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My Pregnancy

New Mothers

Congratulations on the birth of your baby! Here are some guidelines for homecare and breastfeeding from our physicians as well as referrals for Pediatricians, Family Practices and support resources.

Taking Care of Yourself

Congratulations on the birth of your new baby!! Now is when the fun really begins. In the midst of diapers, feedings and the joy of your new baby, don’t forget the most important part of this journey…TAKING CARE OF YOU!!!!

Activity:

❑ Take frequent rest periods, nap when the baby does.

❑ Focus your time and energy on taking care of the baby and you.

❑ Leave the cooking, cleaning and laundry to others that are there to help you.

❑ Gradually work yourself back into your normal routine.

❑ Three to four weeks from delivery you may begin to exercise. Start moderately and then be sure to increase them SLOWLY. Don’t try running a marathon your 1st time out.

❑ Women that have had a cesarean section should avoid abdominal exercises until at least 6 weeks after delivery.

Nutrition:

❑ Just as it was important to eat a well balanced diet while you were pregnant, it is equally important to do so after delivery as well. A well balanced diet high in protein (meat, fish, milk) and fiber (bran, fruits, vegetables, grains) is necessary to ensure a speedy recovery.

❑ Don’t skip meals in an attempt to lose the unwanted weight gained during pregnancy. It will come off in time.

❑ Avoid sweets and excessive amounts of carbohydrates.

❑ You should continue your prenatal vitamins and any iron supplements.

HYDRATE, HYDRATE, HYDRATE:

❑ Drink 6-8 glasses of water each day. This is especially important if you are breastfeeding.

❑ A good way to judge if you’re getting enough water is by your urine. Urine should be mostly clear to pale yellow. Darker colored urine can be a sign of dehydration.

General Precautions:

❑ Avoid sexual intercourse until after your postpartum checkup.

❑ You can become pregnant without a return to your normal menstrual cycle.

❑ No douching or tampons for 6 weeks after delivery

❑ Avoid tub baths. Take showers as you desire.

❑ After urinating or bowel movements take care to wipe from front to back, away from any stitches or abrasions.

Breast Care:

❑ Breast care is important whether you are breast feeding or not.

❑ A good supportive bra at all times is a MUST when breast feeding or when waiting for the breast size to return to normal if not breast feeding.

If you choose not to breast feed:

Medication is no longer available to “dry up” your breasts. Although you have no intention of breastfeeding, your breasts will become engorged with milk around the third or fourth postpartum day. This can be quite uncomfortable even painful. This engorgement is temporary and should only last 24-48 hours. You may have sporadic leaking though for several days or weeks.

The following suggestions may help relieve discomfort and suppress milk production.

❑ Wear a snug fitting bra or use a breast binder from the hospital 24 hours a day for several days following delivery.
❑ Do not try to express the milk if the breast becomes engorged. This only encourages the breast to produce more milk.
❑ Avoid any stimulation to the breast and nipples for at least a week. This includes warm running water, massage or expressing of milk.
❑ You may apply ice packs to the breast for 15-20 minutes at a time, 4-5 times a day to assist with pain relief.
❑ Use of Tylenol, Advil, Aleve, or similar medications is recommended for pain relief.
❑ As strange as it may sound, the use of fresh cold cabbage leaves placed inside the bra so that they wrap the breast will decrease discomfort and engorgement. This can be done as frequently as needed. Remember that this condition is temporary and last usually 24-48 hours.

For those women that do wish to breast feed:

❑ Wash the breast at the time of your daily shower.
❑ Avoid the use of soap or products with an alcohol base as these are drying to the nipple.
❑ Always wash your hands prior to breast feeding the baby.
❑ It is not necessary to wash the nipple before feeding unless it is caked with colostrum or milk over the nipple or areola.
❑ Avoid engorgement. If this does happen, manually express some of the milk or take a warm shower to ease some of the fullness, as this will help make the breast less tense, allowing the infant to latch on to the nipple better.
❑ If you notice any red and/or tender areas on the breast, this may represent a clogged duct which needs to be emptied before infection sets in.
❑ Manual expression, warm showers, or a heating pad may help this. If the redness persists and a fever follows, contact us promptly.
❑ Drink plenty of water, juices, and milk.
❑ Avoid caffeinated beverages (coffee, tea & sodas) as these may inhibit milk production.
❑ Consult your pediatrician for an unsatisfied baby or a change in the nursing schedule of the baby.
❑ You may always contact the nursery at Trident (843-797-4272) or Summerville (843-832-5260) if you have any problems and need help.

When to Call:

❑ Temp above 100.4 or greater

❑ Sudden, sharp pains in abdomen

❑ Foul smelling vaginal discharge that occurs with abdominal pain and fever (100.4)

❑ Bright red bleeding with or without clotting that is heavier than a normal period

❑ Pain or burning with urination

Care after Cesarean

Recovery from a c/ section is varied. Each woman recovers at her own pace. You will most likely find yourself to be fatigued for several weeks. This is normal. Pace yourself. Napping when the baby naps is a great way to speed your recovery. Staying hydrated, eating healthy and not trying to overdo things will have you back on your feet in no time.

Along with the tips for new moms, please do the following if you’ve had a cesarean delivery.

