Your postpartum timeline

You’ve had the baby ... now what? Here’s what to expect the first six weeks of your life as Mom.

After nine months of wild emotions, an ever-changing body, and strange pregnancy symptoms, you might be looking forward to things returning to “normal” once baby has finally decided to make his entrance into the world. However, the first six weeks postpartum can be just as crazy as the gestation period. Get ready for it with our post-pregnancy timeline.

Week one

Physically: Congratulations—you did it! You are probably exhausted (some equate the efforts of labor with running a marathon, just without all that helpful training beforehand) and sore—although the source of your pain will vary depending on whether you delivered vaginally or via C-section. Your breasts will produce colostrum for the first 72 hours, which is all the nourishment your baby needs. And, whether you breastfeed or not, your milk will likely come in within three to five days—at which time your breasts will become painfully engorged. Ice helps with the discomfort, and nursing “on demand” is the quickest route to draining the excess fluid.

Emotionally: All those hormones that invaded your body while you were expecting are at it again, making you an emotional wreck for a few days after delivery. Expect lots of unexplained tears and conflicting emotions, from elation to sheer terror and everything in between. As the hormones settle, so do the fears and tears, so hang in there.

Week two

Physically: Soreness should be easing by the second week, although you still might not be up to your “happy” comfort level. Your uterus is continuing to shrink and is now about the size it was when you were three months pregnant. Exhaustion is par for the course—waking every two hours to feed your baby takes its toll on your body, so remember the oft-repeated adage: sleep when baby sleeps!

Emotionally: Although you’re probably feeling more rational than you were last week, some strong emotions are still normal during this time. Many moms feel overwhelmed with responsibility—which is totally normal and will pass as you become more comfortable with your role as a parent.

Week three

Physically: Welcome back behind the wheel! You’ll probably be feeling much better this week, even up to driving yourself or your baby to any scheduled appointments, such as baby’s first in-office checkup. However, healing comes at a different pace for everyone, so if you’re still not feeling 100 percent, it’s no cause for concern. Lochia, the bloody discharge that follows childbirth, has usually tapered off to a more yellowish, less bloody show than in previous weeks, and your breasts should be free from pain (although nursing moms might be impressed with their new bra sizes!).

Emotionally: Those pesky baby blues have probably passed by now—if they’re still hanging on, it might be time to look for the more serious signs of postpartum depression. Sleep is probably still pretty scarce, so forgetfulness and tiredness are to be expected.

Week four

Physically: The majority of new moms have happily retired their sanitary napkins by this point, as lochia has all but disappeared, but they might be pulling them back out sooner than expected. Yep, things are getting back to normal—and if you are bottle-feeding your babe, it might show in the form of a menstrual cycle, the first you’ve had in many months! Nursing moms often don’t see their periods return until they’ve weaned their little ones—some are cycle-free for up to three years!

Emotionally: You’re likely feeling a little more comfortable as a mom and are beginning to enjoy your baby more, perhaps even relishing in her first sweet smiles.

Week five

Physically: If you had a natural, uncomplicated delivery, you are probably feeling pretty much back to normal. When you look in the mirror, things might not be what they were before your belly began expanding to house your little one, but the majority of the weight that will “fall off” has probably done so. Many moms start easing back into an exercise routine around this time, though if you had a C-section, hold off for another week unless your doctor has given you his OK.
 
Emotionally: You might be itching to stretch your legs after spending the past month tending to your newborn—venturing out of the house can make you feel like a new woman (which, technically, you are!). You may begin to crave “me” time, which is understandable considering the amount of energy you’ve devoted to your newest family member over the past five weeks. Dad’s probably ready for his first home alone experience, so feel free to head out on your own for a few hours.

Week six

Physically: You’re you again! Your uterus is back to its pre-pregnancy size and your vagina and cervix have also tightened back up. Sex, exercise (even for C-section mamas) and regular life activities all have the go-ahead by now—your postpartum period is officially over!

Emotionally: You are probably feeling like you again, too, as your sleep hours expand (most babies sleep five to six hours by the sixth week, meaning you can, too!) and parenting becomes less scary and more second nature. Enjoy your mom status—it only gets better from here!