Here’s What To Expect During Postpartum

Someone recently asked us “what does postpartum even mean? How long am I in it and how do I know when it’s over?” and that got us thinking – does everyone feel this way?

We talk about the fourth trimester and postpartum a lot here at Baby2Body but today, we’re breaking it down and sharing all of our posts that will support you through that postpartum period. Let us know if you have any questions in the comments — we’re here to help! Ok, let’s dive in…

What is the postpartum period and when does it start?

According to the World Health Organization, “postpartum” (or postnatal) refers to the first 6 weeks after childbirth and starts immediately after labor as your body starts returning to “normal” – meaning that hormone levels are starting to go back to pre-baby levels (although this doesn’t happen immediately) and your uterus begins to shrink back down (again, this happens slowly). 

Although by definition postpartum lasts just 6 weeks, the term postpartum is often used to refer to a much longer period of time – even up to years after childbirth. It's important to remember that recovery usually takes much longer than 6 weeks and you are adjusting to life as a newborn; you shouldn’t feel any pressure to return to “normal” — many women find themselves adjusting to the “new normal” instead.

Is the fourth trimester the same as postpartum?

The fourth trimester happens at the same time as postpartum, and is a term often used to refer to baby’s growth. It starts the moment baby is born and lasts until they are 3 months old, much like another trimester of pregnancy. 

During the fourth trimester, baby is still developing rapidly and adjusting to life in the outside world. They are developing their senses, learning to control their reflexes, and responding to you — this period is just as important as all of the growing and developing they did when they were in the womb — which is why it’s called the fourth trimester!

What can I expect during postpartum?

Every woman recovers from pregnancy and childbirth differently and at different rates, so it’s hard to know exactly what to expect during postpartum. However, there are some common things that you might experience during postpartum and we’re breaking it down into 3 stages: what to expect immediately after birth; what to expect in the first 6 weeks postpartum; and what to expect 6+ weeks postpartum…

What to expect immediately after birth:

We can’t stress this enough: every woman is different, every pregnancy is different, and every delivery is different, so what to expect after birth varies a lot. What you can experience following a c-section (see below!) also varies from a vaginal delivery. Here are some common postpartum symptoms:

• Bleeding: Bleeding from the vagina after birth is called lochia. It can be quite heavy at first and you’ll need super absorbant sanitary towels. The bleeding may last a few weeks but you should avoid using tampons until your 6-week check as it may increase the risk of getting an infection. If you are losing blood in large clots then you should tell your midwife. 

• Constipation & piles: these are very common after birth and usually disappear within a few days. Try not to strain too much when you use the toilet and eat lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, salad, and wholegrains — and drink plenty of water!

• Tender breasts: At first, your breasts will produce a yellow liquid called colostrum for your baby. After 3 or 4 days, they may start to feel tender as they produce milk. If you’re uncomfortable, wearing a supportive bra may help. See our top picks. 

If you’ve had a c-section, you may also experience:

• Longer hospital stay: You may stay in the hospital for around 3-4 days - usually slightly longer than those who delivered vaginally.

• Pain & discomfort: Most women experience some pain and discomfort following a c-section. When you are in the hospital you will be given pain killers to help and will be advised what you can take once you return home. 

• Bleeding: You may still experience some vaginal bleeding - you should use sanitary pads and avoid tampons until at least your 6-week check-up to reduce the chance of infection.

• Limited mobility: Some things, such as driving, exercising, and lifting items heavier than your baby, may be off-limits for the first few weeks — your doctor will be able to better advise what you should and shouldn’t do.

What to expect in the first 6 weeks after baby:

• Swelling: If you have experienced swelling in your hands, feet, or face during pregnancy then this may take some to go away after you give birth.

• Sweating: Some mamas find that they sweat a lot after giving birth. This is due to all of the changing hormones in your body. If you’re uncomfortable - especially at night - then try sleeping on a towel that you can switch out easily, wear light clothing, and remove heavy covers from your bed

• Your tummy: Your stomach will still look like it has a baby inside after you have given birth and that’s totally normal - it takes a while for your womb to shrink back to its previous size. 

