Your body will recover: Here’s how

After your baby is born it's a good idea to think of yourself as being physically in transition. You aren't the "you" before pregnancy, but you aren't the "you" of the future, either.

Recovery from nine months of pregnancy and the hard work of labor and delivery doesn't happen overnight. But you will recover. Many of your body's post-pregnancy changes are temporary.

Here's what you may expect:

Bleeding. Your body sheds the uterine lining after childbirth. The blood and discharge is called lochia. It's a lot like a heavy menstrual period at first, but it gradually turns brown and usually stops after three or four weeks. If bleeding increases, call the doctor.
Hormone shifts. Your body is readjusting its hormone levels, so you may experience fatigue, mood swings and hair loss. While you need to be alert to the possibility of postpartum depression, these mood swings and fatigue are normal and will go away, usually within the first several weeks. You can take seaweed products or spirulina for hair loss, both available at health food stores. Rest when the baby naps, and resist jumping back into housework.
Bladder stretching. Delivery stretched out your bladder; as it's returning to normal, you may feel a need to urinate before your bladder is full. Doing Kegel exercises will strengthen your pelvic floor and help prevent or lessen incontinence. If you have pain or burning when you urinate, call the doctor.
Bowel problems. It may be hard to have a bowel movement for a few days after delivery. You may be constipated and have gas. Take short walks, eat foods high in fiber, drink a lot of fluid and ask your doctor about a stool softener.
Sweating. Many new moms find themselves drenched with sweat, often at night. It's just your body readjusting to hormones. Sleep on a towel until the sweating goes away.
Sore perineum from stitches. Ice the area between your vagina and your anus as soon as you can after delivery. Take a sitz bath, preferably on an inflated "doughnut" pillow. This will make you more comfortable. If pain gets worse instead of better or if you have pain or discharge, call the doctor.
After-pains. Your body releases a hormone during breastfeeding that causes the uterus to contract, and this can cause after-pains. They should go away within four to six weeks.
Sore breasts. As your breasts prepare to nurse they may feel sore or engorged. The best thing to do is put baby to the breast often. If you're not breastfeeding, wear a supportive bra and use an ice pack to numb the area.

What about recovery from a cesarean?

If you have had a cesarean it will take you longer to recover than if you had a vaginal birth. Here are some recovery tips and some problems to watch for:

Get as much rest as you can but be mildly active. Do not stay in bed all of the time.
Avoid heavy lifting and climbing stairs. Ask your doctor when you can resume these activities.
Clean the incision with hydrogen peroxide two to three times a day.
Don't put a bandage over the incision; it will heal faster if left open to the air.
Call the doctor if you develop a fever above 101 degrees; if you notice any pain, redness or swelling around the incision; if there is yellow discharge or blood coming from the incision; or if the incision opens.