The first days

In the first days, your midwife will check your temperature, pulse, blood pressure and bleeding, and whether you’re able to wee and poo. The NHS says midwife visits continue until about day 10. Some people feel tummy pain as the womb shrinks back, especially while breastfeeding. The NHS says this is normal.

Bleeding

You will have bleeding from the vagina after the birth. The NHS says it usually stops after 6 to 8 weeks but can last longer. There’s more in postnatal bleeding: when to worry.

Moving and exercise

The NHS says gentle activity such as walking and stretching helps, and recommends pelvic floor exercises. It suggests waiting until your 6 to 8 week check before high-impact exercise. See pelvic floor and tummy muscles after birth.

Your mood

Feeling down, tearful or anxious in the first week is common, according to the NHS. If those feelings start later, or last beyond 2 weeks, they may be postnatal depression. Tell your midwife, health visitor or GP.

If you had stitches or a caesarean

Read looking after stitches and perineal tears or caesarean recovery.

Contraception

The NHS says you can get pregnant from 21 days after birth, even if you’re breastfeeding and your periods haven’t started. See sex, contraception and your periods after birth.

When to get help

Contact your GP, midwife or health visitor if you have a temperature over 38C, bleeding that smells unusual, worsening tummy pain, bleeding that gets heavier or doesn’t ease, blood clots, or worsening pain between your vagina and anus. The NHS says these could signal an infection.

Call 999 if the bleeding is sudden and very heavy, or if you feel faint, dizzy or your heart is pounding. The NHS says this could be a postpartum haemorrhage, which needs emergency treatment.

Your 6 to 8 week check

The NHS says this check is a good time to discuss physical or mental health concerns. You’ll usually be asked about discharge, whether you’ve had a period, how you’re feeling, and contraception. If you had stitches, you may be offered a check that they’ve healed. The NHS post-pregnancy body page says you can ask a GP or health visitor about physical problems at any time.

Also get help straight away for chest pain, breathlessness, a severe headache that won’t go, or swelling or pain in one calf. If you can’t reach your midwife or GP, call NHS 111, or 999 if it is severe.

Questions people ask

How long does recovery take?

It varies from person to person. The NHS mentions 6 to 8 weeks for bleeding to stop and for the 6 to 8 week check, but some things take longer. Ask your GP if something isn’t improving.

Is it normal to feel tearful?

Feeling down, tearful or anxious in the first week is common. If it lasts beyond 2 weeks or starts later, speak to your GP, midwife or health visitor.

When can I exercise again?

The NHS says gentle walking and stretches are good, and suggests waiting until your 6 to 8 week check before high-impact exercise.

Read next

This article follows NHS England guidance. Services such as NHS Talking Therapies, the red book and health visitor visits are named differently in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, so ask your midwife or health visitor what applies where you live. The 111 and 999 advice applies across the UK.

Sources: NHS: early days after the birth; NHS: your post-pregnancy body; NHS: your 6-week postnatal check.

This is general information based on NHS guidance. Every body is different, so speak to your midwife, health visitor or GP if you’re unsure about anything.