Your hospital care after the birth
In the days after the birth, hospital medical staff will make regular checks on you, taking care that you are healing properly without infection.
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Immediately after the birth, your midwife will take your temperature and note your pulse rate and blood pressure. These will be checked every four hours for the first day or so. The midwife will continue to check when she visits you at home. Your pulse rate may change slightly but this is normal, so nothing to worry about.
Medical staff will also check that any stitches or tears you have are healing properly and that you don't have any infection. They may suggest you apply ice packs to the area to prevent swelling and ease the pain, and you may be offered painkillers for afterpains during the first few days.
They'll also keep a close eye on the amount and appearance of your lochia in case there are any abnormal blood clots or excessive bleeding. Your uterus will be checked to make sure that it's starting to return to its pre-pregnant state and your legs will be examined for any signs of thrombosis. Your midwife may also ask a few questions to get an idea of your emotional state and make sure you're recovering from the birth.
Up and about after the birth
It's best to start moving about as much as you can soon after delivery. This will help you get your strength back more quickly and helps your bowel and bladder to start working normally again. Unless you're very tired and simply want to sleep you can get up to go to the toilet, have a shower, or walk about any time after the birth. It's a good idea to have someone to help you at first in case you feel faint or weak. If you've lost a lot of blood at delivery, you'll probably have a blood test on about the fourth or fifth day after delivery to check that your haemoglobin is returning to normal.
Care after a Caesarean birth
About one in four women in the UK have Caesarean births. Many have regional anaesthesia but if you do have a general you may feel sick and wobbly. Your incision will be painful and the stitches will be covered by a soft dressing. You'll probably have a drip in your arm and may be given painkillers to help you sleep. If your baby is healthy and well, there's no reason why he can't be with you all the time.
If your stitches aren't self-absorbing, they'll be taken out about five days after delivery, which is only mildly uncomfortable. After a Caesarean, expect to stay in hospital for about five days if everything's normal (see also Complications at Delivery).
Going home
- A midwife or doctor will examine you. They'll check that your uterus is returning to its pre-pregnant size, that your stitches (if you've had any) are healing, and that your breasts are okay. They'll check your flow of lochia for colour and amount, and to see if you've passed any clots. Clotting with persistent bleeding may be a sign that there's still some placental tissue inside you.
- If you've had a Caesarean, the doctor will check your incision and remove non-absorbable stitches.
- Your midwife will talk to you about contraception, and give you a prescription for the contraceptive pill if necessary.
- If you weren't immune to rubella (German measles) during your pregnancy, you'll be immunized.
- You'll be shown how to clean your baby's umbilical cord.
- You'll be given a date for your postnatal check-up, and advised to take your baby to the clinic for a six-week check-up.
When you leave, dress your baby warmly as he can't regulate his temperature very well yet. You'll need comfortable clothes, as your breasts will enlarge when your milk comes in and your stomach will still be bigger than before.
Posted 30.06.2010
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