Postpartum Health

Postpartum Weight & Body Image

A shot of a woman's feet standing on a scale in a bathroom.
Weight gain after pregnancy
Reviewed by Jane van Dis, M.D., ob-gyn
flamingo with flower
What does it mean to "get your pink back" postpartum?
Reviewed by Sipra Laddha, M.D., perinatal psychiatrist
A mom sitting on a couch and breastfeeding her baby.
Does breastfeeding help you lose weight?
Reviewed by Julie Hawksley, R.N., IBCLC, lactation consultant
woman carrying child talking into microphone - text is: mom confidential: post baby body
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Post baby body (Mom confidential)
pregnant woman looking in mirror
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Body changes after pregnancy
Reviewed by Rebecca Yee, M.D., ob-gyn
woman talking
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I just had a baby. How can I get back to feeling great?
woman talking
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How I feel about my post-baby body
Dr. Sasha Hakman
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Does breastfeeding help you lose weight?
Reviewed by Sasha Hakman, M.D., M.S., ob-gyn
Sasha Hakman and the text "Here's how long it may take for your belly to go down after birth"
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How long it may take for your belly to go down after birth
Reviewed by Sasha Hakman, M.D., M.S., ob-gyn
Dr. Sasha Hakman
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Postpartum moms: "When will I feel like myself again?"
Reviewed by Sasha Hakman, M.D., M.S., ob-gyn
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Postpartum Complications

woman sitting on a couch and massaging calves
Postpartum swelling (edema)
Reviewed by Sally Urang, MS, RN, CNM, midwife
sanitary pad
Postpartum bleeding (lochia)
Reviewed by Cheryl Axelrod, M.D., ob-gyn
Postpartum mom with new baby
Warning signs of postpartum complications
Reviewed by Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine
Woman using the bathroom
Postpartum hemorrhoids
Reviewed by Jane van Dis, M.D., ob-gyn
A woman pressing a heating pad against her lower back.
Postpartum back pain: How to get relief
Reviewed by Sally Urang, MS, RN, CNM, midwife
Toilet paper roll
Postpartum rectal bleeding
Reviewed by Jane van Dis, M.D., ob-gyn
Moms with newborn
Postpartum recovery timeline
Reviewed by Cheryl Axelrod, M.D., ob-gyn
orange balloon representing postpartum gas and bloating
Dealing with postpartum gas and bloating? Here's why it happens and how to get relief
Reviewed by Shannon Smith, M.D., FACOG, ob-gyn
Mom breastfeeding
Postpartum infections
Reviewed by Cheryl Axelrod, M.D., ob-gyn
Woman with cramps
Postpartum cramping
Reviewed by Cheryl Axelrod, M.D., ob-gyn
A tired mom looking at her baby in a bassinet
How to cope with postpartum fatigue: Tips for exhausted moms
Reviewed by Sally Urang, MS, RN, CNM, midwife
melasma on face
Postpartum melasma (chloasma)
Reviewed by Cheryl Axelrod, M.D., ob-gyn
Woman sweating in the night
Postpartum sweating
Reviewed by Jane van Dis, M.D., ob-gyn
woman on toilet
What pooping after birth is really like
Reviewed by Mandy Major, postpartum doula
Woman looking at hair on hairbrush and touching head.
How to cope with postpartum hair loss
Reviewed by Layan Alrahmani, M.D., ob-gyn, MFM
New mom holding her baby
I had "mommy wrist" and didn't even know it existed. Here are some ways to find relief
Reviewed by Miosha McDaniel, doula
postpartum woman in pain
Postpartum bowel incontinence
Reviewed by Sally Urang, MS, RN, CNM, midwife
Woman putting on lotion
Postpartum skin changes
Reviewed by Jane van Dis, M.D., ob-gyn
mother holding sleeping baby in hospital bed
Retained placenta signs and symptoms: What to know after birth
Reviewed by Layan Alrahmani, M.D., ob-gyn, MFM
postpartum woman with baby
Signs and treatment of postpartum hemorrhage
Reviewed by Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine
woman touching thyroid
Postpartum thyroiditis
Reviewed by Cheryl Axelrod, M.D., ob-gyn
Woman in abdominal pain
Postpartum constipation
Reviewed by Jane van Dis, M.D., ob-gyn
Mother breastfeeding her baby
Postpartum preeclampsia and breastfeeding
Reviewed by Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine
postpartum woman in pain
Postpartum perineal pain
Reviewed by Jane van Dis, M.D., ob-gyn
woman with bloodshot eyes
Bloodshot eyes after childbirth
Reviewed by Jane van Dis, M.D., ob-gyn
toilet paper
Postpartum incontinence
Reviewed by Sally Urang, MS, RN, CNM, midwife
women recovering from hysterectomy
What is a hysterectomy?
Reviewed by Layan Alrahmani, M.D., ob-gyn, MFM
women getting her blood pressure taken
Postpartum preeclampsia
Reviewed by Cheryl Axelrod, M.D., ob-gyn
Just wondering...how awful is it really to go to the bathroom after birth?
Reviewed by Layan Alrahmani, M.D., ob-gyn, MFM
spinal headache
After birth, it felt like my head was being chopped – a rare side effect was to blame
Reviewed by Layan Alrahmani, M.D., ob-gyn, MFM
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Recovering From Birth

