What No One Tells You: Unspoken Body Changes After Baby Arrives
Supporting you with knowledge, compassion, and expert care
Let’s be honest—people love to talk about pregnancy and baby showers, but once that baby arrives, it's like crickets when it comes to what happens to your body next. We hear all about labor stories and diaper brands, but not enough about the wild ride your body takes after delivery.
If you're feeling like you're discovering new things about your body every day after birth, you're not alone. Let’s break down the real changes—without the sugarcoating—so you know what to expect (or at least what’s totally normal).
1. Your Breasts Might Feel Like They Have a Mind of Their Own
The first few days after delivery, your breasts start producing something magical called colostrum—a thick, yellowish liquid full of nutrients and antibodies for your newborn. Think of it as your baby’s first superfood. Then, a few days later, your milk “comes in,” and suddenly you’re dealing with engorgement—hello, rock-hard boobs.
It’s normal. A warm shower or light massage can help. And don’t forget to nurse or pump regularly—it helps with the pressure (Thornton, 2025).
2. Those Cramps? Totally Normal
You thought you left contractions behind in the delivery room, right? Not quite. After you give birth, your uterus has to shrink back to its normal size—a process called involution. That cramping you feel, especially while breastfeeding? That’s your body doing its job.
Breastfeeding triggers the release of oxytocin, a hormone that causes your uterus to contract. So yes, those "afterpains" are annoying, but also totally necessary (Cleveland Clinic, 2025a).
3. Postpartum Bleeding Isn’t Just for a Few Days
Here’s something no one warned you about: lochia. It’s a mix of blood, tissue, and mucus that your body sheds after birth. And it can last up to six weeks (sometimes longer!).
At first, it’s heavy and red like a period, but over time it gets lighter in color and flow. Just another reason those mesh hospital undies become your best friend (Cleveland Clinic, 2025b).
4. Peeing Might Get... Weirder
Sneezing and peeing at the same time? Welcome to the world of pelvic floor changes. During pregnancy and delivery, your pelvic floor muscles can stretch or weaken. This can lead to urinary incontinence, a little pressure "down there," or even back pain.
Good news: simple pelvic floor exercises (yep, Kegels!) can help bring things back to normal. And if it doesn’t, there are specialists who can guide you through recovery (Alberta Health Services, 2025).
5. That Hair Loss? It's Not Just in Your Head
Around 3 months postpartum, you might start noticing clumps of hair in your brush or clogging your shower drain. It’s called telogen effluvium, and it happens thanks to the hormonal drop after pregnancy.
It’s temporary (thankfully), and your hair will grow back, but it can be really frustrating in the moment. A gentle shampoo and a lot of grace go a long way (Cleveland Clinic, 2025c).
6. Vaginal Discomfort Is a Whole Thing
If you had a vaginal delivery, your perineum might feel swollen, sore, or bruised. Whether you had stitches or not, that area just went through a major workout. Cold packs, sitz baths, and witch hazel pads can do wonders.
Don’t suffer in silence—there’s no trophy for powering through pain (Pregnancy Info, 2025).
Let’s Talk About It—With Support That Gets You
At The Necessary Nurse, we get how overwhelming the postpartum stage can be. Our team is here to walk with you through every change—whether that’s figuring out breastfeeding, finding relief from discomfort, or just knowing what’s normal.
You don’t have to do this alone.
Book your FREE consultation today.
We’ll help you feel like you again—because you deserve care, too.
