Baby2Body’s Guide To Postpartum Recovery: What To Expect In Weeks 3-5
When it comes to postpartum recovery, it can be difficult to know what to expect, especially if you’re in your third trimester and really focusing on getting through labor and delivery. And yes, sometimes looking ahead can feel overwhelming, but often knowing what to expect can also help you to feel more in control of the weeks and months ahead.
That’s why we’re sharing exactly what to expect during postpartum recovery — so you can take it all in when you need to — maybe you want to be prepared now, maybe you want to save these posts and read them as the time comes — it’s completely up to you!
Just remember, every woman is different, every pregnancy is different, and every delivery is different, so what to expect after birth varies a lot. We’re sharing some common symptoms of postpartum recovery — but you might not experience everything you see here & you might find you notice other things more. Let us know how you’re feeling in the comments!
If you missed them, here are the other posts in this series:
Here’s what you can expect in weeks 3-5 of postpartum recovery:
As you get into weeks 3-5 of postpartum, you might start feeling more like yourself — that’s the good news! But you’ll still experience some postpartum symptoms as your hormones continue to swirl around, you are probably lacking energy, and you're looking after baby. Don’t worry, we’re going to talk you through everything you need to know.
The most important thing is to take it easy, don’t do any vigorous exercise, and listen to your body. Here are some things you might experience over the next 3 weeks:
1. Bleeding
Last week, we talked about lochia, the name for bleeding from the vagina after birth. Good news — this bleeding should be getting lighter as you enter into the 3rd week of postpartum recovery and it will end in the next couple of weeks if it hasn’t already!
Remember to use sanitary towels and avoid using tampons until your 6-week check as it may increase the risk of getting an infection. If you are losing blood in large clots then you should tell your midwife.
2. Your menstrual cycle
Whilst lochia may stop, you might be getting closer to your period in the coming weeks:
If you are bottle feeding: your period may return as soon as 5-6 weeks after you give birth
If you are breastfeeding: you may not return to having normal periods until you begin to reduce your feeds and that’s because the hormone that helps your body produce milk, prolactin, also stops you from ovulating and having your period
Whether you’re breastfeeding or not, it’s common to have irregular periods for months after birth.
3. Your emotions
It’s common for mixed emotions to continue as your hormones are still adjusting and you’re taking care of a newborn — maybe for the first time! Whatever you’re feeling, talk it out with your partner, friends, and family, take some time to clear your mind with a daily breathing exercise (we have lots on the Baby2Body app!) & try to get as much rest as you can.
If symptoms last longer than a few weeks and are unmanageable: you may be experiencing postpartum depression. Speak to your doctor as soon as you can to help manage symptoms.
5. Your tummy will look like baby is still inside
We’ve said this in our previous posts & we’ll say it again because it’s so important to remember — your uterus takes around 6 weeks to fully shrink back to pre-pregnancy size. Whilst it might not feel good or you may be feeling pressure to “bounce back“, it’s totally normal for your body to take this time to recover so try not to put pressure on yourself.
What you can do to be more comfortable: wear comfortable loose clothing! We know that you might not want to keep the maternity clothes out now that you’re postpartum — try some of your loser pre-baby clothes that allow a little space. Hear from other mamas who’ve been there: Baby2Body Mamas Get Real About The Pressure to “Bounce Back”.
Our top 3 tips for weeks 3-5 of postpartum
For your fitness:
You still won’t have the OK from your doctor to exercise at this stage — this clearance usually happens at your 6-week postpartum check up.
Continue to take things slowly & stick to light walks, pelvic floor exercises, and guided stretching — if you don’t feel confident knowing what’s safe for you in this week of postpartum, head over to the Baby2Body app where everything is tailored and safe for your specific week of recovery.
For your wellness:
Continue to build your self-care toolkit with our health & mindfulness coach Lou Murray! Over in the Baby2Body app your self-care tool kit is all about setting boundaries that better help you protect yourself, your needs, and your health.
For your nutrition:
Eat for energy! Food can help boost your energy throughout the day. High-energy foods include nuts, oats, and foods that are high in protein, fiber, and healthy fats. Try our Oats For Energy Smoothie recipe!
How’s your postpartum journey, mama? Let us know in the comments!
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