Ogden Women's Clinic - Pregnancy FAQs

OGDEN WOMEN'S CLINIC

4403 Harrison Blvd. Suite 4650
Ogden, Utah 84403
(801) 387-4400

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Ogden Women's Clinic 4403 Harrison Blvd. Suite 4650 Ogden, Utah 84403 (801) 387-4400

Postpartum
The information contained herein is not all inclusive. If you experience any difficulties
or have other concerns, please contact your physician or go to L&D or to the nearest ER.

Congratulations you made it!!!
You have a beautiful baby
to show for it…

Your next visit will be in 6 weeks.
Call to schedule your appointment.

Next visit
Check your incision if a c-section.

Check the healing of any vaginal tears or episiotomy
repair.

Pap smear if it has been a year.

Discuss contraception.

Review any complications from the pregnancy and
their impacts

Medications if breastfeeding
Ibuprofen, Tylenol, prescription narcotics are all o.k.

Do not take Sudafed – it can decrease your milk
supply.

Be careful with antihistamines (Benadryl, Claritin,
Allegro) – they can also affect your milk supply.

Ask your physician for any other medications!

Monitor for the following and notify your
physician if you experience:
Infection – fever 100.4 or greater, breast pain
swelling or redness, worsening abdominal pain
or incisional pain that is worsening.

Soaking a pad every 20-30 minutes for >1 hour.

Swelling in one leg and not the other.

Severe swelling in both legs accompanied by
un-resolving headache, visual changes or pain
in the right upper part of abdomen.

Postpartum depression – different from the
baby blues. With depression, you will have
difficulty coping and a frequent feeling of
sadness. If there is any question, see your
physician.

Baby should have a follow-up visit with his/her
pediatrician – usually within 1-2 weeks after
birth.

Your body
Lots of changes will be occurring:

Breast engorgement – pump or nurse frequently if
breastfeeding. If you choose to bottle feed, wear
a tight bra, no breast stimulation, use Tylenol or
Ibuprofen as needed.

Frequent urination – your body is releasing extra
fluid stored during pregnancy.

Bleeding for up to 6 weeks is normal. The
bleeding (called lochia) will change from red to
brown to yellow or white. In about 2-3 weeks
after delivery, you might experience a sudden
gush of blood with heavy bleeding for an hour or
so. This is normal.

Cramping with nursing – this is the body’s
way of helping the uterus shrink down. These
“afterbirth” pains may be worse with the second
or third child. Use Tylenol, Ibuprofen or narcotics
as needed.

Urinary loss or urge symptoms – after 2-3 weeks,
begin Kegel’s exercises again to help improve
these symptoms. This can take several months to
fully resolve.

Postpartum tips
Remember to continue your multi-vitamins and
calcium!!

Abstain from intercourse for the next 6 weeks to
allow the vagina, cervix and uterus to heal.

Sitting in a tub with warm water (no soap) may
feel really good for any perineal tears that may
have occurred.

If you had a vaginal delivery, you may resume
exercise as your body tolerates it.

If you had a c-section, no heavy lifting (>10 lbs.)
for 6 weeks, no driving for 2 weeks (until the
pain is resolved and you are off narcotics) and
you should not be doing sit-ups or any strenuous
abdominal exercises for 8-12 weeks.

Any stitches that you have had from your delivery
will dissolve on their own.

If you plan to have an IUD placed at your
postpartum visit, be SURE not to be sexually
active prior to your visit.

Continue your multivitamins and calcium
indefinitely.

Continue any iron or stool softeners
for the next 2-4 weeks.

Pregnancy Information