Postpartum FAQ

The postpartum recovery period is an important stage for new mothers' physical and psychological recovery, and it is also a transition period for adapting to new roles. Understanding common postpartum questions helps to better get through this special period.

Postpartum Physical Recovery Questions

Uterine Recovery Questions

Q: How long will lochia last postpartum? A: The duration of lochia is divided into three stages:

• Rubra (Red Lochia): 3-4 days postpartum, bloody lochia
• Serosa (Serous Lochia): 4-14 days postpartum, pale red
• Alba (White Lochia): 14 days - 6 weeks postpartum, white or pale yellow

Note: The amount of lochia gradually decreases, and the color changes from red to white. If lochia increases, has an odor, or heavy bleeding occurs, seek medical attention immediately.

Q: How long does it take for the uterus to recover postpartum? A: Uterine recovery timeline:

• Day 1 Postpartum: The fundus is one finger below the navel
• Day 7 Postpartum: The fundus is 2-3 fingers above the pubic symphysis
• Day 10 Postpartum: The uterus descends into the pelvic cavity
• 6 Weeks Postpartum: The uterus returns to pre-pregnancy size

Q: Is postpartum abdominal pain normal? A: Postpartum abdominal pain is usually uterine contraction:

• Aggravated during breastfeeding: Breastfeeding promotes uterine contraction
• Milder for primiparas: More obvious for multiparas
• Gradually relieved: Relieved after 2-3 days
• Abnormal pain: Seek medical attention if severe pain persists

Perineal and Wound Recovery

Q: How long does it take for a perineal tear wound to heal? A: Perineal wound recovery time:

• Mild Tear: Heals in 1-2 weeks
• Moderate Tear: Heals in 2-3 weeks
• Severe Tear: Heals in 4-6 weeks
• Complete Healing: Returns to normal after 6-8 weeks

Q: How to care for a C-section wound? A: C-section wound care points:

• Keep Dry: Avoid getting the wound wet
• Regular Disinfection: Change dressing as prescribed
• Avoid Pressure: Avoid sleeping on the wound
• Watch for Infection: Seek medical attention for redness, swelling, or pus
• Complete Healing: Takes 4-6 weeks

Q: How soon can I take a shower postpartum? A: Postpartum shower time:

• After Vaginal Birth: Can shower after 24 hours
• After C-section: After wound healing (about 7 days)
• Tub Bath: After lochia is clean (about 4-6 weeks)
• Water Temperature: 37-40°C is appropriate
• Time: 10-15 minutes, avoid too long

Postpartum Menstruation Recovery

Q: When will menstruation return postpartum? A: Menstruation recovery time:

• Non-breastfeeding: 6-8 weeks postpartum
• Exclusive Breastfeeding: 4-6 months or longer postpartum
• Mixed Feeding: 3-4 months postpartum
• Individual Differences: Varies from person to person

Q: What are the characteristics of the first period postpartum? A: Characteristics of postpartum menstruation:

• Amount may be larger: Endometrial thickening
• Cycle may be irregular: Takes 2-3 months to recover
• Period may be prolonged: 7-10 days
• Dysmenorrhea may be relieved or aggravated: Varies from person to person

Q: Can I get pregnant if I haven't had my period postpartum? A: Lactational Amenorrhea Method (LAM) for contraception:

• Exclusive Breastfeeding: Has a certain contraceptive effect in the first 6 months
• Non-exclusive Breastfeeding: Ovulation may occur at any time
• Safety: Not 100% reliable
• Recommendation: Contraception is required postpartum regardless of whether menstruation returns

Breastfeeding Questions

Lactation and Breastfeeding Techniques

Q: How soon does milk come in postpartum? A: Milk secretion time:

• Colostrum: Secretion begins immediately postpartum
• Transitional Milk: Starts 3-4 days postpartum
• Mature Milk: About 2 weeks postpartum
• Full Milk Supply: 1-2 weeks postpartum

Q: How to judge if the baby is full? A: Signs that the baby is full:

• Daily Urine Output: 6-8 wet diapers
• Stool Frequency: 2-5 times a day
• Weight Gain: Gain 150-200 grams per week
• Sleep State: Fall asleep contentedly after feeding
• Feeding Time: 15-20 minutes per side

