Care for the mother after delivery

The doctor or midwife regularly checks your heart rate, temperature, blood pressure, blood loss and dilation of the cervix.
The cervix contracts and gradually shortens. These contractions can be uncomfortable.
If you had an incision between the vagina and the anus (perineum), the stitches may be uncomfortable when you sit down. Rinse your vagina twice a day with running water to keep it clean and ease the pain.
Get enough rest.
You lose blood for up to 8 weeks after delivery. First the blood is bright red. Then it becomes a brown colour. Later on, it can become yellow or white. The amount of blood diminishes. Change sanitary towels regularly.

Your menstrual period returns about 6 weeks after delivery. If you breast-feed your baby, it takes longer.

During pregnancy, the pelvic floor muscles stretch. After delivery, these muscles need exercise to recover. Ask your doctor or midwife for advice.

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Zorg voor de moeder na de bevalling

De dokter of vroedvrouw controleert regelmatig uw hartslag, temperatuur, bloeddruk, bloedverlies en hoogte van de baarmoederhals.
De baarmoeder trekt samen en wordt geleidelijk kleiner. Deze samentrekkingen kunnen onaangenaam zijn.
Als u hechtingen heeft, kunnen ze ongemakkelijk zijn wanneer u zit. Spoel uw vagina 2 keer per dag met stromend water om ze proper te houden en de pijn te verzachten.
Rust voldoende.
U verliest bloed tot 8 weken na de bevalling. Eerst is het bloed helderrood. Dan wordt het bruinig. Daarna kan het geel of wit worden. De hoeveelheid bloed vermindert. Vervang regelmatig het maandverband.

Ongeveer 6 weken na de bevalling komt uw menstruatie weer op gang. Als u borstvoeding geeft, kan dit langer duren.

Tijdens de zwangerschap rekken uw bekkenbodemspieren uit. Na de bevalling moet u deze spieren trainen zodat ze kunnen herstellen. Vraag advies aan uw gynaecoloog of vroedvrouw. Zij kunnen u doorverwijzen naar een kinesist.

More information or help needed?

Family doctor

You can talk to a family doctor about almost every intimate issue. If necessary the family doctor can refer you to a specialised health professional. Find a family doctor in your neighbourhood:

www.mediwacht.be

Community health centre (wijkgezondheidscentrum)

You can visit a family doctor in a community health centre. Other care professionals such as nurses and social workers also work at community health centres. Care is provided free of charge. Find a community health centre in your neighbourhood:

vwgc.be

Gynaecologist

In Belgium, you can make an appointment directly with the gynaecologist without a referral from your family doctor. However, your family doctor can help you find a gynaecologist.

Midwife

A midwife helps pregnant women before, during and after delivery. Find a midwife in your neighbourhood:

www.vroedvrouwen.be

Aquarelle

Prenatal and postnatal care for women who migrated to Belgium

CHU Saint-Pierre - Hoogstraat 322 rue Haute (6th floor), 1000 Brussel

02 535 47 13

www.aquarelle-bru.be

De Kraamtuin

Information about a desire to have children, pregnancy, delivery, maternity care, breast-feeding and parenthood.

Gouverneur Roppesingel 13, 3500 Hasselt

078 05 52 00