Postpartum Care

Physical Recovery from Childbirth

Your body experienced many changes during nine months of pregnancy. After delivery, you may continue to experience contractions and afterpains as your uterus returns to its original size. You may also see some vaginal discharge as your body sheds remaining blood and tissue from the womb.

Duration for Physical Recovery

It can take six to eight weeks to feel like you're physically recovered from childbirth. To ensure you heal properly, it's important to take care of yourself and rebuild your strength.

Don't do anything physically demanding until it's been cleared by your doctor, especially if you had a C-section or experienced complications during delivery.

Nutrition

Good nutrition will give you energy and help with milk production if you're breastfeeding. Eat lots of fresh fruit and vegetables and drink plenty of water.

Sleep

Sleep when the baby sleeps. You'll be up feeding your baby in the middle of the night, so take advantage of those daytime naps to catch up on your own sleep. Talk with family and friends about having them help with care responsibilities so you avoid becoming exhausted.

Pregnancy Spacing

It's possible to become pregnant again within just a few weeks after giving birth. However, having a repeat delivery before 18 months increases a baby’s risks for preterm birth and birth defects.

Stay on pelvic rest after delivery until you have your postpartum visit with your doctor. That's also a good time to talk about contraception and family planning.

Pelvic Floor Disorders

Pregnancy and vaginal delivery can cause long-term changes to your pelvic floor: the muscles and tissues that support the organs in your pelvis. Some women may experience urinary incontinence, pain, sexual dysfunction, or other symptoms and assume they’re a normal part of aging.

Earlier diagnosis and treatment after pregnancy can keep your pelvic floor in better health. In some cases, your OB/GYN may recommend pelvic floor therapy to tighten and lift the muscles and encourage better overall function.

Emotional Recovery and Postpartum Depression

Motherhood is a big adjustment. Most women will experience some form of the "baby blues" after delivery. You may feel anxious, restless, irritable, or cry for no reason.
 
Those feelings usually go away within two weeks of delivery. But for 10 to 20% of new moms, those feelings continue longer and can turn into a more serious form of postpartum depression.

Signs You Need Support

Watch for the following signs that you might need more support:

• Persistent feelings of sadness, anger, hopelessness, emptiness, or being overwhelmed 
• Feelings of excessive guilt, shame, and self-criticism 
• Eating too little or too much 
• Inability to sleep or sleeping too much 
• Frequent doubts about your ability to care for your baby 
• Thinking about harming yourself or your baby 

How to Get Support

Postpartum emotions and depression are not your fault. Reaching out for help is a positive first step. 

Call your OB/GYN or our women's health nurse navigator to talk about your feelings and symptoms. It's a zero-judgement call that can make a world of difference in how you feel. 

We also offer a complimentary postpartum mental and emotional wellbeing assessment through the Galia Collaborative as an added layer of support. 

Breastfeeding Support

Breastfeeding brings a lot of health benefits to both you and your baby. Soon after delivery, your breasts will become larger and firmer as you begin to produce milk. 

Lactation Consultants & Other Support

Every mom will have unique experiences with breastfeeding, even from baby to baby. You can consult one of our International Board-Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLC) when you’re still a patient and after you’ve returned home with your baby. We also offer breastfeeding support through classes and mom groups. 

Newborn Care

Your newborn should see their pediatrician for their first well-baby visit two to three days after coming home from the hospital. Federal health guidelines recommend a total of six well-baby visits before your baby’s first birthday. 

Regular well-baby visits help you track growth and development and can catch things earlier, when they may be easier to treat. It's also a good opportunity to ask any questions you have about caring for your baby. 

Finding a Pediatrician

Don't have a pediatrician yet? Call us at 513-585-3000 and we'll help you find one. Or browse our pediatricians. 

Help with Material Needs & Childcare

If you’re struggling with material needs like food, diapers, or setting up reliable childcare, help is available. 

Talk to your doctor or contact our social work team at 513-585-2427 so we can work with you to find community resources. You also can browse our Community Resources. 

Preeclampsia, Heart Disease, and Other Pregnancy-Related Complications

If you experienced preeclampsia, high blood pressure, and diabetes during pregnancy, you’re at greater risk for heart disease and stroke later in life. If you had any of these complications during pregnancy, follow up with your doctor about seven to 10 days after birth.

Screening for Cardiovascular Disease

Our Women's Heart Center specializes in screening postpartum women who experienced gestational high blood pressure, preterm delivery, or delivered a small baby. The screening determines your risk for cardiovascular disease.

You may be eligible for a screening if you've experienced one or more of the following:

• Gestational hypertension (high blood pressure) 
• Preeclampsia
• Postpartum hypertension
• A baby small for gestational age
• Spontaneous delivery before your 36th week

Postpartum Preeclampsia

Postpartum preeclampsia is rare, but it can happen within a few days to six weeks or longer after you deliver your baby.

Seek treatment right away if you experience any of the following:

• Blood pressure of 140/90 or higher 
• Pain in your upper abdomen 
• Severe headaches 
• Shortness of breath 
• Seeing spots 
• Swelling of the hands and face 
• Nausea and vomiting 
• Decreased urination 

Support

The following resources can be helpful for your postpartum recovery: