Postpartum Concerns

Postpartum Vaginal bleeding

It is normal to have vaginal bleeding after a vaginal delivery or a cesarean section. Your bleeding should slowly decrease until approximately 4 to 6 weeks after delivery. You may find that when you are active it may increase slightly. This is normal. However, you should not be soaking more than 1 pad every 2 hours. If you have a fever over 100.4 °F, heavy bleeding, or a foul smelling vaginal discharge please give us a call.

Breast Concerns

You may find that your breasts become engorged with milk 2 to 3 days after delivery. This can be very painful. It can even cause you to run a low grade fever.

If you are breastfeeding, you may find that you are so engorged that the baby cannot latch on. In this case you can go in a warm shower and hand express some milk. You may also use a breast pump to express some milk before allowing the baby to try latching on again.

We recommend that if you are NOT breastfeeding make sure that you wear a very supportive bra after you deliver. If you become engorged, do NOT express milk or put warm water or warm packs on your breasts. This will only cause you to make more milk. You can put ice packs on your breasts. Also, you can take cabbage leaves from the freezer and put them on your breasts. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) can also help with the discomfort. The engorgement should improve within a day or two.

Whether or not you are breastfeeding, if you run a fever over 101°F in the setting of breast engorgement or if you have a red area on one breast that is especially tender, then you should call us. You may have an infection.

Baby Blues/Postpartum Depression

Most people expect that after having a baby, you should feel very happy. However, it is quite common to experience mood swings from happiness to crying spells, sadness, irritability, anxiety, and insomnia. This is called the “baby blues”. It is thought that this is probably caused by hormonal shifts after delivery. The “baby blues” have been found to effect as many as 80% of women postpartum. It usually occurs 2 to 3 days after delivery and usually improves by 2 weeks after delivery.

Postpartum depression on the other hand does not resolve within those 2 weeks. It can also even start during the pregnancy. Signs of postpartum depression include sadness, tearfulness, guilt, irritability, helplessness, difficulty sleeping, increased or decreased appetite, difficulty enjoying things. If you have any of these symptoms, you should let us know. If you have thoughts of hurting yourself or hurting your baby, hallucinations, or scary thoughts, you should call us immediately, day or night. Postpartum depression is common and it is treatable. Let us know so we can help you.

Swollen feet and ankles

Some swelling in your legs and ankles is normal after delivery. Changes in your fluids levels are the cause of swelling. Should you experience swelling accompanied by a headache, changes in your vision, pain under your right breast, or vomiting, call us. If the swelling occurs only in one leg and the leg is red, warm to touch, or tender, you should also call us.

Pericare

If you received stitches after delivery, you can expect these stitches to dissolve on their own in about 7-10 days. You will not have to have them removed. Tub baths are not permitted until you are seen for your post partum visit. Dermaplast and Witch Hazel pads are available over the counter and can be used as needed to help with discomfort. In addition, you may use ice packs or sitz baths. Call for any pain not relieved with these measures or your pain medication.