Vaginal Soreness

If you had a vaginal tear during delivery or your doctor made an incision, the wound might hurt for a few weeks. You might take longer to heal if you had an extensive tear.

Vaginal Discharge

After you deliver a baby, a new mother begins to shed the superficial mucous membrane that lined her uterus during pregnancy. You’ll have vaginal discharge that is made up of this membrane and blood. The discharge will be heavy for the first few days. It will then taper and become increasingly watery as it changes from pinkish brown to yellowish white.

Contractions

You may feel occasional contractions, called afterpains, during the first few days after delivery. These contractions, which are often compared to menstrual cramps, can help prevent excessive bleeding by compressing the blood vessels in the uterus.

Tender Breasts

A few days after birth, you might have full, firm, tender breasts. Nursing on both breasts is recommended to avoid or minimize engorgement.