Postpartum period
There are few more exciting events in life than the birth of a child. But the arrival of the little new family member also marks the beginning of a time of challenges and readjustment. Our midwives, nurses and doctors are also available to advise and empathize with you during the postpartum period and accompany you during the first days as a family.
In our rooms with a wonderful view of the city you will recover from the birth and get to know your newborn. For semi-private and private insurants there are further additional services, which we have compiled on a separate page (in German).
To promote bonding, we offer you the opportunity to spend uninterrupted time with your child (rooming-in). Through focused instruction on feeding and caring for the newborn, we fill your backpack with essential knowledge and skills.
Of course, your family and friends may visit to welcome your child. However, we suggest that you receive as few visitors as possible during the first few days. Our experience shows that rest and time to build a relationship with the child promotes breastfeeding and that women who have given birth go home more rested.
To ensure that your family also receives professional support at home, we will help you – in collaboration with FamilyStart (in German) – to find a midwife to accompany you after discharge.
Professional support for the youngest
There are situations when your child needs extra support, such as jaundice or premature birth. To ensure that the bond between mother and child is not disturbed by spatial separation, we care for your premature baby in the postpartum ward under certain conditions after a birth from 34+0 weeks of gestation or if phototherapy is needed to treat jaundice. For the health and safety of your child, we work closely with the pediatricians in neonatology on a daily basis.
However, some newborns need more support and must be admitted to neonatology. Due to the small physical distance, you have the possibility to visit your child at any time.
Offers after the postpartum period at the USZ
We will continue to be there for you after your stay at the USZ with various offers. For example, our lactation consultant will also be available to answer any questions you may have later, such as when you return to work, when you stop breastfeeding, or if surgery or other medical treatment is necessary during the breastfeeding phase. In addition, we recommend that you take part in postnatal gymnastics, which is led by a physiotherapist.
What parents say about us
“Thanks for your help with my first born baby boy!”
A. C., via Instagram
“We would choose the USZ again for our pregnancy, delivery and postpartum care, as well as the USZ neonatology service, anytime.”
Family B., via Google Reviews
The most frequently asked questions about the postpartum period at the USZ
After a natural birth you usually spend 2-3 days and after a cesarean 3-4 days with us. You decide together with us when you are ready to go home. It is important to us that you and your newborn are discharged in the best possible health and we do everything we can to ensure that you can go home together.
Outpatient birth is also possible. The best way to do this is to talk to one of our midwives at our midwifery consultation before the birth.
In so-called rooming-in, mothers and their newborns are housed in the same room after birth. This means that the baby is not taken to a separate area like an infant ward, but stays directly with the mother.
Rooming-in offers many advantages for you as parents and your newborn. It promotes the bonding process between them as you are together most of the time and can build a closer relationship. You will get to know your baby and his needs better, and you will be able to breastfeed your baby at any time. As you take care of your baby yourself, rooming-in can help you adjust more quickly to what may be a new role as mom or dad.
In some cases, there may be medical reasons that rooming-in is not possible. In such cases, we make alternative care arrangements to best meet the needs of both parent and child.
Breastfeeding can sometimes bring its challenges. But do not worry! We help you to make your start of breastfeeding easier. We’ll show you how to find the right position, maintain good milk production, and work around potential problems such as sore nipples. Breastfeeding not only provides nutrients and protection for your baby, but also strengthens your bond and promotes your own health.
Of course, you decide whether you want to breastfeed your child or feed him with adapted milk. Even if you are not breastfeeding, our lactation consultants are available to provide expert advice and valuable tips during the postpartum period.
After delivery, the uterus gradually contracts with the help of afterpains to stop bleeding as quickly as possible at the site where the placenta (placenta) previously sat. As a result, the uterus gradually returns to its normal pre-pregnancy size. Postpartum contractions can last for the first few days of the postpartum period and often become stronger during breastfeeding, which releases the hormone oxytocin, which promotes labor.
First-time mothers usually experience only mild pulling abdominal pain. However, with further births, the afterpains can be painful more often. This is probably because the uterus has to contract more due to pre-expansion from previous births. In some cases, the afterpains are so intense that pain medications can be helpful.
Postpartum depression and the baby blues are two different conditions that can occur after birth. While the baby blues are considered a normal and temporary reaction to hormonal changes after childbirth, postpartum depression is a more serious condition that requires medical attention.
The baby blues, also called postpartum blues, often occur in the first few days after birth and are manifested by mood swings, sadness, irritability, crying, sleep disturbances and anxiety. These symptoms can be unpleasant, but usually last only a few days to a maximum of two weeks and subside on their own. The baby blues are considered a normal reaction to hormonal changes, adjusting to the new role as a mother, and the physical stress of childbirth.
In contrast, postpartum depression is a more serious condition that lasts longer and can significantly affect a woman’s well-being and ability to manage her daily life. Symptoms of postpartum depression include persistent sadness, hopelessness, feelings of worthlessness, anxiety, irritability, sleep disturbances, appetite changes, lack of energy, concentration problems, guilt, and possibly thoughts of self-harm or suicide. It is important to note that not all women with postpartum depression have suicidal thoughts, but it is a possible symptom that should not be ignored.
If a woman suffers from persistent symptoms for more than two weeks after giving birth or has symptoms that interfere with her normal life, it is important to seek medical attention. Early diagnosis and treatment of postpartum depression are critical to promote maternal well-being and bonding with the baby.
It is important for women to know that they are not alone in overcoming these challenges and that support is available. Timely treatment and sharing with healthcare professionals, family members and friends can support the healing process and help the mother recover more quickly and find joy in being a mother again.