POSTPARTUM CARE

MOTHER

Bleeding:
Rest, fluids and
good nutrition: Call the midwife if you use two
These are vital for quick pads in an hour or the discharge
stinks. The first few days of
recovery. Plan naps when
bleeding will look and feel like a
baby sleeps. heavy menstrual period.

Infection prevention: Perineum:

Wash your hands before

The perineum can be
changing your pad. Check
swollen and tender for
your temperature if you
several days after a tear.
have a cold or flu.

Bowel care: Resumption of

You may miss 2-3 days of
BM. To avoid constipation,
drink 2 liters of water daily
and eat plenty of fiber.
normal activity:
Use logic. Early postpartum
fatigue is common. Your energy
will rise as you get enough rest
and nourishment.

Nursing and
sore nipples:
Fixing the baby's latch almost always
relieves sore nipples. Let him “bite” the
entire areola, keeping his tummy
pressed against yours, his back and
head straight.
 NEWBORN

Feeding: Respirations:
Even when sleeping, breathing is
Your baby should nurse every 2
erratic. There are 30-50 breaths
hours for the first 24 hours. This
per minute, but the intervals can
ensures smooth operation.
vary.

Temperature: Cord care:

The cord dries in 4-10 days. Keep
Take the baby’s
the cord out of the diaper. If the
temperature every 4-6 hours
skin or umbilicus is oozing, clean it
for the first 48 hours and
with moist cotton.
record it here on page 3

Urine and stool:

Jaundice:

Both should occur within 24 Yellowing of the skin and eyes.

hours. Stools start out dark It occurs between days 2 and 7
and tarry, but soon turn after birth and is usually not
clinically significant.
yellow or green.