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After Delivery - Moms

After delivery you may feel many emotions–relief, happiness, exhaustion, anxiety. These feelings are normal. Focus on you and your baby, and get the support you need to have a happy, healthy home.

Focus on you

Take care of yourself so you can take care of your new family! Get enough sleep, eat right, and get some exercise. Tell people around you what you need so they can better support you.

Postpartum Depression – 1 in 8 women experience postpartum depression. Postpartum depression is more serious than typical feelings of sadness. Learn how you can get help.

Intimate Partner Violence – Pregnancy and the postpartum period can be a dangerous time for intimate partner violence (IPV). IPV is abuse or aggression that occurs in a romantic relationship. "Intimate partner" refers to both current and former spouses and dating partners.

If you or someone you know is experiencing abuse in their home, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline (thehotline.org) at 1−800−799−SAFE (7233) or TTY 1−800−787−3224.

Focus on your baby

  • Learn the Basics – No baby comes with an instruction manual. The Information for Parents of Newborns is a Texas resource to help you get started on the basics of parenthood.
  • Every child deserves a medical home – Raising Texas can help you find a medical provider and supportive services for your baby’s social and emotional development.
  • Child Care – It is important to choose the right child care. Learn what to look for in a child care provider in Texas.
  • SIDS – There are steps you - and everyone who cares for your baby - can take to ensure safe infant sleep. Learn more about SIDS and Safe Infant Sleep.
  • Babies need Tummy Time – Tummy Time is when the baby is on its belly and an adult is watching. The baby learns to use its muscles to hold its head up and use its arms and shoulders for balance.

Get the support you need

Involve Dad– It is important to involve your baby's father with your baby. Even if you are not in a romantic relationship. Women with involved partners tend to have better birth outcomes and children with involved fathers do too.

Find out more

Check out the Resources for Moms and Moms-to-be page for links to more sources of support.


Please contact us for more information about women's or infant's health work in Texas:
Texas Department of State Health Services
Maternal and Child Health
PO Box 149347, Mail Code 1922
Austin, TX 78714-9347
512-776-7373
512-458-7658 (fax)
titlev@dshs.texas.gov

External links to other sites are informational and do not have the endorsement of the Texas Department of State Health Services.