Everything You Need to Know About Your Body After Baby: What’s Normal (and What’s Not)

If you thought that your body goes through a lot of changes during pregnancy, prepare yourself for life postpartum, when pooping becomes problematic, and your boobs are always about to burst. While most of these changes are totally normal, others can sometimes be concerning. This guide to your body after baby can help you know what’s normal, what’s not, and when to call your doctor. 

These Changes to Your Body After Baby Are Normal

Heavy Period

Even if you had some spotting during your pregnancy, prepare for a period unlike any other after giving birth. But why does this happen? In a word: lochia, the vaginal bleeding that occurs after childbirth. “The uterus is shedding the thick inner lining that supports the pregnancy,” Dr. Nisarg Patel, M.D., an OB-GYN, explains. “This is normal, but many women are surprised by how long it lasts — in some cases, up to six weeks.” You can expect a pretty heavy period (often accompanied by small clots), according to Patel, which should gradually slow down and change in color over the next few weeks. 

Cramps

Remember those cramps that you felt when you were pregnant (and were actually contractions)? Well, they can continue after your baby’s arrival. “Cramping is also known as ‘afterpains’ and are the contractions that will help the uterus shrink back down to its pre-pregnancy size,” Patel explains. If you’re breastfeeding, the cramps might be more uncomfortable due to elevated oxytocin levels, which can trigger uterine contractions. “Many moms say it feels like labor all over again, just on a smaller scale,” says Patel.

Engorged Breasts

If you thought your boobs were big when you were expecting, you can expect (ha) for them to potentially get even bigger. “Breast changes are also dramatic,” Patel explains. “When milk comes in, often around day three or four, the breasts can feel hot, full, or even rock-hard.” Known as engorgement, you might experience breast pain, but thankfully, frequent feeds and/or pumping can make this easier. 

Hair Loss

Pregnancy definitely had some perks, one of which was all of those lush locks. Postpartum can be a hair-raising (and, um, losing) state, though, which is why hair loss is common after delivery. “During pregnancy, elevated estrogen keeps hair from shedding normally,” he says. “Once hormone levels drop after delivery, all that paused shedding happens at once.” Although it can feel alarming (particularly if you’re finding clumps of hair in your bathtub drain), it's temporary. 

Pelvic Floor Leakage

If you thought your boobs were the only leaky body parts, think again. Your pelvic floor can take a one-two punch postpartum, causing it to become weakened. The result: a little urinary leakage. “Pelvic floor changes like leaking urine when sneezing or a sensation of heaviness are common, especially after vaginal births,” says Patel. Pregnancy can stretch or weaken the muscles that support the uterus, making these symptoms feel alarming, but they’re often temporary. Targeted pelvic floor therapy is highly effective at restoring strength, control, and dry undies.

These Changes to Your Body After Baby Are Not Normal

Intense Bleeding

Although bleeding is to be expected, more intense bleeding isn’t. But how do you know when to worry? “Bleeding that suddenly becomes heavier, especially if it's bright red again after fading, could indicate retained placenta or delayed uterine healing,” says Patel. Since it could be a sign of postpartum hemorrhaging, if you notice that your bleeding seems to regress instead of progress, you should call your healthcare provider right away. 

Pelvic or Vaginal Pain

Sure, you can expect some discomfort in your lady parts, but those pains should eventually end. Pain that persists, though, is potentially problematic. “Pelvic or vaginal pain is another red flag,” says Patel. “If using the bathroom continues to burn or ache long after delivery, it could be an infection.” Rule of thumb: if you experience pain, itching, or burning, talk to your healthcare provider. 

Discharge

Between a heavier blood flow, tissue, and mucus (otherwise known as lochia), your vagina doesn’t really get a break after delivery. Do watch out for discharge, though, that smells foul or has a strong odor. Patel says that it could be a sign that your uterus isn’t healing as well as it should, or it might be an infection. 

Painful Sex

You and your partner may be counting down the days until you can have some alone time. But passion can sometimes become painful postpartum. “Sex that hurts is often written off as normal, but shouldn't be, especially if it lasts more than a few months,” says Patel. There could be a few reasons for it: breastfeeding can lower your estrogen levels, and in turn, cause vaginal dryness. And if you had an episiotomy or scar tissue, be sure to take things slow — for now, anyway.

Seek Medical Attention Right Away If You Experience Any of These Symptoms

Yes, producing a human is definitely going to cause changes to your body, but ultimately, you know your body best. If something doesn’t feel right, schedule an appointment with your healthcare provider right away or go to an emergency room.

“Women are often taught to downplay their symptoms, especially after giving birth,” says Patel. “They're told to push through, to be strong. But healing isn't a test of endurance. You don't have to wait for things to get worse before asking for help.”

Rule of thumb: If something feels wrong, that's enough reason to speak to your doctor.

Certain symptoms in the postpartum period are not just concerning; they can be life-threatening if not addressed promptly. Dr. Patel urges new mothers to treat these as medical emergencies, even if they don't feel dramatic at the time.

• Heavy bleeding (soaking a pad in under an hour or passing clots larger than a golf ball) can mean postpartum hemorrhage or retained placenta, both of which require urgent care.
• High fever, especially if accompanied by chills or unusual discharge, can indicate an infection, whether in the uterus (endometritis), urinary tract, or breast (mastitis).
• Sudden shortness of breath, chest pain, or swelling in one leg may be signs of a blood clot, which postpartum women are at higher risk for. A clot that travels to the lungs (pulmonary embolism) is rare but deadly without treatment.
• Blurred vision, intense headaches, or swelling in the face and hands may signal postpartum preeclampsia, a serious rise in blood pressure that can occur even after a healthy birth.

When you're in the blissful (and sleep-deprived) fog of new parenthood, your own physical health might not be top of mind, but it should be. “Birth may be one day, but healing happens over many months,” Patel advises.

It’s normal to notice changes in your body — some surprising, some frustrating — and that’s okay. What matters is paying attention and getting support when you need it. Your healing deserves as much care as your baby does.

The image featured at the top of this post is ©Alena Ozerova/Shutterstock.com