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The period after delivery is called POST- PARTUM.  The care you need will depend on the type of delivery you have had.  Everyone is different, but this will give you a general overview.

Vaginal Delivery Cesarean Section Delivery Additional Resources Return to Previous Page

Vaginal Delivery

You have just worked harder than ever before in your life. This, combined with a sudden decrease in pregnancy hormone levels, will make you very tired. Rest as much as possible. A good guide is to sleep when the baby does.      You will have uterine contractions after you deliver. These are called afterpains and will be more intense while breastfeeding because oxytocin, needed for milk letdown, causes uterine contractions. Afterpains usually go away after the first week to ten days. The uterus will begin involution, decreasing to its pre-pregnancy size.     The bleeding and discharge you have after delivery is called lochia. Your lochia will be red for several days, then change to a brown color. This will eventually change to yellow and decrease in amount. You should use the hospital sized sanitary pads the first few days because they are more comfortable.     Your perineum has been stretched and will be sore for many days. You should have an ice pack placed for the first twenty-four hours after delivery. Sitz baths may help relieve the soreness. Always clean yourself from front to back to avoid infections. After urination, wash the perineum with a spray bottle called a peri-bottle. Witch hazel may be very helpful to use. Soak a cotton ball with witch hazel and blot the perineum. You can start your Kegel exercises as soon as the soreness lessens.     If you have had an episiotomy, you must care for it meticulously following the same suggestions given for the perineum. The sitz bathes are especially helpful in relieving soreness. Avoid knee bends to pick up objects as this may add stress to the episiotomy.     If you have hemorrhoids, they may be swollen and inflamed after pushing. There are several suggestions that may help. Use witch hazel after each bowel movement. Eat a high fiber diet, drink plenty of fluids, and if your stool is still too hard, ask your doctor to prescribe a stool softener. If you have had an episiotomy, hold tissue against it as you bear down.     Urination may be uncomfortable due to swelling. Drink plenty of fluids and relax. Do not strain to urinate as this will cause more swelling.     Showers are recommended until your lochia is yellow.     Breastfeeding will require care of the breasts. Keep them clean. You may need to massage nipples with Vitamin E oil if they become dry or cracked. Please wash the vitamin E oil off before feeding the baby. Wear a good nursing bra. If you are not breastfeeding, wear a tight bra all the time, even when sleeping.     Eat what you feel like eating. Continue to follow your good nutrition diet.

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Cesarean Section Delivery

In addition to the recommendations given for a vaginal delivery, you should follow specific recommendations for after surgery.     You will be very tired, you have worked hard, your hormones have suddenly decreased, and you have had major surgery. All of this means you must rest as much as possible.     You will have a catheter in your bladder and an IV that will keep you hydrated. You will be kept in bed for at least twelve hours after the c-section. The bladder catheter will be removed when you are permitted to get out of bed. You should always have help the first few times you get out of bed.     Clear liquids should be allowed almost as soon as your section is finished. As soon as you can tolerate it, you will be given a regular diet. This is usually one or two days after the surgery. The IV will be taken out when you can drink liquids without a problem.     Increase your activity gradually over several days. Most patients are able to walk without help by the third day.     Pain medications will be given either by IV or by injection the first day. After this you should be able to take medication by mouth. Most women do not require strong pain medication by the third day.     Bowel movements may be slow in getting started. This can be the result of the pain medications and the open abdomen during surgery.     Your incision should be kept clean and dry.     You may have shoulder pain after surgery due to air or blood irritating your diaphragm. This will decrease in about a day.     Breastfeeding may be uncomfortable due to the incision and difficulty in getting around. Take your time and find a comfortable position for you, then feed.

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ADDITIONAL RESOURCES THAT MAY HELP: Labor of Love Search Engine LaLeche League  Breast-Feeding: Best Bet for Babies  Breast Feeding Links on the Net ABC's of Parenting

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