6 Weeks Postpartum: What’s Happening with Your Body?
During your pregnancy, you likely spent hours poring over every detail of your baby’s development. You knew when they were as large as a papaya, when they had hiccups, and when they got eyelashes. But now that your little one is here, it’s time to pay attention to your own body.
Being a new parent can be overwhelming, especially if this is your first baby. There’s a physical and mental toll from giving birth, and your body needs time to recover and heal.Be patient with yourself during this time – after all, you just made a brand-new human body with your body! That’s no small feat!
By six weeks postpartum, you should be experiencing (or should have experienced) some physical and hormonal changes.
Physical Recovery
Many mothers report feeling more like themselves again around the 6-week mark, as their bodies continue to recover.1,2
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End of lochia.
Lochia, the vaginal bleeding and discharge that happens after birth, should have started to taper off and should come to an end after about 4-6 weeks.1,3Lochia happens whether you’ve given birth vaginally or via c-section and is how your body expels any extra blood, mucus or tissue after your child is born.1 For many women, it should clear up entirely after 6 weeks.1 -
Uterus returns to pre-pregnancy size.
The average uterus is 8cm long, 5cm across, and 4cm thick.4In order to hold a baby the uterus has to stretch and grow to many times its original size over a span of 9 months. Contractions called afterpains shrink the uterus back to its pre-pregnancy size and may take 6 to 8 weeks.2,3 -
Healing of C-section incision or any tears.
It can take up to 6 weeks for a caesarean incision, vaginal tear, or episiotomy to fully heal.3,4,5 Recovery can be uncomfortable, due to the nature and location of the stitches, and how deep the tear or cut was. Follow the directions of your healthcare provider and keep the area clean to prevent infection.5
Hormonal Shifts
After giving birth, your hormones go through an immediate, dramatic shift. During your pregnancy, your body was continually producing high levels of estrogen, progesterone and cortisol. This production comes to an abrupt halt once your little one is born, and the placenta has exited your body.6 During the nine months of pregnancy, you’ve adjusted to these higher hormone levels and their sudden departure may leave you feeling like you’ve had the rug pulled out from under you.
This sudden hormonal shift may cause you to feel off kilter, moody, sad or anxious. The immediate change is often known as the “baby blues,” and is relatively common.1 If these feelings don’t subside within the first 6 weeks postpartum, make a note to bring it up with your doctor. It may be postpartum depression, and it’s important that you receive the help and care you need.1,2If you have thoughts of self harm or harming your baby, please seek immediate medical attention.
What Happens at the 6-Week Postpartum Checkup?
Your 6-week postpartum checkup is a way for your doctor to ensure that you’re recovering well from birth, physically and emotionally.2These are things that will likely happen during your appointment:2
- A pelvic exam to ensure that you are healing well, especially if you tore during birth or had a c-section
- Assessment of abdominal muscles
- Discussion about mood, sleep, and anxiety
- A questionnaire to screen for postpartum depression
- A discussion about family planning, birth control, and guidelines for safely resuming intimacy with your partner
- Addressing any concerns you have about breastfeeding or formula supplementation
This checkup is about you, mom. Make sure you ask questions about things you’re unsure about, get clarity on things you don’t understand, and feel good about things (or have resources you need) when you leave.
6-Week Postpartum Visit Questions
If something is going on with your body or you have any questions about your overall postpartum experience, don’t be afraid to ask your doctor or healthcare provider! This 6-week checkup is about you, mom. Not just your baby. There are no silly questions, and your doctors are there to help. These sample questions can get you started:2
- Is my recovery progressing normally?
- How do I know if my bleeding is too heavy?
- When can I safely exercise or have sex again?
- Are there resources for postpartum physical therapy or mental health?
- How do I know if I have pelvic floor issues or diastasis recti?
Similarly, if you notice anything about your recovery that makes you feel uncertain, ask for clarity! Your questions might be about:2
- What form of birth control is best for you
- Changes in your breasts
- When to expect your period to start again
- Issues you may have during breastfeeding
- Feelings of sadness, anxiety, or restlessness
- The best formula for your baby
If you’ve chosen to supplement with formula or formula-feed, your healthcare provider can provide guidance about what kind of formula might work best for your baby. It’s important to note that colic in babies often peaks at 6 weeks.7 You might want to try a formula like NeuroPro Gentlease if you notice your baby is experiencing fussiness, gas, or crying.
Enfamil A+ has a range of nutritionally complete formula options for newborns and infants that contain DHA to support normal growth and brain development. The Formula Feeding Guide from Enfamil A+ makes supplementation and formula feeding easy.
Use our product finder to choose the Enfamil A+ product that’s right for you and your baby. Your baby’s doctor
is in the best position to tell you which formula meets the individual needs of your baby.
