The time after you have your baby is called postpartum. Try to take it easy for the first few weeks after giving birth. You can get help from family and friends while caring for your baby. Before you leave the hospital, you should receive discharge instructions about healthcare for you and your baby.
Bright Start is all about keeping you and your baby healthy. A Bright Start team member will contact you about two weeks after you have your baby to help make sure you have everything you need.
Postpartum depression can happen during or after pregnancy. Please talk to your provider if you have any of these feelings for more than a few days:
Even if you don’t have postpartum depression, you may still have feelings of sadness. This is called the “baby blues.” It is caused by a quick drop in hormone levels. Feelings that come from the “baby blues” are like some of the feelings that come with postpartum depression but should go away within two weeks.
View this guide for more information on postpartum depression (PDF).
Some health problems can happen up to one year after you have had your baby. Check yourself for warning signs and symptoms of possible health issues. Get help right away if you have any of the signs or symptoms listed below.
These post-birth warning signs can be life-threatening if you don’t get medical care right away.
If you can’t reach your provider, call 911 or go to the emergency room.
After you have a baby, it is important to:
If you feel depressed or hopeless and have lost interest in things after having your baby, we can help. Call Bright Start at 1-877-759-6883.
Your body goes through a lot of changes during pregnancy. Now, your body needs time and care to heal. Staying healthy will also help you take care of your baby.
Your provider will tell you what you can do to help heal your body after your baby’s birth. Please follow this plan of care and call your provider if you have any questions. If your provider isn’t available, you can call the 24/7 Nurse Call Line at 1-877-759-6279.
It’s a good idea to keep a notebook where you can write down when you have an odd pain or don’t feel well. If the problem keeps up or gets worse, call your provider and tell the provider how you are feeling.
Your provider may tell you to wait before trying to have another baby. For many people, it's best to wait at least 18 months between giving birth and getting pregnant again. This helps your body to heal.
Just like you, your baby needs follow-up visits to stay healthy. The provider will help keep your baby up-to-date with their immunizations (booster shots) and other important tests and healthcare services.
If you feel depressed or hopeless and have lost interest in things after having your baby, we can help. Call Bright Start at 1-877-759-6883.
Your postpartum visit is a chance for you and your provider to talk about how you have been doing since giving birth. Please don’t feel afraid to ask any questions you have or to tell your provider if you feel like something isn’t right. You will not only be helping yourself, but you will be helping your provider to give you the best care. For example, here are some questions you might ask if you:
If you have any questions and your provider is not available, you can always call the 24/7 Nurse Call Line at 1-877-759-6279.
If you feel depressed or hopeless and have lost interest in things after having your baby, we can help. Call Bright Start at 1-877-759-6883.
The information on this page is to help you learn more about this topic. It is not to take the place of your healthcare provider. If you have questions, please talk with your healthcare provider. If you think you need to see your healthcare provider because of something you have read in this information, please contact your healthcare provider. Never stop or wait to get medical attention because of something you have read in this material.
