OB 7 Post partum physiological adaptations

🌟 Why Is Skin-to-Skin So Good?

💞 1. Bonding

It helps the baby and parent feel close and connected — like a cuddle that tells the baby:

👉 “You’re safe with me!” 🫶👶

🌡 2. Temperature Regulation

Baby can’t control their body heat well yet.

The parent’s chest works like a natural heater 🔥 to keep baby warm.

👉 Baby becomes the perfect temperature! 🌡💕

🍼 3. Helps With Breastfeeding

Babies can smell their parent’s skin and milk.

This helps them find the nipple like a little explorer! 👃🔍🍼

💗 4. Releases Oxytocin (“the love hormone”)

This hormone helps the parent feel calm AND

👉 helps the uterus tighten to prevent bleeding after birth.

Think of it like the body’s “healing helper.” 🩸➡💪💗

😊 5. Endorphins (Feel-Good Hormones)

These make both baby and parent feel relaxed and happy. 😌✨

❤‍🔥 6. Heart Rate & Breathing Stabilize

Baby’s heart and lungs learn to “follow” the parent’s rhythm.

👉 Heartbeat and breathing get smoother and steadier. ❤💨

🍬 7. Blood Sugar Gets Better

STS helps the baby keep normal glucose levels.

👉 No sudden sugar drops! 🍭📈

👶🩲 8. Baby Is Naked With Just a Diaper

This helps the baby feel the parent’s warmth directly, which makes all the magic above happen! ✨

🌡👶 Postpartum Vital Signs

 Blood Pressure (BP)

• ⬇ BP can be LOW if mom lost a lot of blood → like her body is tired and running on low battery. 🔋😓

• ⬆ BP can be HIGH if she’s stressed, in pain, or has hypertension (HTN). 😣💢

 

🌡 Temperature

• Temp goes UP right after birth because the body just did a huge workout! 🥵💪

• After that, mom is usually fever-free for 24 hours — unless there’s an infection. ✔😌

 

❤‍🔥 Heart Rate (HR)

• HR can go up because of stress, anxiety, or blood loss. 🏃‍♀💨💗

 

😤 Breathing

• Can be fast because mom just went through a LOT.

• After a C-section, breathing gets checked for 18 hours to make sure everything is okay. 👀🫁

⏱🩺 When to Check Vital Signs?

According to ACOG:

• Every 15 minutes x 2 hours after birth ⏱

• Then every 8 hours after that

The nurse is basically making sure mom is safe and stable. ✔👩‍⚕💗

❄🥶 POSTPARTUM CHILL (the shaking after birth!)

This is SUPER common and NOT dangerous.

• Mom may shake like she’s freezing ❄🥶 even if she’s not cold.

• It usually lasts 1–2 hours.

• Just give warm blankets! 🛌🔥

🌟 Why does it happen?

Think of the body saying:

👉 “WHOA that was a lot. Let me reset.”

Theories include:

• Pressure changes on pelvic nerves 🧠

• Baby’s blood mixing with mom’s (normal!) 🩸

• Big drop in adrenaline after pushing 😵‍💫

• Medications from an epidural or spinal 🧪💉

👉 If chills DON’T stop or there’s fever, then it might be a concern.

😓💦 POSTPARTUM DIAPHORESIS (Night Sweats!)

• Mom may wake up SUPER sweaty at night 😅💦

• This is normal and just the body getting rid of extra fluid from pregnancy 💧➡💨

• Not harmful at all — just uncomfortable
  👉 Keep mom dry and warm with clean clothes & blankets

 

🫧👩‍⚕ BUBBLE-HE assessment

🫧 B = Breasts

• Nurse checks for soreness, cracks, good latch for breastfeeding.

• Want soft, not red or painful.
  🍼😣➡🩹

 

🫧 U = Uterus (Fundus)

• The fundus should be firm and going down each day.

• If it’s soft → bad! Mom can bleed.
  🤰⬇

• Nurse may massage it (feels weird but helps stop bleeding).

 

🫧 B = Bladder

• Check if mom has peed 💧🚽

• If bladder is too full → it pushes uterus up → causes MORE bleeding.
  😬➡🩸

 

🫧 B = Bowel

• After birth, poop can be slow to return.

• Ask: “Have you had a bowel movement?”
  💩🐢

 

🫧 L = Lochia (postpartum bleeding)

• This is normal bleeding after birth.

