Vaginal bleeding: For the first three days after delivery, you may experience a bloody discharge of leftover blood, mucus and tissue from your uterus. This discharge, called lochia, is generally as heavy or heavier than a menstrual period and may contain several clots. The discharge will turn pink, then brown and finally a yellowish-white as it decreases in quantity. The bright red flow may resume when you are breastfeeding or during periods of increased activity. Normally, this will stop completely within four to six weeks.

Things to help: Sanitary pads

What to watch for: Saturating more than one pad an hour for more than a few hours or discharge that has a bad odor

Abdominal cramps (afterbirth pains): Abdominal cramps, or “afterbirth pains,” are caused by contractions of the uterus as it returns to normal. They may be more obvious while you are nursing and will gradually subside within a week.

Things to help: Change positions, empty your bladder, take Tylenol® or Motrin® (Ibuprofen)

What to watch for: Severe abdominal pain, nausea/vomiting

Perineal discomfort: The stretching and bruising of the perineum during delivery can cause discomfort, pain and numbness. If your perineum was torn or if you had an episiotomy, you will have stitches. In most cases, this area will be very tender and sore for three to four days following delivery. Your stitches will dissolve in about 15 days, but tenderness may last several weeks.

Things to help: Warm sitz baths, witch hazel soaked in gauze pads or Tucks®, local anesthetic spray, Tylenol®

What to watch for: Increasing pain, swelling or discharge

Cesarean incisional pain: If you delivered by cesarean birth, your wound will be painful and you may experience numbness or a tingling sensation when the anesthesia wears off. Medication to relieve your pain will generally be ordered by your physician. Avoid lifting anything other than your baby, and try to keep stair climbing to a minimum.

What to watch for: Fever, increasing pain or drainage from your incision site

Constipation: Your first bowel movement after childbirth may be difficult.

Things to help: Fiber (whole grains, fresh and dried fruit), drinking water, Colace®, Milk of Magnesia® or Dulcolax® tablets

Hemorrhoids: If you have hemorrhoids, they can become swollen and painful and protrude after delivery.

Things to help: Laxatives, Anusol® or Preparation H®

Infant feeding: If you are bottle-feeding, remember to wear a well-fitting bra and avoid breast stimulation. Breast engorgement will generally improve two to four days following delivery.

If you are breastfeeding, you may not produce milk for three to four days after delivery. When your baby nurses, he or she will receive a clear liquid, called colostrum. This fluid contains important antibodies. When your milk finally begins to come in, your breasts may become enlarged, tender or unusually firm.

Things to help: Nurse your baby more frequently, apply warm compresses to your breasts or take a warm shower.

What to watch for: Body aches, chills and a fever of 101⁰ or 102⁰ as these can be signs of a breast infection called mastitis. With mastitis, one breast may become extremely firm, red hot and tender.

As always, you are welcome to call our office at 804.288.4084 with any questions or concerns you may have. If you experience any of the following symptoms, please call us immediately.

• Elevated fever over 100.4
• Nausea and vomiting
• Painful urination, burning and urgency
• Heavy vaginal bleeding
• Pain, swelling and tenderness in the legs
• Chest pain or cough
• Hot, tender breasts
• Persistent pain in the perineum with increasing tenderness
• Vaginal discharge with a bad odor
• Feelings of hopelessness that last more than 10 days after the delivery

Additional Resources:

• Postpartum mental health
• Safe medications while breastfeeding
• Returning to normal activities

About Virginia Women’s Center
Our care team – comprised of OB-GYNs, high-risk pregnancy specialists, nurse practitioners, ultrasound technologists, psychologists and a genetic counselor – are experienced in all aspects of pregnancy and welcome the opportunity to provide care that revolves around you. We have added all of these services and specialists to our practice not only for your convenience, but also because we believe that you will benefit from a coordinated and comprehensive approach to your pregnancy care. For more information, visit www.VirginiaWomensCenter.com, or find us on Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter.

