YOUR DOCTOR
- You should have a postpartum check-up four weeks after a Cesarean section or six weeks after vaginal delivery.
- If you are not immune or rubella (German measles), you will receive a rubella vaccine during your postpartum check-up if it was not given while you were in the hospital.
- You should continue your postpartum exercises.
- You should discuss birth control options with your physician at your postpartum visit.
- Questions regarding breast-feeding can be directed to the hospital’s Lactation Consultant.
- Your annual Pap smear will be performed at your postpartum visit.
YOUR BODY
POSTPARTUM
Once you deliver the placenta or “afterbirth,” your body begins to recover. It usually takes six to eight weeks for muscles and skin to regain their normal tone. Because of hormonal changes, you should expect mood swings. After delivery, the uterus, which is located at/or below the level of the navel, is approximately the size of a grapefruit and feels firm. The uterus shrinks one-half inch each day. Massaging the uterus and breast-feeding will help continue this process. By the 10th day after delivery, the uterus will have returned to normal position in the pelvis. It is common to experience swelling in the lower leg and feet soon after delivery. Elevate your legs above the hips, decreased activity, and increase your water intake. If you experience headaches, shortness of breath, dizziness, and/or nausea with swelling, contact our office.
EPISIOTOMY
Stitches from the episiotomy will dissolve in about two weeks. The episiotomy site may itch as it heals. Discomfort from this procedure usually goes away in two or three weeks. Follow these tips to promote healing and prevent infection of the episiotomy site:
- Keep the episiotomy site clean and dry.
- After urinating, wipe front to back and use a squirt bottle of warm water to rinse the episiotomy site. Pat area dry.
- Take a shower instead of bath during the first few weeks. In some cases, your doctor may recommend taking a sitz bath.
To relieve episiotomy soreness:
- Apply ice packs to soothe and reduce swelling.
- Take a sitz bath by sitting in three to four inches of very warm water for 20 minutes, two or three times a day as needed for 10-14 days postpartum.
- Apply anesthetic spray or Tucks pads (cotton pads soaked in Witch Hazel).
- Lie on your side with your knees up to relieve pressure and pain.
The Kegel exercise will help the vagina recover. Unlike some types of exercises, you can begin doing the Kegel exercise immediately after you deliver. This exercise contracts the vaginal muscles, helping to strengthen the vagina, which takes about six weeks to regain its muscle tone and shape. If you do 20 sets of 10 repetitions a day, your vagina should return to its normal tone much quicker.
