Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Mexico | Blue for Your Health | Summer 2021

bcbsnm.com/community-centennial 5 As a loving mom, keeping your new baby healthy is a top priority. But it’s just as important to make sure you stay in good health too. Doing so can help you feel better physically and emotionally. Here are three things to think about as you recover: 1. Ease into exercise. Getting enough rest is important, especially if you’ve had a C-section. But when you’re ready, you’ll want to start slowly exercising. Exercise—even short walks— may help new moms: ■ Be fit ■ Get back to their prepregnancy weight ■ Manage stress ■ Sleep better ■ Avoid depression 2. Make healthy eating choices. New moms need a bal- anced diet to feel great and fuel their recovering bodies. And if you’re breastfeeding, a good diet helps keep up a nutritious milk supply. Make fruits and veggies a part of every meal. Include whole-grain versions of breads, pastas, tortillas and cereals too. If you eat meat, choose lean cuts. And drink plenty of water. Eating fish is good for you too, but breastfeeding moms should choose fish lower in Stay healthy after baby’s arrival mercury. A few good choices are salmon, tilapia and canned light tuna. 3. Don’t ignore worri- some symptoms . When you’re recover- ing from having a baby, some discomfort is to be expected. But you might have changes to your body or your mood that signal a health problem and require your doctor’s attention. Tell your doctor if you: ■ Have a fever that is above 100.4 degrees ■ Have discharge, pain or redness around a surgical incision or a skin tear from when you gave birth ■ Experience heavy vaginal bleeding ■ Feel sad or hopeless for more than 10 days Sources: American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; March of Dimes; Office onWomen’s Health; U.S. Food and Drug Administration Get a postpartum checkup.Your doctor needs to see how you’re recovering. If you haven’t done so yet, schedule a visit today.