OBSTETRICS/MATERNITY:
At Home
Once mothers have returned home, they should continue to advance activity level as it feels comfortable--with frequent rest periods. Women should start with walks and avoid any strenuous exercises until after the first postpartum check-up. Women should avoid any heavy lifting, pushing or pulling and if blood flow (lochia) increases or changes color, activity should be stopped.
Diet
The postpartum period is a time for recovery, not dieting. A balanced postpartum diet includes fibers, calcium, protein, fruits and vegetables. If a woman eats sensibly, she will lose her pregnancy weight at the right pace.
Menstruation
Menstruation usually resumes three to six weeks after delivery for bottle-feeding mothers. For breastfeeding mothers, it may have a delay in onset. However, women may ovulate without menstruating so there is a chance of pregnancy occuring.
Intercourse
Intercourse may be resumed after the bleeding and lochia flow has stopped, and the episiotomy has healed--usually in four to six weeks. Breastfeeding mothers may experience decreased vaginal secretions and a lubricant may be helpful.
It is important for women to follow their doctor’s instructions about intercourse and birth control.
Hormonal Changes
Hormonal changes after delivery may lead to “baby blues.” This may include short periods of fatigue, changing moods or depression, crying easily, lack of appetite, poor concentration or difficult sleeping. Within a week, these feelings should pass. If not, women should consult their physician.
Fatigue
Fatigue is normal after having a baby. New mothers need time to rest and recover. Women should learn to nap when the baby naps and try to limit visitors in the first few weeks. If possible, women should let someone else do the laundry, cooking and cleaning. More importantly, new mothers should schedule time for themselves away from the baby.
When to Call the Doctor
Women should call their physician whenever any of the following occurs:
-
An elevated temperature of 100.4˚F
- Heavy, bright red bleeding or the passage of large clots
- Foul smelling vaginal discharge
- Frequent, painful burning urination
- Persistent or severe constipation
- Discharge, redness or swelling of abdominal incision
- Painful breastfeeding, breast pain, redness, tenderness or bleeding nipples
- Leg pains, swelling tenderness, redness or warmth
- Severe headaches, dizziness or visual disturbances
- Increasing pain anywhere
- Depression
- Chest pain or cough
- Persistent perineal or abdominal pain with increasing tenderness