Postpartum Recovery: What the Guidance Says to Expect
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The Office on Women's Health says the first few days at home after having your baby are a time for rest and recovery, both physically and emotionally. 1 Recovery has a rough timeline - MedlinePlus says that after a vaginal delivery, bleeding from the vagina can continue for up to 6 weeks 2 - and it also has a short list of warning signs that the guidance says to report. Below is what recognised health bodies say, quoted and linked.
When to contact your provider or midwife
- The NHS says that if you are losing blood in large clots, tell your midwife. 3
- MedlinePlus lists a fever above 100°F (37.8°C) that persists as a reason to contact your doctor; it notes that swollen breasts may cause a mild elevation of temperature. 2 2
- MedlinePlus lists vaginal discharge that becomes heavier or develops a foul odor as a reason to contact your doctor. 2
- After a C-section, MedlinePlus lists redness, warmth, swelling or drainage from the incision, or the incision breaking open, as reasons to contact your provider. 4
- MedlinePlus lists swelling in one leg that is red and warmer than the other, or pain in the calf, as reasons to contact your provider. 4
If something feels urgent, contact your healthcare provider or emergency services.
**A quick, honest note:** we're not medical professionals - everything here was researched by us from the public sources listed at the bottom of this page, and it isn't professional advice. Read our full note ↓
Postpartum recovery: what are the first days like?
The Office on Women's Health frames the start of postpartum recovery gently. It says the first few days at home after having your baby are a time for rest and recovery - physically and emotionally. 1 Much of what follows is about knowing what is expected and what is not.
How long does bleeding last after birth?
The NHS says you will bleed from your vagina after the birth, that it will be quite heavy at first, and that you will need super-absorbent period pads. 3 The NHS adds that it isn't a good idea to use tampons until after your 6-week postnatal check, because they could increase your chance of getting an infection. 3 MedlinePlus gives the timeline for this bleeding, which is known as lochia: it says you may have bleeding from your vagina for up to 6 weeks. 2 It also describes how the bleeding changes: it says the bleeding will slowly become less red, then pink, and then you will have more of a yellow or white discharge. 2 MedlinePlus adds one exception: it says it is not uncommon to have an increase in red bleeding around 7 to 14 days, when the scab forms over the spot where the placenta was shed. 2
How do I care for stitches?
The NHS gives one clear point here, framed around infection. It says that, if you have had stitches after tearing or an episiotomy, bathing them every day helps prevent infection. 3
Are piles normal after birth?
The NHS says they often are. It says piles (haemorrhoids) are very common after birth but usually disappear within a few days or weeks. 3
When is the postpartum check?
The Office on Women's Health names a specific point. It says your doctor will check your recovery at your postpartum visit, about six weeks after birth. 1
Frequently asked questions
How long does postpartum bleeding last?
MedlinePlus says you may have vaginal bleeding for up to 6 weeks, gradually changing from red to pink to a yellow or white discharge. 2 2
When is the postpartum check-up?
The Office on Women's Health says about six weeks after birth. 1
What are the warning signs to report?
MedlinePlus names a persistent fever above 100°F (37.8°C) - while noting swollen breasts may cause a mild elevation of temperature - along with discharge that becomes heavier or foul-smelling, and, after a C-section, changes at the incision site. 2 2 2 4 The NHS adds losing blood in large clots. 3
How do I look after stitches?
The NHS says to bathe them every day to help prevent infection. 3
A note from us
We're the team behind Yael & Michal. We are not doctors, nurses, lactation consultants, or psychologists, and nothing here is professional advice.
Everything above was researched by us from public, reputable sources - we name and link every one of them below - and summarized as carefully as we could, as a free resource for other mothers. We do this because we wished something like it had existed for us.
When we name an organisation such as the CDC, the NHS, La Leche League, or the Israeli Ministry of Health, we are only citing their published guidance; it does not mean they endorse, sponsor, approve, or are affiliated with us. They have no involvement with this site, and we never use their logos or seals.
Yael & Michal sells nursing bras, which are comfort garments and not medical devices; we do not claim they prevent, treat, or cure any medical condition. The health information here is written for you as a free resource - it is separate from anything we sell.
We try hard to get it right, and we cite our sources so you can check us. But we are not a medical authority, and this cannot replace talking to a professional who knows you and your baby. Please check anything that matters with your doctor, midwife, or an IBCLC lactation consultant. This content has not been reviewed by a medical professional. Reading this site does not create a doctor-patient relationship, or any other professional relationship, between you and us.
If something feels urgent, contact your healthcare provider or emergency services.
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Sources
- Office on Women's Health (womenshealth.gov). https://womenshealth.gov/pregnancy/childbirth-and-beyond/recovering-birth (retrieved 2026-07-10).
- MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine). https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000628.htm (retrieved 2026-07-10).
- NHS (National Health Service, UK). https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/labour-and-birth/your-body/ (retrieved 2026-07-10).
- MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine). https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000624.htm (retrieved 2026-07-10).