Pregnancy changes your body in more ways than you might expect.
And it doesn’t stop when the baby is born.
Here’s what to expect physically and emotionally after a vaginal delivery.
Extensive tears might take longer to heal.
It could be a sign of infection.
After delivery, you’ll begin to shed the superficial mucous membrane that lined your uterus during pregnancy.
You’ll have vaginal discharge made up of this membrane and blood for weeks.
The discharge will be red and heavy for the first few days.
Then it will taper, become increasingly watery and change from pinkish brown to yellowish white.
You might feel occasional contractions, sometimes called afterpains, during the first few days after delivery.
These contractionswhich often resemble menstrual crampshelp prevent excessive bleeding by compressing the blood vessels in the uterus.
Afterpains are common during breastfeeding due to the release of the hormone oxytocin.
Your health care provider might recommend an over-the-counter pain reliever.
This might cause you to leak a few drops of urine while sneezing, laughing or coughing.
These problems usually improve within weeks but might persist long term.
Try it for three seconds at a time, then relax for a count of three.
Eat foods high in fiberincluding fruits, vegetables and whole grainsand drink plenty of water.
Ask your health care provider about a stool softener, if needed.
A few days after birth, you might experience full, firm, tender breasts (engorgement).
Frequent breastfeeding on both breasts is recommended to avoid or minimize engorgement.
If your breastsincluding the dark circles of skin around the nipplesare engorged, your baby might have difficulty latching.
To ease breast discomfort, apply warm washcloths or take a warm shower before breastfeeding or expressing.
It might make milk removal easier.
Between feedings, place cold washcloths on your breasts.
Over-the-counter pain relievers might help, too.
If you’re not breastfeeding, wear a supportive bra, such as a sports bra.
Don’t pump your breasts or express the milk, which will cause your breasts to produce more milk.
During pregnancy, elevated hormone levels mean your hair grows faster than it sheds.
The result is often an extra-lush head of hairbut now it’s payback time.
After delivery, you’ll experience hair loss for up to five months.
Stretch marks won’t disappear after delivery, but eventually they’ll fade from red to silver.
Expect any skin that darkened during pregnancysuch as dark patches on your faceto slowly fade as well.
Childbirth triggers a jumble of powerful emotions.
Many new moms experience a period of feeling down or anxious, sometimes called the baby blues.
Symptoms include mood swings, crying spells, anxiety and difficulty sleeping.
The baby blues typically subside within two weeks.
In the meantime, take good care of yourself.
Share your feelings, and ask your partner, loved ones or friends for help.
After you give birth, you might look like you’re still pregnant.
In the days after delivery, you’ll lose additional weight from leftover fluids.
After that, a healthy diet and regular exercise can help you gradually return to your pre-pregnancy weight.
Contact your health care provider within the first three weeks after delivery.
Within 12 weeks after delivery, see your health care provider for a comprehensive postpartum evaluation.
This might include checking your abdomen, vagina, cervix and uterus to double-check you’re healing well.
Updated: 3/25/2022
Publication Date: 3/3/2006
