Postpartum

I just had a baby!

Congratulations!

Having a baby is an experience that transforms your life. While you may be a bit busy right now, it is important to think about your health so you can take good care of your baby.  Your health now is central to the health of your baby.  It is important to wait at least 18 months before having your next baby so that your body has time to rest, you have time to bond with your baby and you'll be prepared to experience the joys of motherhood all over again.

Things you'll want to think about now are what birth control method will you use to prevent another pregnancy very quickly?  Were there health issues during your pregnancy that you need to follow up on like gestational diabetes?  Do you need help with breastfeeding or nutrition support?  How can you make sure your body, mind and environment give you and your baby their best shot at a healthy productive life?  I know it is a lot to think about, but we have some information below that will help!

Breast-feeding:

It's best for your baby:

• Breast milk is filled with the vitamins and nutrients that your baby needs. It builds your baby's immune system and helps her brain develop.
• Breast milk is easier to digest than formula, resulting in less spit-up and diarrhea.
• Breastfed babies are less likely to become obese later in life.
• Breastfed babies are less likes to get infections and to develop SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome), asthma, diabetes and other chronic conditions.

Check out these videos of real mothers talking about their experiences breastfeeding. Click Here

It's best for you:

• Breastfeeding helps your body recover from pregnancy and labor - shrinking your uterus back to size and reducing bleeding after birth.
• Breastfeeding lowers your risk of getting diabetes, ovarian cancer and some forms of breast cancer.
• Breastfeeding helps you bond with your baby.
• Breastfeeding saves time and money. No bottles need to be washed and sterilized, and no formula needs to be bought.

Here is a helpful Mother's Guide to Breast Feeding

Future Pregnancies:

If you had problems during your pregnancy or delivered a baby needing special care, such as a premature baby, you may be at risk of having the same problems with a future pregnancy. This is especially true if you get pregnant again too soon. Be sure to talk to your health care provider about ways to prevent future problems for you and your baby in your next pregnancy. Talk about what education, counseling, and other help is available to get you ready for your next pregnancy.

Me? Have another baby? Preconception Health

¿Yo? ¿Tener otro bebé? Salud pregestacional

Maintaining a healthy weight prior to becoming pregnant is important to a healthy pregnancy outcome. Women who are overweight or underweight when they become pregnant are more likely to have a low birth weight or preterm birth. For more information about the importance of eating healthy please click the link below:

Make Better Food Choices

Immunizations:

Immunizations are the safest way to protect your children from many diseases that could hurt or even kill. Keep a record of all immunizations and take it with you when you visit healthcare professionals. Be sure to ask whether your child’s immunizations are up-to-date.

Health Bulletin

Videos and links:

Child Development

Early Help Makes a Difference...Young Children learn and develop differently. One baby may walk earlier than another, while another baby might talk first. Often, these differences will even out. But some children will need extra help.

Look for signs that your infant or toddler might need extra help. Early Help makes a difference!! If your child does have a problem, the earlier you get help, the better.

Follow the link below for more information and a Checklist for Growing Children and a video on Child Development

For more info and assistance:

Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders

Before, during and after having a baby, parents may feel sad, fear, worry and alone.

Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders (PMAD) is an “umbrella term” used to describe a wide range of disorders that a woman can experience during pregnancy and after the birth of a child. This spectrum of illnesses known as Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders (PMAD) includes Pregnancy and Post Partum Depression, Anxiety and Panic Attacks, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Bipolar Disorder and Postpartum Psychosis.

The Baby Blues

About 60-80% of women experience the baby blues. Baby Blues generally begins 1-3 days after delivery. Symptoms may include: crying spells, sadness, irritability, frustration and fatigue. These symptoms may come and go and usually disappear on their own within a couple of days to a maximum of 2 weeks. Although the new mom feels miserable the baby blues are not considered to be true postpartum depression.

Pregnancy and Postpartum Depression

It is estimated that 10%-20% of new mothers experience pregnancy and postpartum depression. Symptoms of postpartum depression are similar but more persistent (lasting throughout the day and longer than two weeks) than those of the baby blues. They usually start a few weeks after delivery but can occur any time during the first year after childbirth (or after weaning from breastfeeding).

Symptoms may include:

• Frequent crying
• Sleep Problems
• Trouble with eating
• Anger/irritability
• Anxiety/Panic/scary thoughts
• Feeling Overwhelmed, inadequate and unable to cope
• Loss of enjoyment
• Fear/thoughts of harming baby or yourself

Seeking Help

The potential for help is all around you. Find a sympathetic listener. This could be your:

• Partner or his family or your own family
• Your healthcare provider
• A friend
• A therapist or counselor
• A social worker
• Faith-based community leader
• A new mother’s group in your community
• Call your doctor immediately if your symptoms are severe

Postpartum Psychosis

Postpartum psychosis is a severe but extremely rare disorder that can develop during the postpartum period.

Characteristics of Post-Partum Psychosis:

• Loss of contact with reality for extended periods of time
• Hallucinations (seeing things that are not there/hearing sounds that are not real)
• Delusions (thinking things that are not true)
• Rapid mood swings
• Thoughts or actions to harm self or baby

POST PARTUM PSYCHOSIS IS A SERIOUS EMERGENCY AND REQUIRES IMMEDIATE MEDICAL HELP. CALL YOUR DOCTOR OR MEDICAL PROVIDER OR TO THE NEAREST EMERGENCY ROOM ASAP

The symptoms in the following categories are more serious:

If you checked any of the symptoms in categories 2, 3 or 4, you need to get help right away!! Call your doctor immediately!!!!

For additional information and assistance:

Post-Partum Resource Center of NY, Inc.

Disclaimer:

“The information on this site is not intended to diagnose or treat any medical or psychological condition(s). Please consult your Medical Provider for individual advice regarding your own situation.”