Mom with C-section scar with baby
A week-by-week timeline for your C-section recovery
Reviewed by Shannon Smith, M.D., FACOG, ob-gyn
A mom sitting on a couch, bottle feeding her newborn baby.
If I'm not breastfeeding, will my breast milk dry up on its own?
Reviewed by Monica Murphy, RNC, IBCLC, lactation consultant
Pregnant woman propping feet up.
Swollen labia during pregnancy and after birth
Reviewed by Layan Alrahmani, M.D., ob-gyn, MFM
A woman sitting on the toilet with her shorts around her ankles.
When will I get my first period after birth?
Reviewed by Layan Alrahmani, M.D., ob-gyn, MFM
A pair of woman's feet sticking out of a bubble bath.
Can you take a bath after giving birth – and when?
Reviewed by Cheryl Axelrod, M.D., ob-gyn
A close-up shot of a woman's hand, holding a newborn's small hand.
Carpal tunnel after pregnancy: How to get relief
Reviewed by Rebecca Yee, M.D., ob-gyn
woman with C-section scar covered by medical tape
C-section scars, healing, and incision care
Reviewed by Shannon Smith, M.D., FACOG, ob-gyn
A woman lying in a hospital bed after giving birth.
Postpartum chills
Reviewed by Sally Urang, MS, RN, CNM, midwife
Postpartum woman with back pain in bed
Tailbone pain after birth
Reviewed by Layan Alrahmani, M.D., ob-gyn, MFM
A woman talking to her healthcare provider in a doctor's office.
Your postpartum checkup
Reviewed by Layan Alrahmani, M.D., ob-gyn, MFM
A Hispanic mom cuddling and kissing her newborn baby on the forehead.
How to embrace cuarentena, a Latin American postpartum tradition
Reviewed by Michelle Harris, fact-checker
A postpartum mom cuddling her newborn baby.
Your most common postpartum recovery questions, answered
Reviewed by Layan Alrahmani, M.D., ob-gyn, MFM
A pregnant woman standing in front of a window, cradling her belly.
What will my vagina be like after birth?
Reviewed by Layan Alrahmani, M.D., ob-gyn, MFM
A bowl of placenta pills
Is eating your placenta safe?
Reviewed by Sally Urang, MS, RN, CNM, midwife
An aerial view of a woman sitting at a desk, looking at her phone.
When can I go back to work after having a baby?
Reviewed by Michelle Harris, fact-checker
An airplane wing, with blue skies and clouds in the background.
When can I travel again after giving birth?
Reviewed by Sally Urang, MS, RN, CNM, midwife
Three tampons lying on a light blue background
When can I use tampons after giving birth?
Reviewed by Jane van Dis, M.D., ob-gyn
A woman's hand checking the water from a bathtub faucet.
How to use a sitz bath for postpartum relief
Reviewed by Jane van Dis, M.D., ob-gyn
varicose veins on woman's leg
Postpartum varicose veins
Reviewed by Cheryl Axelrod, M.D., ob-gyn
A woman preparing to exercise
What to know about diastasis recti
Reviewed by Catherine Cram, M.S., exercise physiologist
A pregnant woman sitting in a yoga position on her bed.
How to do Kegel exercises
Reviewed by Catherine Cram, M.S., exercise physiologist
A close up of a woman with her hands over her stomach and pelvis.
Pelvic organ and vaginal prolapse
Reviewed by American Urogynecologic Society
Postpartum mom and baby
6 items you’ll want to have on hand for postpartum recovery
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Woman with IV
Uterine inversion
Reviewed by Jane van Dis, M.D., ob-gyn
A postpartum doula helping a new mom, who's sitting in a chair with her newborn.
How a postpartum doula can help
Reviewed by Mandy Major, postpartum doula
woman's abdomen with fabric wrapped tightly around
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How to bind your belly after birth
Reviewed by Sally Urang, MS, RN, CNM, midwife
A physical therapist talking to a woman in a medical office.
How pelvic floor therapy can help with postpartum pain
Reviewed by Layan Alrahmani, M.D., ob-gyn, MFM
A woman holding another woman's hands during a therapy session.
How to cope with a difficult birth experience
Reviewed by Juli Fraga, Psy.D., psychologist
Nurse drinking tea
4 body changes that may surprise you during postpartum
Reviewed by Layan Alrahmani, M.D., ob-gyn, MFM
Dr. Sasha Hakman holds up two different types of peri bottles. The headline reads "How to use a peri bottle"
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How to use a peri bottle
Reviewed by Sasha Hakman, M.D., M.S., ob-gyn
cartoon image of woman with glasses and quizzical expression
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After childbirth: 7 things no one tells you
woman's hands holding circular blow-up device
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6 things you'll need for postpartum recovery
Dr. Sasha Hakman
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When will I get my first period after pregnancy?
Reviewed by Sasha Hakman, M.D., M.S., ob-gyn
Labor Junkie talking to the camera, holding up 4 fingers
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4 things no one tells you about postpartum
a woman holds her baby
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4 tips for c-section recovery
Miosha McDaniel, a doula, talks to the camera
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How to get out of bed after a C-section
Reviewed by Miosha McDaniel, doula
Dr. Sasha Hakman holds up a pad, headline reads "How to make a padsicle"
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How to make a padsicle
Reviewed by Sasha Hakman, M.D., M.S., ob-gyn
Miosha McDaniel and the text "Truth bomb: Pooping after birth is an experience"
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How to make your first postpartum poop easier
Reviewed by Miosha McDaniel, doula
Dr. Sasha Hakman pours water into a sitz bath from a clear jug, headline reads "How to use a sitz bath"
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How to use a sitz bath
Reviewed by Sasha Hakman, M.D., M.S., ob-gyn
Mandy Major and the text "Feeling gassy during postpartum? It's totally normal!"
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Postpartum gas
Reviewed by Mandy Major, postpartum doula
Mandy Major and the text "Weird postpartum symptoms: Contractions"
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Postpartum symptom: Contractions
Reviewed by Mandy Major, postpartum doula
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Postpartum Depression & Emotional Health

