Category: Mothers' Health

Power Your Family Plan With Birth Spacing

Am I ready for another baby?

While you’re thinking of everyone else in your family, don’t forget to ask yourself the most important question of all: Am I ready for another baby?

What is best for me?

  • Do I already feel overwhelmed at the
    end of the day?
  • Can I give a new baby the attention
    they deserve?
  • Have I taken the time to grieve?
    (For those who recently had a miscarriage)
  • Have I checked with my doctor to see if my body is ready for another pregnancy?

Why Wait?

  • Improve your health and your baby’s health
  • Give yourself time to heal and get back to normal
  • Give special attention to each child
  • Have time to lose your pregnancy weight

Would your body be ready?

Or do you feel like you are running on empty?
If you’re running on empty, you need to fill up so you can stay healthy for your new family. Pregnancy and breastfeeding can drain your body of nutrients, particularly folate. If you become pregnant again before replacing those nutrients, it could affect your health or your baby’s health.

HOW SOON IS TOO SOON?

Planning to wait 18 –24 months after giving birth before trying to get pregnant again is healthier for mothers and babies. Moms age 35 and older can try again in 12 months because of infertility concerns.

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The Postpartum Check-Up

About 2 weeks after delivery and 6 weeks after delivery, you will need a check-up to make sure your body is healing without problems. If you have a Cesarean delivery, you may have your check-up sooner than if you had a vaginal delivery.

Physical Exam

  • Weight: A woman usually returns to her non-pregnant weight about 6 months after delivery. The postpartum period is ̄not the time to diet. Eat a healthy, well-balanced diet that is low-fat. Talk to your doctor or nurse about weight loss after delivery for advice.
  • Blood Pressure: This is a routine check to be sure your blood pressure is in a normal range.
  • Breast Care: Your doctor will check your breasts for lumps and nipple problems. Your doctor or nurse will also show you how to do breast self exams. Give yourself a breast exam every month a week after your period.
    • If you are bottle feeding and not pumping breastmilk, your breasts will usually return to their normal shape and size in 4 to 6 weeks. Do monthly breast self exams.
    • If you are breastfeeding, your breasts still may be full and feel firm by the 6th week. Checking your breasts daily for lumps or plugged ducts can help prevent problems with discomfort or infection.
  • Abdominal Incision: If you had a Cesarean delivery or your tubes were cut or tied off, you have an incision. Your incision will be checked to make sure healing is complete.

 

Pelvic Exam

This part of the check-up is an internal exam to check the health of your ovaries, uterus (womb), cervix (opening into the womb) and vagina (birth canal). Your perineum, the area around the birth canal, also will be checked for healing.

  • Perineal Area: Your doctor or nurse will examine the areas around the vagina, urethra (opening of the bladder), and rectum for healing.
  • Vagina and Cervix: Your doctor or nurse will slide a thin piece of plastic or metal, called a speculum, into the vagina. A speculum is a duck bill shaped instrument used to hold the vagina open during the exam. A few cells will be taken from your cervix and tested in a laboratory. This is a Pap Smear test and routine in a postpartum check-up.
  • Uterus and Ovaries: The last part of the exam is checking your uterus and ovaries. Your health care professional will feel the shape and size of both. Vaginal bleeding or lochia often stops in the first 4 to 6 weeks after delivery. Bleeding that begins 1 month after delivery is usually your period. A rectal exam may be part of the internal exam if you have had a long or deep episiotomy.

 

Ask Questions!

After your exam, your health care professional will tell you how well your body has healed from delivery. Ask any questions you have about returning to work, exercising, birth control methods, or other health concerns.

What You Should Know About Domestic Violence

It may begin gradually, in ways you don’t think of as abuse, like emotional or verbal attacks. It can start when you are pregnant or when the new baby is born. These things can cause the stress level in your home or relationship to change.

  • If you are a victim or survivor of abuse --

    • You are not to blame for another person’s violence.
    • You have the right to a safe healthy relationship.
    • You deserve to be treated with respect.
    • Make a safety plan in case you need to leave quickly.
    • Establish contacts with friends and family so you have a place to go in an emergency.
    • Consider getting a protective order to protect yourself

  • Reach out for support

    • You are not alone. Support and help are here. Visit SAFEaustin.org for assistance.
    • Call the Safe Place 24 hour help line: 512-267-7233
    • National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233
    • Austin Police Department Victim Services: 512-974-5037
    • Texas Department of Family and Protective Services: 1-800-252-5400
    • United Way Capitol Area: 211
    • Dial 911 in an emergency

What is abuse?

