Postpartum Life: What to Expect (and What You Can't Expect)

Being pregnant is a state of continual anticipation. As you readied for your little one, you probably made a lot of changes, from setting up the nursery to exploring local options for new parents.

Mothers should focus some of their preparation on themselves. Postpartum life comes with plenty of changes that affect you specifically. The more prepared you are, the easier it is to navigate them. 

You don’t have to figure this out alone. Our obstetrics team doesn’t just support women until childbirth. Here at Prestige Healthcare OBGYN in Atlanta, Georgia, board-certified OB/GYNs Charis Trench-Simmons, MD, and Lorenza Simmons, MD, also offer postpartum care. 

From that experience, we have some things we think all new mothers should know about the postpartum period.

Physical recovery from childbirth

It takes about six weeks after giving birth for your body to recover. That’s true whether you give birth vaginally or have a C-section.

If you had a vaginal birth, your perineum is sore for a while. If you didn’t tear or have an episiotomy, that soreness usually goes away within a few weeks. If you had an episiotomy or did tear, the healing process often takes six weeks or longer.

To ease your discomfort, apply towel-wrapped ice packs to your perineum periodically and sit on a donut pillow. A sitz bath also can bring relief while helping you heal. 

If you had a C-section, it often takes about six weeks to recover. Walking as soon as you can afterward can help your body heal faster. 

Lochia

After birth, your body needs to get rid of what’s left over in your uterus. As a result, you have lochia — vaginal discharge that includes blood — for up to six weeks. 

This bleeding is usually at its heaviest for the first week and a half. Over time, the discharge gets lighter in color, going from red to yellowish-white. 

Your lochia might not be consistent. It may ebb and flow, and that’s completely normal as your body expels what’s left over. The bleeding might tick up as you increase your activity levels. 

Remember that you can’t use tampons as you recover from childbirth, so turn to pads. 

Lactation and breastfeeding 

Breastfeeding doesn’t work for everyone, but it can benefit you and your baby if you’re physically able and your lifestyle (e.g., return-to-work plans) allows for it. 

If you want to breastfeed but lactation is challenging, talk to Dr. Simmons or Dr. Trench-Simmons. We can offer guidance and help you explore your lactation support options.

Your mood and postpartum depression

Most women feel some baby blues after giving birth. As your hormone levels plunge — and you lose sleep — it’s normal to experience a low mood.

If that doesn’t lift within a couple of weeks, though, talk with our team. That’s doubly true if you have symptoms of postpartum depression, which include:

• Withdrawing from people in your life
• Feeling like you’re not bonding with your baby
• Hopelessness, shame, or guilt
• Changes in your appetite, sleep patterns, or energy levels
• Loss of interest in things you cared about before

Some women also experience postpartum anxiety, so watch for excessive worry and panic attacks.

It can be difficult to differentiate between symptoms of postpartum depression and anxiety and unavoidable changes as you sleep less and adjust to life with your baby.

If you think you’re struggling with more than the baby blues, though, don’t wait to seek help. Postpartum Support International has a range of resources, from online support groups to local volunteers. 

Adjusting to life with your new baby means facing a lot of change. For support as you navigate this new season — and for answers to any questions that arise — connect with our team. To schedule a visit, call our office or book an appointment online today.