Patient education: Vaginal birth – Discharge instructions (The Basics)

What are discharge instructions? — Discharge instructions are information about how to take care of yourself after getting medical care.

What is a vaginal birth? — During a vaginal birth, the baby and placenta come out through the vagina.

Sometimes, giving birth vaginally can cause tearing around the vagina and perineum. (The perineum is the area between the opening of the vagina and the anus.) Doctors and midwives sometimes cut the perineum just before the baby comes out. This is called an "episiotomy." A large tear or episiotomy is closed with stitches.

Most people go home from the hospital about 2 days after a vaginal birth. But it can take longer to heal completely.

How do I care for myself at home? — Ask the doctor or nurse what you should do when you go home. Make sure that you understand exactly what you need to do to care for yourself. Ask questions if there is anything you do not understand.

You should also:

●Expect to have bleeding from your vagina. This should get lighter after a few days, turning pink and eventually yellowish white over several weeks. You can wear a pad, but do not use tampons.

●Take care of your vulva and perineum. If you have pain or swelling, it might help to:

•Take sitz baths – A sitz bath is a shallow, warm bath that helps clean and heal the area. Do this at least twice a day for 5 to 10 minutes each. You can do it more frequently if you find it soothing. Do not add soap or any medicines to the water unless your doctor recommends this. Pat the area dry with a soft towel. Do not rub.

•Use a peri-bottle after going to the bathroom – A peri-bottle is a small squeeze bottle that you fill with warm water and then use to clean yourself. Use it to rinse the area after you urinate or have a bowel movement. Do this instead of wiping with toilet paper.

•Apply cold – Putting cold packs in your underwear can help with pain and swelling. Do not put these directly on your skin. Use a thin towel or piece of cloth between the cold pack and your skin.

●Drink plenty of water, and eat foods with fiber. This can help prevent constipation. Your doctor might suggest taking a stool softener.

●Take non-prescription medicines to relieve pain if needed, such as acetaminophen (sample brand name: Tylenol), ibuprofen (sample brand names: Advil, Motrin), or naproxen (sample brand name: Aleve).

●Increase your activity slowly:

•You can return to your normal activities as you feel ready. Avoid things that make you very tired or cause pain.

•Avoid sex for 2 weeks. After that, you can have sex when you feel ready. If you had vaginal tearing, wait until you have healed. Talk to your doctor or nurse if you have questions about birth control. It is possible to get pregnant again soon after giving birth.

●Get help from your partner, family members, or friends when possible. Try to get rest when you can.

What follow-up care do I need? — Your doctor, nurse, or midwife will want to see you again after giving birth. This often happens around 6 weeks, but they will tell you when to schedule the appointment. At this visit, they will do a physical exam, check how you are healing, and make sure that you are able to care for yourself and your baby.

When should I call the doctor? — Call your doctor or nurse for advice right away if:

●Your vaginal bleeding gets heavier.

●You have signs of infection, such as a fever higher than 100.4°F (38°C), chills, fast heartbeat, cold or clammy skin, or dizziness.

●Your pain gets worse.

●You have pain when urinating.

●You are having trouble breastfeeding or have breast symptoms that worry you.

●You have shortness of breath, chest pain, or leg pain or swelling.

●You feel depressed or are having trouble coping.

More on this topic

Patient education: Labor and childbirth (The Basics)
Patient education: Vaginal tearing during childbirth (The Basics)
Patient education: How to take a sitz bath (The Basics)
Patient education: Vaginal birth after a cesarean (The Basics)
Patient education: Breastfeeding (The Basics)
Patient education: Depression during and after pregnancy (The Basics)