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Postpartum Recovery: In the Hospital

What Hurts:

• Everything! Sore muscles from the effort of childbirth and labor may be compared to the soreness felt after running a marathon.
• Your bottom is sore and swollen; if you had an episiotomy, it hurts.
• Your incision, if you had a C-section or tubal ligation, will be very tender.

What Works:

• You can finally hold your baby.
• The nurse call button—use it whenever necessary!
• You can sleep on your stomach again.
• Try different ways for you and your partner to bond with baby.

What Doesn't Work:

• Don't sit in one spot for very long.
• Feeding (breast or bottle) the new miracle in your arms is a little scary, but you'll get the hang of it.
• Your baby didn't come with instructions.

What Spells Trouble:

• Heavy bleeding or passing blood clots larger than an egg.
• High or low blood pressure.
• Pain unrelieved by medication.
• Fever over 101.5F (25.25C).

It's OK If:

• You cry or feel emotional.
• You rest. Ask to turn off your phone and to restrict visitors.
• You sigh with relief. You did it! You might even think or say, "That wasn't so bad."

Don't Look Now, But . . .

• You just lost 12 pounds—7 pounds of baby, 2 pounds of placenta, 3 pounds of blood and amniotic fluid. It'll take awhile for the rest of your weight to come off.
• You probably won't be wearing your fashionable jeans home from the hospital.

Remember to:

• Eat nutritiously to keep up energy and for milk production, if you breastfeed.
• Write down thoughts and feelings about labor, delivery and the first hours with your new baby. Encourage your partner to do the same.
• Watch hospital videos about baby care. Ask staff for clarification or help.
• Get the name, address and telephone number of your pediatrician.

Call in the Troops:

• Ask questions, and get help from the nurses and staff in the hospital.
• Ask your partner to take you for a walk outside your hospital room.

Stop and Smell the Roses:

• Take time for you, your partner and your baby to bond as a family. Was that a miracle or what?

Red Light, Green Light

• Red Light—Don't overdo it. Keep phone conversations and visits manageable. Don't tire yourself out entertaining others.
• Green Light—Splurge, and eat something you didn't eat during pregnancy.

Postpartum Recovery: 1st Week Home