Caring for yourself

You may cry easily or for no reason. This is usually caused by hormonal changes in your body. The feeling may come and go and last up to two weeks.

What you can do

• Remember that crying is normal and that the feeling should pass.
• Rest and relax as much as possible.
• Accept help from other people.
• Talk to someone.
• If you feel you cannot care for yourself or your baby, call the Healthy Beginnings Hotline at 780.413.7990 or Health Link Alberta at 811.

You should get help if you:

• cry often and/or for no obvious reason
• have lots of mood changes (mood swings)
• feel angry, agitated, irritable, restless or resentful
• feel tired or have trouble relaxing or sleeping
• cannot concentrate or focus well
• have trouble coping with daily activities
• do not feel like doing anything
• constantly worry about your health or your baby’s health
• have thoughts of harming yourself or your baby, killing yourself or wanting to escape
• have erratic, unpredictable, unusual or extreme behavior that you do not normally have

If you have any of these symptoms or have trouble caring for your baby, call the AHS Mental Health Help Line at 780.424.2424 or visit an emergency department.

You will have a heavy flow of dark red blood for the first one to three days. It will be heavier than your normal period (menstrual flow).

During days four to 10 the blood will become pink or brown and there should be less each day. 

You may have a gush of blood when you stand up after sitting or lying down. You may also see a few blood clots. These blood clots are usually the size of a dollar coin (loonie) or smaller.

What to do

• Wear a thick period (menstrual) pad. Change your pad at least every one to three hours in the first few days.
• Fill a squeeze bottle with warm water and use it to clean your vaginal area (the area between your legs).
• Rest or nap when your baby is sleeping.
• Talk to your health care provider about when you can have sexual intercourse.

The area between your legs may be sore, bruised and swollen. If you have stitches, you may feel more pain.

What to do

• Moisten a clean period (menstrual) pad and freeze it. Put the frozen pad in your underwear for 20 minutes at a time. Use a thin tissue or cloth between you and the pad if it feels too cold.
• Take a warm bath.
• Take medicine for pain. If you have questions, talk to your health care provider.
• Use deep breathing to help you relax.

If your baby was born by a cesarian section (C-section) you will have a cut on your lower tummy that may be painful.

You may see some blood or pink fluid draining from the cut. You may also feel gas pains.

What you can do

• Do not lift anything heavier than your baby for six weeks.
• Hold a pillow to your tummy when you stand up or move in bed.
• Take slow, deep breaths when you move.
• Take short walks in your home.
• Unless you have been given other instructions by your health care provider, shower daily and keep your incision area clean and dry.
• Take medicine for pain. If you have questions, talk to your health care provider.
• If you cannot look at your incision, have someone check it for you.
• Ask your health care provider when you can start driving a car again.

You may pee often or you may find it hard to start peeing. It may also sting when you pee.

What to do

• Fill a squeeze bottle with warm water and pour the water over the area between your legs every time you pee.
• Pee in a warm shower.

You may not have a bowel movement (poop) for two to three days after your baby is born. It may also be hard or hurt to poop.

What to do

• Drink lots of water or fruit juice.
• Eat foods that have a lot of fiber (such as bran cereals, bran muffins, fresh fruit and vegetables).
• Take short walks (inside or outside).
• A stool softener may help. Ask your pharmacist. Stool softeners should not be used long-term.