Postpartum Recovery: 4th Week Home

What Hurts:

• Muscles feel better, and you can do more now. Be aware—it's easy to pull or to strain muscles you haven't used for a while.

What Works:

• Control of urine and stool are improving. Doing your Kegel exercises is paying off.
• Baby is showing signs of adjusting to a regular schedule.

What Doesn't Work:

• Things that once were easy to do, such as bending over or lifting, may be harder now. Take things slowly, and allow yourself plenty of time for even the easiest chores.
• Your first menstrual period after delivery could happen at any time. If you don't breastfeed, your first period is usually 4 to 9 weeks after delivery, but it can happen earlier.

What Spells Trouble:

• Blood in your urine, dark or cloudy urine or severe cramping or pain with urination—all are symptoms of a urinary-tract infection (UTI).

It's OK If:

• You leave baby with a friend or relative while you do something for yourself, such as exercise, go shopping or have lunch with a friend.

Don't Look Now, But . . .

• You've been walking and doing light exercise, and it feels OK, but the weight isn't disappearing as quickly as you'd like it to.

Remember to:

• Check on your 6-week appointment with your doctor. Write down questions you have as they come to you.

Call in the Troops:

• A night out with your partner is a good plan. Grandparents or friends can babysit, if you ask them.

Stop and Smell the Roses:

• The time you have with your new baby is precious. Soon you may be going back to work or returning to other activities. You may not believe it now, but a baby grows up faster than you think.

Red Light, Green Light

• Red Light—Avoid high-impact exercises, hard sit-ups or lifting weights.
• Green Light—Walking is good; gradually increase distance and time. Find another new mom and together walk the babies in their strollers.

Postpartum Recovery: 5th Week Home