The postpartum period is a time of significant physical recovery and emotional adjustment. Your body continues to heal after delivery while you adapt to caring for a newborn, changes in sleep, feeding, and new family routines.
Postpartum care is an important part of your pregnancy care. We're here to support your physical recovery, emotional well-being, and adjustment after delivery, and to help if concerns arise along the way.
Recovery after delivery looks different for everyone, and you do not need to wait until your scheduled postpartum visit if you have questions or concerns. Please contact us if you are worried about your recovery, pain, bleeding, incision or perineal healing, blood pressure, mood, or anything else that doesn't feel right.
Most patients will have a routine postpartum visit around 6 weeks after delivery, although we may recommend seeing you sooner depending on your delivery and individual needs.
Recovery after childbirth looks different for everyone and depends in part on whether you had a vaginal or cesarean delivery. Pain, bleeding, swelling, fatigue, and changes in mobility are common during the early postpartum period and typically improve with time.
Pregnancy and childbirth can also affect the pelvic floor, leading to symptoms such as pelvic pressure, urinary leakage, bowel changes, or pain. These symptoms are common, but you don't have to simply live with them. Pelvic floor physical therapy can be very helpful when symptoms persist or interfere with daily activities, and we are happy to help arrange a referral if needed.
The first days and weeks after delivery can include bleeding, cramping, soreness, swelling, fatigue, and other physical changes as your body begins to recover.
Activity can gradually increase as you recover. Give your body time to heal, and return to exercise at a pace that feels comfortable.
Pregnancy and childbirth can affect the pelvic floor. Urinary leakage, pelvic pressure, bowel symptoms, or discomfort are common, but treatment is available if symptoms persist or bother you.
It is common for intimacy to feel different after having a baby. We generally recommend waiting about 6 weeks after delivery before resuming intercourse to allow time for healing. Healing from delivery, breastfeeding-related hormonal changes, fatigue, vaginal dryness, and pelvic floor changes can all affect comfort and sexual function.
If intercourse remains painful or you have concerns about vaginal dryness, pelvic floor symptoms, or sexual function, please let us know. There are treatments that can help.
The timing of your first period after delivery varies, particularly if you are breastfeeding. Ovulation can occur before your first period, so pregnancy is possible before your menstrual cycles return.
The postpartum period can bring significant emotional changes as you adjust to recovery, disrupted sleep, changing relationships, and caring for a new baby. Some mood changes are common in the first days after delivery, but persistent sadness, anxiety, irritability, difficulty bonding, or feeling overwhelmed may be signs that additional support is needed. Postpartum depression and anxiety are common and treatable, and you do not need to wait until your postpartum visit to ask for help. Please reach out if you are concerned about how you are feeling.
Emotional ups and downs are common during the first days after delivery. The “baby blues” typically improve within the first couple of weeks. Symptoms that are more intense, persist beyond this period, interfere with daily life, or make it difficult to care for yourself or your baby may be signs of postpartum depression or anxiety.
Treatment may include counseling, medication, additional support, or a combination of approaches. Many psychiatric medications can be used while breastfeeding, and we can help you weigh the benefits and risks of different treatment options.
Antidepressant Use During Pregnancy & Breastfeeding (InfantRisk)
Breastfeeding & Psychiatric Medications (Womens Mental Health)
Adjusting to a new baby can bring complicated emotions, particularly after a difficult pregnancy, unexpected delivery, preterm birth, or other stressful experience. Bonding may also happen gradually rather than immediately.
Please reach out to us if you are struggling. You do not need to wait until your postpartum visit or until symptoms become severe to ask for help.
Novant Health has additional mental health resources available, including psychiatrists, therapists, and support groups, and we are happy to help connect you with the appropriate resources. Treatment and support can look different for everyone, and we can help you determine what might be most helpful for you.
National Maternal Mental Health Hotline: 1-833-TLC-MAMA (1-833-852-6262)
If you are having thoughts of harming yourself or your baby, feel that you or your baby may not be safe, or are experiencing severe confusion, agitation, paranoia, hallucinations, or other concerning changes in your thinking or behavior, please seek immediate help.
Call 911 or go to the nearest Emergency Department for an immediate safety concern.
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988
Novant Health 24/7 Mental Health Support: 1-800-718-3550. Novant currently describes this as a 24/7 line that can address urgent concerns and connect patients with appropriate care.
Atrium Health Behavioral Health Charlotte: Atrium currently identifies this as the region's dedicated psychiatric emergency department and typically it is available 24/7; 704-444-2400.
Most postpartum symptoms gradually improve as your body recovers, but some symptoms can be signs of a complication. Please contact us if something doesn't seem right or if you are concerned about how you are feeling. We would rather hear from you than have you wait because you aren't sure whether a symptom is important.
Contact us promptly for symptoms such as heavy or increasing bleeding, fever, worsening abdominal or pelvic pain, concerns about an incision or perineal wound, severe or persistent headache, vision changes, significant swelling, or generally feeling increasingly unwell.
Seek emergency medical care for chest pain, difficulty breathing, fainting, severe bleeding, a seizure, or other severe or rapidly worsening symptoms.