A week or ten days after delivery we’ll see you in the clinic to check the stitches and the recovery of the uterus. The postpartum “quarantine” is considered over after another appointment at 40 days.

During these first 40 days postpartum you might experience bleeding that comes and goes and may vary in quantity. In many cases it goes away earlier.

If you are not breastfeeding your first postpartum period will occur approximately 40 days or so after giving birth. Periods usually do not begin if you are breastfeeding, but not always.

We’ll give you the “all clear” at your 40-day appointment, which means you can start your normal life again. We’ll discuss the subject of contraception, if needed; it was traditionally believed that women did not ovulate while breastfeeding but it is possible that this might not be true, and it is preferable to take precautions.