❑ Avoid lifting anything heavier than the baby for the first four weeks. No lifting of greater than 25 lbs. should be done until at least 6 weeks postpartum.
❑ Use stairs sparingly during the first three weeks after surgery.
❑ You should not drive a car for at least 3 weeks. When going out in the car prior to that, avoid long trips
❑ There should be no tub baths for at least two weeks. You may however shower freely.
❑ When discharged you will be told whether to keep you incision covered or not. If instructed to keep it covered, do so for approximately 7 days.
❑ For gas pains, you may use Mylicon-80.
❑ For constipation, use Surfak, Dulcolax or Correctol.
❑ Use your prescription medications for pain as directed.
❑ Contact the office to schedule your post partum visit.

CALL IMMEDIATELY IF:

❑ You see any spreading redness or any drainage from the incision, especially if you also have a fever.

Pediatricians
Palmetto Pediatrics
Dr. West, Dr. Leonardi, Dr. Etheridge, Dr. Nordby, Dr. Lowe, Jennifer Graves PA
2781 Tricom Street
North Charleston, SC 29406
843.797.5600
Sweetgrass Pediatrics
Dr. Boylston, Dr. Sheppard, Dr. Copses, Dr. Debroy, Dr. Dietrich, Dr. French, Dr. Herwig, Dr. Lopez, Dr. B. Rodgers, Dr. Sudheimer, Dr. Tripp, Dr. Shah 
2713 Dantzler Drive
North Charleston, SC 29406
843.764.1722

Summerville Pediatrics

Dr. McCall, Dr. Braden, Dr. Schwab
312 Midland Parkway
Summerville, SC 29485
843.875.6262

Oakbrook Pediatrics

Dr. Tillman, Dr. Kirby Smith, Dr. Barbara Miller, Dr. Andrew Pittard, Mary Lou Korpon PNP
202 Bentons Lodge Road
Summerville, SC 29485
843.871.2588

Seaside Pediatrics

Dr. Zimlick, Dr. White, Dr. Noble, Laura Bates PA
309 Wingo Way
Suite 101
Mt Pleasant, SC 29464
843.881.2484
Adolescents and Pediatrics Clinic
1815 Old Trolley Road
Suite 111
Summerville, SC 29485
843.875.0440
Family Practice
Palmetto Primary Care
(Trident Office)
Dr. Bolt, Dr. Arnau, Dr. Thompson, Allison McLeod FNP
9313 Medical Plaza Drive
Suite 202
North Charleston, SC 29406
843.572.1200
Palmetto Primary Care
(Oakbrook Office)
Dr. Canfield, Dr. Engleman, Dr. Tabor, Dr. Giove, Dr. Weathers
87 Springview Lane
Summerville, SC 29485
843.875.0400
 Palmetto Primary Care
(Moncks Corner Office)
Dr. Jones, Dr. Floyd, Dr. Hogue
115 Executive Parkway
Moncks Corner, SC 29461
843.761.2815
Palmetto Primary Care
(Summerville Office)
Dr. Castellone, Dr. Stewart Dawson, Beth Engler PA, Deborah Berry-Taylor FNP
213 West 4th North Street
Summerville, SC 29483
843.873.0681
Palmetto Primary Care
(Archdale Office)
Dr. Edwards, Dr. Redwine, Beverly Jordan FNP, Elizabeth Harmon FNP
5325 Appian Way
North Charleston, SC 29418
843.552.0400
Carolina Family Medicine
Dr. Hanna, Dr. Campbell, Jamie Woody PA, Cary McNamara PA-C
100 Springhall Drive
Goose Creek, SC 29445
843.572.8201
Northwoods Family Practice
Dr. Walker, Dr. Henderson
9313 Medical Plaza Drive
Suite 302
North Charleston, SC 29418
843.553.0484
Flowertown University Family Medicine
Dr. Glaser, Dr. Mallin, Amanda McFann FNP
602 North Main Street
Summerville, SC 29483
843.876.2121
Berkely Family Practice
Dr. Bounds, Dr. Wilhoit, Dr. Averill, Dr. Santi, Dr. Ackerman, Eric Lloyd PA, Angela Steele PA, Emily Hecker PA
2061 Highway 52
Moncks Corner, SC 29461
843.761.8800
Resources for New Mothers

Postpartum Support Charleston
All about supporting women with PPD and helping them find healing and happiness. A support group meets the first Tuesday of each month. If you or someone you know is suffering from postpartum depression or if you are looking for a supportive network of women who have experienced PPD, please join the group. Infants and spouses/fathers are welcome.
email: contact@ppdsupport.org
www.ppdsupport.org

Parenting
Classes & Tours

There are tours and a variety of classes available to you at Summerville Medical Center to help you prepare for your new baby and receive support after your baby’s arrival including: Childbirth Awareness, Breastfeeding Your Baby and The Lactation Club.
Click here for a calendar of events
& to register for classes or to take
a tour.

Our Locations

Carnes Crossroads
1801 2nd Avenue, Summerville, SC 29486
(behind Dunkin’ & East Bay Deli)

Summerville
83 Springview Lane Summerville, SC 29485

Contact Us

843.797.3664
843.820.1007 (fax)

info@lcwsonline.com