HealthSheets™

Caring for Yourself After a Vaginal Delivery

Call your doctor if you have any of the following symptoms:

• Unusual lower abdominal pain

• Foul smelling discharge from your vagina

• Breast pain

• Two temperature readings greater than 100.5 F with 4 hours between readings

• Pain, redness and swelling of your leg

• Pain, redness and swelling around your vagina

• Passing blood clots larger than a golf ball or heavy bleeding (bleeding through more than one pad per hour)

• Pain that is not relieved by prescription medication

• Persistent vomiting

• Severe constipation or diarrhea; burning or pain with urination

• Headache that does not get better, even after taking medicine, or bad headache with vision changes

Call 911 if you have:

• Pain in your chest

• Obstructed breathing or shortness of breath

• Seizures

• Thoughts of hurting yourself

Rest and Activity

• Rest/sleep frequently and avoid unnecessary physical activities

Hygiene

• Showers are the preferred method of bathing for the first two weeks following delivery

• You may use a sitz bath if you have vaginal/perineal stitches or hemorrhoids

• Use a peri-bottle filled with warm water to wash the perineal area after urination or bowel movement. Blot dry.

• Change peripads frequently

Episiotomy/Lacerations

• Vaginal/perineal stitches will dissolve on their own

Sexual Relations

• Sexual intercourse, douching, and tampons should be avoided until after your six weeks checkup.

• To prevent another pregnancy, you should discuss birth control methods with your doctor prior to resuming intercourse.

For more information regarding caring for yourself, please refer to the MHP Maternity Care Handbook provided to you during your Stork’s Nest visit or upon admission. For other questions or concerns, please call your doctor.

Major OB/GYN

Lloyd Lewis, Jr, MD

Jeffrey Stiller, MD

Alicia Schaffer, MD

2451 Intelliplex Drive Suite 200

Shelbyville, Indiana 46176

Phone 317-398-0193

Fax 317-398-0727

Additional comments or instructions