4. 3rd Week Home
• Swelling and soreness around your bottom are decreasing, but sitting for a long time still may not feel very comfortable.
• Swelling in hands decreases. If you took off your rings during pregnancy, try them on again.
• Baby doesn’t know the difference between night and day, so your sleep patterns are also disturbed.
• Getting ready to go anywhere is like planning a major trip. It takes three times longer to get ready with baby.
• Call your doctor if you develop
red streaks or tender, hard spots on your legs, particularly the back
of the calves. It could be a blood clot.
• You may feel sad or depressed some of the time. You may even cry.
• You may have varicose veins, just
like your mother! They’ll get better as you recover from pregnancy and
begin exercising again.
• Skin on your abdomen still looks stretched out when you stand up.
• You may be seeing the
pediatrician again this week. You’ll probably receive his or her
immunization record at this visit. Put it in a safe place with baby’s
other important papers.
• Take lots of pictures and videos! You’ll be amazed how quickly baby will change and grow.
• Keep your partner involved. Let him try his hand at caring for baby. Ask for his help with household chores.
• By this point, you’ve changed over 200 diapers—you’re a pro!
5. 4th Week Home
• Muscles feel better, and you can do more now. Be aware—it’s easy to pull or to strain muscles you haven’t used for a while.
• Control of urine and stool are improving. Doing your Kegel exercise is paying off.
• Baby is showing signs of adjusting to a regular schedule.
• Bending over or lifting may still
be difficult. Take things slowly, and allow yourself plenty of time for
even the easiest chores.
• Your first menstrual period after
delivery could happen at any time. If you don’t breastfeed, your first
period is usually 4 to 9 weeks after delivery, but it can happen
earlier.
• Blood in your urine, dark or
cloudy urine, or severe cramping or pain with urination may be symptoms
of a urinary-tract infection (UTI). Call your doctor.
• You’ve been walking and doing light exercise, and it feels OK. Keep it up!
• Prepare for your 6-week postpartum appointment. Write down any questions you have as they come to you.
• A night out with your partner is a good plan. Ask grandparents, other family members and friends to babysit.
• Time with your new baby is precious. Soon you may be going back to work or returning to other activities.
