No, you don't have to stay in a hospital gown after birth; many people switch to their own comfortable clothes, but the hospital gown is often used initially for convenience due to fluids and for easy medical checks, though you can wear loose pajamas or a nightgown with front openings for easier skin-to-skin and breastfeeding. It's best to pack comfortable, loose clothing like button-up tops and high-waisted underwear, but be prepared for the hospital gown due to potential messes from blood, sweat, and fluids.
You don't have to wear a hospital gown ever, even during delivery. You can wear what's comfortable for you. The gowns are convenient and provide easy access, plus you don't have to launder them.
In the event of an uncomplicated birth you will usually be able to go home from 6 hours after you have given birth. Average length of stay in the unit is one day after a normal delivery and 1–2 days after an instrumental vaginal delivery.
How Long Will I Need to Wear Pads After Giving Birth? Most people wear pads for up to 6–8 weeks after giving birth, though the timeline can vary. In the first few days, the bleeding (lochia) is heavy and may include clots. For this, you'll want a high-absorbency pad.
The 5-5-5 rule is a postpartum guideline for the first 15 days of recovery, emphasizing rest to help the new parent heal and bond with the baby, by spending 5 days in bed, followed by 5 days on the bed, and then 5 days near the bed, gradually increasing activity while prioritizing rest, nourishment, and self-care over chores or visitors. It's a framework for creating boundaries and slowing down to prevent overexertion, though individual recovery needs should guide the pace.
The 40-day rule after birth, often called confinement or "The Golden Month," is a widespread cultural tradition emphasizing a mother's deep rest, healing, and bonding with her newborn, with family often handling chores and visitors, promoting physical recovery (like stopping bleeding) and mental well-being, rooted in ancient practices from Asia, Latin America, and religious traditions like Judaism and Christianity. Key aspects involve nourishing the mother, sheltering her from stress, and focusing solely on resting and bonding, a stark contrast to Western pressures to "bounce back" quickly.
In reality, the third week might be the hardest week postpartum, since everything seems to feel “normal,” but so much is happening at the same time. This being said, the third week will be an important week to focus on your mental health.
Blood loss can be different for each woman. It can vary in colour, be heavier or lighter, and slow down at different rates. Most women will stop bleeding 4–6 weeks after giving birth. Your bleeding should get less and lighter in colour over time.
How long after natural birth can you shower? "Generally, after a vaginal birth, a person can take a shower as soon as they are able to stand," says Dr. Ghosh. "If you had an epidural, we recommend waiting until the pain medication has worn off to ensure that you can safely stand up on your own.
During days 4–10, your flow will be lighter each day and be brownish or pink. You'll need to change your menstrual pad every 3–5 hours or every time you go to the bathroom. After 10 days and until about 2–6 weeks, your flow will be yellowish white.
After giving birth what happens to your placenta? Hospitals consider your placenta medical waste and will incinerate your placenta unless the patient requests to donate, privately bank, or take their placenta home.
That wide-eyed, round-mouthed “O face” your baby pulls isn't just for dramatic effect—it's actually part of newborn talking. This funny little expression usually means your baby's intrigued, alert, or trying to make sense of what they're seeing. It's their way of saying, “Whoa, what's that?”—without the vocabulary.
The Importance of Rest in Postpartum Care
And when I say rest, I mean real, horizontal rest that truly allows your body to heal. At Haven, we recommend you spend the first five to seven days after birth primarily in bed, with your only responsibilities being to feed yourself, hydrate, and care for your baby.
This is done in the belief that shaving reduces the risk of infection if the perineum tears or a episiotomy is performed and that it makes suturing easier and helps with instrumental deliveries. Shaving is a routine procedure in some countries.
You can choose to wear something other than a hospital gown, provided that you: accept the risks that your clothes could be soiled, damaged or cut in an emergency, agree to undress partially for examinations, certain treatments or when pushing the baby out, and.
Wearing a bra during labour and delivery is a personal choice. Some women prefer to wear a comfortable, non-restrictive bra, such as a sports bra or a nursing bra. Others choose to go without one to feel freer and more comfortable.
Don't wipe! Dab and use a peri bottle. Wiping can be irritating to the skin, using a peri bottle to clean after a bowel movement is gentle and will help in healing. Also, if you have hemorrhoids talk to your medical provider about soothing treatments you can use such as Tucks pads, aloe and/or coconut oil.
Sometimes the nipples will go back to normal after pregnancy, but not always. Some women may experience permanent changes to their nipples after pregnancy, such as an increase in nipple size or a change in nipple color. Additionally, genetics can play a role in the extent of nipple changes after pregnancy.
Every woman's menstrual cycle is different, even without going through pregnancy and childbirth! After giving birth, it can take some time for your period to return. Your first period postpartum may come back as soon as 4 to 6 weeks, but it's not uncommon for it to take longer, especially if you're breastfeeding.
At about 6 weeks You may pass one or two quite large clots (the size of a tomato) or several smaller ones (about the size of a grape) during the first two to three days after the birth of your baby and have no further problems.
The 5-5-5 rule is a guideline for what kind of help a postpartum mom needs: five days in bed, five days round the bed — meaning minimal walking around — the next five days around the home. This practice will help you prioritize rest and recovery while gradually increasing activity.
Key takeaways: How soon can you get pregnant after giving birth? Fertility can return as early as four to six weeks postpartum, even before your first period. Breastfeeding impacts ovulation and can stop you from getting pregnant, but it's not a foolproof method of contraception.
The 2-hour rule for babies means they shouldn't stay in a car seat (or travel system seat) for more than two hours at a time, whether in or out of the car, because the semi-upright position can strain their developing spine and restrict their breathing, increasing the risk of low oxygen levels, especially for newborns and preemies. For long journeys, parents should take breaks every two hours to take the baby out, allow them to lie flat for a while, stretch, and feed, ensuring they get proper head/neck support and circulation.
The first hour after birth, the “Golden Hour”, when a healthy baby is calmly placed skin-to-skin on the mother's chest, not only facilitates a smooth transition from the womb to the outside world, stabilising the baby physiologically, but also offers a unique opportunity for the mother and baby to connect emotionally ( ...
"The first night after birth, [your] baby is usually worn out and not too fussy," she wrote. "The second night, however, can be a different story. Don't be surprised if he/she is extra fussy that night!