After Pregnancy

Recovering from Delivery

Your body goes through lots of changes after you give birth. It is vital to rest as much as you can and let your body heal.

Complications from delivery can happen up to a year after giving birth. Remember POST-BIRTH and these signs:

Call 911 or get emergency care if you have:

P – Pain in the chest

O – Obstructed breathing or are short of breath

S – Seizures

T – Thoughts of hurting yourself or your baby

Call your provider right away or go to urgent care if you have:

B – Bleeding that is enough to go through a pad in an hour or if you pass large blood clots

I – An incision that has not healed if you had a c-section or episiotomy

R – Red, swollen, or painful legs

T – A temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or above

H – A headache that does not get better with medication, or a headache with vision changes

Postpartum Care

It is vital to see your provider after giving birth. They will check your recovery and your mental health, answer questions, and check on any of your needs. Plus, you can earn a reward when you complete your postpartum visit.

Our Mom & Baby Beginnings team is here for you. We can also help arrange care if your baby is in the NICU. Call 1-833-230-2034 (TTY: 711) to get connected.

If or when to have another child is a big question. Learn about Reproductive Life Planning and what may be best for you. If you plan to start a family, examine your health and well-being. Think about your preconception health and birth spacing.

Family Planning Options

Take time to heal your body between pregnancies. It is best to wait 18-24 months before getting pregnant again. Learn more about ways to prevent pregnancy.

The most effective methods to prevent pregnancy are long acting and reversible. Two common ways are the implant and the intrauterine device (IUD). Both are effective for 3-10 years and will allow for pregnancy after removal. These two methods are very effective in preventing pregnancy, but do not protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs) like chlamydia or gonorrhea. Condoms can both protect against STIs and prevent pregnancy.

Postpartum Mental Health

Your mental health matters. Many people feel the “baby blues” after their baby is born. This can include mild mood changes and feeling tired, worried, or overwhelmed. The baby blues can last a few days to a couple of weeks. The baby blues are mild symptoms and brief cycles of mood swings. They are are temporary and often go away.