Having a new baby is an exciting time, but it can also be overwhelming, especially for new mothers. Recovering from childbirth and caring for a newborn around the clock is tiring work. Many new moms wonder how long they’ll need to stay home and focus just on their new baby after giving birth.
How long should you stay home after giving birth?
The typical maternity leave in the United States is around 6-8 weeks for vaginal delivery and 8-12 weeks for a c-section. However, this varies based on your employer’s policies. Some women may be able to take a longer leave, while others have to return to work more quickly. The most important thing is listening to your body and your healthcare provider’s guidance about when you’ll be ready to resume your normal routine.
Here are some general guidelines on recovery and maternity leave time after giving birth:
- Vaginal delivery with no complications: 4-6 weeks
- Vaginal delivery with complications: 6-8 weeks
- C-section: 8-12 weeks
During the first 6 weeks postpartum, your body goes through a lot of changes and healing as you recover from pregnancy and childbirth. Here are some things that are happening:
- Uterus shrinking back to normal size
- Vaginal tears and episiotomy stitches healing
- Lochia (postpartum vaginal discharge) slowing down and changing color
- Diastasis recti (abdominal muscle separation) starting to improve
- Soreness and pain in perineum and cesarean incision improving
- Breasts adjusting to breastfeeding
- Energy levels and stamina increasing
During those first 6 weeks, your body really needs rest and recovery. Most experts recommend limiting visitors, not lifting anything heavier than your baby, avoiding strenuous activity, and taking it easy as much as possible early on after giving birth. Walking short distances is fine, but anything more strenuous should be avoided until you get your healthcare provider’s clearance, usually at your 6-week postpartum checkup.
Reasons to take the full 6 weeks off
While some new moms may feel up for returning to work earlier, there are excellent reasons to take the full 6 weeks of maternity leave or more if you’re able:
- Healing: Your body needs time to recover from pregnancy, childbirth, and any delivery complications. Rushing back to work too soon can impair healing.
- Bonding: The early weeks are important for establishing breastfeeding and bonding. Taking leave allows you to focus fully on your newborn.
- Sleep: Caring for a newborn is exhausting. You’ll get more sleep if you can nap and rest when the baby sleeps during maternity leave.
- Lower stress: The transition to parenthood is a major life change. Taking leave gives you space to adjust without work pressures.
- Doctor’s visits: You’ll have frequent doctor’s visits for postpartum checkups in the early weeks. Leave makes it easier to attend these.
If you have access to paid maternity leave, disability leave, or can afford unpaid FMLA leave, taking the full time can benefit your physical recovery and mental health in those challenging but precious early weeks.
Postpartum recovery milestones by week
The 6 weeks after giving birth are considered the postpartum period when your body recovers and adjusts from pregnancy and delivery. Holding your newborn baby for the first time is magical, but your body will also go through big changes during this recovery period. Here is an overview of some postpartum recovery milestones you can expect during the 6 weeks after birth:
Week 1
- Vaginal bleeding and discharge (lochia) are heaviest.
- Perineal pain and soreness are most severe if you had a vaginal tear.
- Breasts are swollen and tender, especially when milk comes in around day 3-5.
- Fatigue and cramping may peak this week.
- Baby blues emotions are common days 3-5.
Week 2
- Vaginal bleeding slows but can increase with activity.
- Soreness continues improving.
- Breastfeeding becomes easier.
- Tears and stitches are healing.
- Energy levels start to increase.
Week 3
- Discharge changes to pink or brown.
- Abdominal and perineal pain is diminishing.
- Breasts soften and breastfeeding is established.
- Physical activity can be increased gradually.
- Weight loss may begin.
Week 4
- Vaginal discharge continues lightening.
- Tears should be mostly healed.
- More energy, walking longer distances is easier.
- May start to resume easy core and perineal exercises.
- Postpartum depression can arise.
Week 5
- Discharge is lighter, may be sporadic.
- Resuming cardiovascular exercise may feel possible.
- Mood, energy and stamina continue improving.
- Can lift and carry heavier objects.
- Libido may increase.
Week 6
- Most discharge has tapered off.
- Exercise can be increased further.
- Feel more like yourself again.
- Preparing to return to work.
- Schedule postpartum checkup.
Keep in mind each woman’s postpartum recovery experience is unique. Talk with your healthcare provider about what to expect during your 4th trimester recovery.
