Postpartum Care
Q1: How long does the postpartum period last?
Traditional view: Traditionally, the ‘sitting month’ refers to one month, i.e., 30 days.
Medical view: In medicine, the postpartum period is called the ‘puerperium’, which refers to the period from the delivery of the placenta to the restoration of all maternal organs (except the breasts) to their pre‑pregnancy state, usually lasting 6 weeks.
Q2: What are the key points for postpartum care after discharge?
Get plenty of rest and avoid overexertion. Diet: Eat foods high in protein, fiber, and calories; supplement vitamins and iron appropriately; iron supplementation is recommended for 3 months. Regularly empty the breasts to prevent milk stasis that could cause mastitis. Wound care:
①Normal delivery: If there is an episiotomy, keep the perineum clean and dry; if there is perineal edema, apply local warm compresses.
②Cesarean section: Avoid getting the incision wet and do not scratch the incision to prevent infection; the incision dressing can be removed by the patient seven days after surgery.
Q3: What should be noted during the postpartum period?
【Keep indoor hygiene】: Ventilate appropriately to keep the indoor environment fresh.
【Urinate frequently and have regular bowel movements】: Due to pain after delivery, urination and defecation may decrease, leading to urinary retention and constipation; therefore, overcome psychological barriers, urinate often and have regular bowel movements.
【Monitor vaginal bleeding】: If bleeding is heavy or prolonged, seek medical attention promptly. Avoid sexual intercourse.
【Observe emotional changes】: Prevent the onset of postpartum depression.
Postpartum Diet
Q1: What are the dietary principles during the postpartum period?
Food should be nutritious, with sufficient calories and fluids.
【Normal delivery mothers】: No dietary restrictions; it is recommended to start with liquid or light semi‑liquid foods one hour after delivery, then gradually return to a normal diet, preferring easily digestible foods.
【Cesarean delivery mothers】: ①Before passing gas—fast and supplement fluids; after first flatus—recommend light liquid or semi‑liquid foods; ②When no abdominal distension—gradually increase the variety and amount of food, still focusing on easy digestion; ③Principle: Eat small, frequent meals and avoid causing abdominal distension.
Q2: What dietary taboos should be observed?
Avoid spicy and irritating foods: They can irritate the gastrointestinal tract, cause constipation, and worsen hemorrhoids.
Avoid cold foods: They can cause stomach discomfort and lead to diarrhea.
Avoid hard and difficult‑to‑digest foods: After delivery teeth may be loose and digestion is weakened, which can cause toothache and indigestion.
Avoid fried foods: They are high in fat and calories, and can produce harmful substances.
Avoid strong tea and coffee: They interfere with calcium and magnesium absorption, affect sleep, and may make the baby irritable.
For cesarean mothers, before fully passing gas or right after, do not drink milk or soy milk; if abdominal distension persists, avoid soy products.
Q3: What are common dietary misconceptions?
【Cooking without any salt】: Completely removing salt leads to insufficient sodium intake, which in severe cases can cause electrolyte imbalance. However, excessive salt should also be avoided; keep daily salt intake under 4 g.
【Drinking soup immediately after delivery】: The gastrointestinal tract has poor motility right after delivery; drinking high‑fat soup immediately can cause diarrhea, especially for cesarean mothers who start soup as soon as they eat.
【Drinking brown sugar water throughout the postpartum period】: May cause high blood sugar, has a mild blood‑activating effect, and can increase lochia; best to limit it to no more than a week.
【Fruits that should not be eaten during the postpartum period】: Fruits provide vitamins, trace elements, and dietary fiber, but extremely cold fruits such as pears and watermelons should be avoided.
【Eating too many eggs】: Nutrients cannot all be absorbed, leading to obesity and constipation; limit to no more than 2 per day.
Q4: How to eat for faster recovery?
Increase intake of protein‑ and calorie‑rich foods, and supplement dietary fiber.
In the first few days after delivery, avoid overly greasy foods; keep the diet light. At this time the mammary ducts are open, the newborn’s sucking ability is weak, and eating less, so fatty foods can easily cause breast engorgement.
When drinking soup, don’t forget to eat meat; more nutrients are in the meat.
Eat small, frequent meals daily, with low salt and low sugar.
Common Postpartum Questions
Q1: Can I take a bath or wash my hair during the postpartum period?
【Absolutely yes】.