A woman standing alone in a dark room, holding her newborn in front of a mirror.
Is it normal to have no interest in sex after having a baby?
Reviewed by Juli Fraga, Psy.D., psychologist
Woman looking out the window holding curtain open
Is it postpartum depression? To find out, take this screening test
Reviewed by Juli Fraga, Psy.D., psychologist
A close-up image of a woman holding a tissue in her hands.
Postpartum rage
Reviewed by Juli Fraga, Psy.D., psychologist
A woman that may be depressed, leaning against her bed, with her hand on her head.
Is there a difference between postpartum depression and depression?
Reviewed by Juli Fraga, Psy.D., psychologist
A close up of a woman with anxiety picking at her fingernails.
Postpartum anxiety (PPA)
Reviewed by Juli Fraga, Psy.D., psychologist
A young mom trying to put a newborn baby to sleep in a bassinet.
The baby blues
Reviewed by Juli Fraga, Psy.D., psychologist
A woman sitting on the bed with a large sweater
Postpartum depression (PPD)
Reviewed by Juli Fraga, Psy.D., psychologist
Two women sitting together on a couch, talking.
How to help someone with postpartum depression
Reviewed by Juli Fraga, Psy.D., psychologist
Postpartum care overlooks moms, prioritizing only babies’ needs: Survey
Reviewed by Dominique De Lope
The back of a woman, who's holding her head in her hands and facing a wall of flowers.
Postpartum psychosis
Reviewed by Juli Fraga, Psy.D., psychologist
Dr. Amanda Williams
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Postpartum depression symptoms
Reviewed by Amanda Williams, M.D., MPH, ob-gyn
mom in chair holding baby, with phone on chair's arm
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Finding balance as a new mom: The Williams Way (Episode 3)
a mom holding her baby
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Mom stories: Postpartum depression
Reviewed by Juli Fraga, Psy.D., psychologist
Jessica and her family
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Postpartum depression: Jessica's story

