Your health care from birth until your 6-week postpartum follow-up is crucial for both your physical and emotional recovery. When you are able to feel stronger and more energized, you will be better equipped to nurture and bond with your baby. Your healing is valuable to the postpartum experience of the whole family.

Immediate Postpartum Care (Birth to 24 Hours)

From the moment your baby is born and brought to you, you will be cared for and checked on frequently.^1,2,3,4 These are some procedures you can expect to have done after you deliver your baby:

• Vital signs: Checking blood pressure, heart rate, temperature, and breathing to look for signs of excessive bleeding, infection, or other problems.
• Perineal assessment: Checking for any tears or cuts in or around the vaginal opening and taking care of wounds, like using ice packs or pain relief creams and stitching if needed.
• Fundal exams/massage: Making sure your uterus is shrinking back to its normal size to prevent too much bleeding.
• Vaginal bleeding (lochia): Watching the amount, color, and thickness of vaginal bleeding after birth to make sure everything is normal.
• Bladder function: Making sure your bladder is working normally after birth, since some women might have trouble urinating or controlling their bladder after having had a urinary catheter.
• Pain management: Your nurse will assess your pain levels and offer pain relief (like ibuprofen, acetaminophen, or other medicines) for soreness in the perineal area or cramping in the uterus following your birth.
• Breastfeeding support: Helping with breastfeeding or bottle feeding, and encouraging skin-to-skin contact between you and baby right after birth.

Prevention of Complications^1,2,3,4

• Postpartum Hemorrhage (PPH): Watching carefully for excessive bleeding and giving medicine like (e.g., pitocin) if risk factors for PPH are present. 
• Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT): Encouraging movement shortly after birth and assessing for signs of DVT (pain, swelling), especially for women at higher risk. If you have a cesarean birth, you will likely have Sequential Compression Devices on your calves until you are able to get up and move.

Hospital Discharge (Typically 24–48 Hours Postpartum)

During this timeframe, a nurse will examine you thoroughly and discuss all important information about your health and your baby’s health that you need to know before you head home.^1,2,3,4

• Vital signs: Recheck for stability (blood pressure, heart rate, body temperature).
• Fundal check: Make sure the uterus is shrinking back to its normal size and in the right position.
• Perineal and cesarean incision care: Checking that your wounds are healing well and giving advice on how to care for them.
• Mental health screening: Screening for signs of postpartum depression (e.g., Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale), and offering referrals if needed.
• Breast examination: Checking for signs of engorgement, cracked nipples, or mastitis. Counseling on breastfeeding techniques and frequency. This may be done by a Lactation Consultant in the hospital rather than your nurse.

Follow-up Appointments^1,2,3,4

• Scheduling a 1-week postpartum visit for infant assessment. 
• It is important to find breastfeeding support around this time as well so early intervention can happen if needed.

Early Postpartum (1–2 Weeks)

If your vaginal delivery went without complication, you may not be seen by your OB or midwife until six weeks postpartum. Often, IBCLCs are the only healthcare providers seeing you between birth and that six week visit. They can be of great benefit in those early days not only to be sure breastfeeding is going well, but to help you understand what is normal postpartum recovery and what may need more attention.^1,2,3,4

• Breastfeeding Assessment: Ensuring the mother is comfortable with breastfeeding, and assessing for issues such as engorgement, nipple pain, or poor latch.
• General Maternal Health Assessment: Checking on appetite, sleep, bleeding, and overall recovery
• Mental Health Screening: Checking for any signs of mood changes, such as anxiety or depression, and offering psychological support as necessary.

Lifestyle Adjustments and Well-being

What If I Have Questions?

If you are interested in learning more, these Aeroflow classes expand on some of the topics discussed above:

• Birth and Breastfeeding
• Ultimate Breastfeeding Prep
• It Takes A Village

Want More Info?

For a directory of Aeroflow’s other Care Guides offering information on pregnancy, baby care, and more, browse our comprehensive list of titles:

References