 

Learn more about the risk factors and symptoms of postpartum mental health disorders:http://www.virginiawomenscenter.com/services-psychology-postpartum-mental-health.html

Women suffering from stress incontinence experience the leakage of urine when they cough, sneeze, laugh or engage in any activity that increases the pressure on the bladder and/or the supporting tissue. There are many non-invasive treatment options that women experiencing stress incontinence can try first. However, for some individuals, non-invasive therapies may not completely eliminate the symptoms of incontinence. These individuals may be good candidates for minimally invasive surgeries that take as little as a few minutes to perform.

The most common surgical procedure to remedy stress incontinence uses a synthetic sling, which acts like a hammock to support the urethra, the tube that carries urine from the bladder. Synthetic sling procedures are often done under anesthesia in an outpatient setting. For most women, the complete recovery period is approximately four weeks, but many are able to return to work and other non-strenuous activities after a couple of days.

Learn more about incontinence and read patient testimonials here: http://www.virginiawomenscenter.com/services-urogynecology.html

• If you are under 35 and have not become pregnant after one year of having regular sexual intercourse without birth control
• If you are over 35 and have not become pregnant after six months of having regular sexual intercourse without birth control
• If your periods are not regular
• If you or your partner has a known fertility problem

Learn more about infertility here: http://www.virginiawomenscenter.com/blog/obstetrics/infertility-causes-and-when-to-see-your-ob-gyn/

Did you know that heart disease kills more women than all cancers combined? While it is important to spread awareness, it is also important to help educate our friends, families and loved ones. Here are some tips for living heart healthy:

–          Eat a diet rich in fruits and veggies, whole-grain and high-fiber foods

–          Try to limit your sodium intake to 1500 mg/day

–          Avoid trans-fatty acids

–          Eat very little saturated fat (such as fat from meat, cheese and butter)

–          Eat less than 150 mg of cholesterol per day

–          Drink no more than one alcoholic beverage a day

–          Stop smoking cigarettes. It is important for many things, including heart health

–          Get 150 minutes of moderate intensity exercise a week, such as brisk walking

Check out this infographic to learn how much Calcium women need throughout the different stages of their lives as well as some good sources of Calcium at this link.

Weekly Health Tips provided by Virginia Women’s Center

How do you know if you need to take vitamins? And, if you do, which one(s) should you choose?

A good place to start is to take a look at your eating habits. It’s important to remember that vitamins cannot replace balanced meals and healthy snacks. If you eat a well-balanced diet, you may not need a multivitamin.

Are you hoping to take vitamins to prevent a chronic disease? If so, eating a nutritious diet, exercising regularly, quitting smoking and getting recommended health screenings are likely better solutions.

Prenatal Vitamins

There are certain times where vitamins are essential. If you are planning pregnancy, currently pregnant or breastfeeding, prenatal vitamins are recommended. An adequate intake of folic acid has been shown to prevent birth defects. Prenatal vitamins are essentials for moms-to-be and their babies because they provide folic acid, iron and calcium. They can help fill in any gaps in vitamins and minerals, but they are not meant to substitute the need to eat a healthy diet. Learn more about prenatal vitamins here.

Calcium and Vitamin D for Bone Health

If you are perimenopausal or postmenopausal, you may need to increase your intake of Calcium and Vitamin D. Calcium and Vitamin D work hand-in-hand to slow the rate of bone loss and prevent Osteoporosis.  Vitamin D is necessary to ensure that Calcium is adequately absorbed and incorporated into your bones. Without Vitamin D, Calcium would be sent out of the body as waste.

Ideally, you should obtain Calcium by eating foods that are rich in Calcium. Some good sources include low-fat dairy products, dark green vegetables and fish.  If necessary, you may also need to take a Calcium supplement.

You can increase the amount of Vitamin D you get by choosing milks, yogurts, cheeses and cereals that are fortified with Vitamin D. In addition, tuna and salmon are good sources. Spend time outside each day as exposure to sunlight converts a chemical in the skin to Vitamin D. Vitamin D supplements and/or therapy might be recommended for individuals who are not getting an adequate amount.

Talking with your Health Care Provider

There are other situations where vitamins might be recommended. For example, if you are vegan or vegetarian, you may need to supplement your diet in order to maintain a balanced supply of nutrients. Similarly, vitamins might be recommended if you have certain medical conditions or allergies that affect how your body absorbs or uses nutrients.

