A Mother’s Postpartum Care

Don’t get lost in the shuffle of new parenthood. It is important for mothers to take care of their health for themselves and for their children.

The first postpartum woman’s visit should take place within three weeks of giving birth, sooner if there were complications.

Topics Covered in Postpartum Care

Physical Health

The physical assessment will focus on how you are healing. Your healthcare provider will examine incisions and ask about incontinence. Pelvic floor exercises before and after giving birth can help strengthen your control.

Plans for Future Children

It’s usually recommended mothers wait at least two years after giving birth to get pregnant with their next child. This could be shorter for a family worried about fertility, in which case you may wait only 12 to 18 months. In either case, it’s best not to wait more than five years. These timings reduce the risk of poor health in both infants and mothers.

Depending on your child-spacing plans, your provider will review various contraceptive options with you. The implant and IUDs are among the most effective contraceptive options. They last years and can be inserted and removed outpatient. For women at greater risk of side effects, there is a copper IUD that does not use hormones.

Contraceptives by Number of Births Per Year Download

Mental Health

Your provider will review your mental health with you. This will include questions about your mood, any anxiety or worries you may have, and whether you’ve had thoughts of harming yourself or the baby. All of these questions are standard questions to keep you and your family safe.

Support System

Your provider will review your social supports to ensure you don’t feel alone in being a new parent. Your provider may offer a resource list, to include: support groups, childcare options, and/or WIC programs.

Care Coordination

A complication during pregnancy puts you at higher risk for developing a chronic condition later in life. For example, those whom experience gestational (pregnancy) diabetes are more likely to develop diabetes later in life.

Any condition that was had prior to or during pregnancy should be followed up postpartum with an appointment with your specialty provider, an endocrinologist in the case of diabetes.

Cardiovascular problems, such as hemorrhage and hypertensive crisis, can be life-threatening and should be watched for. If you ‘don’t feel right’ let your healthcare providers know immediately. Call 911/go to the Emergency Room in cases of emergency.

The hear-her-guide can help you communicate with your healthcare providers.Download

Postpartum care should continue as needed throughout The Fourth Trimester – Wisdom The Sweetness.

The final comprehensive postpartum visit should take place no later than 12 weeks postpartum.