“New baby” and “rest” aren’t the most synonymous words for a new mother, but the first few days at home after having your baby should be a time for rest and recovery. While you have an infant who needs constant care, you also need to care for yourself.
Your body will experience a number of changes following birth. Here's an overview of the physical changes occurring after birth and guidance on how to manage them.
Vaginal discharge
Vaginal discharge—or lochia—is the tissue and blood that lined your uterus during pregnancy. It’s heavy with blood clots for the first few days but will gradually become lighter in flow and color until it goes away after a few weeks. You may notice increased lochia when you get up in the morning when you're physically active, or while breastfeeding. A mom who has a cesarean section will also have lochia but less than a mom who has a vaginal delivery.
Episiotomies and perineal tears
Your vagina and your perineum (the area between your vagina and rectum) will feel very tender and sore from the strain of childbirth. If you gave birth vaginally, it’ll probably take you a few weeks to heal, especially if you had an episiotomy or a perineal tear. If you gave birth by cesarean section after attempting to push, you're also very likely to be sore.
To keep your perineum clean, fill a peri bottle (given to you in the hospital or purchasable online) with warm water and squirt the water over the area between your vagina and rectum in a front-to-back motion each time you use the bathroom or change your sanitary pad. Pat the area dry with toilet tissue—don’t rub. To maintain good hygiene and cleanliness, change your pad frequently. Continue to practice this perineal care for at least one week after delivery.
