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When Your Baby Is Born Too Soon Discharge Instructions


About this topic


Pregnancy most often lasts 40 weeks. When a baby is born less than 37 weeks into pregnancy, it is called a premature or preterm birth. The baby may be born through the vagina or with a C-section. Your body will respond the same way, even though you have had your baby early. ‚  
When a baby is born prematurely, the baby may not be ready to live outside the womb. The organs may not be fully developed. A baby who is born early will need extra care. It may take a few weeks before the baby is allowed to go home. The earlier a baby is born, the more problems a baby may have. ‚  

What care is needed at home?


  • Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
  • Consider pumping your breasts to give your baby breast milk. This is very important for a baby who is born early. Talk to your doctor about the best way to keep your milk supply up until your baby is able to nurse.
  • Do not lift anything heavier than your baby for a few weeks.
  • Get lots of rest. This may be hard to do, especially if your baby is in the hospital. Ask for help from family and friends. Your body needs rest in order to heal.
  • Use an ice pack on your vaginal area if you had a cut or tearing. Place an ice pack or a bag of frozen peas wrapped in a towel over the painful part. Never put ice right on the skin. Do not leave the ice on more than 10 to 15 minutes at a time.
  • Do not have sex until your doctor tells you it is safe. Often, your doctor will clear you for sex after your 6 week check-up.
  • Regardless of the type of birth you had, you will still have vaginal bleeding. Use pads, not tampons.
  • Ask your doctor when it is safe to begin exercising again.
  • If you had a C-section, talk with your doctor about how to care for you cut site.

What follow-up care is needed?


  • Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits.
  • If you have stitches or staples, you may need to have them taken out. Your doctor will often want to do this in 1 to 2 weeks.

What drugs may be needed?


The doctor may order drugs to: ‚  
  • Help with pain and swelling
  • Prevent infection
  • Soften stools and help with bowel movements

What problems could happen?


  • Infection
  • Bleeding
  • Blood clots

When do I need to call the doctor?


  • Signs of infection. These include a fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher, chills, pain with passing urine.
  • Signs of wound infection. These include swelling, redness, warmth around the wound; too much pain when touched; yellowish, greenish, or bloody discharge; foul smell coming from the cut site; cut site opens up.
  • Bleeding heavier than one pad per hour
  • Foul-smelling discharge from the vagina
  • Pain, swelling, and tenderness in leg, especially the calf

Teach Back: Helping You Understand


The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚  
  • I can tell you about my condition.
  • I can tell you how to care for myself.
  • I can tell you what I will do if I have large amounts of vaginal bleeding, a foul smell coming from my vagina, or pain in my calf or leg.

Where can I learn more?


American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology ‚  
http://www.acog.org/~/media/For%20Patients/faq006.pdf?dmc=1&ts=20120818T2307362879 ‚  
National Institute of Child Health and Human Development ‚  
http://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/preterm/conditioninfo/Pages/default.aspx ‚  
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office on Womens Health ‚  
http://womenshealth.gov/pregnancy/childbirth-beyond/labor-birth.cfm#f ‚  

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer


This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚  

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