frequently asked questions.
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Lochia, perineum, caesarean, fatigue, care, and everything about beboon: clear answers, carefully reviewed, for the weeks after birth.
after giving birth.
How long does bleeding last after childbirth?
Lochia, the name given to this bleeding, generally lasts between four and six weeks, sometimes longer. It is heavy and bright red in the first days, then gradually lightens to pink, then brown, before disappearing. The flow is heavier standing than lying down, that is normal, and precisely why specific pads, more absorbent than standard ones, are needed.
Read moreLochia: how long does bleeding last after childbirth?
How long does the post-partum last?
The conventional medical definition speaks of six weeks: the time it takes the uterus to return to its original size. But the real post-partum lasts far longer: three months, six months, sometimes more. Hormones rebalance, the perineum rebuilds, the skin regains its elasticity, sleep is restored. Our editorial commitment is precisely this: to recognise the post-partum that lasts beyond the agreed six weeks.
Read moreThe post-partum week by week: what really happens in the body
How do you cope with the intense fatigue of the post-partum?
Post-partum fatigue is not solved by willpower alone: it is supported. A few known levers: napping when baby sleeps, help accepted and asked for, a balanced meal prepared by someone else. On the nutrition side, some food supplements offer real support: vitamin C helps reduce fatigue, promotes iron absorption (the need for which rises after blood loss) and supports healing through collagen synthesis. Saffron, found in some formulas, supports emotional balance.
Read moreBaby blues or post-partum depression: telling the difference
Afterpains: what are they and how do you soothe them?
Afterpains are the natural contractions of the uterus as it gradually shrinks back to its original size after childbirth. They can be painful, particularly from the second child onwards and during feeds for breastfeeding mothers: breastfeeding releases oxytocin, which amplifies the contractions. To soothe them: the gentle warmth of a wheat heat belt on the lower belly, rest lying down, and patience. Ginger, found in some post-partum food supplements, can also offer natural support.
Read morePain after giving birth: what is normal, what helps
How long do the baby blues last?
They often appear between the third and fifth day and pass within a few days, two weeks at most. If sadness, anxiety or exhaustion last longer or get worse, talk to your midwife or doctor: it may be postpartum depression, which can be treated.
Read moreBaby blues or post-partum depression: telling the difference
When do periods come back after giving birth?
Without breastfeeding, the first period often returns six to eight weeks after the birth; with exclusive breastfeeding, sometimes much later. Ovulation comes first: plan contraception as soon as you resume sex.
Read moreLochia or first period after birth: how to tell the difference, and when periods return
Which appointments come after the birth?
An early postnatal interview with a midwife or doctor, between the fourth and eighth week, then the postnatal check-up six to eight weeks after the birth. It is the time to talk about your perineum, contraception, sleep and mood.
Read moreThe post-partum week by week: what really happens in the body
perineum and caesarean.
How do you relieve perineal pain after a vaginal birth?
Cold first: a cold pack in its cover, 10 to 20 minutes several times a day, reduces swelling and numbs the area, especially after a tear or an episiotomy. When sitting, a cushion or lying on your side relieves the pressure. Drinking well and eating fibre prevents constipation and straining. If the pain stays sharp, your midwife can prescribe a pain reliever compatible with breastfeeding; see a professional if it gets worse or comes with a fever.
Read morePain after giving birth: what is normal, what helps
What intimate hygiene routine in the first days after birth?
Clean without rubbing: rinse with lukewarm water using a peri bottle rather than toilet paper, then pat dry. Wash once or twice a day with a soap-free intimate gel at physiological pH (between 4.8 and 5.2). Change pads often and wash your hands before and after. Perineal rehabilitation comes later, on prescription, after the postnatal check-up.
How long should I keep an ice pack on the perineum?
10 to 20 minutes per application, several times a day if needed, always in its cover and never directly on the skin. Cold is most useful in the first days, when swelling and pain are at their worst.
How long does an episiotomy or tear take to heal?
The skin usually heals within one to two weeks and the stitches dissolve on their own; some discomfort can last a few weeks. Rinse with clean water, pat dry and change pads often. Seek advice if you have a fever, a foul-smelling discharge or pain that gets worse.
How can I relieve haemorrhoids after giving birth?
