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HomeMemberHelpful ToolsHealth ResourcesPostpartum Care

Postpartum Care

Congratulations on your new baby! This is a busy and exciting time. It’s also an important time for you to take care of your health. Fidelis Care is here to support you and your baby.



Schedule Your Postpartum Visit

If you don’t already have your postpartum appointment, make sure you schedule one today!

It is essential to see your OB provider for a postpartum appointment 7 to 84 days after delivery. This is your chance to discuss any concerns or questions. Your doctor will check your physical and emotional health.

Your doctor may do various screenings:

  • Check your vital signs including weight and blood pressure
  • Check your breasts and abdomen
  • Give you a pelvic exam if you are due, or if you had a tear or episiotomy
  • Discuss your mood, emotional well-being, and how you are adjusting
  • Discuss family planning, contraception, and when you can resume sexual activity
  • Make sure you are not at risk for any serious postpartum complications
  • Review ongoing preventive health maintenance

Benefits for Postpartum Visit

Members in our Medicaid Managed Care, HealthierLife (HARP), Child Health Plus (CHPlus), Essential Plan, or an Ambetter from Fidelis Care Qualified Health Plan (QHP), don't have a copay for their postpartum visit.

BabyCare-Program

 


Know What to Expect of Your Mind and Body After Delivery

Immediately After Delivery

You might feel tired and sore after having your baby. Your body is still getting used to the changes after giving birth. Pay attention to how you feel. If you notice anything strange like a fever, heavy bleeding, or blurry vision, call your doctor right away.

Your Feelings as a New Parent

After delivery, many parents get a mild form of postpartum depression called “baby blues.” You may be moody, irritable, and anxious. These feelings are usually temporary and resolve within two weeks. Read the Fidelis Care Perinatal Mood Disorders brochure.

Signs of Postpartum Depression

  • Crying often
  • Withdrawal from family and friends
  • Loss of interest or pleasure in activities you used to enjoy
  • Weight loss
  • Feelings of worthlessness or guilt
  • Feeling like you are having trouble bonding with your baby
  • Mood changes that make you feel like you aren’t yourself such as sadness, hopelessness
  • Thoughts of hurting yourself or your baby. If you have these thoughts, call for help right away

Help for Postpartum Depression

To learn more, visit nichd.nih.gov/MaternalMentalHealth.

To find a mental health provider, call 1-800-662-HELP(4357).

Postpartum Support International

 

 

Your Body After Delivery

Healing From a Cesarean Section

If you delivered through cesarean section (C-section), you may have some soreness, numbness, or itching around your incision. This is normal and should improve over time. Use the pain relievers prescribed by your doctor. Remember to hold your belly when you sneeze or cough and use pillows for extra support while feeding your baby.

If your incision looks very red, is draining, or is getting more painful, there may be an infection. Call your doctor.

Healing From a Vaginal Delivery

It’s normal to have small tears after having a baby. Your doctor might use special stitches that dissolve on their own to help you heal. They will make sure you are as comfortable as possible during this.

To care for your body after a vaginal delivery:

Cleaning

  • Spray the area with warm water after using the toilet
  • Gently wipe from front to back after using the toilet
  • Change sanitary pads every 2 to 4 hours
  • Avoid soap or wipes unless instructed by your healthcare provider

Reducing swelling

  • Use chilled witch hazel pads
  • Apply ice or a cold pack to the area for 10 to 20 minutes at a time, several times a day

Pain medication

  • Take pain medication as prescribed by your doctor
  • Avoid pain relief medication with codeine

Soothing

  • Use an inflatable ring when sitting
  • Sit in a warm bath (sitz bath) 3 times a day and after bowel movements
  • Soak the perineal area in warm water a few times a day
Postdelivery Symptoms and Treatments

Symptom

What to Expect and What you Can Do

When to call the doctor

Feeling tired

  • Try to nap, eat, and shower when your baby is napping.
  • Eat a healthy diet and drink plenty of fluids.
  • Keep taking your prenatal vitamins.
  • Ask family and friends for help.
  • You are so tired that you can’t take care of yourself or your baby.
  • You have a temperature higher than 100.4° F.

Cramps

  • This is expected for 7 days or longer. It may get more intense while nursing.
  • You can take a mild pain reliever like ibuprofen or naproxen.
  • Severe cramping that is not resolved with pain medication.

