Information and advice after birth

This page will give you information about how to look after yourself following childbirth. It provides helpful advice and who to contact for help if you need it.

When and how to get urgent help

Seek urgent medical help if you have any of the following symptoms:

Sudden, very heavy or increased vaginal bleeding
Leg swelling and tenderness or shortness of breath
Chest pain
Persistent or bad headache
Worsening reddening or swelling of your breasts for more than 24 hours
Worsening pain in your tummy or vagina
Vaginal discharge with a bad smell
Fever, shivering and feeling unwell

Postnatal care

Your midwife will talk to you about your plan for postnatal care when you are discharged from the hospital. You will have care in the community by community midwives, maternity support workers and health visitors.

Please remember to:

Register your baby’s birth within 6 weeks. You will need to book an appointment online.
Book an appointment to see your GP at 6 weeks with your baby. They will check you are recovering well.

Stiches after a vaginal birth

Keep your stitches clean using water only. Have a shower at least once a day
You can take regular pain relief if you are feeling uncomfortable
To reduce the risk of infection, wash your hands before and after changing pads. Change your pads regularly
Eat a balanced diet and drink plenty of water to avoid constipation

Caesarean section stitches

Most stitches are dissolvable so they will not need to be removed
Gently clean the wound with water every day and dry the area well
Wear loose, comfortable clothes and cotton underwear
Always wash your hands before and after touching your wound

Pelvic floor exercises

You must do pelvic floor exercises no matter what type of birth you had. These exercises strengthen the muscles around your bladder, vagina and bottom. This stops you from accidentally peeing (urinary incontinence) and having your organs in your pelvic slip (prolapse). Click here to find out more information about how to do pelvic floor exercises.

Having sex

It might be some time before you want to have sex again. There are no rules about when to start having sex again after giving birth. It all depends on what kind of birth you had, and how you feel emotionally and physically. You can talk to your midwife or GP if you need more information.

Contraception

You can get pregnant from 3 weeks after the birth of your baby. It is advised that you to start contraception as soon as possible (even if you are breastfeeding). You can get pregnant before your period starts again. Click here to find out more information about different types of contraception and which method would be most suitable for you. The hospital can arrange an appointment for you to have the implant or coil inserted. Please speak to your midwife.

Mental health support

If you are struggling or notice signs and symptoms of mental illness during pregnancy and after you’ve had your baby, please speak to a health professional to get support as soon as possible.

Around 1 in 4 women experience mental health problems in pregnancy and during the 24 months after giving birth. You are not alone. Difficulties during this time are very common.

Help is available if you need it. Getting support can help you to recover and help you, your child and your family to live a happy, healthy life together.

Signs and symptoms to look out for include:

feeling low, unhappy and tearful for much or all of the time
irritability
difficulty bonding with your baby
overwhelming tiredness
a loss of enjoyment or interest in anything
not wanting to be around other people (isolating yourself)
feeling very anxious and overwhelmed. This could cause physical symptoms like a racing pulse, sweating or thumping heart.
feeling as though you want to avoid other people
feeling hopeless, as though things are awful and will never get better
thoughts about harming yourself or ending your life.

If you notice your partner is struggling after having a baby, please speak to them and encourage them to get help. It can also be difficult for fathers and partners too. Help is out there if you need it. Click here for more information.

Birth Reflections Service

The Birth Reflections Service is a listening and information giving service. It is led by midwives. It is open to all birthing people and their partners who have had maternity care at Leicester’s Hospitals.

You can get in contact with the Birth Reflections Service by phone or email:

birthreflections@uhl-tr.nhs.uk

Tel: 0787 647 6003 (Please leave your full name and date of birth)