Postpartum Support

Mercer Health offers Postpartum Support for Mom and Baby

Even after you leave the Childbirth Center at Mercer Health, we are here to help you on your journey.  We offer expert advice and resources to help both mom and baby.  No question is too silly.  No worry is too small.

Postpartum Education for Mom

Pain Management

Pain management following childbirth includes topical creams or sprays, over-the-counter medications (like ibuprofen or Tylenol) and prescription medications. Your nurse will review all of your medications with you and explain how they work, how often you should take them and possible side effects.

Menstrual Cycle

On average, women’s mentrual cycles return 7-9 weeks postpartum. Nursing mothers often get their first postpartum period by 12 weeks, but some do not resume menstruation until they finish breastfeeding. If you have concerns about your mentrual cycle, talk to your provider.

Exercise & Nutrition

Discuss postpartum exercise with your provider to know when you can safely start exercising and what exercises are safe. Walking is often a great way to ease back into exercise.

Eat a variety of healthy foods to get all of the nutrients your body needs. Drink plenty of water. Don’t skip meals or go for long periods without eating.

Mood/Baby Blues

Many new moms doubt themsleves and their ability to be a good mom. These feelings often include tearfulness, irritation, anxiety, sensitivity, exhaustion, difficulty concentrating, difficulty sleeping and feeling overwhelmed. The “baby blues” typically begin 3-4 days after giving birth and last up to a week. These feelings are usually short lived and do not require treatment.

To help cope with postpartum blues, take time to learn about your baby. Rest as much as you can, limit visitors if needed, take help offered to you and talk about your feelings with your partner, a family member or a friend.

Postpartum Depression and Anxiety

When postpartum blues last more than two weeks, it may be postpartum depression or anxiety. Symptoms also include tearfulness, irritation, anxiety, sensitivity, exhaustion, difficulty concentrating, difficulty sleeping and feeling overwhelmed, but they are typically more severe than those experienced with baby blues. Postpartum depression and anxiety can appear any time in the first year of giving birth.

There are several effective treatment options for postpartum depression and anxiety. Contact your healthcare provider if you experience these signs/symptoms:

  • Loss of identity
  • Loss of control
  • Feeling withdrawn, isolated or lonely
  • Change in appetite
  • Feeling exhausted but being unable to sleep
  • Feelings of hopelessness, failure or guilt
  • Mood swings
  • Constant crying
  • Constant anxiety or doubt
  • Difficulty sleeping or sleeping too much
  • Lack of interest in yourself, your baby or others
  • Overly concerned about cleanliness/germs and the health and safety of your baby
  • The need to keep moving or pacing
  • Feeling the need to “jump out of your skin”
  • Nightmares
  • Difficulty focusing or concentrating

If you need someone to talk to, call or text the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline at 1-833-TLC-MAMA (1-833-852-6262). It is free, confidential and available 24/7.

National Maternal Mental Health Hotline

You’re Not Alone. Becoming a new parent can be hard. It is normal to feel depressed, anxious, and overwhelmed after having a baby. You are not alone. It’s important to remember that mental health challenges are common during this time and there is no shame in seeking help.

If you need someone to talk to, call or text the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline at 1-833-TLC-MAMA (1-833-852-6262) any time. 

The National Maternal Mental Health Hotline provides 24/7, free, confidential support before, during, and after pregnancy. The Hotline offers callers:

  • Phone or text access to professional counselors
  • Real-time support and information
  • Response within a few minutes, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
  • Resources
  • Referrals to local and telehealth providers and support groups
  • Culturally sensitive support
  • Counselors who speak English and Spanish
  • Interpreter services in 60 languages
Warning Signs

Soreness and fatigue are common after giving birth. Contact your healthcare provider if you have any of these signs/symptoms:

  • Bleeding that soaks a pad every hour for two hours
  • Bad smell coming from your vagina
  • Fever of 100.4 degrees or higher
  • Swelling, redness, discharge or bleeding from your c-section incision or episiotomy site
  • Problems with urination
  • No bowel movement after 4 days of giving birth
  • Visual changes/disturbances
  • Severe headaches
  • Excessive swelling
  • Flu-like symptoms
  • Pain or redness in breasts
  • Pain, warmth, tenderness or swelling of the legs
  • Frequent nausea/vomiting
  • Signs of depression/anxiety

If you have any of the following, you should call 911:

  • Bleeding that is not controlled
  • Chest pain
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Sudden onset of arm/leg weakness
  • Sudden facial drooping
  • Slurred speech, difficulty speaking or inability to speak
  • Chills, clammy skin, dizziness, fainting and racing heart beat
  • Dramatic emotional changes like insomnia, severe agitation or confusion

Newborn Education

Newborn Screenings
Newborn Screenings

 

Hearing Screen

This screen is a simple way to know if your baby can hear or if more testing is needed.

Critical Congenital Hear Defect Screen

Screening for critical congenital heart defects (critical CHDs) can help identify some babies with a critical CHD before they go home from the hospital after birth. This allows these babies to be treated early and may prevent disability or death early in life.

Bilirubin Screen

This screen tests baby’s level of bilirubin which can cause an infant to become jaundiced. Infant jaundice occurs when bilirubin isn’t removed from the body fast enough and builds up, causing yellowing of the skin. The level of bilirubin detected in your baby’s blood is used by the pediatrician to decide whether any treatment is needed.

Bathing Baby
Safe Sleep
Car Seat Safety

Visitor Information

Childbirth Center visiting hours are 7:00 a.m. – 8:30 p.m.

Visiting hours at Mercer County Community Hospital are flexible, depending on the patient’s condition and need for privacy and rest.

Visiting hours may be limited or visitors may be asked to leave the room for any of the following reasons:

  • The patient is about to undergo a procedure
  • The patient needs to recover following surgery
  • If the visitor is being disruptive to the patient, staff or other patients

Contact Us

Mercer Health’s Childbith Center is located on the second floor of the east wing of Mercer County Community Hospital.

800 West Main Street
Coldwater, OH 45828
Phone: 419-678-5670
Hearing Impaired: 419-678-5677
Email: info@mercer-health.com

For more information about the Childbirth Center including OB/GYN offices, childbirth classes and more, call 419-678-5670.

To contact the lactation consultant, call 419-678-5162.

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