Going Home After Giving Birth

You’ve got your baby. What else do you need? Here’s a short list.

Sanitary Napkins

After giving birth, your uterus will give off flow called lochia. Lochia is similar to your period but longer and heavier. During your hospital stay, you’ll be provided with pads and underwear. But, upon going home, you’ll need your own. Sanitary napkins and incontinence panties are good options for dealing with this flow, which lasts up to six weeks. Do not insert anything into your vagina during this time, including tampons, as it could lead to infection.

‘What to Expect’ ranked the best sanitary napkins 7 Best Postpartum Pads of 2024 – Best Pads for Postpartum (whattoexpect.com)

Lochia soaks through each pad every 1 to 2 hours for the first couple of days in the hospital. This should slow down after returning home. If you are still soaking 1 pad per hour at home, seek medical attention as this could be a life-threatening medical emergency called Postpartum Hemorrhage.

Car Seat

Newborns will not be allowed to leave the hospital without a car seat. When deciding which car seat to buy, refer to the Car Seat Finder Tool: Find the Right Car Seat | NHTSA

Pediatric Appointment

Your newborn will need a pediatric appointment within 72 hours after birth. Check out my post on Pediatricians here: Pediatricians – Wisdom The Sweetness

Postpartum Woman’s Checkups

Mothers will need their own health appointments as well. The first postpartum checkup is recommended to take place within three weeks after giving birth. If you had complications, it’s recommended to have your first checkup sooner. You and your postpartum care provider should have multiple follow-up visits along the 12-week journey after giving birth. If leaving your home is an issue, ask about telehealth appointments.

Support Network

A poor support system is one of the risk factors for Postpartum Depression. Improve your odds of staying well by building your village. Parents, in-laws, aunties and uncles, friends, and partners are all potential sources for support. Also, you could join a La Leche League or Mommy and Me Class:

Find Breastfeeding Support – La Leche League USA (lllusa.org)

37 Top Mommy-and-Me Classes in NYC – Mommy Poppins