What to Expect in the First Few Weeks
After months of pregnancy, your baby has finally arrived. While much of the attention naturally turns to your newborn, your body is also going through some significant changes.
Whether you’ve had a vaginal birth or a caesarean, recovering from pregnancy and birth takes time. You might feel sore, tired or emotional, and there may be things happening to your body that you weren’t expecting.
Some changes settle within a few days, while others take weeks or months. Knowing what’s normal, when to ask for help and how those around you can support you can make those early weeks a little easier.
What Happens to Your Body After Birth?
Afterpains
Once your baby is born, your uterus begins contracting to return towards its pre-pregnancy size.
You may feel these contractions as period-like cramps, often called afterpains.
They’re usually more noticeable if you’ve had a baby before and can sometimes be quite uncomfortable.
You might also notice them when breastfeeding. This is because feeding releases a hormone called oxytocin, which helps your uterus contract.
Afterpains are generally strongest during the first few days and gradually settle.
If you’re uncomfortable, ask your midwife about suitable pain relief. You don’t need to put up with pain. Your midwife can advise on what is safe to take in the postnatal period and if you are breastfeeding.
If you develop severe or worsening abdominal pain, particularly with a temperature or feeling unwell, contact your maternity team promptly.
Your tummy
You might be surprised to find that you still have a bump after giving birth.
That’s completely normal.
Your uterus takes several weeks to return towards its pre-pregnancy size and the muscles and tissues around your abdomen have stretched to accommodate your growing baby.
You may also notice that your tummy feels softer than it did before pregnancy.
Some people develop a separation of the abdominal muscles, known as diastasis recti. This is common during pregnancy and often improves after birth, although some people benefit from physiotherapy.
Try not to put pressure on yourself to get your body back to how it looked before pregnancy. Your body has been through a great deal, and recovery isn’t something that needs to be rushed.
Gentle movement and pelvic floor exercises can help your recovery when you feel ready. Your midwife or physiotherapist can advise you if you have discomfort or concerns.
Bleeding after birth
It’s normal to have vaginal bleeding after giving birth, whether you’ve had a vaginal birth or a caesarean.
This bleeding is called lochia and is made up of blood, mucus and tissue from the lining of your uterus.
It is usually heavier and redder during the first few days, before gradually becoming lighter and changing to pink, brown or yellowish-white.
You may continue to have some discharge for several weeks, sometimes up to six weeks or longer.
Use maternity or sanitary pads rather than tampons or menstrual cups while you’re healing, as internal products can increase the risk of infection.
When should you be concerned?
Contact your maternity team promptly if:
- Your bleeding becomes heavier rather than gradually settling.
- You pass blood clots, particularly if they are large or you continue passing them.
- Your discharge has an unpleasant smell.
- You have a temperature, shivering or worsening abdominal pain.
If you suddenly experience very heavy bleeding, feel faint or dizzy, have a racing heartbeat or feel seriously unwell, call 999. Heavy bleeding after birth can be a sign of postpartum haemorrhage and needs urgent treatment.
Your perineum and stitches
If you’ve had a vaginal birth, the area between your vagina and anus, known as the Most perineal stitches are dissolvable and don’t need to be removed. The area should gradually become more comfortable over the following weeks.
A few things that may help include:
- Washing gently with water and patting the area dry.
- Changing maternity pads regularly.
- Wearing comfortable underwear.
- Taking pain relief recommended by your midwife or doctor.
- Avoiding constipation and straining when opening your bowels.
If you’ve had a more severe tear involving the muscles around your anus, you’ll receive additional advice and follow-up care.
Contact your midwife or GP if your pain is getting worse, your wound becomes swollen or starts to smell unpleasant, or you notice discharge from the stitches.
You should also ask for help if you’re having difficulty controlling wind or bowel movements.perineum, may feel bruised, swollen or sore.
If you’ve had a tear or an episiotomy, you may also have stitches.
Recovering from a caesarean birth
If you’ve had a caesarean, you’re recovering from both childbirth and abdominal surgery.
You may find it uncomfortable to sit up, cough, laugh or move around during the first few days.
Your maternity team will advise you about pain relief, looking after your wound and gradually becoming more active.
Gentle movement is encouraged as soon as it’s safe, as this helps your circulation and reduces the risk of blood clots.
Avoid lifting anything heavier than your baby until you’re comfortable and have received appropriate advice.
Keep your wound clean and dry, and look out for signs of infection such as increasing redness, swelling, pain, discharge or an unpleasant smell.
If your wound opens, becomes increasingly painful or you develop a temperature, contact your maternity team promptly.
You may also be advised to wear compression stockings or have injections to reduce the risk of blood clots, depending on your individual circumstances.
