Members

Postpartum

woman holding baby

Let your body heal

Your body has been through a lot, and it will take time to heal.

There are things you can do to help your body heal: Get plenty of rest and try to sleep when your baby sleeps. 

  • Keep taking your prenatal vitamins and any prescribed medicines.
  • Keep eating a variety of healthy foods and drink plenty of fluids.
  • Don’t lift anything heavier than your baby until your OB tells you it’s ok. 
  • Ask family and friends to help with household chores and meals. This will allow you more time to rest and bond with your baby.
  • Keep using ice packs, peri bottles, numbing spray, sitz baths and witch hazel pads for comfort.
  • If you had a C-section, check your incision daily for redness, bleeding or drainage.
  • If you cannot see your incision, look in a mirror or have a family member look at it.
  • Don’t have sex until your OB tells you it’s okay.
  • Your period might start around 6 to 8 weeks after delivery. If you’re breastfeeding, you might not have a period. Even if you don’t have a period, you can still get pregnant. It’s important to use birth control.
  • As your body adjusts to hormone changes, you might have mood swings, night sweats, skin changes or hair loss or texture changes. These things often go away within a few weeks. Talk to your OB if you have concerns.


Baby blues or postpartum depression

There is a difference between baby blues and postpartum depression. Many women have some form of baby blues which go away in a few days or a week. These symptoms are mild and do not need treatment. If these feelings last longer than two weeks, you might need treatment. 

 

Baby blues

 

Postpartum depression
  • Sadness
  • Mood swings
  • Tearfulness or crying spells
  • Decreased appetite
  • Difficulty sleeping
  • Feeling nervous for no clear reason
  • Feeling scared for your newborn or yourself for no clear reason
  • Constant sadness, hopelessness or feeling overwhelmed
  • Crying all the time
  • No energy or feeling tired all the time
  • No appetite
  • No interest in spending time with friends or family or doing things you used to enjoy
  • No interest in taking care of yourself or your baby
  • Feeling like things will never be the same


Things you can do

  • Let your OB know how you’re feeling. Your OB can help you get back to feeling like yourself again
  • Get plenty of rest
  • Keep eating a rainbow of colors at every meal
  • Keep taking your prenatal vitamins
  • Talk to your partner, family or friends
  • Join a support group with other new moms
  • Ask for help with household chores
  • Ask people you trust to watch your baby so you can have some time for yourself


Postpartum depression can start any time after delivery. Symptoms are more serious and can last from a few weeks to several months. Call your OB right away if you or your loved ones see any signs of postpartum depression. If you have thoughts of hurting yourself, your baby or anyone else, please call 911.

We cover behavioral (mental) health benefits!

You can call member services at (833) 685-2102 for help with locating a mental health provider.

If you feel that you need immediate mental health assistance you can call the Nurse Advice Line at (833) 685-2104 or the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline at 1-833-TLC-MAMA. Both can be reach 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

If you feel that you are in a suicidal crisis or having thoughts of hurting yourself or your baby please call 988 or 911.

Your postpartum visit

It’s very important to see your OB after delivery. If you had complications or a C-section, see your OB two weeks after delivery. Then, see your OB again for your regular postpartum visit at six weeks.

If you have any of these warning signs before your appointment, call your OB right away:

  • Burning or pain when you urinate
  • Vomiting or diarrhea that does not stop
  • Feeling dizzy or faint
  • Having chills, a rash or fever
  • Blurred vision, seeing spots or other vision changes
  • Sudden swelling in your face or hands
  • A headache that does not go away
  • A sudden increase in swelling in your feet or legs


What happens at a postpartum visit?
Your OB checks to make sure you’re healing from delivery. Your OB will discuss birth control options with you. Wait at least 18 months before you get pregnant again. If you had complications during your pregnancy, it’s even more important to go to your postpartum visit.

Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding is best, but it’s not always right for everyone. It’s not safe to breastfeed with certain medical conditions. Talk to your OB to see if breastfeeding is right for you.

 

Benefits of breastfeeding for you

 

Benefits of breastfeeding for your baby
  • Brings you closer to your baby
  • Is more convenient because it’s always ready, the right temperature and the right amount
  • Costs less money
  • Your baby’s diapers are less smelly
  • Helps you lose pregnancy weight faster
  • Helps your uterus go back to its normal size faster

Breast milk is the perfect food because it:

  • Is made by you, for your baby
  • Is easier for your baby to digest
  • Has antibodies to help your baby’s immune system fight infections
  • Lowers your baby’s chance of getting colds, allergies and asthma
  • Lowers your baby’s chance of having stomach problems like gas and colic problems that can cause crying
  • Lowers your baby’s chance of being overweight as a teen and adult
  • Lowers your baby’s chance of having diabetes as a teen and adult

 

Bottle feeding

If you choose not to or cannot breastfeed due to a medical issue, baby formula is a great choice. Formula is made from cow milk and/or soy. If you sign up for the WIC program, they will help you get formula. Changing formulas can be stressful to a baby’s system. They may be fussy, have more gas or constipation. If you need to change your baby’s formula, talk to your baby’s doctor.

Safe sleep

SIDS/SUID is when infants die during sleep and is the leading cause of death for infants between the ages of one month and one year. Many deaths happen because of unsafe sleeping environments.

 

Safe sleep - always do this!

 

Unsafe sleep - never do this!

 

  • When it’s time to sleep, lay your baby on their back.
  • When it’s time to be awake and active, lay your baby on their tummy for “tummy time.” Make sure you’re with them during tummy time.
  • When it’s time to sleep, put your baby in their own area such as a:
    • Safety-approved crib
    • Bassinet
    • Pack ’n’ Play
  • Use a safe sleep surface such as a safety-approved mattress with a fitted sheet.
  • When it’s time to sleep, dress your baby in light clothing such as a sleeper or something that’s not too hot or too cold.

 

  • Don’t put your baby to sleep on their belly.
  • Don’t use bumper pads or put blankets, pillows, toys or stuffed animals in your baby’s sleep area.
  • Don’t use an outdated or unapproved crib.
  • Don’t sleep with your baby (co-sleeping or bed-sharing), or let anyone sleep with your baby.
  • Don’t let your baby sleep on an adult bed, a sofa, a pillow, any other soft surface, in a bouncy seat, carrier or in a swing. Babies can suffocate in these places. If your baby falls asleep in one, move them to a safe sleep area.
  • Don’t smoke during pregnancy or allow anyone to smoke around your baby.

 

Choose a PCP

It’s important to make an appointment with a PCP. Your PCP will take care of most of your care and make referrals when you need them. Think of your PCP as your “medical home” — the place that knows you the best!

If you have any medical needs about eight weeks after your delivery, your OB should tell you to call your PCP. If you need help finding a PCP, call Member Services at (833) 685-2102 (TTY: 711). If you haven’t had a dental or vision exam during your pregnancy, now is the time to make an appointment to get them done.