Postpartum Care Summary Taking home a new baby is one of the happiest times in a woman’s life. But it also presents both physical and emotional challenges. Get as much rest as possible. You may find that all you can do is eat, sleep, and care for your baby. And that is perfectly okay. You will have spotting or bleeding, like a menstrual period, off and on for up to six weeks. You might also have swelling in your legs and feet, feel constipated, have menstrual-like cramping. Even if you are not breastfeeding, you can have milk leaking from your nipples, and your breasts might feel full, tender, or uncomfortable. Follow your doctor’s instructions on how much activity, like climbing stairs or walking, you can do for the next few weeks. Doctors usually recommend that you abstain from sexual intercourse for four to six weeks after birth. In addition to physical changes, you may feel sad or have the “baby blues.” If you are extremely sad or are unable to care for yourself or your baby, you might have a serious condition called postpartum depression. Dept. of Health and Human Services Office on Women’s Health Array After vaginal delivery – in the hospital Losing weight after pregnancy Vaginal delivery – discharge Statistics and Research Child Health USA 2013: Postpartum Visit and Well-Baby Care Health Resources and Services Administration Clinical Trials ClinicalTrials.gov: Postnatal Care National Institutes of Health ClinicalTrials.gov: Postpartum Period National Institutes of Health ClinicalTrials.gov: Puerperal Disorders National Institutes of Health Encyclopedia Episotomy – aftercare Specifics Exercise After Pregnancy American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Mastitis Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Postpartum Blood Clots Merck & Co., Inc. Postpartum Infections Merck & Co., Inc. Postpartum Sterilization American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Related Issues Losing Baby Weight March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation New Mom Fatigue March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation Your Postpartum Checkup March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation Find an Expert National Institute of Child Health and Human Development National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Journal Articles Postpartum Care Start Here Recovering from Birth Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women’s Health Recovering from Delivery Nemours Foundation Your Body After Baby: The First 6 Weeks March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation Diagnosis and Tests Warning Signs After Birth March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation
