119: Postpartum, What to Expect

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Episode 119 Content and Overview

We spend so much time planning for our birth and we often overlook what happens after that. Or perhaps we think about our baby, but not as much about how we should be taking care of ourselves postpartum. If you give birth in a hospital, you will likely be there for 1-3 days, depending on whether you had a vaginal or cesarean birth and how you and your baby are recovering. At a birth center you are often heading home the same or next day, and with a home birth you are likely solo with your baby the same day. Before being on your own you should be given instructions for your care from your doctor or midwife. These instructions on how to care for yourself after having a baby will include what you can expect as part of a normal recovery, and warning signs of complications to keep an eye out for.

Included in This Episode

• Timing of postpartum doctor or midwife visits
• ACOG Committee Opinion on Optimizing Postpartum Care
• Fatigue and rest
• Tips for visitors
• After pains
• OTC pain medications
• LactMed
• AfterEase Tincture
• Arnica Montana
• Lochia, what to expect and warning signs
• Retained Placenta
• Third Stage of Labor
• Vaginal Tearing, Episiotomy, & Healing
• Postpartum Healing Pads (Padsicles)
• Baby Blues & Postpartum Depression
• Placenta Encapsulation
• Placenta Encapsulation and the CDC
• Warning signs related to breastfeeding
• Links to all Breastfeeding Episodes
  • Preparing for Breastfeeding
  • Troubleshooting Your Breasts
  • Troubleshooting Your Baby
  • Breastfeeding challenges in the real world
  • Pumping Breast Milk
  • Pumping Breast Milk, Building a Stash & Pumping at Work
  • Bottle Feeding
  • Infant Formula
  • Breast crawl
  • Pregnancy and Breastfeeding with Large Breasts
  • Breast Size and Milk Production
  • Working Out After Baby & Milk Production
  • Cabbage Leaves
• Other symptoms you want to report to your doctor or midwife
• If there is anything you have questions about, are unsure of, or are concerned about, please contact your doctor or midwife.
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