• Nurse checks color, amount, and smell.
  🩸✔

• Too much blood/clots = danger sign 🚨

 

🫧 E = Episiotomy or Hemorrhoids

• If mom got a cut or tear, nurse checks for swelling, bleeding, infection.

• Also checks for hemorrhoids.
  🩹🔥😣

 

🫧 H = Homan’s Sign

(But many hospitals don't use it anymore.)

• Used to check for blood clots in the legs.
  🦵⚠

 

🫧 E = Emotional Status

• How is mom feeling?

• Happy? Overwhelmed? Tearful?
  🧠❤😢🙂
  Postpartum mood is VERY important!

BUBBLE-PLEB Variation Includes:

• P = Pain (“Where does it hurt?”) 😣

• L = Legs/lower extremities (check swelling) 🦵

• E = Emotions ❤

• B = Bonding & Attachment (mom & baby connection) 👶💞🤱

📝 Questions the Nurse Asks Mom

• “When did you last pee?” 🚽

• “When was your last bowel movement?” 💩

• “Any pain?” 😣

• “How is breastfeeding going?” 🍼

 

specific assessment findings

🔍 1. Cracked nipples

Can mean baby isn’t latching well.

🔍 2. Fundal massage

Helps control bleeding and checks uterus firmness.

🔍 3. Lochia

Post-birth bleeding → normal unless TOO heavy.

🔍 4. Episiotomy

A small cut the doctor makes during birth → nurse checks for swelling or infection.

🔍 5. Involution

➡ Means the uterus is going down like it SHOULD.

🎉 Good sign!

🔍 6. Subinvolution

➡ Means the uterus is NOT going down like it should.

🚨 Bad sign → could mean infection or too much bleeding.

🧸✨ Breast Assessment

🌟 1. Breasts Change Because of Prolactin

Prolactin = the milk-making hormone.

It makes the breasts:

• More swollen 😳

• More full of blood flow ❤

• Ready to make colostrum/milk 🍼✨

 

🌟 2. If Breastfeeding / Chestfeeding (BF/CF)

👉 Feed ON DEMAND!

That means every time baby gives the “I’m hungry!” signal.

🐣🍼

Nurses like to say:

✨ “8 or more in 24!”

= Baby should feed at least 8 times in 24 hours.

 

🌟 3. If NOT breastfeeding / chestfeeding

We do NOT want to encourage milk to come in.

So the rules are:

• ❄ Use ice, not heat

• 🙅‍♀ No nipple stimulation

• 👜 Wear a tight, supportive bra

• ⏳ Swelling usually goes away in 2–3 days

 

🌟 4. Supportive Bra

Mom should wear a bra that is:

• Comfortable 👚

• Adjustable

• Not digging into skin

 

🌟 5. INSPECT (Look at the Breasts) 👀

Nurse checks for:

✔ Size & shape

Everyone’s look different!

✔ Nipples

• Pointing out (erect)

• Flat

• Inverted
  ✨ All can be normal, but flat/inverted may need latch support.

✔ Scars from old surgeries

Can change milk flow.

✔ Skin problems

• Cracks

• Blisters

• Redness

• Bleeding
  These can mean latch issues 😣

🌟 6. PALPATE (Feel the Breasts) ✋

Nurse gently checks for:

✔ Filling status

• Soft

• Filling

• Firm

• Hard/engorged (super full) 😬

✔ Temperature

• Normal warm = good 😊

• Hot = infection warning sign 🚨

 

🌟 7. Expressing Colostrum?

Colostrum = baby’s FIRST milk, thick and yellow-gold ✨🐣

Nurse may ask if you can squeeze out a few drops.

 

🌟 8. For Breastfeeding Parents

• Bra straps should be cloth and comfy

• Check for any breast or nipple problems

• If baby can’t latch → get a lactation consultant 🧑‍⚕🍼💗

 

🌟 9. For NON-Breastfeeding Parents

Nurse checks for:

• Pain

• Swelling

• Hard lumps
  and gives advice on how to stay comfortable.

🧸✨ ABDOMINAL ASSESSMENT

👀 1. Inspect (Look at the Belly)

Nurses check for:

• Symmetry (Does it look the same on both sides?) 🔍

• Scars from the birth or old surgeries ✂

• Distention (Is it super bloated or puffy?) 😮‍💨

• Stretch marks (Striae) – they’re from the skin stretching, totally normal!
  ✨Pink → fade to silver later

 

🎧 2. Auscultate (Listen with Stethoscope)

Listen for bowel sounds in all 4 quadrants.

