HealthPartners - Preparing for childbirth

Physical Changes The medical term for the first six weeks after you give birth is the postpartum period. These weeks are important as your body returns to a new normal after labor and birth. Your body will gradually move

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toward its pre-pregnancy state during these 4 to 6 weeks, depending on the type of birth you had and any other medical conditions. It will take a few weeks for your uterus to return to its pre-pregnancy size and weight. You can feel your uterus by pressing right below your belly button. During pregnancy, it’s normal for a uterus to grow to about 11 times its normal weight. After the birth, your uterus will weigh more than 2 pounds and be about the size of a grapefruit. In about 6 weeks, it will return to its normal weight of about 2 ounces.

VAGINAL DISCHARGE (LOCHIA) While the lining of your uterus heals completely, you can expect to have a bloody vaginal discharge called lochia for a few days. The discharge may have a fleshy, musty, or earthy smell. You’ll want to use pads (not tampons) until your lochia stops because tampons can increase the chance of an infection. Lochia will decrease and lighten in color to a pale pink, then a pale yellow or white. You will have this lighter discharge for up to 6 weeks. The drainage will be heavier when you first get out of bed or after physical activity.

WARNING

Call your health provider if you: • Soak more than 1 pad in an hour • Pass blood clots the size of an egg or bigger • Have bright red bleeding after day 4 • Notice your lochia has a bad odor • Have a fever over 100.4°F • Have severe pain in your lower abdomen

ABOUT DAYS 10 TO 14 (MAYBE LONGER)

FIRST 1 TO 3 DAYS

ABOUT DAYS 3 TO 10

• Bright to dark red

• Pink or brownish

• Yellowish-white color

• Heavy to medium flow

• Medium to light flow

• Very light flow

• May have small clots

• Very few or no clots

• No clots or bright red color

92 Your Guide to Labor and Birth