14/11/2025
The birth of a baby is a different experience for everyone, and bringing your baby into the world is an incredible experience. But your body goes through a lot in those first 24 hours after giving birth, and there are a range of physical and emotional changes you’ll experience as your body begins its recovery. Here’s a quick summary of what you can expect:
- Bleeding and cramping: Your uterus begins shrinking back to its pre-pregnancy size, which can cause period-like cramps and vaginal bleeding (lochia) which can persist for up to 6 weeks. This is a normal part of healing.
- Tenderness and swelling: Whether you’ve had a vaginal birth or a caesarean, it’s common to feel soreness and swelling around the v***a, perineum, abdomen, or incision site.
- Milk coming in: Your breasts may start to feel heavier or tender as your milk begins to transition. Early skin-to-skin and feeding on demand can help your body adjust.
- Fatigue and adrenaline: Labour is a huge physical effort. You may feel deeply tired, yet wide awake and emotional as hormones shift and you process the experience.
- After-birth checks and care: Your medical team will monitor your bleeding, blood pressure, bladder, and overall recovery closely to make sure you’re safe and supported.
Every birth and recovery looks a little different. Be gentle with yourself, rest when you can, and don’t hesitate to ask for help. Your body has done something extraordinary!