Wonky or absent sounds = the tummy is sleepy after birth. 😴🫀

 

👋 3. Percuss

Tapping on the belly helps check for gas.

Gas = tummy makes drum-like sounds. 🥁💨

 

🏗 4. Uterine Ligaments Are Stretched

Because the uterus was HUGE!

Now it’s shrinking back down. 🎈⬇

 

🫱 5. Abdominal Wall Is Loose

The muscles were stretched out for months, so the belly may feel “soft” or “squishy.”

Totally normal! 😊

 

🔥 6. Diastasis Recti (Ab Muscle Separation)

This is when the “six-pack” muscles pull apart (like a curtain opening).

Usually closes on its own! 🪟➡🪟

Only needs surgery if it’s severe + causes hernia.

 

🟤 7. Linea Nigra

That dark line on the belly → from pregnancy hormones.

It fades slowly after birth. 😊

 

🚽 Stool Softener Time

Because mom’s muscles are tired + she may be scared to poop:

Nurses often order stool softeners, fluids, fiber, and walking.

💩💧🥦🚶‍♀

🫃✨ UTERUS / FUNDUS ASSESSMENT

Emojis!

The fundus = the top of the uterus.

After birth, the uterus SHRINKS down (this is called involution).

Think of it like a balloon deflating slowly. 🎈➡🙂

 

📏 Where Should the Fundus Be?

⏰ 1 hour after birth

• At the umbilicus (belly button)

• Firm & midline
  👉 FEEL = like a hard grapefruit 🍊

📅 Day 3 after birth

➡ Should be 3 cm BELOW the belly button

(about 3 finger-widths)

⏱ Every day after

The uterus drops 1 cm (1 fingerbreadth) per day.

🫳⬇⬇⬇

🗓 Around Day 10

It should be back behind the pubic bone — you can’t feel it anymore!

 

💧 Mom MUST pee before assessment

A full bladder = pushes uterus UP

= looks like it’s in the wrong place

= can cause bleeding

🚽➡💡

 🫠 Boggy Fundus = BAD

Boggy = soft, squishy, not firm

→ Means the uterus is not contracting

→ Mom can bleed a LOT

🩸🩸🩸🚨

Nurse does a fundal massage to firm it up!

 

🩸 Involution

Means the uterus is shrinking normally.

Takes 3 weeks for the uterus

and 6 weeks for the placenta site to fully heal.

Helped by:

• Normal birth 💗

• Placenta removed completely

• Early walking 🚶‍♀

 

😣 Afterpains

These are crampy pains as the uterus tightens.

More common in:

• Moms with multiple kids

• Breastfeeding parents (oxytocin squeezes uterus!)

• Twins/multiples

Feels like strong cramps 🥴

Reduce pain with:

• Ibuprofen 💊

• Warm water bottle 🔥

 

❓ Questions the Nurse Asks Mom

• Passing gas? 💨

• Peeing okay? Pain? 🚽😣

• Poop? Diet? 💩🥗

• Cramping during breastfeeding? 🍼😖

🩸👶 LOCHIA ASSESSMENT

🎮 LEVEL 1: RUBRA (Day 1–3)

🩸 Bright red, like a period

🩸 May have small clots

💢 Heavier flow

✔ Normal

❌ But should NOT soak a pad in 1 hour

❌ If bright red bleeding returns after it stopped → BAD → call provider 🚨

 

🎮 LEVEL 2: SEROSA (Day 4–10)

🌸 Pinkish or brownish

🌸 Lighter flow

🌸 Smells earthy, NOT foul

 

🎮 LEVEL 3: ALBA (Up to 6–8 weeks)

🤍 White, yellow-white

🤍 Very light

🤍 Mostly mucus + white blood cells

This is the “almost done” stage! 🎉

 

🩸 How Much Bleeding Is Normal?

Pads tell the story:

• Scant → tiny stain (OK)

• Light → <4 inches (OK)

• Moderate → <6 inches (OK)

• Heavy → pad soaked <1 hour ❌

• Hemorrhage danger → bright red blood + soaking pad in an hour 🚨

 

👃 Smell Check

Lochia should:

✔ Smell like period blood

NOT:

❌ Foul

❌ Fishy

❌ Strong odor

That means infection! 🚨

✋ Palpate (Feel the Fundus)

If you press on the uterus and more bleeding comes out, that’s normal because pressure pushes it out.

