Your Body After Birth
The first six weeks after giving birth are a time of tremendous physical and emotional adjustment. Your body is healing from pregnancy and delivery while simultaneously adapting to care for your newborn. Understanding what to expect during this recovery period can help you navigate it with more confidence and less anxiety.
What’s Happening to Your Body
Uterine Involution Your uterus, which expanded dramatically during pregnancy, now begins returning to its pre-pregnancy size. This process, called involution, takes about 6 weeks. You’ll feel cramping (afterpains) as your uterus contracts, especially during breastfeeding when oxytocin is released. These cramps are more intense with second and subsequent babies.
Lochia (Postpartum Bleeding) Vaginal bleeding called lochia is completely normal and lasts 4-6 weeks. It starts heavy and bright red (like a heavy period), gradually becoming lighter and changing to pink, then brown, then yellowish-white. Use maternity pads, not tampons, to reduce infection risk. Heavy bleeding that soaks through a pad in an hour requires immediate medical attention.
Healing from Birth If you had a vaginal delivery with stitches (episiotomy or tear), the area will be tender for several weeks. Keep it clean, change pads frequently, and use a peri bottle with warm water after using the toilet. Ice packs and witch hazel pads provide relief. If you had a cesarean section, see our dedicated C-Section Recovery page for specific care instructions.
Breast Changes Your breasts become engorged when your milk comes in (typically 2-4 days after birth). They’ll feel hard, full, and tender. Frequent nursing or pumping provides relief. Your nipples may be sore initially as you and baby learn to breastfeed together.
Hormonal Shifts Dramatic hormonal changes occur as pregnancy hormones plummet and lactation hormones increase. These shifts contribute to the “baby blues” that most new mothers experience—mood swings, tearfulness, anxiety, and irritability that typically resolve within two weeks.
Recovery Priorities
Sleep When Baby Sleeps This advice may sound cliché, but it’s genuinely the most important thing you can do. Newborns wake every 2-3 hours, making sustained sleep impossible. Take naps whenever your baby sleeps rather than catching up on chores. Sleep deprivation significantly impacts healing and mood.
Accept All Help Now is not the time for independence. Accept offers to bring meals, hold the baby while you shower, or do laundry. If people ask what you need, be specific: “Can you bring dinner Tuesday?” or “Could you watch the baby while I nap?”
Don’t Rush Recovery Your body grew and birthed a human being—it needs time to heal. Avoid heavy lifting (nothing heavier than your baby), strenuous exercise, or returning to normal activities too quickly. Listen to your body; pain and fatigue are signals to slow down.
Stay Hydrated and Nourished Drink plenty of water (especially if breastfeeding) and eat nutritious meals. Keep healthy snacks and water bottles throughout your home so you can eat and drink while nursing or caring for baby.
Your 6-Week Postnatal Check-Up
This appointment, typically scheduled 6 weeks after delivery, is essential even if you feel fine. Your healthcare provider will:
- Check that your uterus has returned to normal size
- Examine healing of any stitches or cesarean incision
- Discuss contraception options (yes, you can get pregnant before your first period!)
- Screen for postpartum depression
- Clear you to resume exercise and sexual activity
- Address any concerns or questions
Come prepared with questions about:
- Any pain or symptoms you’re experiencing
- Breastfeeding challenges
- Birth control options
- When you can resume exercise
- Emotional adjustment and mood
- Any complications from delivery
Warning Signs—When to Call Your Doctor Immediately
Contact your healthcare provider or seek emergency care if you experience:
- Heavy bleeding: Soaking through more than one pad per hour for several hours
- Large blood clots: Larger than a golf ball
- Severe abdominal pain: That doesn’t improve with pain medication
- Fever: Temperature of 38°C (100.4°F) or higher
- Foul-smelling vaginal discharge: May indicate infection
- Incision concerns: Redness, swelling, discharge, or opening of cesarean incision or episiotomy stitches
- Breast problems: Red, hot, painful areas that may indicate mastitis
- Leg pain and swelling: Especially if in one leg (could be blood clot)
- Difficulty breathing or chest pain: Requires immediate emergency care
- Severe mood changes: Thoughts of harming yourself or your baby require immediate help
Emotional Adjustment
The postpartum period isn’t just physical recovery. You’re adjusting to:
- Caring for a completely dependent newborn
- Dramatic changes to your daily routine and identity
- Sleep deprivation
- Relationship changes with your partner
- Possible feelings of being overwhelmed or inadequate
These feelings are normal. Most new mothers experience the “baby blues” in the first two weeks. However, if sadness, anxiety, or feelings of being overwhelmed persist beyond two weeks or interfere with your ability to care for yourself or your baby, you may be experiencing postpartum depression. This is a medical condition, not a personal failing, and it’s highly treatable. Please see our Baby Blues vs. Postpartum Depression page and reach out for help.
What About My Partner?
Your partner is also adjusting to parenthood, though they haven’t experienced the physical demands of pregnancy and birth. Communication is essential during this time. Share how you’re feeling, ask for specific help, and recognize that you’re both learning together. Partners can bond with baby through diaper changes, bathing, skin-to-skin contact, and soothing—not just feeding.
Looking Ahead
The first six weeks are survival mode—and that’s okay. You don’t need to be productive, maintain a perfect home, or “bounce back” physically. Your only jobs are healing, feeding your baby, and getting whatever rest you can. This intense phase passes. Each week gets a little easier as you heal, your baby becomes more predictable, and you gain confidence in your new role.
Be gentle with yourself. You’re doing an amazing job.