#  Changes to Your Body After Birth 

 

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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.


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## 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](/bump-beyond/newborn-care/feeding-your-baby/get-help-breastfeeding "Bump & Beyond: Get Help with Breastfeeding | Boston Medical Center (bmc.org)")

## 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](/bump-beyond/postpartum-experience/physical-health/perineal-care "Bump & Beyond: Postpartum Perineal Care | Boston Medical Center (bmc.org)")

## 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:
    - [City of Boston Parent and Family and Support](https://www.boston.gov/departments/early-childhood/parent-and-family-support "Parent and Family Support | City of Boston (boston.gov)")
    - [The Family Nurturing Center of Massachusetts](https://familynurturing.org/ "Family Nurturing Center of Massachusetts (familynurturing.org)")
    - [Postpartum Support International](https://postpartum.net/ "Postpartum Support International (PSI) (postpartum.net)") (PSI): Call or text [800.944.4773](tel:800.944.4773)

[Explore More Boston-Area Family and Parenting Resources](/departments/pediatric-primary-care/adolescent-medicine/teen-and-tot-program/resources-patients "Department of Pediatrics: Division of Adolescent Medicine: Teen & Tot Program: Patient Resources | Boston Medical Center (bmc.org)")

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