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What can I expect after giving birth?

A shrinking uterus: your uterus has been stretched like a balloon and will take a few weeks to go back to its usual size. As your uterus contracts – breastfeeding can trigger this – you may experience cramping that feels a bit like mild contractions or period pain. 

Bleeding: for the first four to six weeks after birth, you’ll have vaginal bleeding called lochia – this will happen whether you gave birth vaginally or via caesarean. The bleeding may be fairly heavy for the first few days after birth, like a heavy period, but should then turn pinky-brown and eventually stop. If you breastfeed, you probably won’t get a period until you stop breastfeeding. If you don’t breastfeed, you’ll probably get a period as soon as five or six weeks after giving birth.

Haemorrhoids (Piles): it’s quite common to get haemorrhoids after giving birth, but they usually disappear within a few days. Avoid getting constipated by eating plenty of fibre-rich foods like fruit, vegetables, and whole grains and drinking lots of water. You can get medication for haemorrhoids from your doctor or pharmacist if you need relief. 

Tenderness: if you had a vaginal delivery, you will be sore. Ice packs can help reduce swelling. If you had a caesarean, your incision will be tender. Stand up slowly and bend at the knee if you need to reach something on the ground. It can help to place a hand on your scar section if you sneeze or cough. 

Incontinence: some women may experience some incontinence following labour. Tell your doctor or midwife and get some advice. Start doing your pelvic floor exercises again. This will help strengthen those muscles and reduce issues. 

Emotional: it’s quite common to feel sad and weepy three to four days after giving birth. Hormones and tiredness are conspiring against you. If the feelings worsen and you find it hard to manage, speak to your doctor or midwife. Both beyondblue.org.au and panda.org.au provide invaluable online support for mental health and wellbeing.
 

Fuel your own recovery

Lactating women’s nutritional needs increase by up to 88 per cent, so a healthy, well-balanced diet is important¹. 

Continue to eat a healthy, balanced diet and fill up on fruit and vegetables, lean protein, and low-fat dairy. Drink lots of water and avoid alcohol, especially if you’re breastfeeding, as small amounts may pass into breast milk. 

Take Elevit Breastfeeding to ensure you’re getting the recommended daily intake of key micronutrients to support your own health and energy needs as well as your baby’s ongoing healthy development.
 

How to help your body recover from labour

While every woman is different, there are some easy ways to help your body recover from labour. 

Rest and relax as much as you can, and ask family and friends for help if you need it. 

Be patient: remember you have been pregnant for nine months, so you’re not going to look or feel like the pre-pregnancy you overnight. 

Be kind: whether you had a vaginal delivery or a c-section, your body has been through a lot. So be nice to it. Rest and relax as much as you can, and ask family and friends for help if you need it. 

Be positive: in the days and weeks after labour, your body may look very different from how it did pre-pregnancy. Give it time to mend and stay confident and optimistic. Change takes time, but it will happen.