Tips for postpartum recovery
Focusing on your recovery in the first 6 weeks after giving birth is just as important as taking care of your newborn. Here are some tips to help your postpartum recovery go smoothly:
- Rest: Sleep and rest as much as you can, especially the first 2 weeks when your body is healing most actively. Let others help with baby care and chores.
- Accept help: Don’t try to tackle everything yourself. Let your partner, family and friends cook, clean and run errands so you can recover.
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids to help with bleeding, lactation and healing.
- Try warm soaks: Taking warm baths can soothe perineal pain and speed healing if you had a vaginal delivery.
- Use comfort measures: Use a squirt bottle, numbing spray, ice packs or hemorrhoid cream to ease discomfort in the perineal area.
- Wear comfortable, loose clothing: Flowy shirts and high-waisted underwear avoid rubbing stitches and irritated areas.
- Limit visitors: Don’t feel obligated to host lots of visitors those first couple weeks when rest is so important.
- Eat nutritious foods: Focus on eating balanced, protein-rich meals to aid healing and breast milk production.
- Stay active: Start with short, gentle walks around your home, gradually increasing activity when you get clearance at 6 weeks.
- Accept changes:Your body carried a baby for 9+ months. Be patient with and kind to yourself postpartum.
Remember to follow up with your doctor for any concerns during your recovery, like heavy bleeding, severe pain or signs of infection. With time and care, you will start feeling like yourself again.
What if you can’t take the full 6 weeks off?
Some new moms have no choice but to return to work earlier than the standard 6-week maternity leave due to financial pressures or employer policies. Going back sooner than 6 weeks requires adjusting some expectations to make it manageable:
- Ask for a gradual return, like working part-time at first.
- Discuss flexible schedules or work from home options if possible.
- Accept that you’ll need more help from your partner, family or postpartum doulas.
- Meal prep and freeze meals in advance for easy dinners.
- Lower housekeeping standards – the dishes and vacuuming can wait!
- Nap when the baby naps, even if it’s during the workday.
- Go to bed earlier to get more sleep at night.
- Postpone social commitments and trips until you adjust.
The most important thing if you must return early is listening to your body and not pushing yourself too hard, too fast. You may feel pressure to quickly get back to juggling work and family flawlessly. But healing from childbirth, breastfeeding around the clock and losing sleep with a newborn all take a toll. Be compassionate with yourself and take it one day at a time.
How to ease back into work after maternity leave
Heading back to work after maternity leave can be an emotional transition. You may still be recovering physically and struggling with being away from your baby. Here are some tips for easing back into work after having a baby:
- Phase back in with partial weeks or reduced hours if possible.
- Take photos and videos of baby’s milestones to look at during the day.
- Check in with childcare providers during the day for reassurance.
- Block time on your calendar for pumping if needed.
- Use your lunch break to eat well and recharge.
- Go for walks outdoors when you can.
- Leave early occasionally to maximize time with your newborn.
- Set boundaries with coworkers about overtime and evening events.
- Use commute time to transition – listen to music, meditate.
- Communicate challenges with your manager and request support.
The most important coping strategy is to be gentle with yourself. Recognize it may take 4-6 months to really adjust to this huge life change. Learning to balance motherhood and career is a process. Don’t be afraid to ask your partner, family, friends and employer for help so you can take good care of yourself and your new baby.
Postpartum checkup at 6 weeks
Around 6 weeks after giving birth, it’s time for your postpartum checkup with your healthcare provider. At this visit, they will:
- Check your physical recovery from childbirth.
- Make sure any tears or stitches have healed properly.
- Evaluate for postpartum depression risk.
- Discuss birth control options.
- Give clearance to resume exercise and sexual activity.
- Answer any lingering questions about postpartum changes.
Come prepared with any concerns about pain, bleeding, breastfeeding troubles, mood changes or other issues. This is also a good time to discuss future reproductive plans like pregnancy spacing and whether you want more children. Don’t skip this important 6-week postpartum visit even if you are feeling well.
Conclusion
Recovering from childbirth takes time, usually about 6 weeks for vaginal delivery or longer after a c-section. While returning to work sooner is possible, taking the full maternity leave allows the best healing, especially those first 2-4 weeks postpartum. Be patient with your body, accept help, communicate your needs, and take it one day at a time. With time, you will adjust to the new normal of motherhood and return to your routine, even if that looks a little different now. The most important thing is focusing on your precious new baby and your own self-care in these life-changing early weeks.