Postpartum recovery
What should I expect after giving birth?
Bleeding that gradually reduces, cramping, sore breasts, tiredness and big emotional changes over about six weeks.
Your womb shrinks back over about six weeks, with cramping that is often stronger when you feed. Bleeding starts red and heavy, then becomes pink and brown before stopping. Breasts fill on about day three.
Attend your postnatal visits — usually within the first week and again at six weeks — where your recovery, mood, feeding and your baby are all checked.
What you can do
- Rest when your baby rests and accept help
- Attend the 3-to-6-day and 6-week postnatal checks
- Discuss contraception before you go home
When to seek care
- Soaking a pad an hour or passing large clots
- Fever, foul-smelling discharge or severe pain
- Thoughts of harming yourself or your baby
Heavy bleeding, fever or thoughts of harm are emergencies — go to the nearest facility immediately.
This information is general health education and does not replace advice from your nurse, midwife or doctor. In an emergency go to your nearest facility.