What is postpartum recovery?

Last reviewed June 19, 2026 by Dr. Sapna Jadhav, General Physician. Sources from ACOG, NHS, Mayo Clinic, CDC, NICE, NIH, Cochrane, and peer-reviewed journals.

Bottom linePostpartum recovery is the healing your body goes through after childbirth - the uterus shrinking, bleeding settling, hormones rebalancing, and emotional adjustment - mostly over the first 6 to 12 weeks, often called the fourth trimester.

Postpartum recovery is the process your body goes through to heal after pregnancy and childbirth. It covers the weeks and months after delivery, when your uterus shrinks back to its pre-pregnancy size, your hormones shift, your bleeding settles, and you adjust physically and emotionally to life with a newborn.

What your body is doing

• Your uterus contracts and shrinks back over about 6 weeks (a process called involution).
• You bleed and discharge the leftover uterine lining (lochia) for several weeks.
• Pregnancy hormones drop sharply, which affects mood, sleep, hair, and skin.
• Perineal tissue or a C-section incision heals.
• If you breastfeed, your body establishes milk supply.

The fourth trimester

The first 12 weeks after birth are often called the fourth trimester - a recognized recovery period for both you and your baby. Care doesn't stop at the 6-week check; recovery is gradual.

Recovery is physical and emotional

Mood changes, fatigue, and feeling overwhelmed are common. Most "baby blues" lift within two weeks. Symptoms that are severe, last longer, or include thoughts of harm need professional help.

Femora helps you track your recovery, bleeding, and the return of your cycle after birth.