Sore bottom and painful piles (hemorrhoids)

  • Use a cold pack for the first 48 hours.
  • Take a sitz bath (soaking your bottom in a small plastic tub with warm water).
  • Use cotton balls or pads soaked in witch hazel.*
  • Use a spray bottle to wash your bottom several times a day.
  • Use over-the-counter ointments and creams like hydrocortisone.*
  • You are having severe pain.
  • You have a lot of trouble with urination or bowel movements.

Bleeding and discharge from your vagina

  • This is normal for the first few weeks after delivery.
  • You pass blood clots larger than a golf ball.
  • You have severe vaginal bleeding that gets heavier.

Swelling, pain, and/or redness in your legs or calves

  • It is normal to have some swelling.
  • You can lie on your left side when resting or sleeping.
  • Put your feet up.
  • Try to stay cool and wear loose clothes.
  • Drink plenty of water.
  • If you have more swelling in one leg than the other, this could be a blood clot.

* You may be able to get these items at no cost with a prescription from your doctor.

Discomfort From Not Breastfeeding

If you’re not breastfeeding, your breasts might feel sore and swollen for about a week while your body stops making milk. To help you feel better, wear a tight, supportive bra all day and night, and use cold packs to help with the pain.

 

Breastfeeding

There are several benefits to breastfeeding for mothers and babies.

Visit the Breastfeeding page for additional information.

More on Breastfeeding


Caring for Your New Baby

Infant Warning Signs

Call your baby’s pediatrician immediately for further instruction if you notice any of the following:

  • A fever of 100.4° or greater, or less than 97.6°.
  • Less than 3 wet diapers a day.
  • Persistent poor feeding or forceful vomiting.
  • Redness or foul-smelling discharge from umbilical cord.
  • Yellowing of skin or eyes.
  • Persistent crying or irritability.
  • Grey/blue coloring around mouth and lips when feeding or crying.
  • Any time you are concerned.

Crying is a natural reaction for babies. They typically have 1 to 2 hours of unexplained crying scattered throughout each day for the first 3 months of life. Make sure baby’s basic needs are met when they are crying. If they have been changed and fed and don’t have a fever, try to soothe or comfort them.

Comforting a Crying Baby

  • Hold your baby. You can’t spoil them by holding them too much, especially in the first few months of life.
  • Quietly talk or sing to your baby. Play some music or turn on a sound machine.
  • Gently rock or walk around with your baby.
  • Try giving a pacifier to your baby. For breastfed babies, a pacifier is fine to use once baby is successfully feeding. Many studies indicate that “nipple confusion” is a myth.
  • Wrap your baby snugly in a blanket with their arms inside. This is called swaddling.

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    BabyCare-Program

     

    Never Shake a Baby

    If you or your baby's caregivers are frustrated, calmly put the baby down in a safe place such as a crib. Call family and friends and say you need help. Go for a walk, read a magazine or watch TV until you feel ready. Never shake a baby. Their neck muscles are too weak to support their head. Shaking can cause serious injury and death . Always leave your infant with a trusted caregiver when away. If you often feel overwhelmed, talk to your doctor.

    Safe Sleeping

    Safe sleep for your baby is important. It can help protect from sudden infant death syndrome, also known as SIDS or crib death.

    Do:

    • Make sure your baby’s sleep area is in the same room, next to where you sleep.
    • Dress your baby in sleep clothing, such as a wearable blanket.
    • Always place your baby on their back to sleep, both for naps and at night.
    • Use a firm and flat sleep surface, such as a mattress covered by a fitted sheet in a safety-approved crib.
    • Keep soft object, toys, and loose bedding out of your baby’s sleep area. Make sure nothing covers their head.

    Don't:

    • Do not put your baby to sleep in an adult bed, on a couch, on a chair alone, with you, or with anyone else.
    • Do not smoke or let anyone else smoke around your baby.
    • Do not put pillows, blankets, or crib bumpers anywhere in your baby’s sleep area.

     

    Woman-Breastfeeding-Infant-Child

     

    Healthcare for Your Baby

    All babies develop at their own pace. It is important to make sure your child sees a pediatrician on a regular basis and gets the vaccines needed to stay healthy. Visit the Fidelis Care Infant and Early Childhood Development resources page to learn more and get a schedule for well-child visits.

    Caring for Your Infant

    All babies develop at their own pace. Screenings, vaccinations, and care can help make sure your child has the best start in life.

    Read More

    Breast Pumps

    Fidelis Care members can get either a manual or double electric single-user breast pump up to 60 days after their baby’s birth.

    How to Get Breast Pumps

    Maternal Health

    With regular checkups and a healthy lifestyle, women can work with their health care provider to prevent potential problems and have a healthy pregnancy.
    Maternal Health Resources