Adjusting to everyday life after the birth of a baby has its challenges, especially if you’re a new mother. Although it’s important to care for your baby, you also have to take care of yourself.
- Get as much rest as possible
- Follow your doctors instructions
- Eat healthy meals
- Schedule your postpartum care
Recovery and care after delivery.
The postpartum period refers to the first couple of months after you give birth. During these weeks, you’ll bond with your baby and you’ll have a post-delivery checkup with your doctor.
Remember, your body has done one of the most remarkable things it will ever do – grow another human being – and your postpartum recovery won’t be just a few days. Fully recovering from pregnancy and childbirth can take months.
Follow your recommended schedule of visits.
Schedule your postpartum visit 7 to 84 days after your baby is born. Your doctor will check your blood pressure, weight, breasts and belly. Your doctor will also talk with you about birth control options, prescriptions and postpartum mental health needs. If you had a C-section, your doctor will want to see you within 7 to 21 days after you give birth to check your incision (cut).
The postpartum visit is critical to ensure that you are healing from the birth, and recovering in general, both physically and emotionally.
New moms are at risk of serious and sometimes life-threatening health complications including:
- Depression
- Breast infection
- Scarring from surgery
- Anemia (low iron levels)
- Blood clots
- Shortness of breath
- Swelling
- Migraine headaches
- Episiotomy complications
- Excessive bleeding
- Incision complications
A postpartum visit is the first step to being a healthy mom. If you have any questions about postpartum care or need help finding a doctor, call 1-800-888-2264, TTY 711.