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The Healthy and Home Postpartum Support Program provides support
to mothers once they leave the hospital.
Generally, you can expect to be discharged on your 1st or 2nd day
postpartum or 3rd or 4th day post-cesarean birth.
If you wish and your doctor agrees, you may be eligible to participate
in the Healthy and Home Program. You will receive a telephone call
or home visit from an experienced maternal child nurse.
When To Call Your Doctor
Problems With Yourself
- If you develop a temperature greater than 38ºC
- If flow becomes unusually heavy, soaking more than one maxi
pad per hour, contains clots larger than an egg or is foul smelling
- If you have pain, redness in your calf of leg
- Sore red area on your breast with fever, flu-like symptoms
- Pain or difficulty passing water
- Cesarean section incision that is:
- hot - comes apart
- becoming more red or redder - starts draining
- more painful - swollen
- Episiotomy incision that is:
- more painful
- more swollen
- has foul smelling discharge
Problems With Your Baby
- Activity change such as very sleepy or listlessness, restlessness,
crying continuously
- Difficulty breathing
- Elevated temperature (greater than 38ºC)
- Increasing jaundice (yellow skin color)
- Frequent vomiting in large amounts
- Diarrhea
- Feeding problems such as refusing to eat several feeds in a
row
- Less than six wet diapers a day after day (four or five)
- Infrequent stools in the first 4-6 weeks of breastfeeding
Breastfeeding Centre
The Breastfeeding Centre is located in the Westwinds Primary Health Centre
at 3311 Fairlight Drive, Saskatoon. It is staffed by certified Lactation
Consultants. For appointments or telephone inquiries phone (306)
655-4806.
Drop In Centres
Breastfeeding Café
- Tuesdays 10:30 a.m.
- Room 110A, West Winds Primary Health Centre
- A relaxed, informal place to meet other breastfeeding women and participate in a discussion facilitated by a Lactation Consultant
- For further information please contact Breastfeeding Centre,
655-4806
See the Breastfeeding section of this website for more information.
Postpartum Adjustment
The Saskatoon Postpartum Depression Support Program
The Saskatoon Postpartum Depression Support Program is a community
wellness program provided by Saskatoon Health Region with support
from Saskatoon Community Clinic.
Our group offers you the opportunity to:
- Share feelings and experiences with people who understand;
- Receive encouragement and support to recognize and build on
your strengths;
- Regain your sense of identity and positive self-worth;
- Share information and ideas that can help in dealing with depression
and;
- Experience feelings in safety, with acceptance and empathy.
The group meets regularly. New members are welcome at any time. Pleasse call the Intake Facilitator at (306) 221-6806 for more meeting information.
What Am I Feeling?
The arrival of a new baby is a time of change and adjustment for
both parents and family. Society celebrates birth as a joyful time,
but there are many women who find themselves feeling overwhelmed
by their new responsibilities.
Maybe You’ve Said, Felt or Thought the Following
- “I am so irritable”
- “I cry all the time” or “I feel like crying
but I can’t”
- “I can’t get going” or “I can’t
slow down”
- “I feel so worried” or “anxious”
- “I feel so numb” or “I can’t feel anything”
- “I just can’t cope”
- “I feel so guilty” or “ashamed”
- “I don’t know who I am anymore”
- “I want to sleep all the time” or “I can’t
sleep”
- “I cannot stop eating” or “I don’t want
to eat”
- “I am having scary thoughts”
Why Do I Feel Like This?
If you are feeling some or many of the thoughts just described,
you may be experiencing Postpartum Depression. Many mothers are
surprised to learn that Postpartum Depression is experienced by
10-35% of mothers.
What Else Do We Know?
- Both biological and adoptive mothers can experience Postpartum
Depression.
- It usually occurs 20 – 40 days after delivery, but it
can occur anytime in the first year.
- It can affect your ability to carry out daily activities, and
how you relate to family and friends.
- There are many “causes” for Postpartum Depression,
as individual as you are.
- Postpartum Depression does improve, although each woman differs
on the time needed for recovery.
Remember: You are not alone, you are not
crazy, and you are not a failure as a mother!
What Helps?
Every woman has her own unique Postpartum experience. What works
for one mother may not necessarily be helpful to another mom.
Some Tips to Keep in Mind
- Nurture yourself – treat your emotional needs with respect.
Take time for yourself, even if it's only five minutes.
- Find and use a babysitter you trust.
- Respect your body’s needs for rest and sleep.
- Eat a well-balanced diet and avoid caffeine and chocolate.
- Accept the painful feelings and develop appropriate ways to
deal with anger.
- Develop support systems such as understanding family and friends
or a support group.
- See your physician for a complete physical checkup. Discuss
how you are feeling with your physician. You may find it helpful
to discuss if medications or a referral to a mental health professional
would be of value.
- Contact your Public Health Nurse or facilitator of the Postpartum
Depression Support Group for more information and resources available
in your community.
Contact Us
For more information about the Saskatoon Postpartum Depression
Support Group contact:
Intake facilitator
Telephone: (306) 221-6806
8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- We ask you to call the intake facilitator before you attend
your first meeting. She can help determine if the support group
might be helpful for you, and it allows us to plan childcare.
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