Postpartum Care
The first six weeks after having your baby is called the “postpartum period.” This can be a joyous time for you, as you meet and bond with your new baby. This is also a time where you need to focus on:
- Helping your body heal from childbirth
- Getting enough rest
- Taking care of your mental health
Go to your postpartum visit.
Set up a visit with your OB 3-6 weeks after you have your baby. Your OB will make sure you are healing and see how you are doing emotionally. They will also answer your questions. These are some of the things your OB may do during your visit:
- Check your weight and blood pressure.
- Check your belly if you had a c-section.
- Check your breasts.
- Check your genitalia for healing from birth.
- Do an exam to check your vagina and cervix.
- Check that the uterus has shrunk correctly.
- Check how you are doing emotionally.
- Talk about birth control.
- Talk about when it is safe to start having sex again.
- Talk about when it is okay to return to work.
Need help getting to your visits? We’re here for you. CareSource offers free rides to and from all provider visits. Call us at 1-855-202-0729 (TTY: 711) 48 hours before your visit. We will arrange a ride to and from your visit.
Check for signs of postpartum depression (PPD)
About 80% of women have PPD, also called the “baby blues.” These are feelings of sadness or mood swings in the first few days after having your baby. Changing hormone levels are thought to be the cause of the baby blues. Once these hormones even out – the blues will get better. If these feelings last longer than 2 weeks, talk with your doctor to see if this may be the cause of your low mood.
If you are thinking about hurting yourself or your baby or if you hear or see things that aren’t there, get help right away. There are a few things you can do. You can:
- Go to the nearest ER.
- Call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-8255 or reach them online.
- Text the National Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 about any type of crisis, or call 988.
Talk about birth control with your OB.
You need to take time to heal between pregnancies. It is best to wait 18-24 months before getting pregnant again. The best birth control are methods which are long acting and reversible. The two most common are implantable contraception and the intrauterine device (IUD). These methods are good for 3-10 years and will allow you to become pregnant after they are taken back out of you.
These two methods do not protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Condoms are the best way to not get STIs.
Learn about:
You can also fill out a life plan through MyHealth or talk to your doctor.
More Info
Questions? Maternal Care Team at 1-833-230-2034 (TTY: 1-800-750-0750 or 711).