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Please
take time to read over these instructions.
There may be other questions you wish answered
before your discharge. If so, feel free to ask.
- General
Activity
Limit
your activity for the first few weeks.
Make sure you lie down at least one hour twice
daily for the first two weeks.
It is important to be sensible and do this in
moderation. If
you are in doubt as to whether you should be doing
something, then the best advice is not to do it.
It is usually possible to return to ordinary
employment about six weeks after the baby is born.
- Exercise
If
you have had a normal vaginal delivery you may follow
the attached instructions for post-partum exercise.
However, do not resume vigorous exercise until
after your six-week post partum exam.
- Breast
Care
Breast
Feeding – NO special care is required beyond
good hygiene and use of well supporting bra.
If you encounter problems such as cracked
nipples, engorgement, etc., please contact us or your
pediatrician for counseling.
Non
Breast Feeding – No medication is given to
“dry up” your breast milk.
The best treatment to discourage your breasts
from filling is binding your breasts.
This should be initiated immediately, and you
may use an ace bandage, abdominal binder or towel
(fold approximately 12’’ wide) pinned around your
chest. You should wear the binder at all times for 2-3 days.
However, you may remove it for bathing.
If
you become engorged, the discomfort usually lasts
36-48 hours; a temperature below 101 is common with
engorgement. Use
Extra Strength Tylenol, ice packs and a tight bra.
When
your milk comes in you may experience some discomfort,
for which you may take Tylenol and apply ice packs
(through binder).
If you develop a fever or a red, painful area
on your breast, notify us.
- Perineal
Care
If
you have stitches, they should no longer bother you by
the time you go home.
However, if they do, relief may be obtained by:
- Soaking
the bottom side for 20 minutes in a tub
containing 3-4 inches of warm water, and
repeating this three times a day.
- Adjusting
the perineal pad so that it does not rub against
the stitches.
- Apply
Tucks locally to the stitches after each Sitz
bath. (May be refrigerated)
- Extra
Strength Tylenol
Good
hygiene is very important for the healing of the
perineum. With
bowel movements you should wipe from front to back,
away from the vagina.
After urination or bowel movement you may pour
warm water from a pitcher or squeeze bottle over the
perineum (while still sitting on the toilet) and
gently pat dry.
- Vaginal
Discharge
You
will continue to have a bloody discharge for 2-4
weeks. It
will begin as bright red and taper off to a pinkish
and then yellowish discharge.
Heavy bleeding is often associated with
increased activity.
Therefore, if you’re bleeding increases, rest
with your feet up.
However, if you find that you are soaking pads
through at an approximate rate on one pad per hour, or
passing large (orange-size) clots, call the office.
Your
first period usually begins 8-12 weeks after your
delivery if you are not breast- feeding.
Your first menses may be abnormally heavy, with
clots. It
may start and stop again, but by the second period
things should be back to normal.
It is possible for your cycle to differ
somewhat in length from previous cycles.
Remember that conception may still occur at any
time after childbirth regardless of whether or not
menses have returned. Do not douche or use tampons.
- Hemorrhoids
Hemorrhoids
that appear for the first time in late pregnancy or as
a result of delivery will usually get better and
disappear. In
the acute stage they will respond to Anusol Cream,
which can be bought at any drug store without a
prescription, or Sitz baths.
- Bathing
You
may shower at any time after delivery and shallow tub
baths may be taken two weeks after delivery.
Do not go into a Jacuzzi or hot tub or douche
until after you have had your six-week post partum
exam.
Sitz
bath - If your stitches or hemorrhoids are causing
discomfort, sit in a tub of clean, hot water.
NO MORE THAN THREE INCHES DEEP, for 10 minutes
3 times a day.
- Sexual
Intercourse
You
may resume sexual intercourse after your six-week post
partum exam.
- Appointment
When
you arrive home, please telephone the office for an
appointment for 5-6 weeks after delivery.
By calling as soon as possible you will receive
a time spot most convenient for you.
Give some thought as to the method of birth
control you intend to use.
We do not recommend that you take birth control
pills while breast-feeding.
If you have a diaphragm and plan to continue
using it, please bring it with you to your post partum
visit so that we may check the fit.
- Problems
If
any major problems arise, please telephone the office
for additional information and advice.
- MOST
IMPORTANT: Best
Wishes and Enjoy Your New Baby!!
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