Postpartum Care
From certified lactation consultants to pelvic floor therapy, we offer the support and resources you need to navigate the postpartum period more easily.
From the moment your baby enters the world to the day you leave the hospital, our postpartum care centers are committed to providing the support you need to begin recovering.
Your Postpartum Stay
At Palm Beach Health Network, we practice evidence-based care. When medically possible, we encourage mothers to spend the Golden Hour with their newborns.
The Golden Hour is the period in a baby's first hour of life in which important events take place. Mothers and babies who spend the Golden Hour together may experience better neonatal thermoregulation, decreased stress levels in both mother and child, and improved bonding. Additionally, increased rates and duration of breastfeeding have been linked to the implementation of this time in mothers and babies.
During the Golden Hour, you may participate in skin-to-skin contact and your nurse will be available to answer any questions you may have.
Additional security measures:
When your baby is born, a sensor is attached to his/her ankle or umbilical cord. This device sets off an alarm if your baby is moved near any of the exits, stairs or elevators in our area.
The Labor & Delivery and the Postpartum areas are always on “lockdown” mode. To enter these areas, visitors must identify themselves and the door must be unlocked by the staff inside.
Check for an official hospital ID badge. Release your infant only to staff members wearing the appropriate name tags. During your hospital tour, you will be told how to identify these badges. Otherwise, the baby should not leave your room.
Babies are transported in bassinets/cribs. No infants are to be carried in the hallways by staff, parents or visitors.
If you believe you may be experiencing postpartum depression, we urge you to seek care from your OB/GYN, mental healthcare provider or primary care provider. Therapy, support groups and medication are all options for women living with postpartum depression.
If you experience a mental health crisis, call 9-1-1 or seek emergency care immediately.
Postpartum Health
Baby Blues and Postpartum Depression
Many mothers experience the "baby blues," a period of time that includes mood swings, unexplained feelings of sadness and other emotional responses in the first few weeks of postpartum life. In fact, up to 80 percent of women reported negative feelings or mood swings after birth (American Pregnancy Association).
These mood swings are attributed to hormonal changes as the body readjusts after being pregnant. While the baby blues are very common in postpartum women, your OB/GYN is available to answer any questions and can offer guidance.
Unlike the baby blues, postpartum depression is a more serious medical condition that can be treated with medication and therapy. Postpartum depression occurs in approximately 15 percent of women and usually involves more severe symptoms than the baby blues.
Comparing the baby blues and postpartum depression:
| Baby Blues | Postpartum Depression | |
|---|---|---|
| Symptoms |
|
|
| Symptom Duration | 0–3 weeks after birth | More than 3 weeks after birth |