Need to talk? Call 1800 882 436.
It's a free call with a maternal child health nurse. *call charges may apply from your mobile

Is it an emergency? Dial 000
If you need urgent medical help, call triple zero immediately.

beginning of content

Mum's first 24 hours after birth

7-minute read

Key facts

  • Having a baby is different for everyone.
  • After the birth, you may feel elated, exhausted, emotionally drained or all of them at once.
  • Your tummy will take time to go back to its normal size.
  • It's important to give yourself time to recover.

What happens after I give birth?

The birth of a baby is a different experience for everyone. At the time of birth, your baby will likely be lifted up onto your chest for skin-to-skin contact. This is a special time for you to bond with your baby.

After the birth, your midwife will check:

  • your pulse
  • your blood pressure
  • how your uterus is contracting
  • how you are feeling

If you choose to breastfeed, your midwife can help you feed your baby.

How long will I be in the birth room after giving birth to my baby?

After a normal vaginal birth, you will probably stay in the birth room. You may have a meal and a shower before moving to the postnatal ward or going home.

If you're staying in hospital, it's normal for you and your baby to be in a room together. You may also share the room with other new mothers.

If I have a home birth, what care will my midwife provide after the birth?

If you give birth at home, your midwife will stay with you until you and your baby are comfortable. They will check that your baby is breastfeeding well.

After the birth, your midwife will visit you at home during the first 6 weeks to check you and your baby.

What happens to my body in the first 24 hours after birth?

How you feel after the birth can vary. You might feel elated, exhausted, emotionally drained or all of them at once. This is normal, you've just been through a big, life changing event.

Bleeding from the vagina

After having a baby you will have bleeding from the vagina — this is called 'lochia'. For the first few days this will be bright red, like a heavy period.

If you pass large clots tell your midwife, in case you need treatment.

You may continue to lose blood from your vagina for up to 6 weeks.

It's important to use maternity pads or period underwear until your 6-week check. Using internal period products like tampons and menstrual cups may increase your chance of getting an infection.

Your tummy and after-birth pains

Your uterus will take time to go back to its normal size.

You may have after-birth pains as your uterus starts to contract to its pre-pregnancy size. This might feel like period pain.

Cramping pains are more common if this is not your first baby. After-birth pains are more noticeable when your baby is breastfeeding.

You can ease the pain by:

  • placing a warm pack on your tummy
  • taking paracetamol 30 minutes before breastfeeding

Your vulva and vagina

Your vagina and vulva may feel tender for a couple of days after a vaginal birth. An icepack and pain-relief medicines should help.

Firm supportive underwear may also help reduce any pain and discomfort. Consider wearing control briefs for the first 6 weeks after birth. You will need clothes 2 sizes bigger than your pre-pregnancy size. So, if you were a size 12 before you were pregnant, buy size 16 briefs.

If you have stitches in your perineum, they will dissolve in 1 to 2 weeks. Wash the area normally when you shower and gently pat dry.

Your breasts

The first milk you make is called colostrum. You will only make a little bit of colostrum.

Your breastmilk usually comes in around 2 to 5 days after birth. When this happens, your breasts can feel very full and large.

It's quite common for your nipples to feel a little tender as you and your baby learn how to breastfeed.

Using the toilet

Your bottom may feel bruised and sore after the birth. However, it's safe to use the toilet.

Drink lots of water as this may make your urine sting less.

You probably won't need to do a poo for a few days. Try to eat plenty of:

  • fresh fruits
  • vegetables
  • wholegrain bread
  • wholegrain cereals

These will help keep your stools (poo) soft.

Do not strain on the toilet. Your midwife may suggest laxatives if you become constipated.

Going home

If you had a vaginal birth in a public hospital or birthing centre, you may be able to go home 4 to 6 hours after birth. A midwife may visit you at home to give postnatal care and breastfeeding advice.