Q: What is the correct breastfeeding posture? A: Key points of correct breastfeeding posture:

• Mother and Baby Abdomen to Abdomen: Chest to chest, abdomen to abdomen
• Baby Latches Correctly: Latch onto most of the areola
• Comfortable Posture: Both mother and baby are relaxed
• Multiple Postures: Cradle hold, cross-cradle hold, football hold, side-lying hold

Common Breastfeeding Problems

Q: What to do about cracked nipples? A: Treatment for cracked nipples:

• Keep Clean and Dry: Wash with water after breastfeeding
• Apply Breast Milk: Breast milk has antibacterial and healing effects
• Adjust Posture: Correct latching posture
• Use Lanolin: Special nipple care cream
• Severe Cases: Pause breastfeeding on the affected side, use a breast pump

Q: How to relieve breast engorgement? A: Relieve breast engorgement:

• Frequent Breastfeeding: Once every 2-3 hours
• Heat Compress Before Feeding: Promote milk flow
• Cold Compress After Feeding: Reduce edema
• Hand Expression: Relieve breast pressure
• Avoid Over-stimulation: Do not apply heat for a long time

Q: What if there is not enough milk? A: Methods to increase milk supply:

• Frequent Breastfeeding: Increase prolactin secretion
• Fully Empty: Continue to pump for 3-5 minutes after each feeding
• Night Feeding: Prolactin levels are high at night
• Dietary Adjustment: Drink more soup and water, supplement nutrition
• Rest: Adequate sleep and rest
• Emotional Regulation: Keep a happy mood

Q: What if the baby refuses the bottle? A: Methods to switch from breast to bottle:

• Right Timing: When the baby is neither hungry nor sleepy
• Right Person: Someone else feeds the bottle
• Nipple Selection: Nipple that mimics breast milk
• Milk Temperature: Close to body temperature
• Gradual Progress: Start with once a day
• Patience: Baby needs time to adapt

Newborn Care Questions

Daily Care

Q: What should be noted when bathing a newborn? A: Newborn bathing points:

• Water Temperature: 37-38°C
• Room Temperature: 26-28°C
• Frequency: Once a day in summer, once every 2-3 days in winter
• Time: 5-10 minutes, not too long
• Supplies: Baby-specific body wash
• Safety: Support throughout, prevent slipping

Q: How to care for the newborn's umbilical cord? A: Umbilical cord care points:

• Keep Dry: Avoid water
• Disinfection: Disinfect with 75% alcohol 2-3 times a day
• Observation: Watch for redness, swelling, exudation
• Shedding Time: Natural shedding in 7-14 days
• Abnormal Conditions: Seek medical attention for pus or odor

Q: How many clothes are appropriate for a newborn? A: Newborn dressing principles:

• One Layer More Than Adults: Adjust appropriately
• Touch Back of Neck to Judge: Warm without sweating is appropriate
• Avoid Overheating: Prevent overheating syndrome
• Material Selection: Pure cotton, breathable
• According to Room Temperature: Adjust in time

Sleep and Safety

Q: How long does a newborn sleep a day? A: Newborn sleep time:

• Total Sleep Time: 16-18 hours
• Awake Time: 1-2 hours at a time
• Day and Night Reversal: Needs gradual adjustment
• Sleep Environment: Quiet, dim
• Safe Sleep: Supine, avoid prone

Q: How to prevent Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)? A: Preventive measures:

• Supine Sleep: The safest sleeping position
• Firm Mattress: Avoid soft bedding
• Avoid Overheating: Do not over-wrap
• Separate Sleep: Share room but not bed with parents
• Breastfeeding: Reduce SIDS risk
• Smoke-free Environment: Avoid secondhand smoke

Health Monitoring

Q: What to do about newborn jaundice? A: Newborn jaundice treatment:

• Physiological Jaundice: Appears 2-3 days after birth, subsides in 7-14 days
• Pathological Jaundice: Appears within 24 hours or lasts for a long time
• Treatment Methods:
  • Frequent breastfeeding to promote bowel movement
  • Appropriate sunbathing (avoid direct sunlight)
  • Phototherapy for severe cases
• Medical Indications: Severe jaundice, poor spirit

