Postpartum Care

Your newborn might be your priority — but postpartum care counts, too. From soreness to discharge, what to expect as you recover from a vaginal delivery.

Pregnancy changes your body in more ways than you might expect. And it doesn't stop when the baby is born. Here's what to expect physically and emotionally after a vaginal delivery.

Vaginal soreness

If you had a vaginal tear during delivery or your doctor made an incision, the wound might hurt for a few weeks. Extensive tears might take longer to heal. To ease discomfort while you're recovering:

• Cool the area with an ice pack, or place a chilled witch hazel pad between a sanitary napkin and the area between your vaginal opening and anus (perineum).
• Use a squeeze bottle to pour warm water over the perineum as you're passing urine. Sit in a warm bath just deep enough to cover your buttocks and hips for five minutes. Use cold water if you find it more soothing.
• Take an over-the-counter pain reliever. Ask your health care provider about a numbing spray or cream, if needed.
• Talk to your health care provider about using a stool softener or laxative to prevent constipation.
• Tell your health care provider if you're experiencing severe, persistent or increasing pain. It could be a sign of infection.

Vaginal discharge

After delivery, you'll begin to shed the superficial mucous membrane that lined your uterus during pregnancy. You'll have vaginal discharge made up of this membrane and blood for weeks. The discharge will be red and heavy for the first few days. Then it will taper, become increasingly watery and change from pinkish brown to yellowish white.

Contact your gynecologist if you have heavy vaginal bleeding — soaking a pad in less than an hour — especially if it's accompanied by pelvic pain, a fever or tenderness.

Contractions

You might feel occasional contractions, sometimes called afterpains, during the first few days after delivery. These contractions — which often resemble menstrual cramps — help prevent excessive bleeding by compressing the blood vessels in the uterus. Afterpains are common during breastfeeding due to the release of the hormone oxytocin. Your health care provider might recommend an over-the-counter pain reliever.