It can be difficult for a woman to know what she should expect after delivery, especially when she is becoming a parent for the first time. After all, labor and delivery can be an extremely stressful and sometimes frightening time, especially for the first-time parent. By knowing what to expect during the postpartum period, many of the anxieties and fears that normally occur may be able to be avoided.

What you should expect after delivery depends on a number of things. Perhaps the most important of these is what sort of delivery you are going to be having. If you have a vaginal delivery, your experience will probably be very different from someone who has had a cesarean section, and vice-versa.

If you are having a vaginal delivery, you can plan on being very exhausted after delivery. Labor and delivery are not easy work, and can be physically demanding. Adding to this tiredness is the rapidly changing levels of hormones in your body. You should expect to rest quite a bit after delivery. If you are prone to getting hemorrhoids, you may find that they are swollen or inflamed after delivery. You can also expect afterpains, which are contractions of the uterus, after delivery. During a vaginal delivery, your perineum will be sore. If you have an episiotomy, you will need to care for that properly.

If you are having a c-section, you should expect everything above and even more. On top of giving birth, you will have had major abdominal surgery. You will be not only tired, but perhaps even incoherent due to anesthetic. You should expect to have a catheter and an IV for a day or two after delivery. You will stay in the hospital longer after a Cesarean section delivery, and you should expect to need pain medication and to be diligent about maintaining your incision.

Your health care provider, hospital, or birthing center may also be able to help you know what to expect after delivery, as far as what their individual practices tend to be.

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