Opinion article
Postpartum: what to expect and when to seek help
The postpartum period generally extends to six weeks after birth, though full recovery, physical and emotional, often takes longer than that.
What’s expected
- Lochia: vaginal discharge that changes colour over a few weeks, from red to brownish and then whitish.
- Pain and healing around the perineum or a caesarean scar, which improves gradually.
- The “baby blues”: sadness, easy crying and emotional swings in the first days, linked to the sudden hormonal drop, which usually resolve on their own within about two weeks.
- Intense fatigue, linked to broken sleep and physical recovery.
Warning signs to watch for
- Heavy vaginal bleeding, soaking a pad in an hour.
- Fever, severe abdominal pain, or foul-smelling discharge.
- Chest pain, shortness of breath, or pain and swelling in one leg.
- Severe headache, vision changes, or high blood pressure.
- Persistent sadness, intrusive thoughts, or trouble bonding with the baby, beyond the first two weeks: this can be postpartum depression, and it has effective treatment.
The baby blues improve on their own within about two weeks. If sadness, anxiety or low energy persist beyond that, or are intense from the start, it’s worth speaking to a healthcare professional. It isn’t weakness, it’s a medical condition with treatment.
Contraception and returning to sexual activity
Fertility can return before the first postpartum period, even in people who are exclusively breastfeeding. It’s worth discussing contraception even before your postpartum check-up, so you aren’t caught by surprise.
This article is for information only and does not replace a medical consultation. If you’re experiencing warning signs, seek medical assessment urgently.
Sources
- American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Optimizing Postpartum Care. Committee Opinion No. 736. 2018
- World Health Organization, postnatal care