Recovery varies, so don’t feel you should be doing everything you normally would within a few days of coming home.
Your breasts and milk coming in
Your breasts have been preparing to feed your baby throughout pregnancy.
In the first few days after birth, they produce colostrum, a small amount of concentrated milk that provides important nutrition and protection for your newborn.
If you’re breastfeeding, your milk volume usually increases around two to four days after birth.
At this stage, your breasts may feel fuller, warmer or heavier. Some people experience engorgement, when the breasts become particularly swollen and uncomfortable.
Frequent, responsive feeding and making sure your baby is well attached can help.
If you’re experiencing pain, difficulty feeding or concerns about your milk supply, ask your midwife or infant feeding team for support.
If you’re formula feeding, your breasts may still become full as your milk comes in. A supportive, comfortable bra and cold compresses may help while your milk production settles.
If you develop a red, hot or painful area on your breast, particularly with a temperature or flu-like symptoms, seek advice promptly. These can be signs of mastitis.
Going to the Toilet After Birth
Your bladder and bowel may feel a little different after giving birth.
You might find it difficult to pass urine initially, experience some stinging or notice that you don’t have quite the same bladder control as before.
Constipation is also common, particularly if you’re taking certain painkillers, have stitches or feel nervous about opening your bowels.
Try to drink regularly, eat fibre-containing foods and avoid straining.
Pelvic floor exercises are helpful after birth, including after a caesarean, although the right starting point will depend on your recovery.
If you cannot pass urine, contact your maternity team urgently.
If you’re leaking urine, struggling to control your bowel movements or experiencing ongoing pelvic discomfort, speak to your midwife, GP or pelvic health physiotherapist.
These problems are common, but that doesn’t mean you should have to live with them.
When Can You Have Sex Again?
There isn’t a set time when you should start having sex after giving birth.
Some people feel ready within a few weeks, while others need several months or longer. Both are normal.
Your body may still be healing, you might be tired, or sex may simply be the last thing on your mind.
If you’ve had stitches, a caesarean or a complicated birth, you may need more time before penetrative sex feels comfortable.
Breastfeeding can also cause vaginal dryness because of hormonal changes, so using a water-based lubricant may help.
The most important thing is that you feel physically comfortable and emotionally ready.
If sex is painful, stop and speak to your GP or maternity team if the discomfort continues.
If you’ve had a significant tear or complications such as a manual removal of the placenta, follow the individual advice given by your maternity team about healing, infection symptoms and resuming sex.
There is no need to rush.
Contraception After Having a Baby
One thing that often surprises new parents is how quickly fertility can return.
You can become pregnant from as early as 21 days after giving birth, even if you’re breastfeeding and your periods haven’t returned.
This means contraception is worth thinking about before you resume sex if you don’t want another pregnancy straight away.
Some methods can be started immediately after birth, including certain progestogen-only methods, condoms and contraceptive implants. Other methods may need to be delayed depending on your health, whether you’re breastfeeding and the method you choose.
Breastfeeding can provide contraceptive protection under specific conditions, known as the lactational amenorrhoea method, but it isn’t automatically reliable simply because you’re breastfeeding.
Your midwife or doctor should discuss contraception with you before you leave maternity care, and you can also ask your GP or sexual health service for advice.
You don’t have to wait until your six-to-eight-week postnatal check to ask about contraception.
Your Emotions After Birth
Having a baby can bring all sorts of emotions.
You might feel delighted, relieved or overwhelmed, sometimes all within the same hour.
It’s also common to feel tearful or emotional in the first few days after birth.
The baby blues
Many new parents experience what is often called the baby blues.
This usually begins around three to five days after birth and may leave you feeling tearful, irritable, anxious or more sensitive than usual.
Hormonal changes, tiredness and the demands of caring for a newborn can all contribute.
The baby blues usually settle within two weeks.
Having these feelings doesn’t mean you’re doing anything wrong or that you aren’t bonding with your baby
Postnatal depression and anxiety
Sometimes low mood or anxiety lasts longer or becomes more difficult to manage.
Postnatal depression can develop at any time during the first year after birth.
You may notice:
- Persistent sadness or low mood.
- Losing interest in things you normally enjoy.
- Feeling hopeless, guilty or overwhelmed.
- Difficulty sleeping even when your baby is asleep.
- Feeling very anxious or frightened.
- Finding it difficult to connect with your baby.
- Feeling unable to cope with everyday life.
You don’t need to experience all these symptoms to ask for help.
Postnatal depression and anxiety are treatable, and support is available through your midwife, health visitor, GP and specialist perinatal mental health services.
Partners can also experience depression and anxiety after the arrival of a baby and may need support themselves.
