When you return home from the hospital, your new baby will need care, but so will you.

Talk about these needs now, and if your partner or another loved one cant be there, enlist someone who can. Its important for you to rest and take breaks. Well ask you about the help available to you before you leave the hospital.

Its wise to have extra help on call in case you have a cesarean section. In that case, you'll likely be told not to carry or lift anything heavier than your baby and not to engage in strenuous physical activity for a few weeks until your incision heals. Talk with your healthcare provider about how long you should take it easy.

A Message to Partners and Friends

Your support can make all the difference as the new mother manages the last weeks of pregnancy. Foot and lower-back massages will help her feel more comfortable. Extra pillows when she is sitting or lying down, a glass of water by her side and simple, healthy meals are easy things to provide that she may not do for herself.

If she has other small children at home, extra time with you and other close adults will both comfort mom as she focuses on her approaching labor and give her the rest she needs to build her energy.

If she plans to breastfeed, learn as much as you can about the benefits of breast milk and how breastfeeding works so that you can help support her during the early days of nursing.

This message is not intended to provide individual medical advice. Always seek the advice of a physician or qualified healthcare provider for any questions you have about your health or medical condition, your breastfeeding issues and your infant's health. Never disregard, avoid or delay contacting a doctor or other qualified professional because of something you have read in our emails, webpages or other electronic communications.

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