Postpartum Recovery: Week-by-Week Timeline
What to expect from week 1 through month 3 — physical, emotional, and when to call.
10 min read
Week 1 — heavy bleeding (lochia), uterine cramping when nursing, intense fatigue. Limit stairs and lifting beyond baby.
Weeks 2–3 — bleeding tapers, baby blues peak around day 5 and resolve by day 14.
Weeks 4–6 — first postpartum visit. Pelvic floor assessment, mental health screening, contraception discussion.
Weeks 7–12 — gradual return to exercise (cleared by provider), pelvic floor physical therapy if symptomatic.
Call your provider immediately for
- Soaking a pad in under an hour or passing clots larger than a golf ball
- Fever over 100.4°F
- Severe headache, vision changes, or chest pain
- Persistent sadness, hopelessness, intrusive thoughts (postpartum mood disorders are treatable — please reach out)