Your rest is important! Rest during the day when your baby sleeps. Limit visitors. Taking care of yourself and your baby is a big job. Do not expect to be "Super Mom." Ask family members and friends to help you.
Take your prenatal vitamins, as directed by your doctor. You will heal faster and have more energy to care for yourself and your family. If you are breastfeeding, be aware that some foods may cause your baby to be gassy or colicky. These foods include cow's milk, cruciferous vegetables (such as broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, and greens), onions, chocolate, peanuts, corn, tomatoes, wheat, citrus fruits, highly spiced or seasoned foods, beans and other legumes, seafood, garlic, caffeinated beverages, and strawberries. That does not mean that you cannot eat these things at all while breastfeeding, but it is often wisest to omit these items from your diet when you first start breastfeeding. You may then slowly add new foods, one at a time. Every baby is different and what may cause problems for one baby may be perfectly fine for the next. If the new addition to your diet causes gas or colic, your baby may have a sensitivity issue with that particular food and avoiding it in the future would be a good idea. Sometimes you will find that offending foods do not cause problems if you reintroduce them in your diet when your baby is older.
Drink 6-8 glasses of fluid each day. This is especially important if you are breastfeeding.
Your baby needs to eat every 2-3 hours or on demand. For breastfeeding mothers, continue to use the various positions taught by the nursing staff and breastfeeding educators. A good, supportive bra should be worn. Manual breast pumps may be used at home if necessary. Electric pumps are available for rent or purchase from the hospital in which you delivered. For formula feeding mothers, increase the amount of formula based on your baby's demand. You will usually start out with the same formula that was given to your baby while you were in the hospital. Any change in formula should be discussed with the pediatrician. To limit milk production in the first few days, bind the breasts with an ACE wrap. Remove the wrap daily to shower. Uncomfortable engorgement usually gets better within three to four days. DO NOT pump the breasts to relieve discomfort as this will only stimulate more milk production. Cold compresses or ice packs can be applied to the breasts for short periods of time and you may also take ibuprofen to provide relief. For further information consult your doctor or childbirth/breastfeeding educator.
Continue your perineal care (peri-care) with warm water after going to the bathroom. Pat dry. Change your sanitary napkins with each trip to the bathroom. You may soak your perineal area in tepid water for 10-20 minutes in the bathtub or using a sitz bath (a small basin that will fit into the opening of your toilet - can be purchased at most drug stores) 3-4 times daily if stitches or hemorrhoids are painful. The stitches will absorb in three to four weeks and do not need to be removed.
Do not douche or use tampons for six weeks after delivery.
Kegel exercises will help to promote healing and improve muscle tone. Kegels, or pelvic floor muscle exercises, are done to strengthen the muscles that support the urethra, bladder, uterus, and rectum. To identify and isolate the muscles of the pelvic floor, sit on the toilet and start to urinate. Try to stop the flow of urine mid-stream. The muscles you use to stop or slow the flow of urine are the pelvic floor muscles. "Kegels" are done by squeezing these muscles as if you are trying to stop the flow of urine. Do the exercises twice a day for five minutes. Try to hold the contraction for five seconds, then rest for five seconds. Gradually increase the time that you hold the contraction.
Try not to strain to move your bowels. If you do, splint or hold the episiotomy with a clean sanitary pad. Be sure to wipe yourself from the front to back. You may need to take a stool softener or laxative.
Avoid sexual intercourse until after your postpartum check-up. You can become pregnant without a return to your normal menstrual cycle.
Notify doctor of: (1) Fever, 100.4 orally or greater (2) Burning on urination, (3) Excessive bleeding (more than a heavy menstrual flow), (4) Swelling, redness and/or tenderness in one or more areas of the breasts or legs, (5) Foul-smelling vaginal drainage, (6) Redness, swelling and/or drainage from your abdominal incision or episiotomy stitches, (7) Excessive pain.
Cesarean Delivery: Keep your abdominal stitches clean and dry. Shower daily. Carefully cleanse your incision with soap and water. Pat dry with a towel. If clips or staples are used, they will be removed before you go home or at your first doctor's office visit. Avoid the use of any oil based or petroleum products on the incision, especially if surgical glue was used on your incision.
Exercise during the first six weeks after delivery should be limited to walking. Do not lift anything heavier than your baby. Be aware that over-activity can cause bleeding.
Your doctor will tell you when you may resume driving your car. You make take short rides and resume light housekeeping activities after delivery. Try not to do too much. Your first weeks at home should be devoted to you and your new baby!
Most mothers report feeling very sad and/or tired from time to time the first few weeks. This is normal. If these feelings interfere with caring for yourself or the baby, please call your doctor or childbirth educator. (See Postpartum Depression.)
Your desire for sexual intimacy will depend on your physical health, emotional state, and your feelings (and your partner's) about adjusting to your new lifestyle. Share your needs and desires, as well as your concerns, with your partner. Again, avoid sexual intercourse until after your postpartum check-up as you can become pregnant again without a return to your normal menstrual cycle.
When you get home, call your doctor's office and make an appointment for your postpartum check up. Birth control information will be discussed at this visit. Returning to work will also be discussed.
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