Postpartum Care: What New Parents Should Know

If you’ve recently given birth, it’s likely you’ll experience some postpartum symptoms, both physical and mental.

“Every person is different and there is no ‘right way’ to do postpartum” says Kayla Cushner, CNM, a certified nurse midwife with Sutter Health. “It’s a key moment to honor what feels right for you.”

Pay attention to your postpartum needs and symptoms. If anything comes up that worries you or you just have a question, call or message your OB/Gyn or midwife.

Get Lots of Rest

“After birth, there’s a dinnerplate-sized wound inside the uterus that needs to heal,” says Cushner. “If that were on the outside of your body, everyone would encourage you to lie down and rest.”

Post-delivery, Cushner recommends “two weeks mostly in bed, followed by two weeks mostly on the couch." But remember: “You don’t have to be stuck inside. Get some sunshine on your face if it feels good.” 

During this time:

• Keep baby skin-to-skin as much as possible to encouraged frequent nursing
• Sit outside and relax
• Stretch and move your body slowly

If you have another child at home, strategize for these weeks of rest. Ask whether family or friends can help with school drop off. Talk to your partner about ways you can get some one-on-one time with your older kids in these first few weeks.

Let your partner take on primary parenting while you rest and heal. “This can feel hard, but you’re teaching your children that caring for postpartum mothers is important,” Cushner says.

Manage Perineal Pain

Especially if you had a tear or an episiotomy, expect significant soreness near your vagina and anus while the area heals. Without a tear, soreness will likely lessen in three weeks or so. If you got stitches, it may take six weeks or more.

To relieve pain:

• Use a donut pillow
• Apply cold packs, especially in the first 24 hours
• Take a warm sitz or tub bath — no need for special salts or soaps
• Do Kegel exercises to strengthen pelvic muscles and encourage healing

Keep an Eye on Bleeding

It’s normal for your body to continue bleeding — like a heavy period — for several days after giving birth. It should taper off in a week or two but can last up to six weeks. Use pads, not tampons, during this time.

If you’re passing larger clots or soaking a pad every hour, call your doctor. This could be a sign of postpartum hemorrhage, a rare but serious condition that usually happens within the first day of delivery but can happen later.

C-Section Recovery

If you delivered by cesarean, you’ll spend the first few days recovering in the hospital. Expect your body to take four to six weeks to feel fully better and possibly several months to heal completely.

Make sure to follow these guidelines, especially during the first few weeks:

• Ask your doctor or midwife about pain medication, if needed
• Don’t lift anything heavier than your baby
• Rest as much as possible
• Stay hydrated to promote healing
• Talk to your OB/Gyn or midwife about walking, which can help recovery

Ease Breast Pain

After delivery, your breasts may be painfully swollen with milk. If you’re breastfeeding, you may have nipple pain or cracking. Try these tips to lessen breast pain:

• After breastfeeding, rub some of the breastmilk onto your nipples and let air dry
• Breastfeed more often to relieve pressure in the milk ducts
• Talk with a lactation consultant for help with latching or engorgement
• Use a breast cream to ease discomfort

Get Help for Depression

Up to 85% of new parents experience baby blues. “There’s a normal period of about two weeks when shifting hormones, lack of sleep and this huge life adjustment can cause new parents to feel weepy, tender and overwhelmed,” says Cushner.

However, if you feel persistently sad, anxious, hopeless or irritable for more than two weeks, you may have postpartum depression.

Postpartum depression isn’t a personal failure. It’s a treatable medical condition that affects at least one in seven new moms, according to the American Psychological Association. It can happen right away after birth or months later. Without treatment, symptoms can hang on for months, even years. 

Seek help when you need it and follow these steps:

• If you’re having thoughts of hurting yourself or your baby, don’t wait. Put your baby in the crib and dial the 988 crisis lifeline immediately.
• Call Postpartum Support International at 800-944-4773 or visit postpartum.net, a free helpline with support in more than 60 languages
• Connect with other new parents in a Sutter support group online or in person
• Don’t go it alone; lean on family and friends for help. Ask for help with specific tasks, like grocery shopping or meal prep.
• Talk to your doctor about mood-regulating medication. Several antidepressants are safe to take while breastfeeding.

Remember, you're not facing any of these challenges alone! You can talk to your provider about any of these issues and ask about more support and resources, like Newborn Connections.