• Menstrual cycle: If you are bottle feeding, your period may return as soon as 5-6 weeks after you give birth. If you are breastfeeding, you may not return to having normal periods until you begin to reduce breastfeeding.

• Intimacy: Your doctor will likely recommend you wait at least 6 weeks after you give birth to have sex and you may find that your sex drive doesn’t return for much longer than that — see more on this below!

• Exercise: Until you get your 6-week exercise clearance, it’s best to stick to light exercises such as walking or stretching. You can also do pelvic floor exercises to strengthen the muscles in the pelvic area.

• Emotions: In the first few weeks after birth, it is common to feel a mix of emotions, including feeling irrational, crying out of the blue, and feeling depressed or ‘low’ — this is known as the “baby blues”. Try to sleep and rest as much as you are able to, ask for help or support from your partner, friends & family, and connect with other new mamas. If symptoms last longer than a few weeks and are unmanageable, then you may be experiencing postpartum depression. Speak to your doctor as soon as you can to help manage symptoms.

Read: How Will I Know If I Have Postpartum Depression? Plus, One Mother's Story

What to expect 6+ weeks postpartum 

After the first 6 weeks of postpartum are behind you, there’s no rule that says “you should be back to normal by now” and you’ll likely find that instead of getting back to “normal”, you are adjusting to your “new normal”. Making a baby takes 9 months, and your mind & body will take at least that long to recover. Some things that may feel different 6+ weeks after postpartum are:

• Postpartum intimacy: According to research from the National Library of Medicine, emotional satisfaction and physical pleasure drop after giving birth and trends on a slight decline for the first 4.5 years postpartum. It’s important to know that both partners — not just the mother — can experience postpartum depression, which can affect intimacy with your partner and overall well-being. Making time for intimacy can prove difficult when you’re navigating these symptoms and caring for an infant. However, rekindling things with your partner can play an important role in helping you feel more like yourself. You don’t have to navigate this on your own, we have some information with can help: Postpartum Intimacy: How to Rekindle Things After Having a Baby

• Postpartum hair loss: During pregnancy, there is an increase in estrogen in your body which keeps hairs in their growth phase for longer and delays them from moving into their shedding phase–which means fuller, thicker, and glossier locks for you. After you give birth or stop breastfeeding, your high estrogen levels revert back to normal. The hairs that were being kept in their growth phase now move into their shedding phase. They rest for several weeks, and then after about 3 months, they fall out. This is why you might shed a large number of strands within a short period of time. it is just your body's natural way of adjusting to the changing hormone levels. Find out more about Postpartum Hair Loss: Why It Happens And What You Can Do.

• Emotions: Your emotions may still be running high and your hormone levels may still not be back to what they were before baby is born. Caring for an infant can also leave you tired which ultimately causes feelings of stress and irritability. If the feelings feel overwhelming and impact your day-to-day life, then you should speak with your doctor about what you are experiencing.

Can I get pregnant during postpartum or if I am breastfeeding? 

In short, yes, you can get pregnant almost as soon as you have given birth, even if you are breastfeeding and/or your periods haven’t returned yet.

Although breastfeeding is known to be a form of contraception because the hormone that causes you to make milk, prolactin, may also stop you from ovulating and having your period, it's not completely reliable, and you could still fall pregnant.

Even if sex is the last thing on your mind (and for many women it is!), as you approach your 6-week post-birth check-up you might want to have a think about your future plans. Do you want another baby, and if so, when? Forward planning is key, and you can talk to your doctor or midwife about what method of birth control might work for you, and what's best for your body.

Read: How Long You Should Wait Between Pregnancies, According To Research

Do you have a question about what to expect during postpartum? Advice for fellow mamas entering postpartum? Leave it in the comments!

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