weeks. Flow
will gradually decrease in amount and darken in color. You
should use nothing in the vagina for six weeks. Please use
pads instead of tampons, do not douche and please abstain
from intercourse until the bleeding stops.
POSTPARTUM OFFICE VISIT
Call the office to schedule your postpartum appointment. You
should be seen in the office six weeks after your delivery.
You should, however, contact us promptly if any of the following
occur:
- Heavy sustained bleeding greater than or equal to one
pad per hour.
- Fever greater than 100.5.
- Localized redness or tenderness on your breasts associated
with fever.
- Redness, drainage, bleeding at the site of the cesarean
incision.
- Foul smelling discharge from the vagina.
|
