Pregnancy

About your Pregnancy

What to bring to the hospital

A few helpful tips on what to take to the hospital for the big day.

  • A picture ID (driver’s license or other ID), your insurance card, and any hospital paperwork you need
  • Eyeglasses, if you wear them. Even if you usually wear contact lenses, you may not want to deal with them while you’re in the hospital.
  • A bathrobe, a night gown or two, slippers, and socks. Baptist provides gowns and socks for you to use during labor and afterward, but some women prefer to wear their own. Choose a loose, comfortable gown that you don’t mind getting dirty. It should be either sleeveless or have short, loose sleeves so your blood pressure can be checked easily. Slippers and a robe may come in handy if you want to walk the halls during labor.

For you:

  • A fresh nightgown, if you prefer to wear your own
  • Your cell phone and charger. After your baby’s born, you or your partner may want to call family and friends to let them know the good news. Bring a list of everyone you’ll want to contact so you don’t forget someone important when you’re exhausted after delivery.
  • Toiletries: Pack a few personal items, such as a toothbrush and toothpaste, lip balm, deodorant, a brush and comb, makeup, and a hair band or barrettes.
  • Comfortable nursing bras or regular bras. Whether or not you choose to breastfeed, your breasts are likely to be tender and swollen when your milk comes in, which can happen anytime during the first several days after delivery. A good bra can provide some comfort, and breast pads can be added to help absorb leaks.
  • Several pairs of maternity underpants. Some women love the mesh underwear usually provided by the hospital, but others don’t. You can’t go wrong with your own roomy cotton underpants. The hospital will provide sanitary pads because you’ll bleed after delivery. Make sure you have a supply of heavy-duty pads waiting at home!
  • A going-home outfit. Bring something roomy and easy to get into (believe it or not, you’ll probably still look 5 or 6 months pregnant) and a pair of flat, comfortable shoes.

For your baby:

  • Several outfits for your baby. After delivery the baby will go into the nursery for monitoring and bathing. Once the baby is in your room you can change him/her upon necessity. It is always good to have extra clothing for unexpected situations that could arise with newborns.
  • An installed car seat. You can’t drive your baby home without one! Have a rear-facing car seat properly installed ahead of time and know how to buckle your baby in correctly.
  • A going-home outfit. Your baby will need an outfit to go home in, including socks or booties if the clothing doesn’t have feet, and a soft cap if the air is likely to be cool. Make sure your baby’s outfit has legs so the car seat strap can fit between them.
  • A receiving blanket. The hospital will provide blankets for swaddling your baby while you’re there, but you may want to bring your own to tuck around your baby in the car seat for the ride home. Make it a heavy one if the weather’s cold.

Postpartum Care

Your newborn may be your top priority — but postpartum care counts, too. Taking good care of yourself is an essential part. Here is what to expect

If you had an episiotomy or vaginal tear during delivery, the wound might hurt for a few weeks. Extensive tears might take longer to heal. In the meantime, you can help promote healing:

  • Soothe the wound. Cool the wound with an ice pack, or place a chilled witch hazel pad — available in most pharmacies — between a sanitary napkin and the wound.
  • Take the sting out of urination. Pour warm water over your vulva as you’re urinating. Press a clean pad firmly against the wound when you bear down for a bowel movement.
  • Keep the wound clean. Use a squirt bottle filled with water to rinse the tissue between the vaginal opening and anus (perineum) after using the toilet.
  • Sit down carefully. If sitting is uncomfortable, sit on a pillow or padded ring.

While you’re healing, expect the discomfort to progressively improve. Contact our office if the pain intensifies, the wound becomes hot, swollen and painful, or you notice a pus-like discharge.

Anything that puts pressure on the abdominal area will probably be painful at first, but you’ll feel a bit better day-by-day. Be sure to use your hands or a pillow to support your incision when you cough, sneeze, or laugh.

You’ll likely be given a prescription for painkillers and a stool softener before you leave the hospital. You may need prescription painkillers for up to a week after surgery, gradually transitioning to over-the-counter pain relievers. (If you’re breastfeeding, don’t take aspirin or drugs containing acetylsalicylic acid.)

Drink plenty of fluids to help you avoid constipation. You may feel numbness and soreness at the incision site, and the scar will be slightly raised, puffy, and darker than your natural skin tone. It will feel better day-by-day, quite noticeably so after several days, though it may continue to be tender for several weeks.

Call our office if you have signs of an infection, including: warmth, redness, swelling, or oozing at the incision site, worsening pain or sudden onset of pain, any fever (even if your incision looks fine), foul smelling in vaginal discharge.

With both c-section and vaginal deliver you will have a vaginal discharge (lochia) for a number of weeks after delivery. Expect a bright red, heavy flow of blood for the first few days. If you’ve been sitting or lying down, you might notice a small gush when you stand up. The discharge will gradually taper off, changing from pink or brown to yellow or white. To reduce the risk of infection, use sanitary napkins rather than tampons. Don’t be alarmed if you occasionally pass small blood clots.

We recommend no heavy lifting for approximately two weeks and no sexual intercourse for about six weeks.

A two-week follow up after a normal delivery is done to answer any lactation or postpartum questions you may have. If you delivered via cesarean section the follow up visit should be in one week; the doctor has to check the incision. A final six-week follow up appointment will be arraigned at this time. However should you feel anything out the ordinary contact our office for an immediate appointment.

Our Office

Office Hours

Monday – 9:00 AM – 05:00 PM

Tuesday – 9:00 AM – 05:00 PM

Wednesday – 9:00 AM – 05:00 PM

Thursday – 9:00 AM – 05:00 PM

Friday – 9:00 AM – 05:00 PM

Patient Feedback

Dr. Del Boca is absolutely the best doctor in Miami, he’s so caring which a lot of physicians aren’t now a days. He delivered my second baby girl; wish I would’ve been referred to him for my first daughter. The staff is amazing and I’ve never had any issues. I recently went to get my IUD insertion (Mirena) and this was the second time I’ve gotten it and I have to say Dr. Del Boca made it very pleasant, it didn’t hurt AT ALL. I was only a little uncomfortable because my bladder was full but other than that it was quick and painless. I was very nervous because the first time I got it I did feel a little pain but this time, NO PAIN.

Sunia Costa

Dr. Bestard is amazing, highly recommend to anyone looking for an OBGYN

Jessica Gonzalez

Dr. Vazquez-Vera is the epitome of what every physician should embody. His bedside manners are impeccable – so compassionate and understanding. He is knowledgeable and informative. He has been my OB for my first pregnancy and I have had a wonderful experience being his patient.

Nicole Tavares

I had my baby with Dr. Alvarez last year. She makes you feel like family, the humblest human being ever! Thank you so much Dr for my beautiful experience.

Emily

I chose Dr. Bolet initially to help take care of my baby and I during my first pregnancy. He was amazing, reassuring, and professional every step of the way! He is so good at informing the patient and making them feel comfortable. Best decision ever!

Scarlett Ponce