The postpartum recovery period can vary depending on your birth, body, and method of delivery, though it is typically 6 weeks for vaginal deliveries or 8 weeks for c-section deliveries. However, some believe full recovery can take several months. No matter your delivery method, knowing what to anticipate, and taking the time to care for yourself properly during this time, can help make your recovery a smooth one and create a positive postpartum experience.
What To Expect:
Postpartum Days 1-10
Heavy period-like bleeding (lochia)
Afterbirth pain/cramping as uterus shrinks back to original size. More intense during breastfeeding
Breast milk comes in, sometimes causing soreness and engorgement
Estrogen level drop, sometimes causing “baby blues”
Vaginal and perineal pain, and soreness for vaginal deliveries
Pain around incision area for c-section deliveries
Stomach still appears pregnant
Postpartum Days 11-21
Postpartum Week 4-6
Warning Signs:
If you have any of the following symptoms, seek medical care immediately.
Blood clots larger than an egg in your lochia, or bleeding through more than one pad per hour
Fever of 100.4 or higher
Red or swollen leg that is painful or warm to touch
Discharge at c-section incision site
Incision site that isn’t healing
Extreme abdominal pain or cramps
Persistent headache that won’t go away
Chest pain or tightness
Trouble breathing or shortness of breath
Thoughts of harming yourself or baby
“Baby Blues” that doesn’t go away, or extreme sadness, hopelessness, or worry
Seizures
Postpartum Recovery Tips:
Ice perineum every hour for first 24 hrs
Take a warm sitz bath for 20 minutes
Gently clean the c-section incision site with soap and water once a day. Dry completely
Take Ibuprofen for aches and pains
Stay regular with fiber rich foods and consider a gentle stool softener
Practice diaphragmatic breathing
Keep moving, though limit exercise in the first few weeks
Use a warm compress or nipple cream for sore breasts