Downloadable Patient Forms:
Annual Visit Form
Patient History Form
Post Partum History Form
Registration Form

How long will I have vaginal bleeding?
Regardless of the method of delivery, you may expect some bleeding for up to eight weeks after delivery. The first week, the bleeding may be bright red. The second week it may be brown. After lying down you may pass small clots that have accumulated. This is not unusual. It is often heaviest in the morning and after breast-feeding.

How should I take care of my episiotomy?
Stitches usually dissolve within several weeks. At home, continue to use the supplies given to you in the hospital. They help promote healing and ease discomfort. Use the peri bottle to keep the episiotomy site clean and make washing easier. Try to keep the episiotomy dry and change pads frequently, depending on the flow of bleeding.

When can I resume sexual activity?
You can resume sexual activity after you have had your post delivery checkup. Remember that you will need to reevaluate your method of birth control and your post delivery visit is a good time to discuss it. Important reminder: Breast-feeding is not a form of birth control.

What can I do to ease pain and discomfort?
Use the sitz bath to keep the area hydrated the first week or so, as instructed by the nurses at the hospital. Use a "ring" or orthopedic inner tube to sit on or a pillow under your hips when lying on your back. Sometimes, intermittent application of ice initially helps to reduce the pain and swelling.

What limitations are there to my daily activities?
To allow yourself time to recover, you need to set some limits. Though you may be tempted to get many things done during the "quiet time" when the baby is sleeping, you should take time to relax instead. Too much activity may cause an increase in your vaginal bleeding and cause tremendous fatigue. So… try to sleep when your baby sleeps, and elevate your feet to help decrease the swelling caused by excess body fluid. Avoid driving for one week. Limit trips up the steps to twice daily, and do not resume or begin any exercise program until your postpartum visit. Limit phone calls and visitors so that you can spend time together as a family. Try to spend extra time with any other children at home so they don't feel left out and so that you don't overdo it.

What do people mean by the baby blues?
Due to the rapid change in hormones, new mothers may feel unsettled and somewhat anxious or depressed. Many times this may start around the third day after delivery and is short of duration. If these feelings last longer than several days or are difficult to cope with, do call the office for help. Remember to be patient with yourself and your new family. It takes time to feel comfortable in a new job, and parenting is no exception! Make time for other children and include everyone in the responsibilities of a growing family. Try to make time for you and your partner so that the relationship for this new life can grow and continue to be special to you both.Call the office if you have any of the following signs or symptoms:
"Burning on urination
"Foul odor from vaginal discharge
"Temperatures of 101F or higher, for more than 12 hours
"Redness or swelling in the breast, or local pain
"Heavy vaginal bleeding (saturating a pad within a half hour)
"Passing large clots
"Incision drainage, redness or tenderness (Cesarean section)
"Increased pain at episiotomy site since leaving the hospital (vaginal delivery)

How should I care for my Cesarean incision?
Keep the incision clean and dry. You will be showering in the hospital and instructed to pat the incision dry. Continue this at home while your incision is healing. Avoid wearing undergarments that irritate the incision.

What should I do about diet?
If you are breast-feeding, you should increase your calorie intake by about 500 calories per day. This will help promote healing and provide adequate lactation. If you are not breast-feeding, it's important to maintain your pregnancy calorie intake to promote adequate healing the next few weeks before considering dieting. Continue taking your prenatal vitamins until your first postpartum checkup, or as long as you are breast-feeding.

When do I need my post-delivery check-up?
Call when you get home from the hospital to set up an appointment for your post-delivery checkup. If you delivered by cesarean section, you will need an appointment in two weeks for an incision check. If you delivered vaginally, you should have a post-delivery checkup in about six weeks.

Other concerns you may have…
"If you are not breast-feeding, remember to wear a tight-fitting bra, and apply ice packs as necessary. You may also take Tylenol to relieve the discomfort.
"It is very common to have hair loss after delivery, due to hormonal changes.

Congratulations!
At this time of joy and fulfilled expectation, we know that you may have many questions. We've prepared this site to answer some of the most frequently asked questions, and to give you a guide to help you over the next few weeks, as your body readjusts itself from pregnancy.
If you are worried… Please do not hesitate to call if you have concerns or questions after you return home. We are here for you the same way we were during your pregnancy. Just call the office, and if it's after hours, our service will contact the doctor, who will call you as quickly as possible.

Enjoy your new baby and your new life together! This is a time for great excitement, wonder and joy. We wish you all the best.