It is always important to talk with your health care provider to weigh the potential benefits and risks of any vitamin/supplement before starting. Vitamins can be beneficial to some individuals, but they are not right for all people. There are side effects, medications and health conditions that need to be considered.

About Virginia Women’s Center

Virginia Women’s Center is a full-service women’s health care provider specializing in obstetrics, gynecology, urology, high-risk obstetrics, obstetrical genetic counseling, ultrasound, in-office procedures, mammography, bone health, psychology, nutrition and clinical research. The practice sees patients in four locations in the Richmond area and has additional offices in Kilmarnock and Tappahannock. For more information, visit www.VirginiaWomensCenter.com, or find us on Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter.

Learn more about breast density here: http://www.virginiawomenscenter.com/blog/mammography/understanding-breast-density/

Weekly Healthy Tips provided by Virginia Women’s Center

Also referred to as sterilization, permanent birth control procedures in women close off the fallopian tubes. These procedures ensure that the egg cannot move down the fallopian tubes into the uterus and that sperm cannot reach the egg. Sterilization procedures do not affect a woman’s menstrual cycle or sexual function. In addition, the procedures do not protect women from sexually transmitted diseases.

Learn more about the permanent birth control options that are available, including one that can be performed in our offices at this link.

Weekly Health Tips provided by Virginia Women’s Center

Here are our six tips for a healthy 2014:

1.       Eat nutritiously

Sure it’s easier said than done, but start with small changes you can make that will help you develop nutritious habits. What you eat—and drink—and what you don’t eat and drink can definitely make a difference to your health. Eating five or more servings of fruits and vegetables a day and less saturated fat can help improve your health and may reduce the risk of cancer and other chronic diseases. Eat a balanced diet and watch your portion sizes.

Depending on your personality, you may wish to master one tip before moving to the next or you may prefer to do an “all or nothing” approach. Check out our healthy eating tips here.

 2.       Get moving

Keep in mind that any activity that gets your body moving and heart pumping is exercise. Cleaning your house, parking your car farther away and walking to your destination as well as taking the stairs instead of the elevator all add up.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise every week. If you haven’t been getting regular exercise, you should work up to these recommendations.

Here are some suggestions to help you prioritize exercise:

• Find a partner (a human or a dog) to help keep you motivated and accountable.
• Make it a family affair; suggest a nightly walk before curling up on the couch.
• Try something new. Mix up your exercise routine to prevent boredom and work different muscle groups.
• Don’t forget strength training. The CDC recommends you perform muscle-strengthening activities two or more days a week in addition to aerobic exercise. As we age, strength training plays an important role in preventing Osteoporosis.
• Remember that exercise is important throughout every stage of life – even during pregnancy. Check out this post for tips on exercising when you are pregnant.

3.       Practice prevention

Prevention is an integral part of good care at every stage of life. Routine doctors’ appointments can help detect signs of illness when they are most treatable.

Learn what health screenings you should have through each age and stage of your life.

4.       Invest in your mental health

Remember that your mental health is as important as your physical health. Take steps to manage stress, know the signs and symptoms of postpartum disorders, practice deep breathing, mindfulness and self-compassion.

Know when it is time to consult a professional and learn more about psychological counseling at Virginia Women’s Center.

5.       If you smoke – QUIT

Check out these tips and consult with your health care provider about effective ways to quit smoking. Help lines, counseling, medications and other forms of support are available to help you quit. Health concerns associated with smoking include cancer, lung disease, early menopause, infertility and pregnancy complications. Smoking triples the risk of dying from heart disease among those who are middle-aged.

6.       Make room for sleep

As a society, we are quick to “burn the candle on both ends” and give up sleep in order to complete our to-do lists. This strategy will come at a cost if we routinely deprive ourselves of sleep, as it plays a very important role in maintaining healthy, productive and safe lives.

Learn tips for practicing good sleep hygiene and for getting more sleep when you are pregnant.

We wish you a year of health and joy!