Recovering after birth
What's normal in the weeks after giving birth, from bleeding and soreness to tiredness and big emotions, how to look after yourself, and the warning signs that need urgent help.
Your body has done something huge, and recovery takes time, whether you had a vaginal birth or a cesarean. Many people feel much better after a few weeks, but full recovery can take months. Knowing what's normal helps you rest without worrying, and spot the signs that need help.
Bleeding
After birth you'll have vaginal bleeding, called lochia, as your uterus heals. It's heavy and bright red at first and may include small clots. Over the following weeks it gets lighter and changes to pink, then brown, then pale yellow or white. It can last up to about six weeks. Use maternity pads rather than tampons, and change them often.
Afterpains and soreness
Cramping pains as your uterus shrinks back are common, especially while breastfeeding and after a second or later baby. If you had a tear or a cut during a vaginal birth, the area may be sore and swollen for a while.
Your breasts
A few days after birth your breasts may feel full, hard and tender as your milk comes in, whether or not you breastfeed. If you're breastfeeding, feeding often and a supportive bra can help. If you're not, the feeling usually settles over several days. A hot, red, painful area with a fever needs checking by your midwife or doctor.
After a cesarean
A cesarean is major surgery. Keep the wound clean and dry, support it with a pillow or your hand when you cough or laugh, and avoid lifting anything heavier than your baby for the first few weeks. Gentle walking helps your recovery and your circulation. Ask your team when you can start driving again.
Your bladder, bowels and pelvic floor
Your first poop after birth can feel worrying, but drinking plenty of water and eating fiber help keep things soft. Leaking a little pee when you cough or sneeze is common at first. Pelvic floor exercises help, and you can usually start them gently soon after the birth. If leaking doesn't improve, tell your midwife or doctor, as help is available.
Rest, food and feelings
Sleep when your baby sleeps if you can, eat regularly, and accept every offer of help. Feeling weepy or up and down in the first days, known as the baby blues, is very common and usually passes within about two weeks. If low mood or worry lasts longer, or feels severe, tell your midwife or doctor.
You can get pregnant again before your periods come back, so think about contraception before you have sex again. You'll be offered a check with your doctor or midwife in the weeks after the birth. It's a good time to talk about your recovery, your mood, contraception and when to return to more vigorous exercise.
Warning signs
Call emergency services if you have chest pain, trouble breathing or a seizure, if you're bleeding so heavily that you soak through a pad in an hour or less or pass large clots, or if you have thoughts of harming yourself or your baby.
Contact your midwife or doctor urgently if you have a fever or chills, bleeding that gets heavier again, discharge that smells bad, pain in your abdomen that gets worse, a painful, red or swollen leg, a severe headache or changes to your vision, or a wound that's red, hot or oozing.
Keep your maternity unit's and doctor's numbers somewhere easy to find, and tell the people around you about these warning signs, so they can act if you can't.
For information only — not medical advice. If something doesn't feel right, contact your midwife or doctor.
Sources
NHS — Your pregnancy and baby guide (nhs.uk/pregnancy)
ACOG — Patient FAQs (acog.org/womens-health/faqs)
WHO — Recommendations on antenatal care for a positive pregnancy experience
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