The 6 weeks after pregnancy and delivery of a baby is called the postpartum period, when the mother’s body returns to its prepregnancy state.
After childbirth, a mother can expect to have some physical changes and symptoms, but they are usually mild and temporary. Severe health issues are rare. Nonetheless, the doctor, hospital staff members, or health care plan usually sets up a program of follow-up office or home visits.
The most common complications after childbirth are the following:
Excessive bleeding (postpartum hemorrhage)
Problems with breastfeeding
Postpartum hemorrhage may occur soon after delivery but may occur up to 6 weeks later.
Hospital (What to Expect)
Immediately after delivery of a baby, the mother is monitored for at least 1 hour. If an anesthetic was used during delivery or if there were any problems during delivery, she may be monitored for several hours after delivery, usually in a well-equipped recovery room with access to oxygen, fluids given by vein (intravenously), and resuscitation equipment.
Staff members check the mother’s pulse rate and temperature. Normally, within the first 24 hours, the mother’s pulse rate (which increased during pregnancy) begins to decline toward normal and her temperature may increase slightly, usually returning to normal during the first few days. After the first 24 hours, recovery is rapid.
Hospital staff members make every effort to minimize the new mother’s pain and the risk of bleeding and infection.
Continuing From Hospital to Home
Coping with some changes begins in the hospital, depending on how soon hospital discharge occurs, and continues at home.
Home (What to Expect)
A new mother may resume normal daily activities when she feels ready. Eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly can help a new mother recover and feel healthy.
She may resume sexual activity as soon as she desires it and it is comfortable. Sexual activity should be delayed until the affected area heals if
Delivery caused tearing.
An episiotomy was done.
The delivery was cesarean.
A new mother may take showers, even if the delivery was cesarean. Baths should not be taken until healing is complete. The genital area should be washed from front to back. If the area is sore, using a spray bottle of water or taking sitz baths may be more soothing. Women should not douche until they ask their doctor about it at their first postdelivery visit.
After a vaginal or cesarean delivery, nothing, including tampons and douches, should be put in the vagina for at least 2 weeks. Strenuous activity and heavy lifting should be avoided for about 6 weeks. Sexual activity should also be avoided for 6 weeks. The incision site should be cared for in the same way as other surgical incisions. Showering can typically be resumed 24 hours after surgery. Care should be taken not to scrub the incision site. Baths should be avoided until the wound is completely closed and any staples or sutures have been removed. The incision site should be kept clean and dry. Any evidence of increasing redness or drainage from the incision should be brought to the doctor’s attention. Pain around the incision site can last for a few months, and numbness can last even longer.