Contraception

mini pill for birth control
Mini-pill for birth control
Reviewed by Sally Urang, MS, RN, CNM, midwife
mom on phone in her bed
How soon after giving birth can you get pregnant?
Reviewed by Cheryl Axelrod, M.D., ob-gyn
pregnancy test
Does Phexxi work? Women say they’re getting pregnant on this “on-demand” birth control
Reviewed by Jane van Dis, M.D., ob-gyn
Intimate couple
Female condoms
Reviewed by Cheryl Axelrod, M.D., ob-gyn
Vaginal birth control ring
Birth control ring
Reviewed by Sally Urang, MS, RN, CNM, midwife
woman and doctor talking
Tubal ligation
Reviewed by Jane van Dis, M.D., ob-gyn
Birth control implant
Birth control implants
Reviewed by Cheryl Axelrod, M.D., ob-gyn
Calendar for family planning
How the rhythm method of birth control works
Reviewed by Cheryl Axelrod, M.D., ob-gyn
Woman getting shot
Birth control shot
Reviewed by Jane van Dis, M.D., ob-gyn
Diaphragm for birth control
Diaphragm for birth control
Reviewed by Jane van Dis, M.D., ob-gyn
spermicide for birth control
Spermicide
Reviewed by Jane van Dis, M.D., ob-gyn
birth control pack
Combination birth control pills
Reviewed by Sally Urang, MS, RN, CNM, midwife
Woman with birth control patch
Birth control patch
Reviewed by Cheryl Axelrod, M.D., ob-gyn
Man at doctor
Vasectomy
Reviewed by Cheryl Axelrod, M.D., ob-gyn
male condoms
Male condoms
Reviewed by Jane van Dis, M.D., ob-gyn
Cervical cap for birth control
Cervical cap
Reviewed by Jane van Dis, M.D., ob-gyn
birth control packet
Can you get pregnant on birth control?
Reviewed by Cheryl Axelrod, M.D., ob-gyn
Scissors snipping a string
Even amid erosion of reproductive rights, few men are opting for vasectomies
Reviewed by Jane van Dis, M.D., ob-gyn
woman holding an IUD in hand
Intrauterine device (IUD)
Reviewed by Cheryl Axelrod, M.D., ob-gyn
birth control emergency contraception
Emergency contraception
Reviewed by Sally Urang, MS, RN, CNM, midwife