But too much means bleeding risk. 🩸

 

❓ Questions Nurses Ask Mom

• Has the bleeding gone up/down? 📈📉

• Change with standing or gravity? ⬇

• How many pads per hour? 🩸

• Clots? How big? ⚫

• When did you last change the pad?

• Does it smell normal? 👃

⚠ If BRIGHT RED blood returns after Rubra stops…

🚨 This is NOT normal!

Could mean:

• Overexertion

• Hemorrhage

• Infection

CALL THE PROVIDER.

🩸🕒 When Will Period Return?

Depends on breastfeeding/chestfeeding (BF/CF):

📌 If NOT breastfeeding

Period returns: 6–8 weeks

📌 If breastfeeding

• Ovulation can return around 6 months

• Period may take months to return

• 70% ovulate by 3 months

• 100% by 6 months

⚠ Breastfeeding is NOT reliable birth control without LAM rules.

🌟 Physical Changes After Birth

🔄 1. Involution + Afterpains

Your uterus was HUGE holding a whole human!

Now it’s shrinking back to normal size.

🎈➡🍊

This shrinking can cause crampy pains called afterpains.

They are:

• Worse when breastfeeding (because oxytocin squeezes the uterus) 🍼💥

• More common in moms who’ve had more than one baby

 

💢 2. Pelvic Floor Soreness

The pelvic floor muscles worked REALLY hard during birth.

They might feel:

• Sore

• Bruised

• Tired
  💤💥

Walking, ice packs, and rest help.

 

🩸 3. Lochia = Bleeding After Birth

Your uterus needs to clean itself out.

The bleeding changes color over time — like a stoplight slowly fading! 🚦✨

Here’s the timeline:

 

🗓 DAYS 1–4 → RUBRA

🔴 Color: Bright or dark red

🌊 Flow: Heavy

⚫ Clots: Small/medium

This is the “heavy period” stage.

 

🗓 DAYS 4–10 → SEROSA

🟠 Color: Brown or pink

🌊 Flow: Lighter

⚫ Clots: Fewer

Your body is starting to slow things down.

 

🗓 DAYS 10–28 → ALBA

🟡 Color: White or yellow

🌫 Flow: Almost no blood, more discharge

❌ Clots: None

This is the “almost finished” stage! 🎉

🚽✨ Bladder Assessment

💥 1. Swelling & Bruising

During birth, the bladder area can get swollen or bruised

→ which makes it harder to feel when they need to pee.

😣💢

 

💦 2. Rapid Diuresis (Lots of Pee!)

After birth, the body gets rid of all the extra fluid from pregnancy.

So moms pee A LOT.

💧➡💧➡💧

 

📏 3. Minimum Urine Output = 30 mL/hour

This means:

“You should be making at least 30 mL of pee every hour.”

If not → dehydration or kidney problem.

🚨

 

🩼 4. Many moms had a catheter

During labor, especially with an epidural or c-section.

After removal, the bladder may feel “confused.” 😵

 

😶‍🌫 5. Loss of Bladder Sensation

Mom may not feel the urge to pee, even if the bladder is FULL.

A full bladder can cause:

• 🚫 Pee leaking out (incontinence)

• 🚫 Uterus pushed off to the side

• 🚫 Uterus can’t shrink = slows involution

• 🩸 More bleeding

So emptying the bladder = SUPER important.

 

🕒 6. DTV = Due to Void within 6 hours

This means mom MUST pee within 6 hours after giving birth or after a catheter is removed.

⏰🚽

If not → nurse steps in.

🎯 7. Fundus Pushed to the Side = FULL BLADDER

If nurse feels the uterus and it’s:

➡ Off to the right

➡ Not midline

That’s usually a giant bladder pushing it over.

👉 Time to pee! 🚽💨

 

🧍‍♀ 8. Increased Bladder Capacity

Pregnancy stretched it out

→ can hold more pee now

→ makes it easier to overfill

😬

 

🧊 9. Stasis

This means pee sits in the bladder too long.

This can lead to infection.

🦠💦

 

🩸 10. Hematuria (Blood in pee)

Occasionally happens because of swelling

BUT can be hidden by lochia (postpartum bleeding).