Emotional Abuse
  • constant criticism or making you feel bad
  • blame for things that aren’t your fault
  • constant jealousy
  • being lied to, punished, or threatened, especially if you try to leave
Isolation
  • you are prevented from seeing family or friends
  • your partner is very jealous of anyone else in your life
Threats
  • your partner threatens your family, friends, pets, or property
Economic Abuse
  • your control over money or income is threatened
Physical Abuse
  • pushing, slapping, kicking, biting, restraining, use of a weapon against you or having things thrown at you
  • any action you don’t want that causes you injury or pain
Sexual Abuse
  • you are forced to have sex
  • you are shamed or hurt without your permission
  • your partner refuses to practice birth control or safe sex
Property Destruction
  • frightening you by smashing or destroying things
  • damaging or stealing things that you value

Truths about abuse

No one deserves abuse.

Domestic violence is not mutual. It is not just an argument or a lover’s quarrel.

People who stay in abusive relationships do not enjoy violence. Leaving is not simple. Some people are too frightened. Some hope the abuse will stop. Many people do not know about resources or have the information they need.

Abuse can be found in all parts of the community. No one group is free from domestic violence. People from any social group can be abused.

There is no excuse for violent behavior. Using violence is a choice. There are always other ways. Substance abuse, stress, illness, and childhood abuse are often used as excuses. But the abusive person is responsible for their actions.

Abuse and pregnancy

For 1 of every 3 women who are abused, the first abuse happens during pregnancy.

An unhealthy relationship is not just physically hurtful. Emotional, verbal and sexual abuse are dangerous to your well-being and the well-being of your unborn child.

Being abused before or during your pregnancy increases your risk of miscarriage, anemia, infections, bleeding during the first and second trimester, and having a low birth weight baby.

You are not alone. Support and help are here.

Stay Strong with Iron

Iron

  • Is a mineral needed to keep your body and blood healthy.
  • Helps give you energy.
  • Helps with growth and brain development.
  • Helps prevent sickness and infections.

Why is iron important?

Eating enough iron will keep you and your family healthy and feeling good. When there is not enough iron in the blood you can get anemia. Anemia can make you feel tired, weak, get headaches, look pale, and get sick more often. Children who have low iron may also have trouble learning in school.

Iron is important for the healthy growth of infants, children, and for women during pregnancy.

What foods have iron?

There are lots of foods that are high in iron, and many WIC foods are good sources of iron. The list below shows foods that have iron.

What foods with iron will you eat more of?

  • Chicken
  • Beef
  • Turkey
  • Fish
  • Pork
  • Tofu
  • Turnip and collard greens
  • Beans, lentils, chickpeas, soybeans
  • Nuts, nut butters, and seeds
  • Cereal and oatmeal with iron
  • Rice, bread, and pasta with iron

  • Tips for getting enough iron:

    • Eat different kinds of high iron foods each day. WIC cereal, beans, and peanut butter are good sources of iron.
    • Avoid tea or coffee with meals, even if they are caffeine-free. These drinks make it harder for your body to use iron.
    • If you are pregnant, be sure to take your prenatal vitamins. Take iron pills only if your doctor gives them to you or your child.
    • Eat vitamin C foods with iron foods. Vitamin C foods help your body use iron. There are lots of fresh fruits and vegetables that are high in vitamin C; see the list below for good sources.

  • What foods with vitamin C will you try?

    • Oranges
    • Strawberries
    • Grapefruit
    • Cantaloupe
    • Kiwi fruit
    • WIC juices
    • Tomatoes
    • Bell peppers
    • Sweet potatoes
    • Broccoli
    • Cabbage
    • Kale

Sample Menu High in Iron

Breakfast

  • WIC cereal with milk
  • Orange juice or fresh orange

Lunch

  • Tuna or chicken salad sandwich on wheat bread*
  • Baby carrots
  • Strawberries or kiwi fruit
  • 1 cup low-fat or fat-free milk

Dinner

  • Chili*
  • Small green salad with low-fat dressing
  • Mixed fruit

Snacks

  • Peanut Butter with crackers
  • Broccoli with low-fat ranch dip

Visit TexasWIC.org for these recipes and more.

Danger Signs

These are pregnancy danger signs to
watch out for:

  • Bleeding from the vagina
  • Severe pain or cramping in the lower stomach
  • Chest pain
  • Headache that is severe or will not go away
  • Changes in vision (blurring or seeing spots)
  • More than normal swelling of the feet or ankles
  • Puffiness in the hands or face
  • Fever
  • Burning when you pee
  • Pressure in the pelvis and low dull backache

Call the your provider immediately.

In case of an emergency, call 911 or go directly to St. David’s Emergency Room.

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Your Guide To Pregnancy

What to expect and how to make it memorable

We are here to help keep you and your baby healthy and happy from conception to birth and then for years after. This guide will discuss common pregnancy concerns and ways that you can stay healthy.

View Guide