Postpartum Fitness

A woman meditating in a yoga pose
Still look pregnant after birth? It's okay, your postpartum belly is totally normal
Reviewed by Kristin Cohen, DNP, CNM, WHNP-BC, midwife
A mom stretching on a yoga mat, while her infant child lies between her legs.
When can I start working out after a C-section?
Reviewed by Catherine Cram, M.S., exercise physiologist
postpartum women working core
How to strengthen your core after pregnancy
Reviewed by Catherine Cram, M.S., exercise physiologist
A mom in a downward dog yoga pose with her baby lying on the yoga mat beneath her.
Postpartum exercise: When and how to get started
Reviewed by Catherine Cram, M.S., exercise physiologist
A woman stretching her leg on a park bench while exercising.
How to find time to exercise as a new mom
Reviewed by Juli Fraga, Psy.D., psychologist
katie florio running at 2024 us olympic marathon trials
I ran a marathon at 13 months postpartum – and won
By Caroline Picard
woman in exercise clothes talking
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Postpartum exercises: Introduction
Reviewed by Catherine Cram, M.S., exercise physiologist
woman in exercise clothes touching her tummy
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Postpartum exercises: Strengthening your core and pelvic floor
Reviewed by Catherine Cram, M.S., exercise physiologist
legs of woman in exercise clothes
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Postpartum exercises: Toning your legs, butt, and stomach
Reviewed by Catherine Cram, M.S., exercise physiologist
woman in yoga clothes stretching
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Postpartum exercises: Reducing backaches and strains
Reviewed by Catherine Cram, M.S., exercise physiologist
woman in exercise clothes laying down
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Postpartum exercises: Tightening those abdominals
Reviewed by Catherine Cram, M.S., exercise physiologist
woman in exercise clothes stretching her arms
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Postpartum exercises: Stretching out the spine
Reviewed by Catherine Cram, M.S., exercise physiologist
woman exercising and twisting
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Postpartum exercises: Trimming and toning your waist
Reviewed by Catherine Cram, M.S., exercise physiologist
woman exercising by leaning on exercise ball
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Postpartum exercises: Improving posture and balance
Reviewed by Catherine Cram, M.S., exercise physiologist

Latest in postpartum health

Mom with C-section scar with baby
A week-by-week timeline for your C-section recovery
Reviewed by Shannon Smith, M.D., FACOG, ob-gyn
Postpartum mom and baby
6 items you’ll want to have on hand for postpartum recovery
- Ad content for Tucks -
orange balloon representing postpartum gas and bloating
Dealing with postpartum gas and bloating? Here's why it happens and how to get relief
Reviewed by Shannon Smith, M.D., FACOG, ob-gyn
Just wondering...how awful is it really to go to the bathroom after birth?
Reviewed by Layan Alrahmani, M.D., ob-gyn, MFM
spinal headache
After birth, it felt like my head was being chopped – a rare side effect was to blame
Reviewed by Layan Alrahmani, M.D., ob-gyn, MFM
A woman meditating in a yoga pose
Still look pregnant after birth? It's okay, your postpartum belly is totally normal
Reviewed by Kristin Cohen, DNP, CNM, WHNP-BC, midwife
Woman looking out the window holding curtain open
Is it postpartum depression? To find out, take this screening test
Reviewed by Juli Fraga, Psy.D., psychologist
Nurse drinking tea
4 body changes that may surprise you during postpartum
Reviewed by Layan Alrahmani, M.D., ob-gyn, MFM

Community

  • September 2024 Birth Club
    QOTW: Maternal Mental Health Month
    By BabyCenter Team
    post imagepost image
    May is Maternal Mental Health Month. If you have experienced PPD or other depression or mental health issues, please feel free to share your story, and how you managed it. Postpartum depression (PPD)Postpartum Depression and Postpartum Anxiety Support Group
    05-16-24 by BabyCenter Team
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  • November 2024 Birth Club
    Featured Groups for Maternal Mental Health Awareness
    By BabyCenter Games
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    Postpartum Depression and Postpartum Anxiety Support GroupMommies Post Partum Depression and AnxietyPPD/Anxiety or Depression/Baby daddy issues venting groupMay is Maternal Mental Health Awareness month. These groups are where anyone dealing with postpartum depression and/or postpartum anxiety can c
    05-10-24
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  • February 2023 Birth Club
    Featured Groups for Maternal Mental Health Awareness
    By BabyCenter Games
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    Postpartum Depression and Postpartum Anxiety Support GroupMommies Post Partum Depression and AnxietyPPD/Anxiety or Depression/Baby daddy issues venting groupMay is Maternal Mental Health Awareness month. These groups are where anyone dealing with postpartum depression and/or postpartum anxiety can c
    05-10-24
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