Postpartum Recovery Timeline: What to Expect Week by Week
Postpartum recovery unfolds over weeks to months: lochia (postpartum bleeding) lasts 2-6 weeks, uterus returns to normal size by 6 weeks, hormones stabilize over months, and periods return anywhere from 6 weeks to many months depending on breastfeeding. Full recovery takes up to a year.
Week by week
Recovery is gradual; be patient with your body.
- Week 1-2: heaviest lochia, uterus contracting, peak hormone drop.
- Week 2-6: lochia lightens, bleeding tapers, uterus shrinks.
- 6 weeks: postpartum checkup, cleared for exercise and sex if healing well.
- Months 2-12: hormones stabilize, periods return, full recovery continues.
Know what your body needs, every day
PhaseBloom turns your cycle into a day-by-day plan for how to eat, move, rest, and care for your skin, so you stop guessing and start working with your hormones.
Know what your body needs, every day
PhaseBloom turns your cycle into a day-by-day plan for how to eat, move, rest, and care for your skin, so you stop guessing and start working with your hormones.
Frequently asked questions
How long does postpartum recovery take?
The acute phase is about 6 weeks, but full recovery—physically and hormonally—can take a year or more. Be patient and prioritize rest.
When can I exercise after birth?
Light walking can start early. Most doctors clear exercise at 6 weeks if recovery is normal. Listen to your body and ease back gradually.