Postpartum care
After your baby is born, recovering and bonding with your new child is of the utmost importance. Our commitment is to put you and your baby first while providing care for all your post-pregnancy needs.
Postpartum support in Richmond, Virginia
During the joyful (and sometimes hectic) time after your baby arrives, we give you ongoing support.
At Henrico Doctors' Hospital, we provide a full range of postpartum services. We strive to ease your transition to parenthood, with programs personalized towards both your mental and physical health.
Related specialties
Learn more about our related specialties.
After-birth services we offer
Our postpartum services are designed to ensure that you have the care and resources you need during the first days, weeks and months of parenthood.
Postpartum care
Following your child's birth, we provide personalized postpartum care to help you begin the recovery process, start breastfeeding (if desired) and learn to care for your baby. Our services are geared towards what's best for your family, and they include:
- Breastfeeding support — Our board-certified lactation consultants are available if you need help learning to breastfeed your baby. Additionally, if your child needs more breast milk than you can supply, we offer human milk from donors. To speak to a lactation consultant, or sign up for one of our breastfeeding support groups, call (804) 289-4977.
- Couplet care — We support couplet care, also known as "rooming in," so that you can bond with your newborn in a private setting. This means your baby stays with you in your room at all times, even during examinations.
- Postpartum depression treatment — It is natural to feel overwhelmed by the challenges of motherhood, but we are here to help you. To learn about our postpartum depression services, including screenings and support, call (804) 977-5862.
Support groups
Every pregnancy is different, so we offer a variety of support groups that meet regularly. There is no need to register or call to reserve spots, and all groups take place at the same time each month/week. Our support groups include:
- Moms Supporting Moms — This monthly support group is for pregnant women and moms with substance abuse disorders, who are in medication-assisted treatment or are in recovery. The group provides a supportive and respectful environment where you can discuss fears, challenges and hopes for pregnancy and beyond. The group is open to the community and meets the first Wednesday of every month at 10:00am in Henrico Area Mental Health and Developmental Services, located at 3908 Nine Mile Road, Henrico, VA 23223.
- Pregnancy and Infant Loss — This support group is intended for parents and adult family members who are grieving the loss of a baby, including miscarriages, stillbirths, infant deaths and terminations. This free group is open to the community, and meets on the first Thursday of each month from 6:00pm to 7:00pm in the Sarah Cannon Cancer Institute at Henrico Doctors' Hospital.
- Safe Circle RVA — In association with our sister hospital, Parham Doctors’ Hospital, Safe Circle RVA offers support groups for pregnant and postpartum women who are struggling with substance use disorders. To learn more about these meetings, please call (804) 289-4972.
Understanding postpartum depression
Although the time after your baby is born is full of wonder and joy, you may find yourself feeling a deep sense of sadness, fatigue or stress. This is not uncommon, and it's nothing to be ashamed of, but it is something you should talk to your doctor about. Understanding what postpartum depression is and how to identify it can help you start this conversation with your doctor so you can recover and heal more quickly and easily.
What are the symptoms and signs of postpartum depression?
Postpartum depression symptoms may include:
- Anger and irritability
- Changes in appetite or not eating
- Crying excessively, or for no reason
- Difficulty bonding with your baby
- Insomnia or, conversely, the desire to sleep all the time
- Intense feelings of worthlessness, hopelessness or guilt
- Lack of interest in your baby
- Loss of energy, motivation and interest in activities you enjoy
- Questioning your ability as a mother
- Severe anxiety, panic attacks and feeling on edge
- Severe mood swings
- Thoughts of suicide or death to your baby
- Trouble focusing
- Withdrawing from family and friends
How long does postpartum depression last?
Postpartum depression is a condition that can affect up to one in seven new parents. Symptoms can develop within the first few weeks of parenthood, though, in some cases, can begin during pregnancy. It can last anywhere from a few months to a year after your baby is born, but treatment with psychotherapy or antidepressants can be very effective.
How can postpartum depression be treated?
Our postpartum depression providers offer postpartum therapy that is geared towards you and you alone, with dedicated postpartum rooms as well for dedicated recovery on your own terms. If you are totally honest with how you are feeling at any given moment, treatment can improve.
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