Pospartum Care

After delivering her baby, a mother will continue to be monitored and receive pain relief, if needed. A mother and baby usually remain at the hospital for a couple of days to recover.

Postpartum care for the mother:

As the mother recovers, the following symptoms are not uncommon:

•     bloody vaginal discharge that changes to brown, then whitish over the next few weeks after delivery

•     a tender vaginal area

•     painful contractions that may continue after delivery (as the uterus returns to its original size)

•     breast engorgement (as milk production begins)

•     fatigue and soreness are common in the first few weeks

It is generally recommended that all new mothers schedule an appointment with their physicians six weeks after delivery to ensure proper healing.

The first few weeks as a mother:
During the first few weeks, a mother needs to take good care of herself to rebuild her strength. Taking the following steps can help:

•     Take naps when the baby naps, to compensate for lost sleep at night from getting up to feed the baby.

•     Wear a supportive bra. Cold packs may help relieve breast engorgement and swelling. Warm compresses can be used to help stimulate the letdown of milk (a reflex that triggers the release of breast milk). If a mother chooses not to breastfeed, ice packs and binding the breasts will help alleviate engorgement in a couple of days.

•     If stitches were necessary during a vaginal delivery, taking warm, shallow baths (sitz baths) twice a day may relieve soreness and speed healing.

•     After a cesarean section, the mother should keep the incision clean and dry.

What are the "baby blues?"
It is not uncommon for women to experience the "baby blues" during the first days or weeks after delivery (most commonly seen occurring suddenly on the third or fourth day after delivery). The "baby blues" are characterized by the following symptoms, although each woman may experience symptoms differently:

•     feelings of disappointment

•     crying with no known reason

•     irritability

•     impatience

•     anxiety

•     restlessness

It is common for these "baby blues" feelings to go away soon after onset and, in most cases, without treatment.