1. In the Hospital
• Muscles are sore from the effort of childbirth and labor.
• Your bottom is sore and swollen. If you had an episiotomy, it also hurts.
• Your incision may be uncomfortable, if you had a C-section or tubal ligation.
• Use the nurse-call button whenever necessary!
• Try different ways for you and your partner to bond with baby.
• Feeding (breast or bottle) the new miracle in your arms may be a little scary, but you’ll soon be doing it like a pro!
• Heavy bleeding or passing blood clots larger than an egg can indicate a problem.
• High or low blood pressure may be a cause for further testing.
• Pain should be relieved by medication. If it isn’t, tell the nurse.
• Fever over 101.5F (25.25C) may be a cause for concern.
• It’s normal to cry or feel emotional.
• Ask for the paperwork so you can get baby a social security number. Fill it out, and be sure to send it in.
• Try to rest. Ask to turn off your phone and to restrict visitors.
• Even though you just lost 10 to 15 pounds with baby’s birth, it’ll take awhile for the rest of your weight to come off.
• Eat nutritiously to keep up energy and to produce milk, if you breastfeed.
• Write down thoughts and feelings
about labor, delivery and the first hours with your new baby. Encourage
your partner to do the same.
• Watch hospital videos about baby care. Ask staff for clarification or help.
• Get the name, address and telephone number of your pediatrician.
• Ask questions, and get help from the nurses and staff in the hospital.
• Ask your partner to take you for a walk outside your hospital room.
• Take time for you, your partner and your baby to bond as a family.
2. 1st Week Home
• You’ll still have painful uterine contractions, especially during nursing.
• It’s normal for your breasts to be full of milk, engorged and leaking.
• The area of your episiotomy or tear is probably still sore.
• Muscles may also be sore.
• Maternity clothes may be the most comfortable clothes to wear.
• Your legs may be still swollen.
• You may leak urine or stool and can’t control it.
• If bleeding gets heavier, or you pass blood clots, call your doctor.
• It may indicate a problem if you get red streaks or hard spots in your breasts.
• Call your doctor if you develop a fever.
• Take it easy; don’t worry about the housework.
• It’s normal to cry, sigh or laugh for no reason.
• Be sure to ask for help from friends and family.
• You may still look a little pregnant from the side.
• You still carry some of the extra weight you gained during pregnancy.
• Make baby’s first appointment with the pediatrician.
• Have baby added to your insurance policy. There may be a time limit, so don’t delay.
• Keep important “baby” documents
together, such as the birth certificate, immunization record (when you
get it at baby’s first pediatrician’s visit) and baby’s social security
card.
• Make your 6-week postpartum checkup appointment.
• Begin making plans for day-care arrangements, if you haven’t started already.
• Give your partner a job or assignment to help you and to make him feel useful.
• Contact La Leche League, if you have any problems breastfeeding.
