Postpartum care
The first hours of the puerperium are spent in the clinic or hospital and therefore the health personnel will be in charge of its control. These controls include the basic constants for temperature, heart rate, and blood pressure.
Uterine involution1 and blood loss will be assessed to ensure good contraction of the womb. Losses or lochia will be controlled daily, at first they will be bright red, to become more brownish in a few days and finally yellowish. Cotton pads should be used and sanitary tampons are contraindicated. The lower extremities will also be observed for symptoms of possible thrombophlebitis.
Wound healing will also be monitored by the medical and nursing staff. Episiotomy scars should be washed 2-3 times a day with soap and water and kept well dry, preferably with a hair dryer, until the stitches are removed or removed. In caesarean sections the first 24-48 hours, showers should be avoided.
The puerperal woman should take the pain relievers recommended by the doctor for a good control of pain from both the wounds and the wound and the perineum. It is important not to make great efforts in the first weeks, to avoid carrying weights, especially if it has been a cesarean delivery. At 3 weeks postpartum you can start Kegel exercises to restore the perineal muscles. These exercises consist of contracting the muscles of the perineum in a rhythmic way, or interrupting the stream of urination. This will prevent urine leakage.
During the puerperium, sweating is increased, especially at night, so a daily shower is recommended, but bathing is contraindicated, both in the bathtub, in the pool, and in the sea, until the end of the quarantine and have a review with your doctor.
The first days the intestinal transit may be slower and therefore there may be a certain degree of constipation, aggravated by the frequent presence of hemorrhoids. To avoid this, a diet rich in fiber should be followed, and if necessary, use micro enemas or glycerin suppositories.
Sexual intercourse should not be resumed until after the quarantine visit to the doctor.
Once at home, it is important to know the warning signs that require medical attention:
Major genital bleeding
Fever, chills
Very smelly loch
Inflammatory signs (pain and redness of the skin) in the breasts or lower extremities.
(Updated at Apr 14 / 2024)