POSTPARTUM
How can family and friends help ? Family members and friends may be the first to recognize PPD symptoms in a new mother . They can encourage her to talk with a health care provider , offer emotional support , and assist with daily tasks , such as caring for the baby or the home .
If you or someone you know is in crisis or thinking about suicide , get help quickly by taking one or more of the following steps :
• Call a doctor .
• Call 911 for emergency services or go to the nearest emergency room .
• Call the toll-free , 24-hour National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK ( 8255 ) or TTY 1-800-799-4TTY ( 4889 ).
Where can I find more information ?
• Maternal Mental Health Hotline : Call or text 1-833-HELP4MOMS ( 943-5746 ) or visit mchb . hrsa . gov / nationalmaternal-mental-health-hotline . This 24 / 7 service is for pregnant women and new moms struggling with their mental health before , during , or after pregnancy . It is free and private , and its services are offered in both English and Spanish . This is not a crisis line , so it should not be used in place of emergency services .
• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline : Call 1-800-273-TALK ( 8255 ) or visit suicidepreventionlifeline . org .
• 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline : Dial 988 to reach this 24 / 7 service , which provides free and confidential support for people in distress , suicide prevention information , and crisis resources for you or a loved one .
• Postpartum Progress : postpartumprogress . com
• Postpartum Support International : Call 1-800-944-4773 or visit postpartum . net .
Please Call Us
During the time between your hospital discharge and your postpartum visit , you should notify your doctor or nurse if you develop a fever higher than 101 ° F , burning sensation during urination , vaginal bleeding of more than 1 pad per hour or passing large clots , abdominal pain , suspected infection of an incision , redness and swelling in your breasts , or possible depression .
Postpartum Checkup
In the weeks following delivery , a perinatal nurse will reach out by phone to assess your well-being . We look forward to seeing you back in the office 4-6 weeks after your delivery . The postpartum visit is a time to determine whether you have healed . It is an important time to review your choices regarding birth control and to address any problems or questions you may have .
28 My Prenatal Care Book