After Baby Arrives, Can Routines Just Go Back to Normal?
QUESTION
Dear Midwife,
After my baby is born, when can I start with my routine work such as cleaning, cooking, etc
ANSWER
If you stay in bed and breastfeed the first week, and take it very easy the second week, you should be nearly finished with your bleeding and feel pretty good. You can try your normal activities the third week, and if the bleeding does not increase, it is safe to do what you like.
-- Cynthia, CNM. PhD.
Printer-friendly versionCynthia Flynn
Cynthia Flynn, CNM. PhD, teaches in the College of Nursing at Seattle University and is President of the American Association of Birth Centers. She also practices midwifery at Valley Medical Center where she cares for pregnant and birthing women, and practices well-woman gynecology, family planning, and treatment of sexually transmitted diseases.
Cynthia founded Columbia Women's Clinic and Birth Center, where she took care of pregnant women and infants up to two weeks of age and attended both birth center and hospital births. Before Cynthia earned her CNM, she worked as a registered nurse in labor and delivery and postpartum and is a certified Doula and Doula trainer.
Cynthia hosts a monthly "Ask the midwife" chat as well as answers questions via our expert section.
Listen to Cynthia live on Pregnancy.org Live: Before, During and After.
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