Q: Is newborn spitting up normal? A: Treatment for spitting up:

• Common Causes: Small stomach capacity, relaxed cardia
• Preventive Measures:
  • Burp after feeding
  • Small frequent meals
  • Keep upright for 15-30 minutes after feeding
  • Avoid excessive crying
• Abnormal Conditions: Projectile vomiting requires medical attention

Postpartum Psychological Questions

Postpartum Depression

Q: What is the difference between postpartum depression and baby blues? A: Differences between the two:

Baby Blues:

• Incidence: 50-80%
• Time: Starts 2-3 days postpartum, lasts 1-2 weeks
• Symptoms: Mood swings, easy to cry, anxiety
• Impact: Does not affect daily life and baby care
• Treatment: Rest and family support can relieve

Postpartum Depression:

• Incidence: 10-15%
• Time: Starts 2-6 weeks postpartum, lasts for months
• Symptoms: Persistent depression, loss of interest, self-blame, insomnia
• Impact: Affects daily life and mother-infant relationship
• Treatment: Requires professional treatment

Q: How to prevent postpartum depression? A: Preventive measures:

• Adequate Rest: Sleep first, other things later
• Family Support: Understanding and help from partner and family
• Reasonable Expectations: Accept imperfect self
• Maintain Socializing: Keep in touch with friends
• Moderate Exercise: Moderate exercise postpartum helps recovery
• Seek Help: Seek help in time if there are problems

Q: Does postpartum depression need treatment? A: Treatment for postpartum depression:

• Mild: Psychotherapy, family support
• Moderate: Psychotherapy + medication
• Severe: Medication mainly
• Breastfeeding: Choose drugs safe for infants
• Duration: Usually requires treatment for more than 6 months

Partner Relationship

Q: How to maintain the couple relationship postpartum? A: Methods to maintain relationship:

• Communication: Share each other's feelings and needs
• Division of Labor: Share parenting responsibilities
• Understanding and Tolerance: Understand each other's fatigue and pressure
• Couple Time: Arrange short couple time
• Express Gratitude: Thank each other for their efforts
• Seek Help: Seek professional help when necessary

Q: How soon can sex life be resumed postpartum? A: Sex life resumption time:

• Physical Recovery: 6-8 weeks postpartum
• Lochia Clean: Must wait until lochia is completely clean
• Wound Healing: Perineal or C-section wound healing
• Psychological Preparation: Both parties are ready
• Contraception: Contraceptive measures need to be taken

Postpartum Life Questions

Diet and Nutrition

Q: What are the dietary taboos postpartum? A: Postpartum diet precautions:

• Avoid Raw and Cold: Do not eat raw and cold food
• Moderate Iron Supplementation: Prevent anemia
• Sufficient Protein: Promote wound healing
• Drink More Soup and Water: Promote milk secretion
• Avoid Spicy: Prevent baby from getting angry
• Moderate Calcium Supplementation: Calcium demand increases during lactation

Q: What nutritional supplements are needed during lactation? A: Key nutrients during lactation:

• Protein: 80-100 grams per day
• Calcium: 1200 mg per day
• Iron: 25 mg per day
• Vitamin D: 600 IU per day
• Omega-3: 200-300 mg DHA per day

Exercise Recovery

Q: How soon can I start exercising postpartum? A: Exercise recovery schedule:

• 24 Hours Postpartum: Lower limb exercises in bed
• 1 Week Postpartum: Light housework
• 2 Weeks Postpartum: Light walking
• 4 Weeks Postpartum: Light exercise
• 6 Weeks Postpartum: Gradually increase exercise intensity
• 8 Weeks Postpartum: Can start regular exercise

Q: How to recover body shape postpartum? A: Body shape recovery suggestions:

• Reasonable Diet: Control calories, balanced nutrition
• Breastfeeding: Consume 500 calories per day
• Moderate Exercise: Aerobic exercise + strength training
• Patience: Give the body time to recover
• Adequate Sleep: Help body recovery
• Healthy Mindset: Accept body changes

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Friendly Reminder: Postpartum recovery requires time and patience. If there are any abnormal conditions, please seek medical attention in time. Family understanding and support are very important for new mothers.