A New Beginning

Expected Physical and Emotional Changes at Home

Mom’s Discharge

Your body needs time to recover. Pay attention to how you feel. If something doesn’t seem right, it probably isn’t. Don’t be so wrapped up in caring for your baby that you ignore your own health.

CESAREAN INCISION

CALL your health care provider if your incision:

• Begins to separate • Is warm to touch • Becomes more swollen

• Is more tender • Has drainage • Has a bad odor

DO: • Keep it clean and dry • Leave it open to air dry as much as possible • Wear loose clothing that does not rub the incision • Check it daily in the mirror for signs of infection • Follow your dressing care instructions

DON’T:

Your lochia will continue to decrease and become pale pink to yellowish-white. It may stop entirely after 2 to 3 weeks. Continue to use only sanitary pads, rinse with the peri-bottle each time until it stops, pat from front to back, and wash your hands often.

• Pick at your incision or surgical glue if used • Scratch your incision if it itches

Until your health care provider says it’s OK, don’t:

• Swim • Get into a hot tub • Take a tub bath • Use tampons

• Use vaginal

suppositories

• Douche • Have intercourse

CALL your health care provider if:

• You soak more than 1 pad in an hour • You have unexplained heavy bleeding • You start passing clots again • Your lochia becomes bright red • You have signs of PMAD • You have any of the Post-Birth Warning Signs

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Chapter 4: Mom’s Discharge