Questions Regarding the New Mother in the Early Postpartum
In the first weeks following the birth of your baby your body is making many
changes, quickly returning to your pre-pregnancy state. The process of hormonal
and physical changes is usually uneventful but problems can occur and need to be
addressed appropriately.
Vaginal Bleeding: The amount of bleeding at first will be similar to a heavy period
and after the first few days, should start to decrease gradually changing in colour
from red to pink and brown. Clots are common and are usually a result of blood that
has collected in your vagina while sitting or lying down. In the first days following
delivery you need to empty your bladder every few hours. The pressure of the baby
sitting on your bladder is gone and so it takes time for the normal urge to void to
return. A full bladder pushes up on your uterus impeding it’s ability to stay
contracted and so can increase blood loss.
Call a midwife immediately if:
● You fill an overnight size pad from front to back and all the way through in
half an hour and continue to bleed.
● You pass a large blood clot (size of a grapefruit) and continue to trickle blood
that does not stop.
● You notice that the discharge has developed a foul odor.
● You develop a fever.
● You pass lots of clots that don’t stop and you are very crampy
Breasts: As your milk comes in you may become engorged and your breasts may
feel hard, lumpy or painful. “Baby Blues” often happen at about the same time. If you
are engorged, express by hand or with a pump, a small amount of milk. The amount
expressed should only be enough to make your breasts soft enough for your baby to
latch and feed. Warm compresses, a warm shower and some Advil may also help
relieve the discomfort. Some women find raw cabbage leaves placed in the bra
helpful. There is a chemical in the cabbage that decreases milk supply and if the
cabbage is kept in the fridge, the cold leaves feel very soothing. If you develop a red,
hot, painful lump on your breast call a midwife as this may be a sign of a plugged
milk duct or mastitis.
Hemorrhoids: You may find that these become more painful over the first few days
following delivery and then start to feel better. Sitting in a warm bath, applying
hemorrhoid creams and using witch hazel or tucks pads may help. Eat high fibre
foods such as fresh or dried fruit and drinking lots of water to keep bowel
movements soft.
Rest: Get lots of rest, eat lots of healthy food, drink plenty of fluids and limit the
number of visitors and the length of time they stay. Work back into activity slowly.
An increase in your bleeding is a sign you may be doing too much.
SLEEP WHEN THE BABY SLEEPS!!!
In the first weeks following the birth of your baby your body is making many
changes, quickly returning to your pre-pregnancy state. The process of hormonal
and physical changes is usually uneventful but problems can occur and need to be
addressed appropriately.
Vaginal Bleeding: The amount of bleeding at first will be similar to a heavy period
and after the first few days, should start to decrease gradually changing in colour
from red to pink and brown. Clots are common and are usually a result of blood that
has collected in your vagina while sitting or lying down. In the first days following
delivery you need to empty your bladder every few hours. The pressure of the baby
sitting on your bladder is gone and so it takes time for the normal urge to void to
return. A full bladder pushes up on your uterus impeding it’s ability to stay
contracted and so can increase blood loss.
Call a midwife immediately if:
● You fill an overnight size pad from front to back and all the way through in
half an hour and continue to bleed.
● You pass a large blood clot (size of a grapefruit) and continue to trickle blood
that does not stop.
● You notice that the discharge has developed a foul odor.
● You develop a fever.
● You pass lots of clots that don’t stop and you are very crampy
Breasts: As your milk comes in you may become engorged and your breasts may
feel hard, lumpy or painful. “Baby Blues” often happen at about the same time. If you
are engorged, express by hand or with a pump, a small amount of milk. The amount
expressed should only be enough to make your breasts soft enough for your baby to
latch and feed. Warm compresses, a warm shower and some Advil may also help
relieve the discomfort. Some women find raw cabbage leaves placed in the bra
helpful. There is a chemical in the cabbage that decreases milk supply and if the
cabbage is kept in the fridge, the cold leaves feel very soothing. If you develop a red,
hot, painful lump on your breast call a midwife as this may be a sign of a plugged
milk duct or mastitis.
Hemorrhoids: You may find that these become more painful over the first few days
following delivery and then start to feel better. Sitting in a warm bath, applying
hemorrhoid creams and using witch hazel or tucks pads may help. Eat high fibre
foods such as fresh or dried fruit and drinking lots of water to keep bowel
movements soft.
Rest: Get lots of rest, eat lots of healthy food, drink plenty of fluids and limit the
number of visitors and the length of time they stay. Work back into activity slowly.
An increase in your bleeding is a sign you may be doing too much.
SLEEP WHEN THE BABY SLEEPS!!!