👀

 

🚨 If mom CAN’T pee in 6–8 hours…

The nurse may try:

• 🍃 Peppermint oil sniffing

• 💧 Running water sounds

• 🎈 Blowing bubbles (relaxes pelvic muscles)

• If nothing works → straight catheter
  (quick in and out to drain the bladder)

💩✨ Bowel Assessment

 

🚽 1. Many moms poop during labor

Totally normal!

It means the pushing muscles are working. 💪💩

 

🏥 2. Mom may poop before going home

Whether she does depends on:

• Activity level 🏃‍♀

• Diet 🥦

• Fluids 💧

• Medications 💊

• Pain 😣

• Fear of pain from pooping 😬

Most hospitals give Colace BID (stool softener) to help.

 

💨 3. Gas Pain After C-section or PPS

Gas can get trapped and cause:

• Sharp abdominal pain ⚡

• Shoulder pain (referred pain) 😣

• Tinkly, high-pitched bowel sounds 🎶

Gas pains after surgery = VERY common.

 

🩺 4. Treatment for Gas & Constipation

What helps?

• 🚶‍♀ WALKING (best medicine!)

• ☕ Hot liquids

• 🥗 High-fiber foods

• 💊 Colace, simethicone, Dulcolax

Walking + warm liquids = bowel wake-up alarm clock! ⏰

 

🍽 5. Hunger & Thirst After Birth

Mom worked HARD.

She’s tired, hungry, and thirsty.

But the bowels are still sleepy → digestion is slower. 😴

 

🩹 6. C-Section Birth

Because it’s a surgery:

• First: clear liquids only

• Second: solid foods ONLY when bowel sounds return

Nurse listens for “gurgles” before food. 🎧👂

😣 7. Painful Bottom = Fear of Pooping

Episiotomy, stitches, tears, or hemorrhoids can make moms scared to poop.

This fear slows bowel movement.

😬🍑

 

💨 8. Flatulence = Gas!

Lots of moms get gassy after birth.

It’s NORMAL and expected.

Passing gas = good sign (bowels waking up!) 🎉

 

🩸 9. Post-delivery swelling

Edema (swelling) in

• bladder

• urethra

• urinary opening

makes peeing and pooping feel weird or painful.

 

🧠 10. Pudendal Nerve Pressure

During labor, nerves can get squished.

This may cause:

• numbness

• weaker sensation

• trouble knowing when you need to poop or pee

This usually goes away on its own.

 

💻 11. If worried, nurse can do a bladder scan

A quick scan to check if the bladder is full and causing abdominal discomfort.

🩹 Degrees of Lacerations (Tears)

Think of them like levels:

1st degree

🟡 Only the skin

Smallest tear

2nd degree (most common)

🟠 Skin + perineal muscle

Still mild-moderate

3rd degree

🔴 Through the anal sphincter

Bigger tear, more painful

4th degree

⚫ All the way into the rectal wall

Most serious; needs careful repair

🍑✨ Episiotomy & Laceration Assessment — 🔎 How Nurses Check Healing

REEDA is a checklist to see if the wound is healing or getting infected:

R – Redness ❤

E – Edema (swelling) 💧

E – Ecchymosis (bruising) 💜

D – Discharge 💦

A – Approximation of edges ➡⬅ (Do the stitches line up nicely?)

 

💧 Checking Drainage — “CODA”

If anything is leaking or oozing, nurses check:

C – Color 🎨

O – Odor 👃

C – Consistency (thick? watery?)

A – Amount

 

💥 If You See a Bluish Bulge

🚨 Could be a hematoma = a pocket of blood under the skin

Very painful, needs provider to assess.

❓ Questions the Nurse Asks Mom

• “Does it hurt to poop?” 💩😣

• “Are you using your ice, warm baths, or Tucks pads?” 🍃🧊

• “Can you sit comfortably?” 🪑

• “Are you cleaning the area (peri care)?” 🧼

• “Any foul smell or weird discharge?” 👃

 

 Episiotomy & Laceration 🪑 Comfort Measures

🧊🔥 Ice vs Heat

First 24 hours

🧊 ICE PACKS

• Reduce swelling

• Reduce pain

After 24 hours

🔥 WARM PACKS

• Helps the body absorb trapped fluid

• Helps healing

 

