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A mother rests on a sofa with a glass of water while her partner holds their baby.

Recovering at home

Rest, healing, mood, support and follow-up care.

  1. Recovery after vaginal birthAfter a vaginal birth, soreness, swelling and stitches are common. A peri bottle (a small squeeze bottle of warm water) is often used to rinse the area when you use the toilet.
  2. Recovery after a C-sectionA C-section is major surgery. Staff help you get up and move when it is safe, check your incision, and watch for infection, blood clots and effects of anesthesia.
  3. Understanding your pain-relief planPain after birth is expected, and you can ask for help with it. Your care team chooses pain medicines based on your birth, your health and whether you are feeding with breast milk.
  4. Peeing, bowel movements and hemorrhoidsPeeing and the first bowel movement can feel daunting after birth. Hemorrhoids are common. Staff often check that you can pass urine.
  5. Bleeding, discharge and crampingBleeding and discharge after birth (lochia) are normal and change over the following weeks. Cramping is common, especially while feeding. Very heavy bleeding is a warning sign.
  6. Getting help with feedingYou can ask for help with feeding, whether you use breast milk, formula or both. Hospitals often have nurses or lactation consultants who can help.
  7. Milk changes, pumping and separationMilk may take time to come in, and it can be delayed after some births. If you are separated from your baby, pumping or hand expression can help, and staff can show you how.
  8. Safe sleep when parents are exhaustedBabies should sleep on their back, on a firm, flat surface of their own, with nothing else in the sleep space. When you are exhausted, plan who will watch the baby so you can rest safely.
  9. Diapers, cord care and bathingNurses can show you how to change diapers, care for the umbilical cord stump and bathe your baby. Ask them to show you, then try it while they watch.
  10. The first days at homeThe first days at home are about rest, feeding, healing and getting help. Having supplies ready and a plan for who does what makes the first nights easier.
  11. Following your discharge medication planFollow the medicine plan in your discharge instructions. Do not stop or change a prescribed medicine, including blood-pressure medicine, without talking to your care team.
  12. Rest, shared care and practical helpRest is part of recovery. Sharing night care, accepting practical help, and asking about community programs can make a real difference.
  13. Emotional changes and bondingMany new parents feel tearful, anxious or overwhelmed in the first days. Bonding can take time. If low mood or anxiety lasts, gets worse or feels severe, ask for help. You do not need to wait.
  14. Fathers and non-birth parents need support tooFathers and non-birth parents can also feel depressed, anxious or overwhelmed after a baby arrives. Their sleep and emotional health matter too.
  15. Postpartum follow-up and recovery goalsPostpartum care is ongoing. ACOG recommends contact with your care team within the first three weeks rather than waiting six weeks, and some people need to be seen sooner.
  16. Pelvic floor, activity, sex and contraceptionLeaking urine, pelvic pain or heaviness can happen after birth, and help is available, including pelvic-floor assessment. Talk with your care team about when to return to exercise, sex and contraception.
  17. Detroit-area family and community supportDetroit-area and Michigan programs offer home visits, community health workers and family support through the first year. Eligibility and availability need to be confirmed with each program.
  18. Support after a frightening birth or lossIf your birth was frightening, or you experienced a loss, you deserve care and support. Reliving the birth, numbness or deep grief are understandable, and help is available.

Prototype draft. Not yet clinically reviewed. Your own care team's instructions come first. About this app