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DESCRIPTION
The postpartum period following the birth of a baby is a very important time for the birthing woman, her partner and her family. Although the physical changes that occur with pregnancy usually resolve themselves by the end of 6 weeks or so, the postpartum period can include the changes in all aspects of the mother's life that occur in the first year following delivery. Some probably would say this goes on for 18 years or longer.
Knowing what to expect once the baby is born can help you to manage the changes, lessen concerns, and develop realistic expectations. Emotional support and a partner's help with the baby and housework are related to maternal well-being.
For too long, standard medical care has neglected this phase of care for their new mothers, abandoning the new mother within the first few days after birth with her new baby to flounder on their own without any assistance or guidance. As midwives, we are concerned with maternal well-being during this crucial time period. We often will refer to the first three months of the postpartum period as the "fourth trimester" with the understanding that the experience of pregnancy and birth are major transformative times in the woman's life, physically, emotionally, psychologically, mentally and spiritually.
The preparation for the fourth trimester begins prenatally. Pregnant women will want to connect with other pregnant women or with women who have recently given birth. Exercise classes or support groups can serve as outlets for this connection and socialization. Once the baby has been born and the mother's helpers have resumed their own lives, the new mothers may find themselves alone and overwhelmed by the responsibilities, pressures and intensities of motherhood without anything to break the monotony. The mundane tasks, concerns and questions when shared with other women in the same phase will serve a purpose and assist these women in adapting to their new lives as mothers and caregivers.
It is in this fourth trimester that parenting skills are initiated and fine tuned. Prenatally, midwives assist the parents in obtaining these skills by suggesting books about breastfeeding, mothering and parenting, etc. Many midwives also introduce a parenting-baby care class into their prenatal educational classes. They encourage the parents to learn and experience basic skills, such as holding a baby, bathing a baby, diapering, and more during these training periods. Resource lists are given to the new parents for support and educational groups, including local chapters of the Le Leche League. These tools allow the new mother an opportunity to become comfortable with her new stage in life and her new social role, self-reliant, confident in her skills as mother and caregiver.
POSTPARTUM CARE INFORMATION
Postpartum Care: Index
Postpartum Care: Weight
Postpartum Care: Diet
Postpartum Care: Bowel Movements & Urination
Postpartum Care: Bathing
Postpartum Care: Breasts & Breastfeeding
Postpartum Care: Perineal Care
Postpartum Care: Vaginal Bleeding (Lochia) & Menstruation
Postpartum Care: Exercise & Back Care
Postpartum Care: Sexual Intercourse
Postpartum Care: Contraception
Postpartum care by your midwife should include home visits on a minimum of days one, three, and seven with phone calls in between. The final checkup should be given at four to six weeks postpartum.
POSTPARTUM VISITS
PostPartum Visit: Day One
PostPartum Visit: Day Three
PostPartum Visit: Day Seven
PostPartum Visit: 4 to 6 Week Visit
THE 4-6 WEEK VISIT
Unless you had some "problems" in which your health care provider felt it was necessary to see you before this visit, this is considered the "first visit" if you have had your baby in a birth center or hospital and are being cared for by a health care provider using standard medical care. At this time, your general condition will be checked, urine examined, breasts and abdominal wall inspected, and a thorough pelvic examination will be carried out. Sometimes a six month visit will be scheduled to perform a pap smear and breast examination.
However, this is not your " first visit" if cared for by a homebirth midwife. You should have already received several visits and phone calls from your midwife by this time. This is usually considered your official "final visit". The link given for the 4 to 6 week visit is for a "final home visit" given by your midwife. It is usually much more detailed than the standard medical visit received by other health care providers.
POSTPARTUM CONCERNS
Baby Care & Concerns
Fatigue & Exhaustion
Postpartum Depression (The "Baby Blues")
MoonDragon's Postpartum Holistic & Herbal Recommendations
MoonDragon's Client Handouts about nutrition and diet for pregnant and breastfeeding mothers are available at the links below. Examples of sample diets and menus are given, including some holistic suggestions. Nutritional analysis for various foods and nutritional therapy information is also available.
NOTIFY YOUR MIDWIFE OR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER IF...
You or your family member has questions about postpartum care.
You or a family member develops any unexpected and/or unusual symptoms.
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