Whether you’ve had a C-section or a vaginal birth, postpartum recovery can be an extremely challenging time. Your body is recovering from a massive trauma, not to mention the monumental shift in hormones that affects your mood, body temperature, hair, and milk production. The recovery time varies dramatically from 6 weeks to 6 months.
So here’s what you can expect for your postpartum recovery for a vaginal delivery.
Week One
The first week after giving birth, you will be very sore. Depending on how long you pushed, how much your tore, and whether you received an epidural, about every part of your body will be aching. The hospital should provide you with some pain medication (usually a high dose of Ibuprofen).
You will bleed a lot. This is normal. Expect to bleed anywhere from three – six weeks. During this time adult diapers or maxi pads will be your best friends. If you notice that your bleeding has increased anytime during these weeks, you may need to seek medical attention as this could be postpartum hemorrhage, which is a serious condition.
Check out all the postpartum essentials you’ll need, here.
Cramping or contractions are also normal, especially when you are breastfeeding. Cramping occurs because your uterus is shrinking back down to it’s pre-pregnancy size. It can be uncomfortable but they usually don’t last long.
If you start breastfeeding or pumping your nipples will start to get sore or even chapped by the frequent feedings. Be sure to keep some lanolin nearby to relieve this discomfort.
Learn more about the Basics of Breastfeeding, here.
Mental Health
With the high of delivery wearing off, and sleep deprivation bearing down on you, not to mention hormones going haywire, your morale and mental health may suffer. You may also experience the Baby Blues which is described as feelings of sadness in the days or initial weeks following giving birth. Your mental health, during this period, is heavily affected by the change in your hormones. You may experience weepiness or periods of overwhelming emotion.
Weeks Two – Four
Most of your extreme aching or soreness should have subsided, but it’s still important to take it easy and not rush into any rigorous activity. By this time your tear and stitches should be healing. If you experience itchiness, this may be due to the healing that is occurring at the tear site. A stiz bath or a soak in an epsom salt bath may ease this discomfort.
Get all your postpartum essentials you’ll need to survive the first six weeks, here.
You will still be bleeding, but it may have eased up. Now instead of blood, you will have lochia which is similar to menstrual discharge. Lochia appears darker than normal blood, usually brown or dark red and can be made up of blood, uterine tissue, placental tissue, or mucus.
Your hormones will continue to fluctuate as they try to even out. You may experience postpartum hair loss (don’t worry it does return), fluctuation in milk production, and mood.
Mental Health
By the two to four week period you are in the trenches of life with a newborn. You are sleep deprived and may be overwhelmed with life. This is usually the time where postpartum depression appears. If you are experiencing feelings of hopelessness, anxiety, extreme sadness, or thoughts of harming yourself or your child please seek medical attention.
While this time can be challenging, there is a light at the end of the newborn haze. Things do get better.
Postpartum Depression Resources:
If you or someone you know needs support for postpartum depression, please visit Postpartum Support International, or call or text their Help Line at 1-800-944-4773 (4PPD).
Weeks Five – Six
By this time you should be feeling a bit more like yourself and not so sore and aching. You may be able to enjoy more regular activity like walking. By the six week period, you should have your postpartum check with your doctor who may clear to exercise, return to work, or resume sexual activity.
By the six week mark, your bleeding may have subsided or stopped altogether. Again, if you notice that your bleeding has not slowed or stopped you may need to seek medical attention.
Keep in Mind
Every woman is different and their healing journey is different. For some, six weeks recovery time is not long enough. Many report complete recovery by six months time. It’s important to take this time and be patient with yourself and your body. You may encounter moments of frustration that you’re body just isn’t healed enough to engage in certain activities. That’s okay. Your body will heal — it just takes time. It will get better.
