pregnant mom doing some stretches along with her daughter
ARTICLE

Caring for yourself and your baby

Provided by Amerigroup RealSolutions
November 21, 2022

Plan a follow-up visit with your OB after your baby’s birth. They will make sure your body is healing and help you adjust to life with a newborn. It’s best to see them within 1 to 3 weeks, but no later than 12 weeks after delivery. Your provider may want to see you sooner than three weeks if you had a high-risk pregnancy or delivered by C-section.

In addition to your physical health, it’s important to take care of your emotional health. Postpartum depression (PPD) is common and treatable. According to the CDC, about 1 in 8 women experience symptoms of postpartum depression.

You may be experiencing PPD if you:

  • Feel anxious or depressed most of the day, every day.
  • Have trouble bonding with your baby.
  • Do not feel better two weeks after giving birth.

By asking for help, you are taking the first step to heal. Your provider can make a support plan for you if you are willing to share how you feel. Your emotional well‑being is just as important as your physical health.

Helpful resources:

  • Postpartum Support International: Visit postpartum.net or call 800-944-4773 (TTY 711) 24/7 and follow the prompts to be connected with someone.
  • What to Expect: Visit whattoexpect.com and search “postpartum depression.”