If you develop sudden severe confusion, unusual beliefs, hallucinations, extreme changes in mood or behaviour, or feel unable to sleep for prolonged periods despite having the opportunity, seek urgent medical help. These can be signs of postpartum psychosis, which is a medical emergency.
If you feel at risk of harming yourself or your baby, seek immediate help through emergency services or your nearest emergency department.
How Can Your Partner, Family and Friends Help?
Those first few weeks can feel like a blur of feeds, nappy changes and interrupted sleep.
Having support around you can make a real difference, but it’s helpful when that support is practical and reflects what you actually need.
Help with everyday jobs
Sometimes the most useful thing someone can do is make you lunch, put a load of washing on or pick up some shopping.
If friends and family offer to help, don’t feel you need to entertain them.
You might say, “It would really help if you could bring us dinner,” or ask someone to take care of a household job while you rest or feed your baby.
Give you time to recover
Whether you’ve had a vaginal birth or a caesarean, you need time to heal.
Your partner or support person can help by making sure you have food and drinks nearby, helping with nappy changes, taking on household responsibilities and giving you opportunities to sleep.
If you’re breastfeeding, they can still play a valuable role by bringing your baby to you, helping you get comfortable and settling your baby after feeds.
Be involved in caring for your baby
Bonding isn’t limited to the person who gave birth.
Partners can develop their relationship with their baby through skin-to-skin contact, cuddling, changing nappies, bathing and comforting them.
It can take time to learn what your baby needs, and that’s normal.
Try to give each other space to develop confidence rather than feeling that everything has to be done in exactly the same way.
Help manage visitors
It’s lovely that people want to meet your baby, but you don’t have to welcome visitors before you’re ready.
Some families prefer a few quiet days together. Others find having close relatives around particularly helpful.
There isn’t a right way to do it.
Your partner or someone you trust can help manage visits, explain when you need rest and make sure you don’t feel pressured to host people.
Check how you’re feeling
It’s easy for conversations after birth to focus entirely on the baby.
A simple question such as “How are you feeling today?” can mean a lot.
Partners and family members can help by listening without judgement, noticing when you’re struggling and encouraging you to ask for professional support when needed.
Your Postnatal Care Matters Too
You’ll continue to receive care from your maternity team after birth, followed by your health visitor and GP.
Your midwife will check how you’re recovering, including your bleeding, physical healing, emotional wellbeing and any concerns about feeding or caring for your baby.
You should also be offered a postnatal check with your GP at around six to eight weeks after birth.
This appointment is about your health, not just your baby’s.
It’s an opportunity to talk about your recovery, mental health, pelvic floor, contraception, sex, feeding and anything else that is concerning you.
You can ask for help before that appointment too.
When Should You Seek Urgent Medical Advice After Birth?
Some symptoms need prompt assessment and shouldn’t be put down to normal postnatal recovery.
Call 999 if you experience:
- Sudden, very heavy vaginal bleeding, particularly if you feel faint or unwell.
- Chest pain, severe difficulty breathing or collapse.
- A seizure.
- Signs of a stroke, such as sudden facial weakness, arm weakness or difficulty speaking.
Contact your maternity unit or seek urgent medical advice if you have:
- Heavy or increasing bleeding, or significant blood clots.
- A temperature, shivering or feeling generally very unwell.
- Severe or worsening abdominal pain.
- A severe headache, changes in your vision or pain beneath your ribs.
- Pain, redness or swelling in one leg.
- An increasingly painful, red or discharging wound.
- Difficulty passing urine.
- Thoughts or symptoms that make you concerned about your mental health.
If you’re unsure whether a symptom is normal, it’s always appropriate to ask.
Give Yourself Time
The early days with a newborn can be wonderful, exhausting and sometimes quite overwhelming.
You might feel physically well quite quickly, or you may need longer to recover. You might feel confident one day and unsure of yourself the next.
Try not to compare your recovery with anyone else’s.
Accept help when it’s offered, make time for your own needs where possible and remember that your health matters just as much as your baby’s.
If you’d like to feel more prepared for the early weeks after birth, our Complete Antenatal Course covers postnatal recovery, infant feeding, newborn care and adjusting to life with your baby.
References
- NICE. Postnatal care (NG194). Assessment, support and care of women and babies after birth.
- NHS. Your body after the birth.
- NHS. Sex and contraception after birth.
- NHS. Postnatal depression.
- NHS. Postpartum psychosis.
- NHS. Caesarean section recovery.
- NHS. Mastitis.
- NICE. Pelvic floor dysfunction: prevention and non-surgical management (NG210).
Last reviewed: 2 November 2026
Next review due: 2 November 2028