Post Partum
Activity:
Take is easy for the first few weeks after discharge from the hospital. Then you can gradually increase your activity. Walking is very good exercise and can be done as soon as you get home. Avoid strenuous activity such as aerobics for four to six weeks.
Diet:
If breastfeeding, continue to take you prenatal vitamins as long as you are breastfeeding. If not breastfeeding, continue to take your prenatal vitamins for three months. Remember that, if you are breastfeeding, you should adjust your diet to include 200 more calories per day and more protein. You should be drinking 8 - 10 glasses of water, plus two glasses of milk per day.
Hygiene:
You may shower at any time. Avoid baths for two weeks. Do not use vaginal tampons or douche.
Bowel Habits:
Try to keep your stools soft. Colace is a good over-the-counter stool softener if you need it. Bran and prunes are good natural laxatives. Drink plenty of fluids. You should have no less that 1 bowel movement every other day. If you need a laxative medication, try Milk of Magnesia.
Bleeding:
Vaginal discharge and bleeding may continue up to six weeks postpartum. You may have to wear a pad. It may be quite heavy and bloody at times. This is normal. If you are not breastfeeding, your first period will usually be about 25-35 days after delivery and will be heavier than usual. Passing clots is normal in this period.
Episiotomy:
The sutures we use will be naturally absorbed by your body over the 6 weeks postpartum period. You may notice a pulling or sticking sensation. A warm sitz bath may help with the pain. Tucks pads and Americaine Spray will also help with the pain.
Menstruation:
If you are not breastfeeding, you will probably resume your menses by 25-35 days postpartum. If you breastfeed, you may not menstruate for at least 3 months after delivery, if at all. As mentioned earlier, your first period will be heavy.
Sex/Birth Control:
You may resume sex after 6 weeks if you are no longer sore. Be sure to discuss birth control with your doctor prior to your discharge from the hospital. Remember, nursing alone will not prevent you from becoming pregnant.
Circumcision:
You may remove the gauze on the circumcision when you get home. The site will be raw and may ooze a little blood. You can expect it to heal like a wound on your skin: superficially in 7-10 days, and completely by 4 weeks. Wash with soap and water and apply Neosporin until healed.
Mood:
Postpartum blues are very common in the 6-8 weeks after delivery, but are most common in the first 2 weeks after delivery. After all of the excitement of the delivery, it is normal to feel a little down and overwhelmed. Also, it takes time for you and your baby to adjust to each other's schedule. You are likely not getting a whole lot of sleep. It is important to use those around your for support during this time. A few hours of good sleep can make a big difference. Getting a babysitter for a quick trip by yourself to the store can make a big difference. We are here to help. Please call with any questions or if you feel like your blues are getting to be too much for you to handle. Postpartum depression is a very serious but treatable condition.
Special Instructions:
Please call if you experience any of the following problems:
1. Heavy, profuse bleeding (soaking a pad every hour or less)
2. Burning or pain with urination
3. Severe abdominal pain
4. High fever or chills (101 or higher)
5. Redness or pain in the breasts
Follow-up:
Your follow-up appointment will usually be made prior to your discharge from the hospital. If not, please call to make your 6 week postpartum appointment as soon as you can (334) 745-6447. Please come see us before your 6 week appointment for any problems you may experience in the meantime. We are here to help.
Activity:
Take is easy for the first few weeks after discharge from the hospital. Then you can gradually increase your activity. Walking is very good exercise and can be done as soon as you get home. Avoid strenuous activity such as aerobics for four to six weeks.
Diet:
If breastfeeding, continue to take you prenatal vitamins as long as you are breastfeeding. If not breastfeeding, continue to take your prenatal vitamins for three months. Remember that, if you are breastfeeding, you should adjust your diet to include 200 more calories per day and more protein. You should be drinking 8 - 10 glasses of water, plus two glasses of milk per day.
Hygiene:
You may shower at any time. Avoid baths for two weeks. Do not use vaginal tampons or douche.
Bowel Habits:
Try to keep your stools soft. Colace is a good over-the-counter stool softener if you need it. Bran and prunes are good natural laxatives. Drink plenty of fluids. You should have no less that 1 bowel movement every other day. If you need a laxative medication, try Milk of Magnesia.
Bleeding:
Vaginal discharge and bleeding may continue up to six weeks postpartum. You may have to wear a pad. It may be quite heavy and bloody at times. This is normal. If you are not breastfeeding, your first period will usually be about 25-35 days after delivery and will be heavier than usual. Passing clots is normal in this period.
Episiotomy:
The sutures we use will be naturally absorbed by your body over the 6 weeks postpartum period. You may notice a pulling or sticking sensation. A warm sitz bath may help with the pain. Tucks pads and Americaine Spray will also help with the pain.
Menstruation:
If you are not breastfeeding, you will probably resume your menses by 25-35 days postpartum. If you breastfeed, you may not menstruate for at least 3 months after delivery, if at all. As mentioned earlier, your first period will be heavy.
Sex/Birth Control:
You may resume sex after 6 weeks if you are no longer sore. Be sure to discuss birth control with your doctor prior to your discharge from the hospital. Remember, nursing alone will not prevent you from becoming pregnant.
Circumcision:
You may remove the gauze on the circumcision when you get home. The site will be raw and may ooze a little blood. You can expect it to heal like a wound on your skin: superficially in 7-10 days, and completely by 4 weeks. Wash with soap and water and apply Neosporin until healed.
Mood:
Postpartum blues are very common in the 6-8 weeks after delivery, but are most common in the first 2 weeks after delivery. After all of the excitement of the delivery, it is normal to feel a little down and overwhelmed. Also, it takes time for you and your baby to adjust to each other's schedule. You are likely not getting a whole lot of sleep. It is important to use those around your for support during this time. A few hours of good sleep can make a big difference. Getting a babysitter for a quick trip by yourself to the store can make a big difference. We are here to help. Please call with any questions or if you feel like your blues are getting to be too much for you to handle. Postpartum depression is a very serious but treatable condition.
Special Instructions:
Please call if you experience any of the following problems:
1. Heavy, profuse bleeding (soaking a pad every hour or less)
2. Burning or pain with urination
3. Severe abdominal pain
4. High fever or chills (101 or higher)
5. Redness or pain in the breasts
Follow-up:
Your follow-up appointment will usually be made prior to your discharge from the hospital. If not, please call to make your 6 week postpartum appointment as soon as you can (334) 745-6447. Please come see us before your 6 week appointment for any problems you may experience in the meantime. We are here to help.