Introduction to Postpartum Care

Postpartum care is just as important as prenatal care; it represents a significant part of mother and baby’s health and well-being. The postpartum period, which occurs in the months following childbirth, is a crucial phase that requires careful attention and support.

These initial weeks after your baby arrives involve balancing many new routines and responsibilities. At the same time, you’ll be healing from childbirth and navigating the physical and psychological changes or concerns that arise during the postpartum period.

After Childbirth Follow-up

Regular follow-up appointments with your OB/GYN play an important role in your postpartum care, recovery, and overall health and safety. These checkups are scheduled in the weeks after childbirth and monitor your physical recovery and emotional well-being.

Timeline for Postpartum Care Checkups

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends scheduling several appointments with your OB/GYN provider within the first 12 weeks after childbirth:

• First checkup: Within three weeks
  • This first visit serves as a check-in with the OB/GYN regarding your physical recovery and overall health, and allows for asking questions and addressing concerns.
  • Nota: Patients with high blood pressure during pregnancy should be seen within the first three to 10 days after childbirth.
• Additional visits: Scheduled as needed
  • Your provider will recommend follow-up appointments based on your unique health care needs.
• Final checkup: 12 weeks
  • This visit ensures you have made a full recovery and can address future needs.

Common Postpartum Complications

The postpartum period can involve potential health complications, and it’s important to have regular medical assessments to ensure you are on track for a healthy recovery after giving birth.

Potential postpartum complications may include:

• Dolor vaginal
• Sangrado vaginal
• Incontinencia urinaria
• Hemorroides
• Estreñimiento
• Cramps or contractions
• Cesarean incision healing issues

Postpartum hemorrhage occurs in about 3% of U.S. pregnancies and increased from 2000 to 2019, according to a 2023 study. Excessive bleeding is typically caused by delayed contraction of the uterus or placenta that remains in the uterus.

You may be at risk of postpartum hemorrhage if you carried more than one baby, had an especially long labor, delivered by cesarean section, have a blood clotting disorder or had postpartum hemorrhage previously.

Signs and symptoms of a postpartum hemorrhage:

• Racing heart
• Feeling faint or lightheaded
• Pelvic or vaginal pain
• Excessive bleeding

You should remain in contact with your provider, schedule regular and timely postpartum follow-up appointments and seek immediate medical attention when necessary.

Primary Care Provider for Continued Health Management

Prioritizing ongoing health management is crucial, especially for preexisting conditions like high blood pressure or diabetes. A primary care provider can play a vital role in improving overall health and continuity of care. Ideally, individuals should establish a relationship with a primary care provider before pregnancy and continue seeing them postpartum. If you don’t have a primary care provider or is considering a new one, your OB/GYN can connect you.

Other Postpartum Maternal Health Topics to Discuss With Your Provider

• Nutrition during postpartum and breastfeeding
• Trastornos del estado de ánimo
• Overall breastfeeding support
• Strategies for managing sleep deprivation
• Caring for your newborn
• Postpartum contraception and family planning
• Resuming sexual activity after childbirth

Embrace Your Postpartum Journey

The postpartum period can be a transformative, challenging and rewarding time. Although it is necessary care for your infant, it is also important to remember to take care of yourself and prioritize your own physical recovery and mental well-being.

Postpartum care requires a balance of many responsibilities, including regular checkups with your baby’s pediatrician as well as your own health care provider to help ensure a healthy recovery. Seek support from your personal support network and health care provider during this time.

Regular postpartum care checkups at Norton Women’s Care will provide you with plenty of time to ask questions, monitor your physical and emotional recovery, address any concerns and receive the support you need — and deserve.

Qué esperar de Norton Women’s Care

Más madres en Louisville y el sur de Indiana eligen dar a luz en el Norton Hospital o en el Norton Women’s & Children’s Hospital que en cualquier otro sistema hospitalario de la zona.

Atendemos más de 8,000 nacimientos al año. Estamos cerca de usted con más de 90 proveedores en más de 25 ubicaciones en Louisville y el sur de Indiana. Elegir Norton Women’s Care le brinda muchas opciones sobre cómo podría ser el día del parto, todo con la confianza de saber que nuestros especialistas en obstetricia y pediatría están ahí para ayudar. With Norton Women’s Care, you’ll find:

• The birth experience you want: Puede elegir parto natural, partera, tina para el trabajo de parto, óxido nitroso y otras opciones de parto. Recomendaremos una cesárea o parto inducido solo si es médicamente necesario.
• Preparation: Nuestros especialistas ofrecen el apoyo que necesita, como clases de Lamaze y clases de preparación para el parto sin cargo, clases para padres primerizos, apoyo para la lactancia, clases de seguridad infantil y más.
• Confidence and quality in care: Norton Women’s Care ha sido reconocido con la calificación de alto desempeño (la calificación más alta disponible) para la atención de maternidad con menos complicaciones y cesáreas, además de apoyo para la lactancia y otros beneficios.
• We offer the highest-level (Level IV) neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) in Louisville and Southern Indiana at Norton Children’s Hospital, and a sophisticated Level III NICU at Norton Women’s & Children’s Hospital.
• Around-the-clock OB/GYN care is available at Norton Hospital and Norton Women’s & Children’s Hospital emergency departments.
• Our board-certified maternal-fetal medicine specialists  can help guide you through a high-risk pregnancy, from treating preexisting diabetes in the pregnant patient to a fetal echocardiogram to diagnose a congenital heart condition before a baby is born.
• Medicare, Medicaid and most major commercial insurance plans are accepted.
• Convenient access to your medical record: Communicate with your health care provider, get lab results, renew prescriptions and more through your free Norton MyChart account.