Postpartum

Fecal incontinence is when you accidentally leak stool. It often occurs after vaginal birth.

Urinary incontinence is when you accidentally leak urine. It's common in pregnant women. Four in 10 women get it during or after pregnancy.

The perineum is the area of tissue between the vagina and anus. After childbirth, this area may be very sore.

Pregnancy changes your body in many ways. If you have diabetes, pregnancy can also change how your body uses insulin. You'll need to adapt your diabetes management plan before, during, and after giving birth. Your healthcare provider will work with you to help you keep diabetes under control during this exciting time.

Here is information on when it's safe to have sex with your partner again postpartum, how sex may be different for you now, and how to plan ahead with birth control so you don't have any surprise pregnancies.

A guide to help ease any discomfort and aid healing if you have had an episiotomy (a cut that enlarges the opening of the vagina) when giving birth.

You were diagnosed with ectopic pregnancy, a pregnancy that develops outside the uterus. Your healthcare provider did a laparoscopic procedure to treat your condition. Here are some instructions for caring for yourself when you are at home.

Your healthcare provider has either done an episiotomy or repaired tissue that was torn during your baby's birth. Here you will find suggestions to prevent infection and constipation, and to ease pain.

You have been diagnosed with a hydatidiform mole (also called a molar pregnancy). You and your doctor have decided on dilatation and curettage (D&C) to remove the mole. Here are guidelines to follow at home after the procedure.

You have had a miscarriage. This is the unplanned end of a pregnancy before the baby can live outside the uterus. You may have had a shock to your system, both physically and emotionally. Here's how to care for yourself at home.

After you deliver your baby, you can start to exercise whenever you feel ready. Let your body be your guide. Most women are ready to exercise after 6 weeks, where some women will be ready a few days after delivery. If you've had a cesarean section, you may will need more time. If you've had a cesarean section, ask your healthcare provider when it is safe to begin exercising again.

The benefits of not smoking will last your whole life. But changes related to the birth may trigger an old urge to smoke. So use the excitement of a new baby to stay smoke-free. Make a new plan to help get through these busy months.

Safe surrender means giving up a baby in a safe way when you're not able to care for them. Read on to learn more about how the laws work and how to safely surrender a baby.

Postpartum hemorrhage is more bleeding than normal after the birth of a baby. About 1 in 100 to 5 in 100 women have postpartum hemorrhage. It is more likely with a cesarean birth. It most often happens after the placenta is delivered, but it can also happen later.

Some breastfeeding moms may be more likely to get plugged milk ducts than others. Read on for some quick tips on preventing and managing this condition.

Many new moms are surprised to find they feel sad or moody when adjusting to life with a newborn. But these feelings are very common.

Postpartum psychosis is a rare and very serious type of depression that can occur after pregnancy. It's a medical emergency.

It's common to feel tired and moody after having a baby. But if you have very strong feelings of sadness or anger, or have trouble doing your daily tasks, you may have a serious mood disorder called postpartum depression. Learn about the symptoms and treatment.

Learn about treatment options for postpartum depression. In most cases, medicines to treat depression can be used when you're breastfeeding.

You've just had a baby. You know you should be excited and happy. Instead you find yourself crying for no reason. You feel sad, tired, and hopeless most of the time. You may even feel ashamed or guilty. Postpartum depression is not your fault. Read on to learn how to get help and feel better.

Many people may have depression during pregnancy. You may feel sad, anxious, and very tired. It may be hard for you to do daily tasks. There are ways to treat this depression.