What to Expect Post-partum: a Comprehensive Guide

Newborn baby "mug shot" photographed by experienced Daphne, AL newborn photographer

Table of Contents

What to expect post-partum

I became a mom at the young age of twenty-two. I THOUGHT I was prepared for that journey, but if you’ve read any of my blogs then you may know I am very verbal on my belief of “you are never truly prepared to become a first-time parent”.

The postpartum journey is a transformative time both physically and emotionally. I didn’t know much about what to expect, so it’s my goal to help you understand much more than I did in hopes you have a better journey and story than my own.

This comprehensive guide on what to expect postpartum will cover key aspects of postpartum recovery, from physical changes to emotional well-being, and provide valuable tips for navigating this crucial period. Please keep in mind that I am no medical professional. I am speaking soley from personal experience after birthing three humans myself. However, I do know multiple medical professionals who will be beneficial to you in your postpartum journey, and I’ll share their information at the end of the blog.

What to expect post-partum

Physical Changes

You will still have a baby bump. There won’t be a baby in there anymore, but your belly will take time to go all the way down. It’s very common and expected to still look 3+ months pregnant just after delivery. No worries, your belly will slowly decrease in the weeks following birth. There is no timeline to follow for this, however. Some moms take more time to recover than others and that is okay. Don’t compare yourself to anyone!

Understanding Lochia: the three stages

Lochia is the term used to describe the vaginal bleeding and discharge you will experience after giving birth. There are three stages of bleeding your body will go through as you heal.

Stage 1 is called lochia rubra. This stage is bright red in color, and also consist of mucus. This stage is the heaviest and last around 4 days postpartum.
Stage 2 is lochia serosa. Here, your flow will lighten and will change colors to be pinker and may have a brown tint to it. This stage last around 2 weeks.
Stage 3 is lochia alba. This stage can vary, lasting between 2 and 6 weeks. This is the final healing stage! The color changes again, this time to having a yellow color.

For more details, checkout the useful article linked at the end of this blog.

Comfort tips

Comfort and hygiene are so important in your postpartum journey! I was given tons of advice once I was in the thick of postpartum, so I only hope you are finding this blog before you give birth for the first time.

Hospital Panties

My first bit of advice is to ask your nurse for those not-so-fancy hospital panties they give you. Every time nurse shift change happens you should ask for more and stick them in your bag to take home! They aren’t a fashion statement, but they are the definition of comfortable and convenient. Secondly, invest in some adult diapers. (wait…whaaaaat?) You read that right – adult diapers! Buy them when you are around 32 weeks pregnant, and don’t forget you will still have a bit of a bump after delivery, so buy a size or two bigger than you would have worn pre-pregnancy. I tell you to use both of these because every delivery and every postpartum journey is different. I’ve had three babies, and I found comfort in different things at different times with each one. Have both on hand so that you have options!

Hygiene tips

Proper hygiene plays a role in both your physical and emotional well-being. Taking a shower after delivery will probably be one of the first things you want to do – right after eating a good meal! This will help you feel rejuvenated and clean. Use gentle, unscented soaps to avoid irritation, and opt for soft, breathable postpartum pads to manage lochia comfortably. Change your pads regularly! If you are breastfeeding, it is recommended to make a bathroom trip before each feed.

A peri bottle can be a lifesaver for soothing and for cleaning. The hospital should provide one to you, so make sure you take it home with you. I also recommend investing in a Frida Mom postpartum care kit. It has everything you need to stay fresh, clean, and comfortable including more of those hospital-style panties.

What to expect post-partum hormones

The postpartum period can also bring about emotional mood swings. Many new moms experience mood swings, sometimes including feelings of anxiety and sadness. It’s normal to experience what is called “the baby blues”. It’s also important to recognize that postpartum depression (PPD) is a serious condition, and you should seek help if you experience the symptoms. You can read an article on PPD symptoms at the end of this blog.

What is baby blues?

“Baby blues” refers to the emotional and hormonal rollercoaster you may experience after delivery. Your hormones shift drastically after delivery, thus causing mood swings. Often you will experience sadness, a feeling of being overwhelmed, tearfulness, and anxiousness. These feelings are normal in the first couple weeks, but you should speak with your healthcare provider if they last longer than 2 weeks or are too intense to handle.

How long is the post-partum recovery?

As mentioned before, recovery is unique to each person and to each delivery. While your postpartum bleeding is usually over within 6-weeks, it still takes a bit of time to fully recover. The important thing to remember is that your body has done a lot of work to bring forth new life. Be gentle with it, and with yourself, as you recover. Personally, it took me closer to two years with each of my pregnancies to begin feeling like myself again.

Conclusion

You aren’t just healing physically. Each of us goes through what is called “matrescence”. Matrescence is the emotional and mental changes you go through after having a baby, it is the term used to refer to the journey of becoming a mother. You go through this with each delivery, no matter how many children you have. For me, however, the first trip through matrescence was the most difficult.