The forty days
The Forty Days: Your Guide to Postpartum Recovery
Your body needs weeks to recover, and your feelings deserve as much attention as your body does. Here's what's expected, and what means calling your doctor right away.
Bleeding after birth
Your body starts recovering right after birth. You'll notice bleeding like a heavy period, continuing on and off for up to around six weeks. The blood gradually shifts from dark red to brown, then lightens and tapers off until it stops.
During this time you may also feel pain around the perineum if you had stitches — bathe them daily to help prevent infection. Your breasts will feel full and tender once your milk properly comes in during the first few days.
Source: MedlinePlus
Baby blues and postpartum depression
It's common to feel low, anxious, or irritable for a few days after birth — this is the baby blues, and it usually passes within two weeks without treatment.
If these feelings last longer than that, get worse, or make it hard to cope day to day, that points to postpartum depression — a different, treatable condition that needs professional help. Don't push yourself to wait it out alone.
Source: MedlinePlus
When to call a doctor now
Contact your doctor or midwife right away if you notice any of the following:
- Sudden or heavy bleeding, especially if you feel dizzy.
- Fever, chills, or tummy pain — especially with foul-smelling vaginal discharge.
- A severe or ongoing headache.
- Shortness of breath or chest pain.
- Pain, redness, or swelling in your calf.
- Thoughts of harming yourself or your baby.
Track your weeks after birth with Nawah
Log your symptoms and mood day by day with Nawah's symptom tracker, so you notice any change worth raising with your doctor.
Try NawahCommon questions
When should I worry about postpartum bleeding?
If the bleeding is sudden and heavy — especially with dizziness — or comes with fever or a bad smell, call your doctor right away. Light bleeding that gradually tapers off over several weeks is expected.
Is the baby blues the same as postpartum depression?
No. The baby blues are milder and usually pass within two weeks without treatment. Postpartum depression lasts longer and hits harder, and needs professional medical help.
Sources
- Postpartum careMedlinePlus · retrieved 2026-09-16
- Postnatal signs and symptoms and who to callNHS (Cambridge University Hospitals) · retrieved 2026-09-16
This guide is general information, not medical advice. It does not replace a doctor, and it knows nothing about your particular pregnancy. If something feels wrong, contact your doctor instead of waiting for the next scheduled visit.