🪑 Comfort Measures

• Ice

• Tucks pads (witch hazel) 🍃

• Sitz baths (warm water soaking) 🛁

• Pain meds

• Extra pillows for sitting 🪑

⏳ Normal Perineal Changes 🍑✨ Episiotomy & Laceration

• Swelling early on

• Bruising (ecchymosis) 💜

• Stitches

• Tenderness

• Hemorrhoids may be present

Healing time:

⏰ 4–6 months for complete healing

Midline vs Mediolateral Episiotomy

Midline

👍 Easier to repair

👍 Less painful afterward

👎 More likely to tear into the anal sphincter (3rd/4th degree)

Mediolateral (angled cut)

👍 Less likely to extend into anus

👎 More painful

👎 Harder to repair

👎 More discomfort in healing

🦵✨ Lower Extremities (Legs) Assessment

After having a baby, the nurse checks the legs because moms are in a hypercoagulable state — meaning:

👉 Their blood clots extra easily.

This protects them from bleeding too much after birth BUT…

It also puts them at risk for a DVT (deep vein thrombosis = blood clot in the leg).

So the nurse has to look carefully!

 

👀 What Does the Nurse Look For?

🔵 Edema (Swelling)

Are the legs puffy? Does one look bigger?

🥔➡🦵

🩺 Pedal Pulses

Checking for good blood flow to feet.

💓👣

🤲 Skin Turgor

Is skin dry? Dehydrated? Puffy?

❓ Ask Mom:

“Do your legs look normal to you?”

 

🚨 Signs of a DVT — IMPORTANT!

Think S.P.W. = Swelling, Pain, Warmth

🔴 Swelling

Usually one leg is more swollen than the other.

🔴 Pain

Hurts to walk or touch.

Can feel like a cramp or tightness.

🔴 Warm to Touch

Feels hotter than the other leg. Fire leg! 🔥🦵

These are BIG RED FLAGS.

 

🩹 Why This Happens

After birth, the body is in “clot mode” to stop bleeding.

This makes clots form more easily → good for uterus, bad for legs.

So nurses check legs EVERY SHIFT.

 

🥾 Compression Boots Help Prevent Clots

They gently squeeze the legs to keep blood moving.

Like a mini leg massage! 💆‍♀🦵

Helps prevent clots from forming.

💞 Emotions After Birth — Rubin’s Phases

🍼 1. Taking-In Phase

Time: First 1–2 days after birth

Emotion: “I need help!”

Mom is:

• Very tired 😴

• Overwhelmed 😮‍💨

• Focused on HER needs (“Can someone help me?”)

• Wanting to be taken care of 🛌💗

• Processing the birth (“Wow… that really happened.”)

She lets nurses/family take care of the baby a lot during this time.

✨ Think: Mom is recovering and receiving.

 

💪 2. Taking-Hold Phase

Time: Day 2–3 and lasts several days

Emotion: “Okay… I can do this!”

Mom starts to:

• Take charge of baby care 🤱

• Ask questions (“Am I doing this right?”)

• Learn HOW to care for the baby (feeding, bathing) 🍼

• Feel more confident

• Want reassurance ⭐

• Be open to teaching

This is the BEST time for education because mom is ready to learn and practice.

✨ Think: Mom is trying and learning.

 

🌈 3. Letting-Go Phase

Time: Weeks after birth

Emotion: “This is my new life now.”

Mom begins to:

• Accept her new identity as a parent 👩‍👦

• Adjust to changes in routine

• Recognize her old life is different now

• Let go of unrealistic expectations

• Balance roles (partner, friend, parent)

✨ Think: Mom is adjusting and accepting.

🏡💗 Postpartum Discharge Teaching

🩸 1. Bleeding (Lochia)

• It’s normal to bleed for up to 6 weeks after birth

• Color goes red → brown → yellow/white

• Should NOT fill a pad in an hour ⚠

• Should NOT smell bad 🚫👃

• Call your provider if you see BIG clots (golf-ball size)

 

🤕 2. C-Section Teaching

If the parent had a c-section:

• Keep incision clean and dry

• No heavy lifting (NOTHING heavier than the baby!) 💪🚫

• Watch for infection: redness, pus, fever, warmth

• No soaking in tub until cleared

 

🏋‍♀️ 3. Weight Lifting

Rule:

🚫 Nothing heavier than your baby for 4–6 weeks

Because muscles, belly, and incision need time to heal.

