Postpartum Mental Health, Mood & Anxiety Disorders (PMAD)
Postpartum Mental Health & Wellness
Postpartum Mental Health, Mood & Anxiety Disorders (PMAD)
Postpartum Mental Health & Wellness
Healing & Recovery
It takes months to grow a baby and it takes months to physically recover and heal. Pregnancy, labor, and delivery recovery is a lot of work for a body! Women’s health and wellness always matters, and is especially important now. In a culture in which attention is often focused on the new baby, mothers’ needs can be overlooked. Many women are caught off guard by their postpartum bodies and do not understand what is happening. Instead of confusion or worry, they deserve to be prepared and supported!
The information in this section answers common questions women have as they move through the recovery journey in partnership with their care team.
Not all pregnancies and births go as hoped. Some women have birth experiences that are very upsetting and traumatic. These experiences usually don’t just “go away.” Women need the chance to talk about them and to heal physically and emotionally.
Processing feelings and taking care of yourself is important. It is ok to not be ok all the time. Resources are available and can help. Ask for what you need. Women are strong and resilient. And mothers also benefit from help and support.
Topics in Healing & Recovery
Urgent Maternal Warning Signs
Did you know some health problems after giving birth are life-threatening and can happen up to a year after you have a baby? Support new moms and make sure they get the care they need. Recognizing when something isn’t right and taking urgent action could save Mom’s life. Learn about and recognize the maternal health red […]
Urgent Maternal Warning Signs
Did you know some health problems after giving birth are life-threatening and can happen up to a year after you have a baby? Support new moms and make sure they get the care they need. Recognizing when something isn’t right and taking urgent action could save Mom’s life. Learn about and recognize the maternal health red […]
Your Hormones
During pregnancy, your placenta cranks out the hormones estrogen and progesterone. Some of that progesterone changes into a hormone called allopregnanolone, which binds to a receptor in the brain called GABA. The GABA receptor relaxes you – it’s the same receptor that alcohol and medications like valium bind to. During pregnancy, moms are essentially swimming […]
Your Hormones
During pregnancy, your placenta cranks out the hormones estrogen and progesterone. Some of that progesterone changes into a hormone called allopregnanolone, which binds to a receptor in the brain called GABA. The GABA receptor relaxes you – it’s the same receptor that alcohol and medications like valium bind to. During pregnancy, moms are essentially swimming […]
Managing Your Conditions
Pregnancy is considered to be a “stress test” for life. This means that health issues in pregnancy, such as gestational diabetes, heart problems, or high blood pressure, mean that there is a greater risk of having these conditions in the future (even if they get better after birth). This can be scary information to consider. […]
Managing Your Conditions
Pregnancy is considered to be a “stress test” for life. This means that health issues in pregnancy, such as gestational diabetes, heart problems, or high blood pressure, mean that there is a greater risk of having these conditions in the future (even if they get better after birth). This can be scary information to consider. […]
Postpartum Support Plan for New Parents
Like a labor and delivery plan, this is a fillable, custom plan for mom and families to share how they want to be supported after childbirth
Postpartum Support Plan for New Parents
Like a labor and delivery plan, this is a fillable, custom plan for mom and families to share how they want to be supported after childbirth
Birthing Parent Health Information One-Pager
Postpartum recovery red flags and important health information after childbirth page
Birthing Parent Health Information One-Pager
Postpartum recovery red flags and important health information after childbirth page
Postpartum Health & Recovery Video Reel Series
Short videos on postpartum health & recovery FAQ
Postpartum Health & Recovery Video Reel Series
Short videos on postpartum health & recovery FAQ
Taking Care of You
Postpartum Recovery Booklet on a variety of health and self-care topics
Taking Care of You
Postpartum Recovery Booklet on a variety of health and self-care topics
Your Postpartum Healthcare Plan
Fillable, custom medical care plan for mom to understand recovery and health information from their provider
Your Postpartum Healthcare Plan
Fillable, custom medical care plan for mom to understand recovery and health information from their provider
Maternal Health Warning Signs Video Reels
Postpartum recovery red flags: quick videos on When to Call 911 and When to Call Your Provider
Maternal Health Warning Signs Video Reels
Postpartum recovery red flags: quick videos on When to Call 911 and When to Call Your Provider
Childbirth Trauma and Maternal Near-Miss
Childbirth Trauma Giving birth is a powerful experience and the journey often unfolds in ways we might not expect and cannot control. Sometimes women feel that their transition to motherhood is traumatic. This may result from unexpected or unwanted medical interventions during labor and birth and/or postpartum, the speed at which they labored, the way […]
Childbirth Trauma and Maternal Near-Miss
Childbirth Trauma Giving birth is a powerful experience and the journey often unfolds in ways we might not expect and cannot control. Sometimes women feel that their transition to motherhood is traumatic. This may result from unexpected or unwanted medical interventions during labor and birth and/or postpartum, the speed at which they labored, the way […]
Rest