You may need to stay in hospital longer if:

  • you had an assisted delivery (forceps or ventouse)
  • you had a caesarean birth
  • you are unwell
  • your baby is unwell

If you have your baby in a private hospital, you might be able to stay longer. Ask your hospital how long you can expect to stay in hospital.

Recovery from birth

Giving birth can be physically and emotionally exhausting. Sometimes birth may be different than what you'd planned for.

It's important to give yourself time to recover.

If you have had a difficult birth, it's a good idea to talk to your healthcare provider while you're still in hospital.

If you or your partner are struggling with your feelings, support is available. The Australian Birth Trauma Association offers advice, resources and a peer-to-peer support service.

Resources and support

If you have a caesarean section, your experience will be a little different. You can read more about what to expect after a caesarean section.

Find out more about your baby's first 24 hours.

ForWhen — connects new and expecting parents to perinatal and infant mental health services and supports in their local area. You can call them on 1300 24 23 22.

The Australian Birth Trauma Association offers advice, resources and a peer-to-peer support service.

The Centre of Perinatal Excellence (COPE) provides information and a list of support services.

Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Australia (PANDA) — call 1300 726 306 to speak with a counsellor.

Speak to a maternal child health nurse

Call Pregnancy, Birth and Baby to speak to a maternal child health nurse on 1800 882 436 or video call. Available 7am to midnight (AET), 7 days a week.

Learn more here about the development and quality assurance of healthdirect content.

Last reviewed: August 2024


Back To Top

Need more information?

For new mums - COPMI

If you're pregnant or a new mum who experiences mental illness or mental health difficulties, this information is important.

Read more on COPMI – Children of Parents with a Mental Illness website

Family and friends - be her breastfeeding village | Australian Breastfeeding Association

How you can help and support a new mum. 

Read more on Australian Breastfeeding Association website

Sleep Tips for New Mothers | Sleep Health Foundation

This is a fact sheet about Sleep Tips for New Mums. A newborn baby may sleep a lot but they will also wake up a lot too! Here’s some top tips to help with the change in your sleep routine.

Read more on Sleep Health Foundation website

About MumSpace - connecting you with the support you need

Find out more about MumSpace. Australia’s one-stop website supporting the mental health and emotional wellbeing of pregnant women, new mums and their families.

Read more on MumSpace website

Birthing mothers: your body after birth | Raising Children Network

New mums, if you’ve just given birth, your body has been through a lot. Find out about vaginal bleeding, afterpains, nipples, breasts, continence and weight.

Read more on raisingchildren.net.au website

Mum's first few days after giving birth

A lot happens in the first few days after the birth of your child. Find out what you can expect to happen.

Read more on Pregnancy, Birth & Baby website

The myths and realities of new parenthood

Becoming a parent is seen as a joyful and natural life event. But the reality is often very different.

Read more on PANDA – Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Australia website

A story of a blended family | Blended families and teenagers

Lisa is mum to 4 and step-mum to 2. Hear from her and her daughter Hayley about their modern family.

Read more on ReachOut.com website

Tips for Tired New Parents

Read more on Parent-Infant Research Institute website

Pregnancy and your mental health - Better Health Channel

Finding out you are pregnant can be a very exciting time. But it can also make you feel uncomfortable, unwell, worried and make you wonder how you are going to cope. And it doesn’t stop when the baby arrives. Some mums find it easy to adjust to life with a new baby. But others don’t!

Read more on Better Health Channel website

Call us and speak to a Maternal Child Health Nurse for personal advice and guidance.

Need further advice or guidance from our maternal child health nurses?

Healthdirect Australia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and their continuing connection to land, sea and community. We pay our respects to the Traditional Owners and to Elders both past and present.

This information is for your general information and use only and is not intended to be used as medical advice and should not be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any medical condition, nor should it be used for therapeutic purposes.

The information is not a substitute for independent professional advice and should not be used as an alternative to professional health care. If you have a particular medical problem, please consult a healthcare professional.

Except as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, this publication or any part of it may not be reproduced, altered, adapted, stored and/or distributed in any form or by any means without the prior written permission of Healthdirect Australia.