In traditional Chinese culture, it is believed that after giving birth a woman’s pores are all open, so she must avoid wind and cold and cannot bathe or wash her hair until the full month is over. However, this belief lacks scientific basis. During the postpartum period there is profuse sweating, and accumulated sweat can become a breeding ground for bacteria, so cleaning promptly is even more important. When bathing or washing hair, keep warm, dry the body and hair thoroughly afterward. For cesarean mothers, protect the incision and avoid getting it wet.
Q2: Can I open windows or use air conditioning during the postpartum period?
The living environment should be properly ventilated by opening windows to keep indoor air fresh.
Air conditioning can also be used, especially in hot summers or in southern regions without central heating in winter.
However, whether using air conditioning or opening windows, ensure the airflow does not blow directly on the mother to avoid discomfort.
In summer, do not set the temperature too low; in winter, do not set it too high.
Q3: Can I brush my teeth during the postpartum period?
The answer is definitely yes! You can and must brush your teeth.
【Rationale】: Not brushing for a long time can cause oral issues such as gingivitis, periodontitis, bad breath, and cavities. Brushing prevents bacterial growth and dental problems.
【Note】: Choose a soft‑bristled toothbrush that is gentle on the gums, and use water at a comfortable temperature to avoid damaging gums and teeth.
Q4: Can I use a mobile phone during the postpartum period?
Moderate use of a mobile phone is acceptable.
Prolonged use is not recommended:
①It can cause eye strain, vision decline, neck and wrist pain, which hinder recovery.
②Long‑term phone use may affect sleep, thereby influencing the mother’s mental state and even milk production.
Q5: When can sexual intercourse be resumed after delivery?
It is recommended to wait until after the puerperium, i.e., at least 6 weeks.
Reasons:
①The uterus and endometrium need at least six weeks to heal; if recovery is slower, the waiting period should be extended.
②Sexual intercourse too early can lead to infection.
Common Postpartum Conditions and Their Management
1. Mastitis
Milk stasis, cracked nipples, trauma, etc., can all cause acute mastitis.
Symptoms include red, swollen, painful breasts and low‑grade fever.
Management:
①For mild cases, apply local warm compresses and empty the breasts promptly; if nipples are severely damaged with marked pain, it is best to stop breastfeeding.
②If temperature exceeds 38 °C, it is recommended to stop breastfeeding.
③Severe cases require prompt medical attention.
2. Postpartum Depression
After the excitement and stress of pregnancy and delivery, fatigue, worry about caring for the newborn, physical discomfort, and hormonal changes can all cause emotional instability in new mothers.
Especially within 3‑10 days after delivery, mild depression may appear.
Help the mother alleviate physical discomfort, provide emotional support, encouragement, and comfort to restore her confidence.
Those with severe depression should be diagnosed and intervened as early as possible.
3. Puerperal Heat Stroke
A condition caused by a high‑temperature environment during the puerperium where residual body heat cannot be dissipated, leading to acute dysfunction of central temperature regulation.
Characteristics: rapid onset, swift progression; if improperly managed, it can lead to serious sequelae or even death.
Causes: Usually due to traditional customs that require sealed doors and windows, keeping the body in a hot, humid environment.
Treatment principle: Immediately change the hot, poorly ventilated environment, cool the body quickly, and promptly correct fluid, electrolyte, and acid‑base imbalances.
Note: Rapidly lowering body temperature is the key to successful rescue. Correctly identifying heat stroke in the puerperium is also crucial.
4. Puerperal Infection
During delivery and the puerperium, the genital tract can be invaded by pathogens, causing local or systemic infection.
Symptoms: fever, pain, and abnormal lochia are the three main signs of postpartum infection.
Management:
①Once diagnosed, broad‑spectrum, adequate, and limited antibiotics should be administered in principle, and the regimen adjusted according to the identified pathogen.
②If an abscess has formed or there is residual infected tissue in the uterine cavity, active management of the infectious focus is required.
5. Late Postpartum Hemorrhage
Heavy uterine bleeding occurring after 24 hours postpartum is called late postpartum hemorrhage.
Timing: Most common 1‑2 weeks after delivery, but can occur as late as 2 months postpartum.
Manifestations:
①Vaginal bleeding is usually small to moderate, continuous or intermittent; it may also present as heavy bleeding with clots.
②May be accompanied by chills, low‑grade fever, and due to excessive blood loss may cause anemia or hemorrhagic shock.
Note: If this occurs, seek medical attention immediately.