Postpartum Instructions

Congratulations!

Now the hard part’s over, right? We certainly hope that your pregnancy, labor and delivery have gone smoothly, and we offer the following suggestions to help you get through the next several weeks as easily as possible.

Rest!

Nothing puts a better start on a day than a good night’s rest, and nothing keeps you up more than a newborn. Be a little selfish, and try to rest when the baby does. Let others help! Remember that they’ll get to sleep while you’re up with the new arrival.

Care of Stitches

If you have an episiotomy, these stitches will dissolve on their own and need little additional care. Keep the area as clean as possible; warm sitz baths or tub soaks two to three times a day will ease some of the soreness. Cesarean section stitches will likewise dissolve over time. These wounds should be kept dry and clean. You may shower or tub bathe after a C-section; just pat the wound dry afterward. No dressing or bandage is necessary.

Bleeding

Vaginal bleeding after your delivery will vary day to day but will be over for the most part by three to four weeks postpartum. Especially with breastfeeding, however, intermittent and unpredictable bleeding can occur, though this will usually not be very heavy or prolonged. You may use a tampon one week after delivery, but douching is not recommended. If you are breastfeeding, regular periods may not begin again until after weaning.

Breastfeeding

If you are breastfeeding, remember to drink lots of fluids to replace what is being used for making breast milk. The quantity of your milk may decrease if you are especially tired or dehydrated. Take your prenatal vitamins while you are nursing, and eat a well-balanced diet including plenty of calcium and protein.

If you have decided to bottlefeed, you should wear a very supportive bra day and night for at least the first week or until breast swelling has decreased. If painful engorgement occurs, ice packs can be helpful. Do not do anything to stimulate the breasts, such as expressing or pumping milk or even allowing the shower to strike them during bathing.

Constipation

This is a common problem in the postpartum period and should not be ignored. Breastfeeding, narcotic medications, lack of exercise and episiotomy pain can all make constipation worse. Drink lots of fluids, eat fruits and bran cereals, and if needed, use over-the-counter stool softeners such as Colace or Pericolace. If a laxative is needed, try a mild one such as Citrucel or Hydrocil or Milk of Magnesia.

Exercise

Begin again gradually but deliberately after delivery; pregnancy and childbirth have probably taken more out of you than you think. However, don’t consider yourself an invalid. You may begin walking and light exercise as soon as you feel comfortable doing so. (Yes, tell your mother and spouse we said it.) Sit-ups and specific abdominal exercises should be deferred for at least five to six weeks in C-section patients, but then they are encouraged.

Driving

Our concern with resumption of driving is that you be completely ready to drive well. This is less likely if your stitches are still uncomfortable, if you are requiring pain medication, or if you are exhausted. Therefore, wait until it is totally comfortable to ride before considering driving. This may be up to several weeks. Remember, we are concerned not only about you and your new baby’s safety but also about everyone else on the road.

Contraception

You should probably wait five or six weeks after delivery to resume intercourse. Even though you may be breastfeeding, use something for birth control. Condoms and/or spermicides should be used every time you have intercourse until your postpartum visit. At that time, long-term plans for contraception can be made with your doctor.

Pain Relief

Regular and Extra-strength Tylenol (or equivalent acetaminophen) may be used per the package instruction. Generally, ibuprofen is most effective. Doses up to 800 milligrams three or four times a day (four of the over-the-counter 200 milligram-strength tablets) may be taken if needed for the first four or five days.

If you’ve had a C-section, you may be sent home with a prescription for narcotic tablets. Use these in addition if the above doses of ibuprofen are not giving adequate relief.

You should let us know if these suggestions are not giving sufficient relief.

In Conclusion…

Once again, congratulations! Parenthood is a challenge but a rewarding one. With a good helping of common sense and the above suggestions, things should go well.

However, some new mothers feel especially overwhelmed by their new duties. These feelings can be accentuated by lack of sleep, hormonal changes, and even by well-meaning comments of others. Postpartum “blues” are very common. These feelings may become severe, and outside help may be necessary to get things back on track. Do not hesitate to contact us if you think you need help. We may always be reached in case of this or other medical emergencies by calling our office number, 781-9555.

Your postpartum check-up appointment will be automatically scheduled by our office staff for about five weeks after delivery, and you will receive a card in the mail with the date and time. If this needs to be changed, just call and speak with the receptionist.

In conclusion, have fun, get plenty of rest, and take lots of pictures!

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