Changes to Your Body After Birth

Your body goes through so many changes after birth. Here are a few things you may feel, and some things you can do to help if you are uncomfortable.

Bleeding

What will I notice?

Vaginal bleeding after birth is normal. At first, it may look like a heavy period and can include small clots.
Over the first week, bleeding slows down and changes color from red → brown → pink → yellow.
Bleeding may last two to eight weeks.
Your period may return after four to six weeks. Sometimes new bleeding is your period.

What can I do?

Use thick pads.
Do not put anything in your vagina until bleeding stops (about six weeks).

When to call your care team:

You soak more than two pads in one hour.
The bleeding gets heavier instead of lighter.
You pass clots bigger than a quarter.

Your Breasts Fill with Milk

What will I notice?

Your breasts usually fill with milk two to four days after birth.
They may feel swollen, sore, and hard.
You may have chills when your milk comes in.
Your nipples may feel sore. It is normal to feel a quick, sharp pain when the baby first starts to suck, but this should fade while the baby is eating.

What can I do?

Feed your baby often to keep your breasts soft.
If your breasts stay hard after feeding, try these tips:
- Use warm compresses or take a warm shower before feeding.
- Massage gently toward the nipple to help the milk flow.
- Try cold packs after feeding to reduce swelling.
If you have a fever or chills that do not go away, call your care team.
If you do not want to breastfeed, wear a supportive sports bra, use cold packs, and take Tylenol or ibuprofen for pain. Try not to squeeze or pump milk, as this can make your body keep making more.

Get Help and Support with Breastfeeding

Constipation

What will I notice?

You may also feel nervous about taking your first poop, especially if you needed stitches or have a sore bottom.
Your poop may be harder if you are taking stronger pain meds (a narcotic like Oxycodone or Dilaudid).

What can I do?

If you have the urge and need to go, try to go! The longer poop stays in your body, the harder it becomes.
Support your perineum (the space between your vagina and your rectum) with a clean pad or folded toilet paper while you pass stool.
Take a stool softener twice a day. Many people need other medicines to help them go. Ask your care team for a prescription.
Drink eight to 10 glasses of water daily, and even more if you are breastfeeding. Try drinking glass of water every time you feed your baby.
Eat prunes (dried plums) or drink prune juice to help soften your poop.
Eat vegetables, fruit, and whole grains.
Try a magnesium supplement. Talk to your provider about this.
Get out of bed. Walking around can help get things moving.

Cramps

What will I notice?

Cramps after birth can be very strong.
They may feel like period cramps, or even like labor pains.
You may notice more cramps while breastfeeding.
Sometimes bleeding is heavier when cramps happen.

What can I do?

These cramps mean your uterus is shrinking and healing.
Try Motrin, Tylenol, or a hot pack for pain.
Go to the bathroom often—a full bladder can make cramps worse.
Don’t stop breastfeeding because of cramps. They usually get much better after the first week.

Hemorrhoids

What will I notice?

A swollen area near your anus (hole where you poop)
Bleeding when you poop
Itching or pressure or pain

What can I do?

Use witch hazel pads (Tucks®).
Use the hydrocortisone cream given to you at discharge or ask for a prescription from your provider.
Try not to get constipated. Straining makes hemorrhoids worse.

Peeing

What will I notice?

You may not feel like peeing right after birth. Try anyway!
Peeing can sting your perineum while it heals (like lemon juice on a cut).
You may need to pee often. This is how your body gets rid of extra fluid from pregnancy.

What can I do?

Try to go to the bathroom every two hours, even if you don’t feel like it.
Drink eight to 10 glasses of water each day.
Use the peri bottle to spray water while peeing, then pat dry with toilet paper.
Use a sitz bath with warm water twice a day to help your bottom heal.
Let your care team know if you feel like you can’t let the pee out, but you need to go.

Sore Bottom (Perineum)

What will I notice?

Your perineum (the area between your vagina and anus) may be swollen and sore after birth.
You may have stitches from a tear or an episiotomy. These dissolve on their own in one or two weeks, so you don’t need to have them removed.
It can still hurt even if you do not have stitches. This is normal.

What can I do?

Use a cold pack or ice diaper on the first day. Your nurse can help you.
Use a Sitz bath with warm water twice a day to clean and heal the area.
Spray water on your perineum after peeing or having a bowel movement.
Wash gently in the shower. Do not wash inside your vagina.
Use a mild soap like Dove®. Pat dry.
Wear cotton underwear, and change your pad often.

Learn More about Helping Your Perineaum Heal

Sore Muscles

What will I notice?

You may have sore muscles in your legs, back, and arms after giving birth.
You may also feel achy all over.

What can I do?

Remember that this soreness is normal. Giving birth is hard work!
Use a heat pack or gentle massage on sore spots.
Try not to lift anything heavier than your baby for the first two weeks.
Call your provider if you have trouble walking or if the pain does not get better after a few days.

Sweating

What will I notice?

Sweating is how your body gets rid of extra water from pregnancy.
You may notice more sweating at night.

What can I do?

Change your clothes or take a shower to feel better.
Remember that sweating usually stops after a few days.

Feeling Tired

What will I notice?

You may feel very tired after giving birth.
Labor is hard work and can happen at any time of day or night.
Babies often wake to feed every one to three hours, which makes it hard to rest.

What can I do?

Getting a few hours of sleep in a row is important for your health. Try to get four to six hours of sleep in a row if you can.
In the hospital, you can ask your nurse to watch the baby while you rest.
If you are breastfeeding, the nurse can bring your baby back when it is hungry. Be clear about your plans for feeding.
At home, take turns with a support person: one of you can care for the baby, while the other sleeps for four to six hours.
Ask family or friends to help with chores, meals, or errands so you can nap during the day.
Try simple relaxation techniques, like deep breathing or calming music.

Body Changes During Pregnancy and After Birth

Your body changes a lot during pregnancy and after having a baby. Some people may feel uncomfortable with these changes and feel pressure to look like they did before pregnancy.

What might I feel?

Like your belly still looks “pregnant” even after giving birth
Pressure to “bounce back” after giving birth, to go back to your pre-birth body without any sign that you had a baby
Frustration or dislike of your body. You may compare yourself to others and wonder why you are not recovering as fast.
Grateful that your body carried, gave birth to, and is feeding your baby.

What may I notice?

Weight gain. This is normal in pregnancy and is different for each person.
Stretch marks (that appeared during pregnancy)
Wider pelvis and hips

Self-Help Tips for a Healthy Body and Mind

Spend less time on social media.
- It’s okay to have your own experience in pregnancy and after birth. You don’t have to do it like anyone else.
- If you use social media, be careful with ads and health tips—they may not be right or safe for you. Before trying any product or weight-loss plan after birth, talk with your provider.
Join an in-person or virtual postpartum or parenting group through one of these organizations:

Explore More Boston-Area Family and Parenting Resources