Southern Health-Santé Sud

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After being discharged from the hospital maternity ward, families are contacted by a Public Health Nurse, who will be able to provide:

• physical assessment of Mom and newborn
• breastfeeding support
• support for coping with the emotional adjustment to parenting
• information on nutrition, safety in the home, and healthy lifestyle choices
• referral to other services that would support the parents and children

This important postpartum contact also helps us gather information about families with young children in our region, assisting Southern Health- Santé Sud to make future decisions about services and programs that might be helpful for them.

If you have general concerns about yourself or the wellbeing of your new baby, wish to discuss specific concerns regarding newborn care, postpartum depression or difficulties, or would simply like reassurance that everything is going well, please call the Public Health Nurse in your area.

Emotional Support

It is normal for parents to go through a period of adjustment period following the birth of a child, and it is expected that most new mothers will experience a wide range of strong emotions. Up to 75% of new moms say they experience “baby blues” usually beginning a few days after childbirth and fading away on their own within a couple of weeks.

During the baby blues, women may feel weepy, overwhelmed, irritable, anxious, fatigued and have trouble sleeping. If these feelings don’t go away or get worse, you may be experiencing postpartum depression. If this is the case, there are many places to get help:

1. Talk to your Public Health Nurse Talk to your Doctor or Midwife.
2. If you are having thoughts of harming yourself or your baby or are feeling in crisis, call: 

• 24-Hour Crisis Service: 204-326-9276, toll free 1-888-617-7715
• 24-Hour Manitoba Suicide Line: 1-877-435-7170

Other Postpartum Resources:

24-Hour Professional Support

• Health Links/Info Sante: 204-788-8200 or toll free 1-888-315-9257

Breastfeeding Support

• Breastfeeding Hotline (24 hours) 204-788-8667
• Motherisk provides information on the risks associated with smoking and substance abuse while breastfeeding.

Postpartum emotional health information:

• www.heretohelp.bc.ca/publications/factsheets/postpartum
• Pacific Post Partum Support Society: http://www.postpartum.org/
• Postpartum Support International: http://www.postpartum.net/

← Affiliate Health Corporations operate through a signed Service-Purchase Agreement with Southern Health-Santé Sud.

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