Postpartum care

By Mayo Clinic Staff

You've waited for months. You've been through labor and delivery. Now you're caring for your new baby. But you also need to take care of yourself.

Postpartum care means getting enough rest. It also might involve dealing with vaginal tears or a C-section wound. You may have sore breasts, leaking milk, bloody discharge from the vagina, and hair loss and skin changes.

And postpartum care isn't just about physical health. It also includes your mental well-being. You may have mood swings. You might be cranky, sad and anxious. These feelings are common.

Some people get postpartum depression after giving birth. You might have trouble eating, sleeping, and caring for yourself and your baby. Postpartum depression is a serious condition that needs treatment.

To help you recover after giving birth, ask for help. Share your worries. Talk to your healthcare professional. Let your loved ones know how you feel.

Look to your healthcare professional and your loved ones for support. They can help you get through this time and adjust to life with a newborn.

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Oct. 26, 2023