Some think that the birth of the baby is the end of your journey; I believe it’s just the beginning. Care continues for both mother and baby for the 6 weeks after the birth as part of the total package. Around 48-72 hours after the birth I return to your home for the first postpartum visit. At this time I examine you and the baby, discuss breastfeeding, check for jaundice and make sure that everyone is recovering well. At this visit I perform the California Newborn Screening test which involves a heel stick on the baby. The Birth Information packet required by the State of California is completed so you can file for the baby’s birth certificate and social security numbers. The second postpartum visit is typically done in my office when the baby is one week old. I want to make sure that the baby is gaining weight and that your breastfeeding relationship is off to a good start. I believe in nurturing strong emotional and physical connections between the infant and its parents. This style of parenting encourages responsiveness to the infant's needs, and babies, in turn, develop trust that the world is a safe place.  Additional visits are done as needed until your six-week postpartum check-up. I find this last visit is a good time to talk about baby care, family planning, breastfeeding and motherhood. If warranted I do a pelvic exam to check healing or perform a pap smear. Most of all I find that this visit is a great chance for us to talk about the birth and look at photos. By now I’m practically a part of your family!
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