RESOURCES
Below are resources to help guide you during your pregnancy, labour and postpartum period.
Additional Resources
Before Your First Visit / About Midwifery
Health During Pregnancy
HEALTHY EATING IN PREGNANCY
Labour & Delivery
Choice of Birthplace
Prenatal Education Classes & Doula Information
Pregancy Resources & Testing Information
Postpartum Period & Newborn Care
Mental Health
Body Changes after Baby
Perineal Care After Baby
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Applying ice packs to the perineal area for the first 24 hours. Ice packs and cold compresses should be removed after 10 – 20 minutes and reapplied every hour as needed. -
Ice packs should be wrapped in a towel or facecloth and not applied directly to the skin. -
Women can use cold compresses, a bag of ice or frozen veggies, or a frozen, water-soaked maxi pad or baby diaper to place in their underwear. -
Resting as much as possible. -
Letting the perineum air-dry while resting. -
Using a pillow or an inflatable ring when sitting. Inflatable rings are available at most drugstores. -
Soaking the perineal area in warm water a few times a day and after bowel movements. A sitz bath filled with a few inches of water and placed on the toilet seat is convenient. Sitz baths can be purchased at the drug store or home health store. If a woman is using her bathtub for perineal soaks, she should have it cleaned first and ensure that someone is present to help her in and out of the tub for the first few times. -
Taking OTC pain medications recommended by her health care provider.
After your C-Section
Breast Changes
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Support mothers to identify and respond to feeding cues soon after birth. -
Encourage frequent feedings, at least eight times in 24 hours to establish a good milk supply. -
Avoid giving any supplemental feedings unless there is a medical need for them. -
Ensure the baby is feeding well. -
Encourage skin-to-skin care.
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Prior to feeds, massage, or manually express the breasts to help the milk to flow. Manually express the breast to soften the areola to make it easier for the baby to latch, especially if the breasts are full. Warm compresses applied to the breasts before massage is comforting and can improve milk flow. -
Ensure the infant is well-latched and feeding well. The mother should hear the infant frequently swallowing during the feed. -
Encourage women to offer both breasts at each feeding. If the baby does not feed on the second side, the mother can manually express for a few minutes to make it more comfortable. -
Encourage mothers to wear a supportive bra that is not too tight. -
Apply ice packs or cold compresses after feeds to help to reduce any swelling and/or pain. -
Offer support and advise mothers to seek help if things are not improving with the engorgement or infant feeding. The most important thing is to feed the baby. Mothers can express their milk and feed it to their babies with a small cup, spoon, or bottle if necessary. -
If the mother develops signs of mastitis, which includes localized or generalized breast pain, redness, heat, red streaking in the breast, along with fever and flu‐like symptoms, she should seek medical help immediately.
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Wear a supportive but non-stretchy bra. -
Apply ice packs or cold compresses to breasts frequently. -
Avoid the application of hot packs or hot compresses as this encourages swelling and more discomfort. -
Take pain medication as recommended. -
Express small amounts of milk to relieve the discomfort associated with engorgement. Expressing small amounts of milk should only be done for a few minutes. -
Be patient as it takes a few days to a few weeks for the milk to dry up.
Ontario Midwives Handouts & Resources
Visit the Association of Ontario Midwives for handouts on the following: