After the Baby is Born – Physical Changes

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, you will need to talk to your doctor about things your spouse will experience as her body starts to recover from the pregnancy:

• She will have spotting or bleeding, like a menstrual period off and on for up to six weeks.
• Your spouse might also experience swelling in her legs and feet. She can reduce swelling by keeping her feet elevated.
• She should try to drink plenty of water and eat fresh fruits and vegetables if she is feeling constipated
• Cramping is common, especially if she is breastfeeding. Her breast milk will come in within three to six days after her delivery. Even if she is not breastfeeding, she can have milk leaking from her nipples, and her breasts might feel full, tender or uncomfortable.
• Make sure your partner follows her doctor’s instructions on how much activity, like climbing stairs or walking, she can do for the next few weeks.
• Doctors usually recommend that the new mother abstain from sexual intercourse for four to six weeks after birth. Before resuming sexual intercourse, your spouse should talk with her doctor about her plan for birth control since she can become pregnant again. Breastfeeding alone does not protect anyone from getting pregnant again.

Also See:

• Regaining a Healthy Weight and Shape
• Feeling Blue
• Infant Safety
• Getting Rest