Following Delivery
Returning home from delivering a baby can be comforting, but you may have questions about taking care of your new baby and your physical recovery. The following information is a supplement to the handouts you received while staying at a Carilion Clinic hospital.
Going Home
When it’s time to take your baby home, please have an appropriate infant safety seat installed in your vehicle. State law mandates car seats for infants, and it is required for discharge from the hospital.
Choosing a Pediatrician
It is important to select a physician that will take care of your baby’s medical needs, including well-child exams and immunizations. Carilion Clinic’s online physician finder can help you locate a pediatrician.
Breastfeeding
Choosing to breastfeed gives your baby the best nutritional start in life, and it provides lifelong benefits to both of you. Carilion Clinic has comprehensive Lactation Services to meet all of your breastfeeding needs. To learn more about our services, visit our breastfeeding section.
Postpartum Recovery
Recovering from pregnancy and childbirth takes time, and it’s helpful for women to know what to expect. Here’s what’s normal, what’s not, and how to deal with these changes.
Cramps
What’s normal: In the first few days after delivery, you will experience pains that feel like menstrual cramps. These are uterine contractions called afterbirth pains. They help your uterus shrink back down to its normal size, and they help prevent excessive bleeding by clamping down on the blood vessels of the uterus. These pains may last for several days after you deliver.
What’s not: A fever or a tender abdomen could mean a uterine infection.
What you can do: Take warm showers as often as you can. Lie on your front, and put a pillow or a warm pack under your stomach. Empty your bladder often, because a full bladder puts pressure on the uterus. If the cramps are severe, ask your healthcare provider about medication to help.
Vaginal Discharge
What’s normal: You can expect to have vaginal discharge and bleeding, called lochia, for as long as two months after delivery (although it may stop sooner). It starts off heavy and bright red for the first few days, then turns brown, and then gradually lightens in both color and amount. In the beginning, you may find that you have a gush of discharge when you sit or stand up after lying down.
What’s not: Let your healthcare provider know if you are soaking one or more pads an hour, if you pass clots that are larger than a plum, or if you feel dizzy. Tenderness of your abdomen, discharge that has a foul odor, or a fever of 100.3°F or higher could be signs of infection.
What you can do: To avoid infection, don’t use tampons. Use sanitary pads instead.
Perineal Pain
What’s normal: Pain and soreness in the area between the vagina and the rectum is quite common after delivery, especially if you’ve had an episiotomy or tearing during delivery.
What’s not: Call your healthcare provider if the pain gets worse or if the area becomes hot and swollen and you notice a pus-like discharge. These may be signs of infection.
What you can do: Sitz baths, cold packs, or warm water poured over the area from a pitcher or squirt bottle can be soothing. You can also try applying witch-hazel pads (chill them for an even more soothing effect). If sitting is uncomfortable, try using a donut-shaped pillow or inflatable ring.
Difficulty Urinating
What’s normal: Swelling in the area around the bladder can make it difficult to pass urine for a while after delivery. You may also be anxious about the stinging caused when urine touches the sore perineal area.
What’s not: Having to urinate very frequently or feeling pain when you urinate could be signs of a urinary tract infection.
What you can do: Make sure you’re getting enough fluids by drinking 8-10 glasses of water a day. To relax the opening of your bladder, breathe slowly and deeply. You can also try pouring warm water over your perineal area to stimulate the flow of urine.
Leaking Urine
What’s normal: Because pregnancy and delivery strain the muscles and nerves around the bladder, you may find that you leak urine when you laugh, cough, or sneeze.
What’s not: This problem usually clears up by itself within three months, but let your health care provider know if it doesn’t.
What you can do: Kegel exercises can help strengthen the muscles around the opening of the bladder. In the meantime, sanitary pads can catch the leaking urine.
Constipation
What’s normal: You probably won’t have a bowel movement for 2-3 days after delivery. It may be very uncomfortable when you strain to have your first one.
What’s not: Let your healthcare provider know if you don’t have a bowel movement within seven days of delivery.
What you can do: To get things going again, drink 8-10 glasses of water a day, eat a diet high in fiber (whole grains, fruits, and vegetables), and take a stool softener if your healthcare provider recommends it. If straining is uncomfortable, hold a clean sanitary pad against your perineum and press upward while you bear down to relieve pressure on the area.
Sore, Swollen Breasts
What’s normal: About 3-5 days after delivery, your breasts will fill with milk. This can cause your breasts to become swollen, heavy, tender, and hard.
What’s not: If the engorgement doesn’t go away in three days, if your breasts are hot to the touch, or very red, call your healthcare provider.
What you can do: Wear a supportive bra, and try placing an ice pack under each armpit to reduce the swelling. To get your milk flowing, stroke your breasts gently but firmly toward the nipple. Expressing the milk, preferably by feeding your baby, will help. If your breasts are so engorged that your baby can’t latch on and breastfeed, call Carilion Clinic’s Lactation Center for help at (540) 985-9088.
Hair Loss
What’s normal: High hormone levels during pregnancy prevent normal hair loss. But once those levels drop, your hair will too.
What’s not: The shedding shouldn’t last more than six months. After that point, your hair should be back to normal.
What you can do: Don’t brush your hair excessively and try to stay away from products with strong chemicals, curling irons, and hair dryers.
Red Flags: When to Call for Help
In addition, call your health care provider if you experience any of the following symptoms:
- Leg tenderness or redness
- Coughing or chest pain
- Nausea or vomiting
- Feeling depressed for more than three days
- Thoughts of suicide or harming your baby
For more information, call Carilion Clinic at (540) 266-6000 or (800) 422-8482.
