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Dec 14, 2023 · But the second stage of labor, or the active phase of labor, from 6 cm to fully dilated, is usually quicker if you've given birth before: the average time first-time moms push is between 60 and 90 minutes with an epidural and between 40 to 45 minutes without an epidural.
- Amy Graff
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- Amy Graff
- One Week Postpartum
- Two Weeks Postpartum
- Six Weeks Postpartum
- Six Months Postpartum
- One Year Postpartum
Your physical recovery: vaginal birth
Bleeding: You may still have some spurts of vaginal bleeding on and off through the day. But, overall, the lochia – the combination of blood, tissue and mucus that your body sheds after birth – has decreased and may even already be just a watery, pinkish discharge. Many women continue to have a small gush of light bleeding a few times a day, especially while breastfeeding. Your lochia will change into a white or yellow-white discharge and then keep tapering off until it stops in another two t...
Your physical recovery: C-section
In addition to most of the recovery mentioned above for vaginal birth, you're also recovering from major abdominal surgery. That means more healing and a slower recovery. You might be finding it difficult to move around very much, but it's important that you do. Mild activity speeds healing, plus it prevents blood clots. Just take it slowly. Your incision should be healing nicely, and your provider may schedule a post-op visit to make sure. It may still feel tender, but it should be a lot les...
Your mental health and postpartum hormones
Your hormone levels are changing - estrogen and progesterone levels are dropping, and prolactin and oxytocin levels rise and fall as baby nurses. Add sleep deprivation to the mix, and it's no wonder you're feeling a little unsteady. It's normal to feel exhausted and overwhelmed. In fact, many moms experience the baby blues– feelings of sadness, emotional sensitivity, and weepiness – in the days after giving birth. (Think of it like the worst PMS you've ever had.) These feelings can last up to...
Your physical recovery: vaginal birth
Your lochia (vaginal bleeding and discharge) is continuing to taper off and may be very light by now. You may still have occasional, small bursts of bleeding, though. If you had a second-degree tear(involving skin and muscle), it's probably healing this week and next. Any stitches for a tear may be feeling itchy now. This is a good sign that they're healing. Depending on how breastfeeding is going, you may have sore nipples for a number of reasons. If your baby's latch is shallow, for example...
Your physical recovery: C-section
While you're still probably a little sore, you can probably move around a bit better now. Your scar may be a little itchy as the incision heals. If you had steri-strips (small, white, sticky bandages) on the incision, they should fall off now (if they don't, you can gently remove them). If you have glue over your incision, you can probably remove it now, too. Both the steri strips and glue tend to get a little gross after three weeks, so make sure you remove them at that point. If you have tr...
Your mental health and postpartum hormones
If you had the baby blues, they may be fading now. If you're having extreme feelings of sadness or are crying often, or have other signs of postpartum depression, talk with your healthcare provider to get help as soon as possible.
Your physical recovery: vaginal birth
You may or may not feel 100 percent back to "normal," but six weeks is generally considered a postpartum milestone for recovery. Here's why: 1. Though it can start up again once in a while, for most women postpartum bleeding has stopped. 2. Your uterus is back to its pre-pregnancy size, having shrunk from about 2.5 pounds after childbirth to only 2 ounces now. That doesn't mean your abdomen looks the same, though. Your abdominal muscles have stretched, and it takes time and exerciseto get the...
Your physical recovery: C-section
By your six-week mark, you should be feeling well recovered from surgery. You shouldn't have pain, and your incision scar should be healed, though it may still occasionally feel itchy or burn. You can now lift most things (ask your provider for guidelines).
Your mental health and postpartum hormones
Hopefully you're adjusting well to your new role and feeling settled in by now. Still, it's normal to feel tired and upset now and then. But it shouldn't be all the time. You still need to be on the lookout for signs of postpartum depression and contact your healthcare provider right away if you're concerned.
Your physical recover: vaginal birth
Most women have lost one-half of their pregnancy weight gain by now (but remember, all women are different, so it may take more or less time for you). Any melasma (dark spots) or stretch marks on your belly or breasts are beginning to fade. If you have linea nigra(a dark line down your abdomen), it will fade, too, though it may not completely go away. On the negative side, you may have started noticing some hair lossin recent months, as your estrogen level dropped and your hair follicles ente...
Your physical recovery: C-section
Don't be alarmed if you're still feeling tired. Many of your physical symptoms are vastly improved, and you should feel overall pretty recovered from surgery, but it's not unusual to still be tired. In one studyOpens a new windowof over 1500 women, those who had a C-section were more likely to report extreme tiredness at 6 months postpartum and 12 months postpartum than those who had a spontaneous vaginal birth.
Your mental health and postpartum hormones
May be feeling pretty upbeat now, especially if your baby is sleeping more and you're adjusting well. If you have any signs of postpartum depression, talk with your healthcare provider right away.
Your physical recovery: vaginal birth
Though they may not completely disappear, any stretch marks and linea nigra have continued to lighten. You may have a period by now too, even if you're breastfeeding.
Your physical recovery: C-section
Your numbness around the scar will likely have resolved by now. The scar has healed, and while it's appearance will continue to fade over time, it will do so much more gradually now.
Your mental health and postpartum hormones
Your baby is a toddler now! Your new life comes with new stresses, whether it's balancing work and family, helping siblings get along, weaning your baby from breastfeeding, or deciding whether or not to have another baby. While you're technically outside the definition of "postpartum" depression now, moms carry a lot for their families, and you deserve support. Reach out to your doctor if you're experiencing symptoms of depression. Learn more: 1. Postpartum warning signs 2. C-section recovery...
- Karen Miles
- Valencia Higuera
- Water breaking. One obvious sign indicating the start of labor is your water breaking, or more specifically, the rupture of your amniotic sac. This fluid-filled sac protects your baby as it grows and develops, but it will rupture in preparation for the delivery, either naturally or artificially by your doctor.
- Losing your mucus plug. The mucus plug is a thick collection of mucus that seals the opening of the cervix. This stops bacteria from entering your uterus, but once labor nears, this plug loosens and drops out.
- Weight loss. As an expecting mother, you might not expect any weight loss until after delivery. But it’s not uncommon to lose 1 to 3 pounds of weight 1 to 2 days before going into labor.
- Extreme nesting. The nesting instinct — which is an overwhelming desire to get the house ready for a baby — is common during the third trimester. You might start cleaning, organizing, setting up the nursery, and making sure everything is just perfect.
Jul 21, 2023 · This stage can last anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours. It is often longer for those giving birth for the first time.
See your health care provider 2 to 6 weeks after you give birth to make sure your body is recovering. If you have questions or concerns before your appointment, contact your health care provider or a public health nurse. If you have a midwife, they will visit you the week after you deliver.
Active labor may last anywhere from about two to 24 hours (though the average is two to three-and-a-half hours), while transitional labor can last anywhere from 15 minutes to about three hours. At a certain point, your practitioner may rely on interventions to get things going or speed things up.
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Jul 31, 2018 · The first six weeks after giving birth are known as the postpartum period. This period is an intense time that requires all sorts of care for you and your baby. During this time — which some...
