Perinatal Self-Care

Mothers need as much support as babies. Here’s how to care for your mental, physical, and emotional well-being.

Mothers need as much support as babies. Here’s how to care for your mental, physical, and emotional well-being.

WHAT'S COVERED IN THIS TOPIC

  • Postpartum recovery
  • Mental and emotional well-being
  • Health and wellness

Postpartum recovery

Articles

Just as every pregnancy is different, so is every childbirth experience.
Postpartum physical-support overview

Just as every pregnancy is different, so is every childbirth experience.

Two-thirds of babies born in the United States are born through vaginal deliveries.
Recovering from a vaginal delivery

Two-thirds of babies born in the United States are born through vaginal deliveries.

An estimated one in three women delivering babies in the United States gives birth this way.
Recovering from a C-section

An estimated one in three women delivering babies in the United States gives birth this way.

Even with the smoothest of births, it's normal to experience changes.
Postpartum conditions and complications

Even with the smoothest of births, it's normal to experience changes.

For some, urinary incontinence can take weeks, or even months, to appear following labor and delivery.
Postpartum urinary incontinence

For some, urinary incontinence can take weeks, or even months, to appear following labor and delivery.

This common symptom generally begins to subside within the first few days of giving birth.
Postpartum constipation

This common symptom generally begins to subside within the first few days of giving birth.

Many women experience a separation of their rectus abdominis, or ab muscles, during pregnancy.
Diastasis recti

Many women experience a separation of their rectus abdominis, or ab muscles, during pregnancy.

The pelvic floor is stressed and stretched during pregnancy and delivery, but certain exercises can help rebuild these muscles.
Pelvic-floor dysfunction

The pelvic floor is stressed and stretched during pregnancy and delivery, but certain exercises can help rebuild these muscles.

Hemorrhoids are a common postpartum symptom, but several over-the-counter remedies can help speed up recovery.
Postpartum hemorrhoids

Hemorrhoids are a common postpartum symptom, but several over-the-counter remedies can help speed up recovery.

An episiotomy is a surgical cut made to facilitate vaginal birth, though natural perineal tears are generally favored.
Episiotomy

An episiotomy is a surgical cut made to facilitate vaginal birth, though natural perineal tears are generally favored.

Even during the easiest vaginal deliveries, some type of tear is almost guaranteed.
Vaginal tears

Even during the easiest vaginal deliveries, some type of tear is almost guaranteed.

Whether you deliver your baby vaginally or via C-section, postpartum bleeding for up to six weeks is perfectly normal.
Postpartum bleeding (lochia discharge)

Whether you deliver your baby vaginally or via C-section, postpartum bleeding for up to six weeks is perfectly normal.

Pregnancy, labor, and delivery bring myriad changes.
Physiological and psychological changes of motherhood

Pregnancy, labor, and delivery bring myriad changes.

Pelvic-floor disorders are some of the leading postpartum complications.
Postpartum pelvic health and recovery

Pelvic-floor disorders are some of the leading postpartum complications.

You can prepare for a smoother postpartum recovery by stocking your home with these products.
A postpartum recovery product checklist

You can prepare for a smoother postpartum recovery by stocking your home with these products.

Mental and emotional well-being

Articles

If your baby blues feel severe or last beyond a few postpartum weeks, consult with your health care provider.
Perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs)

If your baby blues feel severe or last beyond a few postpartum weeks, consult with your health care provider.

The first weeks after childbirth can be disorienting. Your emotions can feel like they’re on a roller coaster.
Making sense of the baby blues

The first weeks after childbirth can be disorienting. Your emotions can feel like they’re on a roller coaster.

Stress, guilt, and anxiety. Everyone experiences these unpleasant emotions, and during motherhood, they’re all the more common.
Postpartum self-care matters

Stress, guilt, and anxiety. Everyone experiences these unpleasant emotions, and during motherhood, they’re all the more common.

When you have a baby, big adjustments take place in your body.
Common postpartum mood changes

When you have a baby, big adjustments take place in your body.

No matter how many guides you read, the transition to motherhood is not something you can learn about in a book.
The journey of becoming a mother

No matter how many guides you read, the transition to motherhood is not something you can learn about in a book.

This transition is exhilarating, exhausting, confusing, amazing, and overwhelming.
Welcome to motherhood

This transition is exhilarating, exhausting, confusing, amazing, and overwhelming.

You might not be sure whether you need medication to treat your symptoms for depression or anxiety.
Medication for PMADs

You might not be sure whether you need medication to treat your symptoms for depression or anxiety.

These resources can help you get answers, learn more, and connect with local resources.
Getting postpartum help

These resources can help you get answers, learn more, and connect with local resources.

Videos

Health and wellness

Articles

As moms, we’re pulled in so many directions that self-care can be challenging.
How meditation helps moms

As moms, we’re pulled in so many directions that self-care can be challenging.

Regardless of where you are in your postpartum journey, there are many ways to elevate your mood.
Postpartum wellness toolkit

Regardless of where you are in your postpartum journey, there are many ways to elevate your mood.

Your pregnancy-oriented doctor visits don’t end with giving birth.
Preparing for your 2- and 6-week postpartum visits

Your pregnancy-oriented doctor visits don’t end with giving birth.

After having a baby, getting around might be difficult or downright painful.
Types of postpartum movement

After having a baby, getting around might be difficult or downright painful.

When you’re focused on a newborn, getting adequate sleep isn’t always easy. Here’s how to get enough well-deserved rest.
Adult Sleep 101: How to rest when caring for an infant

When you’re focused on a newborn, getting adequate sleep isn’t always easy. Here’s how to get enough well-deserved rest.

Videos

Other topics

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Pumping
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Feeding
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Away From Baby
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Sleep
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Baby Communication
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