Postpartum Care

As you prepare to deliver your new little one, we want to thank you for trusting us with your care. Our postpartum care team is here to help you have the safest, most comfortable recovery and post delivery care experience possible.

What to Expect After Birth

After your baby arrives, you’ll recover in one of our private suites and receive postpartum care while in the hospital until you are discharged (go home). Our compassionate team can address many common concerns new moms have – for themselves and their baby.

The Postpartum Unit at our Edgewood location in Kentucky, private suites are designed to encourage a positive mother-baby bonding experience. Postpartum care also supports a positive healing process after delivery and focuses on common concerns affecting mom and baby. We design our services and the care we provide to meet each new mom’s needs.

As part of this care, we offer a respite nursery—a calming, secure space where your baby can be cared for by our experienced nursing staff while you take time to rest, shower, or simply recharge. This service is designed to support your physical and emotional recovery, so you can feel your best during your stay.
Depending on your preferences, you can choose to have your friends or family visit during your stay in your postpartum suite. With adult supervision, this also includes any of siblings of the new baby, 18 months and older, may also visit.

St. Elizabeth Edgewood Outpatient Postpartum Care Center

Your provider, or your baby’s provider could ask you to visit the Outpatient Postpartum Care Center. Common reasons for returning to the Postpartum Care Center could include, but are not limited to blood pressure checks, infant weight check, bilirubin check. The Postpartum Care Center is conveniently located on the same floor near the first floor just steps away from the Postpartum Unit.

Learn More

For more information about the services available through The Family Birth Place, please call (859) 301-2229 (BABY).

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Postpartum Care for Mom

During the ongoing postpartum period, our team can address any concerns you might have about your recovery and how you feel physically, emotionally and socially. We can address common and complex issues.

Your Physical Recovery After Childbirth

After childbirth, you might experience different health concerns, including:

  • Blood pressure.
  • Breast soreness, engorgement and lactation.
  • Fatigue (tiredness) or trouble falling or staying asleep (insomnia).
  • Hemorrhoids.

  • Incision checks if you had a Caesarean birth (C-section).

  • Incontinence.

  • Postpartum care concerns after C-section.
  • Vaginal bleeding, cramping and painful contractions that might continue after delivery.
  • Vaginal soreness and discharge.
  • Weight loss, hair loss and skin changes.

Postpartum Mental Health Care

Feelings of postpartum depression and postnatal anxiety can occur during the postpartum year following pregnancy. These concerns arise in 10-15% of new moms. Our skilled and compassionate team is available to support your needs, including:

  • Postnatal counseling, including mental health, wellbeing and adjustment concerns

  • Community resources.

  • Social support connections and helping you navigate the needed support of family, friends and co-workers.

Common Newborn Parenting Concerns

After childbirth and during the first year of your newborn’s life, we can support you as you face different questions or concerns around:

  • Lactation consultant referrals.
  • Contraception (birth control) and birth spacing.

  • Attachment and bonding.

Postpartum Care for Baby

When you access services through our Postpartum Care Center, our team can address concerns related to your newborn, including:

  • Infant assessments.

  • Baby weight checks.

  • Bilirubin results and follow-up.

  • Breast and bottle feeding follow-up.

  • Pediatric care referrals.

  • Safe sleep and sleep schedule education.

Our pediatricians care for children at every stage of growth and development, from newborns to teens. Access family-centered, personalized care that addresses your child’s health needs through St. Elizabeth’s pediatricians.

Breastfeeding Education & Support

You may choose to work with a St. Elizabeth Your Birthing Services Teamlactation consultant during and after your postpartum stay. This can be very helpful in addressing feeding, latching, engorgement and other breastfeeding questions.

Benefits of Breastfeeding

You and your baby benefit when you choose to breastfeed. Nursing your baby can:

  • Build their immune system.
  • Decrease ear infections.
  • Support better vision.
  • Lower the rate of infant mortality and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
  • Reduce the number of colds and respiratory illnesses.

Breastfeeding benefits moms too. When new moms breastfeed, it can:

  • Promote faster weight loss after birth.
  • Stimulate your uterus to help it return to normal size.
  • Reduce postpartum bleeding and urinary tract infections.
Baby with pacifier in month sits on parent's lap

Certified Lactation Consultants

Our lactation consultants are here to help you have a successful breastfeeding experience. Certified lactation consultants are on hand in our Edgewood Postpartum Care Center if you choose to breastfeed your baby and want extra support and education.

Frequently Asked Questions About Postpartum Care

Most people stay one to two days in the hospital after a vaginal birth and about two to three days after a C-section. Your stay may vary based on your recovery, your baby’s needs and your provider’s recommendations.
While on the Postpartum Unit, you’ll recover in a private suite designed to promote bonding, healing and rest. Your care team will help with pain management, breastfeeding support, incision checks if needed and newborn care. You can also use our respite nursery if you need time to rest or recharge.
Postpartum preeclampsia can occur after birth, sometimes even if your blood pressure was normal during pregnancy. Symptoms may include:

  • High blood pressure
  • Severe headaches
  • Shortness of breath
  • Swelling
  • Vision changes

Your provider may ask you to return for blood pressure checks at the Postpartum Care Center

Recovery after delivery is different for each mom, but many feel significantly better within several weeks. Vaginal birth recovery often focuses on soreness, bleeding and pelvic floor changes. C-section recovery includes incision healing and restrictions on lifting or activity. Your provider will guide you based on your birth and health needs.
After giving birth, it’s common to experience mood swings, tearfulness or feeling overwhelmed in the first days or weeks. If feelings of sadness, anxiety or worry interfere with daily life, or if they get worse, it’s important to reach out. Support is available through postpartum counseling and Women’s Health resources.
After you deliver your baby and go home, your provider may recommend follow-up at the Postpartum Care Center for blood pressure checks, newborn weight checks, bilirubin monitoring or breastfeeding support. The Postpartum Care Center is located near the Postpartum Unit for convenient access after discharge. Please call 859-301-3870 to schedule an appointment.
If you need support after delivery, our lactation consultants can help with latch concerns, engorgement, and pumping and milk supply questions. They offer support during your stay and after you return home.
Your team will show you how to care for a C-section incision or vaginal stitches and explain what’s normal as you heal. Pain management, proper hygiene and rest are important. Call if you notice redness, drainage, fever or worsening pain
After delivery, most people gradually resume activity over several weeks, but timelines will be specific to you based on your delivery and recovery. Your provider will discuss what’s safe and when to resume exercise, lifting, driving or intercourse.
Your newborn’s pediatrician may recommend early follow-up or weight checks at the Postpartum Care Center. Signs of good feeding include steady weight gain, regular diapers and alert feeding cues. Our team can help you understand what’s normal and what may need attention.
If you have questions after you get home, you can reach out to your Women’s Health provider, your OB-GYN, your baby’s pediatrician or our lactation consultants. The Postpartum Care Center is also available for follow-up support shortly after discharge.


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