They are common after pushing. Cold, drinking enough and a fibre-rich diet to avoid constipation help a lot. If the discomfort persists, ask your midwife or pharmacist for a local treatment compatible with breastfeeding.
Read morePain after giving birth: what is normal, what helps
When should I start perineal rehabilitation?
It is decided at the postnatal check-up, six to eight weeks after the birth. When prescribed, sessions with a midwife or physiotherapist are covered by French national health insurance. It comes before going back to sit-ups and high-impact sports.
Read morePelvic floor rehabilitation after birth: when, how many sessions, with whom?
When can I go back to exercise after giving birth?
Gentle walking is fine as soon as you feel up to it. Classic sit-ups, running and high-impact sports wait until after the postnatal check-up and perineal rehabilitation, often not before three to four months. Listen to the signals: leaks, heaviness or pain.
What should you do after a caesarean to aid recovery?
A few simple choices make the first days easier. Knickers that do not press on the abdomen and let the scar breathe. A portable washer that avoids twisting the abdomen at the toilet. Very absorbent, supple pads that limit pressure on the lower belly. Cold can be applied around the scar, never on a fresh wound, and on the lower back. Heat should be avoided on a scar that has not closed. Vitamin C, found in some supplements, supports collagen formation, and therefore healing.
How should I care for a caesarean scar?
A gentle shower every day as soon as the team allows it, a fragrance-free soap and patting dry are enough. Once the scar has fully closed, often around the fourth to sixth week, daily massage softens it. Protect it from the sun for a year and seek advice if it turns red, hot, weeps or opens.
preparing and caring.
Which essentials should go in the hospital bag for after the birth?
Caregivers recommend a tight selection built around six gestures: soothe the perineum (ice pack), manage lochia (suitable pads and supportive knickers), cleanse the intimate area without rubbing (portable washer, physiological-pH intimate wash), soothe afterpains (gentle warmth), support energy and mood (natural, breastfeeding-friendly supplement), care for changing skin. Better a few products, chosen with care, than a pile.
When should I pack my hospital bag?
Ideally around the seventh month, and at the latest around 36 weeks, as labour can start before the due date. Pack what you need for yourself, not just for the baby: postnatal pads, knickers, a cold pack, loose clothes and whatever helps you rest.
How many postpartum pads should I plan for?
Plan generously: in the first days, you change pads every two to four hours, sometimes more often. Allow at least two to three packs for the hospital stay and the first week at home, then adjust to the flow, which gradually decreases over four to six weeks.
Read moreLochia: how long does bleeding last after childbirth?
Why is skin-to-skin essential after birth?
Skin-to-skin contact, recommended by the World Health Organization, works on several levels at once. It helps baby regulate temperature, breathing and heart rate. It releases hormones, in baby and parent alike, that reduce stress and encourage bonding. It stimulates milk production in breastfeeding mothers, and soothes the infant by reducing crying. It is a simple gesture with profound effects, to practise from the very first hours and to prolong as much as possible.
What skincare during pregnancy and after childbirth?
The skin stretches, sometimes becomes drier, more sensitive. Preventing stretch marks relies less on the intensity of an active ingredient than on the regularity of the gesture: a treatment applied every day, preferably after the shower or before bed. Start from the first month of pregnancy, on the belly, hips, thighs and chest. An oil-in-jelly of 98% natural origin, enriched with Inca Inchi for elasticity and camelina for nourishment, supports the skin during pregnancy and the post-partum, and can also be used to massage the newborn.
Read moreCosmetics during pregnancy: the ingredients to avoid, and the ones that are safe
What gift should I give a new mother?
A gift for her, not for the baby: time (prepared meals, a night off), a care product designed for the postpartum period or a box that supports her through the first weeks.
beboon.
How do you choose the products in the selection?
Every brand goes through four criteria: immediate usefulness, safety of use, recognised expertise and overall coherence. Our method is explained in detail on the Our selectionpage.
Do brands pay to be in the selection?
No. None of the selected brands belongs to beboon, and none pays to be featured: these are editorial choices.
Can I already order?
Not yet: the first beboon set is being prepared. Join the waiting list to be the first to know.
Does beboon replace medical advice?
No. Our articles and our selection inform and support you, but do not replace the advice of your midwife or doctor. If you are worried about your health or your baby's, call your maternity unit or 15 (the French emergency number).
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