Your body did something enormous. Most of the healing happens over about six weeks, and it is normal to need rest, food and help during that time.

Your check-ups

Postnatal check-ups are for you as well as your baby. Try to go to each one:

  • within 24 hours of the birth (often before you leave the facility)
  • around day 3
  • between day 7 and day 14
  • at 6 weeks

Bring your own clinic card and your baby’s. At the six-week visit, it is a good time to talk about family planning.

Bleeding

Bleeding after birth is normal. It is heaviest in the first few days and is bright red. Over the following weeks it becomes lighter, turns pink or brown, and then yellowish-white. It usually stops by around six weeks.

Use pads rather than tampons, and change them often. Wash your hands before and after.

Stitches and wounds

If you had stitches, keep the area clean and dry. Pour clean, warm water over it when you pass urine, and pat dry. Sitting on a soft cushion can help.

If you had a caesarean, keep the wound clean and dry, avoid lifting anything heavier than your baby for a few weeks, and ask for help getting up at first.

Rest, food and help

  • Sleep when your baby sleeps, even for short spells.
  • Keep eating a mix of foods and drink plenty of clean water, especially if you are breastfeeding.
  • Say yes when family and friends offer to cook, wash or look after older children.

Tiredness is expected. Feeling hopeless, very worried or unlike yourself is also common, and help is available — see our guide on feeling low after having a baby.

When to go back to the clinic straight away

Go to a hospital straight away if you have:

  • bleeding that soaks a pad in an hour or less, or large clots
  • a fever, or discharge that smells bad
  • severe pain in your tummy, or a wound that is red, swollen or leaking
  • a severe headache or blurred vision
  • pain or swelling in one leg
  • difficulty breathing or chest pain
  • thoughts of harming yourself or your baby

These are reasons to be seen today. You will not be wasting anyone’s time.

Sex and family planning

Wait until you feel ready and the bleeding has stopped. You can become pregnant again before your period returns, even while breastfeeding. Your health worker can help you choose a method that suits you — many are safe to use while breastfeeding.