 

🍼 4. Breastfeeding / Chestfeeding

• Feed on demand, at least 8 or more times a day

• Nipples shouldn’t be cracked or bleeding

• Ask for a lactation consultant if painful

• Stay hydrated 💧

 

🚫👶 5. Shaken Baby Syndrome

NEVER shake a baby!

If baby is crying:

• Put baby safely in crib

• Walk away for 5 minutes

• Call someone for help
  Crying is normal. Shaking is dangerous and can be fatal. 🚨

 

🚽 6. Bladder & Bowel

• Pee often to help your uterus shrink

• Take stool softeners (so pooping isn’t scary!) 💩

• Drink lots of water

• Eat fiber to prevent constipation 🌾

❌ 7. NOTHING in the vagina for 4–6 weeks

That means:

• ❌ No tampons

• ❌ No douching

• ❌ No sex

Why?

Because the uterus and vagina are still healing and infection risk is high.

 

🧘‍♀ 8. Kegel Exercises

These make your pelvic floor stronger.

Why?

To help prevent leaking pee (incontinence). 🚽

Do them daily!

 

🚿 9. Pericare = Wipe Front to Back

ALWAYS wipe front → back

This stops poop bacteria from getting into the vagina and causing infection.

 

🌈 Healthy Habits (What Parents Need to Hear)

• Get support from friends/family 🤝

• Find ways to sleep 😴

• Nourish yourself with food/water 🥗💧

• Take care of your relationship 💞

💊✨ Common Postpartum Medications

💊 1. Motrin (Ibuprofen)

• Helps with pain

• Helps with inflammation (swelling)

• Great for afterpains, cramps, soreness
  🔥➡🙂

 

💊 2. Colace (Docusate Sodium)

• A stool softener

• Makes poop softer and easier to pass

• SUPER important because moms may be scared to poop 😬💩

 

💨 3. Simethicone

• Helps with gas pain

• Especially after c-section or labor

• Breaks up gas bubbles
  💨😣➡💨🙂

 

🩸 4. Iron

• Replaces iron lost from bleeding

• Helps prevent anemia

• Boosts energy
  🩸⬇ → 💊 → 💪

 

🌈 5. Prenatal Vitamins

• Continue after birth!

• Help with healing and breastfeeding

• Replace nutrients
  🥦💊💗

 

🍃 6. Witch Hazel Pads (Tucks)

• Soothe hemorrhoids

• Reduce perineal swelling

• Feel cool and calming
  🍑🧊

🧴 7. Dibucaine Ointment

• Numbing cream

• Helps with pain after tears, episiotomy, or hemorrhoids
  🚫🔥

 

💉 8. Morphine / Dilaudid

• Strong pain meds

• Usually given after c-section

• Used short-term
  💤💊

 

🤢 9. Phenergan

• Helps with nausea and vomiting

• Often used after anesthesia
  🤢➡🙂

🚨 Postpartum Warning Signs

🔥 1. Fever over 100.4°F (38°C)

Fever = infection.

Could be in the uterus, breasts, stitches, or urinary tract.

🌡🔥🚫

 

👃 2. Foul-Smelling Vaginal Discharge

Lochia should smell like a period — NOT fishy, rotten, or foul.

If it smells BAD = infection.

🚫👃🦠

 

🤕 3. Increased Uterine Pain

Cramping is normal, but pain that is:

• Worse

• Sharp

• Constant
  = NOT normal
  Could mean infection or retained placenta.
  😣⚠

 

🩸 4. Heavy Bleeding

If you:

• Soak a pad in an hour

• Pass clots bigger than a golf ball

• Bright red blood returns after stopping

❗ This means hemorrhage risk.

🚨🩸

 

🔥🚽 5. Pain or Burning with Urination

Burning pee = UTI.

Left untreated can become kidney infection.

Ouch!

😖💦

 

🥛🩹 6. Lump, Hard Area, or Pain in the Breast

Could be:

• Plugged duct

• Mastitis

• Infection
  Breast should NOT be hot, red, or swollen.
  🔥🍈

 

🦵🔥 7. Red, Tender, Warm, or Painful Area on Leg

This = DVT (blood clot)

DANGEROUS AND LIFE-THREATENING

Call provider immediately.

🦵🔥🚨

 

😵 8. Feeling Very Sick, Weak, or “Not Right”

Trust your feelings!

If you feel:

• dizzy

• faint

• confused

• like something is wrong

CALL.

Your body is telling you something.

🧠⚠