This is easier said than done but oh so important for new moms and parents! There are several reasons for the extreme fatigue following the birth of a baby. Women do not sleep well late in pregnancy and are further exhausted by the physical work of labor. Excitement and a lot of visitors add to […]
Rest
This is easier said than done but oh so important for new moms and parents! There are several reasons for the extreme fatigue following the birth of a baby. Women do not sleep well late in pregnancy and are further exhausted by the physical work of labor. Excitement and a lot of visitors add to […]
Body Changes
SnapBack photos make it look a woman can have a baby and leave the hospital in her pre-baby jeans. In reality, it takes weeks just for a woman’s uterus to shrink back to its original size. A woman’s breast size can also change significantly, and it may take time to pee out extra fluid your […]
Body Changes
SnapBack photos make it look a woman can have a baby and leave the hospital in her pre-baby jeans. In reality, it takes weeks just for a woman’s uterus to shrink back to its original size. A woman’s breast size can also change significantly, and it may take time to pee out extra fluid your […]
Aches & Pains
Giving birth is an intense process. However baby came into this world, recovery is no joke. Labor is hard work, and it’s common for women to have back, hip, shoulder, or neck pain. Holding newborns (especially for long periods of time) can feel awkward and create muscle strain. Sometimes mothers do not move for a […]
Aches & Pains
Giving birth is an intense process. However baby came into this world, recovery is no joke. Labor is hard work, and it’s common for women to have back, hip, shoulder, or neck pain. Holding newborns (especially for long periods of time) can feel awkward and create muscle strain. Sometimes mothers do not move for a […]
Bleeding
Bleeding after birth, (often called lochia), is a normal part of recovery. Quarter-sized blood clots are common the first few days. At 10-14 days after birth, many women notice a brief increase in bleeding. That’s thought to be a scab over the place where the placenta was attached to the uterus coming off. Most moms […]
Bleeding
Bleeding after birth, (often called lochia), is a normal part of recovery. Quarter-sized blood clots are common the first few days. At 10-14 days after birth, many women notice a brief increase in bleeding. That’s thought to be a scab over the place where the placenta was attached to the uterus coming off. Most moms […]
Infections
Your recovering body may be more vulnerable than usual to certain infections after you have a baby. Some postpartum infections actually begin during labor, though they often don’t become apparent for days – or even weeks – after delivery. Common infections include urinary tract, uterus (endometritis), breasts (mastitis), and problems around incisions such as following […]
Infections
Your recovering body may be more vulnerable than usual to certain infections after you have a baby. Some postpartum infections actually begin during labor, though they often don’t become apparent for days – or even weeks – after delivery. Common infections include urinary tract, uterus (endometritis), breasts (mastitis), and problems around incisions such as following […]
Recovering from a Vaginal Delivery
Birthing a baby vaginally is not easy. Perineal pain due to episiotomy, tears, stitches, or just the stretching of vagina during birth is very common. If you had a tear and stitches, it can be especially painful for the first week or two. Fortunately, vaginal tissue has a great blood supply and will generally heal quickly. […]
Recovering from a Vaginal Delivery
Birthing a baby vaginally is not easy. Perineal pain due to episiotomy, tears, stitches, or just the stretching of vagina during birth is very common. If you had a tear and stitches, it can be especially painful for the first week or two. Fortunately, vaginal tissue has a great blood supply and will generally heal quickly. […]
Recovering from a Cesarean Section
A c-section is major abdominal surgery and it will take time to recover. A number of nerves are cut during the procedure, and it can take up to six months for all of the nerves in the abdominal area to heal completely. Some women continue to experience numbness, tingling and odd shooting pains around their […]
Recovering from a Cesarean Section
A c-section is major abdominal surgery and it will take time to recover. A number of nerves are cut during the procedure, and it can take up to six months for all of the nerves in the abdominal area to heal completely. Some women continue to experience numbness, tingling and odd shooting pains around their […]
Opioid Use
Substance misuse among pregnant people and new parents is a growing problem. There has been a big increase in opioid caused deaths among women. As women recover from childbirth, whether the delivery was vaginal or c-section, it is not uncommon to have pain. Women are often given opioids (strong pain killers) in the hospital and a […]
Opioid Use
Substance misuse among pregnant people and new parents is a growing problem. There has been a big increase in opioid caused deaths among women. As women recover from childbirth, whether the delivery was vaginal or c-section, it is not uncommon to have pain. Women are often given opioids (strong pain killers) in the hospital and a […]
Postpartum Health Care
Traditionally, the postpartum visit takes place 6-8 weeks after the birth of a baby. Given all that happens to women’s bodies in the early weeks after giving birth, many women find that visit to be too little and too late. There are also many women who never receive a postpartum visit! The American College of […]
Postpartum Health Care
Traditionally, the postpartum visit takes place 6-8 weeks after the birth of a baby. Given all that happens to women’s bodies in the early weeks after giving birth, many women find that visit to be too little and too late. There are also many women who never receive a postpartum visit! The American College of […]
