Your Body's Physical Changes After Childbirth

During pregnancy and birth, your body underwent some tremendous changes. Immediately after birth, you'll experience several more. Your uterus will begin shrinking rapidly in an effort to control bleeding and return to its pre-pregnancy state. Your body may feel sore from the delivery, and your back may ache. You may perspire more.

The good news is that these are all temporary changes! Quite soon, you'll return to your normal physical state, and each of these changes will soon be merely a memory.

In the meantime, though, here are some details about the particular physical changes your body may go through: bleeding after childbirth, perineum pain, afterpains, engorged breasts, urine and bowel changes, changes in nutrition and exercise.

Bleeding After Childbirth

You'll experience a discharge of blood, called lochia, which occurs as the lining of the uterus is shed. The discharge gradually turns from bright red to pink or brown and finally to yellow or white before it stops. It's heavy at first but becomes lighter with time.