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Recovery advice and videos
Recovery advice and videos. Explore 98 reviewed videos and trusted starting points in one searchable hub.
Postnatal recovery FAQs
Quick answers to common questions about recovering after birth.
How long does bleeding after birth last?
Bleeding after birth, called lochia, usually continues for a few weeks and often stops within 6 to 8 weeks, although it can last longer. It should gradually become lighter and turn brownish. Speak to your GP, midwife or health visitor if you are worried or if the bleeding gets heavier or does not reduce.
How should I care for stitches after birth?
Wash the area every day with plain warm water and carefully pat it dry. Stitches usually dissolve as the cut or tear heals. Tell your midwife or GP if pain is getting worse, the area becomes red or swollen, there is an unusual smell or discharge, or you have a high temperature.
When can I exercise after giving birth?
After a straightforward birth, you can start gentle activity such as walking, gentle stretches and pelvic floor exercises when you feel ready. Ask for advice at your 6 to 8 week postnatal check before returning to high-impact exercise. Recovery takes longer after a complicated birth or caesarean, so speak to your midwife, health visitor or GP before strenuous exercise.
What happens at the 6 to 8 week postnatal check?
Your GP surgery should offer you a postnatal check 6 to 8 weeks after the birth. It is a chance to discuss your physical recovery, mental health and wellbeing, bleeding, contraception and any concerns. Depending on your birth and health, the GP may also check your blood pressure or how stitches are healing.
How can I tell the baby blues from postnatal depression?
Feeling low, anxious or irritable for a few days after birth is common and is often called the baby blues. It usually passes within 2 weeks. If these feelings continue, get worse or make it hard to cope, speak to your GP, midwife or health visitor as soon as possible. Postnatal depression is treatable and support is available.
When should I get urgent help for bleeding after birth?
Call 999 if bleeding is sudden and very heavy, or you feel faint, dizzy or have a pounding heart. Speak urgently to your GP, midwife, health visitor or NHS 111 if you have a temperature over 38°C, unusual-smelling bleeding, worsening tummy or perineal pain, clots, or bleeding that gets heavier or does not reduce.
Answers summarised from current NHS postnatal guidance. See the full videos below.
Reviewed videos in this collection
Use these source-attributed videos as starting points and follow the supporting guidance shown with each item.
- Recovering after labour and birthYouTube · North Bristol NHS Trust
North Bristol NHS Trust explains gentle aftercare, returning to movement and when postnatal symptoms need professional support.
- Pelvic-floor recovery is more than squeezingTikTok · The Mummy MOT
The Mummy MOT explains that pelvic-floor muscles lift, release and work with the rest of the body. Floreo Baby Hub keeps this product-free and pairs it with NHS after-birth guidance; pain, leakage, heaviness or exercise concerns need individual professional advice.
- Perinatal mental health support without judgementInstagram · National Childbirth Trust · Parents in Mind
NCT explains how Parents in Mind offers peer support during pregnancy and after birth. Peer support can complement, but does not replace, help from a midwife, health visitor, GP or urgent mental-health service.
- Postnatal depression: Leanne’s storyYouTube · NHS England
An NHS lived-experience film about recognising that something is wrong, speaking honestly and accepting professional support.
- How partners and family can support perinatal mental healthYouTube · NHS England
NHS England shares practical ways services can include partners and family while keeping the mother’s needs and choices central.
- Postpartum psychosis: Katy’s storyYouTube · NHS England
A lived-experience account of a serious medical emergency, paired with clear NHS advice to seek urgent same-day help.
- When bonding with your baby feels difficultYouTube · NHS England
Tara describes maternal bonding difficulties and the value of telling a health professional instead of carrying shame alone.
- Perinatal mental health: signs and support routesYouTube · NHS England
An NHS overview made for health professionals that can also help families understand why early recognition and referral matter.
- Pelvic-floor recovery and support after birthTikTok · National Childbirth Trust
An NCT postnatal recovery video introducing pelvic-floor health after birth, why symptoms deserve attention, and how gradual exercises and professional support may help.
- What to expect from early postnatal careYouTube · Heatherwood and Wexham Park Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
An NHS hospital antenatal education video outlining early postnatal care, physical recovery, and common checks and support available after a baby is born.
- An introduction to perinatal mental healthYouTube · Maternal Mental Health Alliance
The Maternal Mental Health Alliance introduces perinatal mental health and why support can matter during pregnancy and after birth, paired with the NHS route for finding specialist care and urgent help.
- Wellbeing after Miscarriage | Mind: Session 5 - Depression, anxiety & hormonal changes | Tommy'sYouTube · Tommy's
Tommy’s explores depression, anxiety and hormonal changes after miscarriage in its wellbeing series.
- Postnatal information for the early weeksYouTube · South Warwickshire University NHS Foundation Trust
South Warwickshire University NHS Foundation Trust provides a postnatal information overview for the early weeks, paired with NHS recovery guidance and routes for seeking professional help when symptoms are concerning.
- Antenatal Education - Postnatal depressionYouTube · Heatherwood and Wexham Park Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Heatherwood and Wexham Park Hospitals introduces postnatal depression as part of its antenatal education series.
- Deciding whether to have another baby - Maternal Mental Health Alliance - Information CentreYouTube · Maternal Mental Health Alliance
The Maternal Mental Health Alliance discusses deciding whether to have another baby.
- Mental Health in Pregnancy | Tommy's and MindYouTube · Tommy's
Tommy’s and Mind introduce mental health during pregnancy.
- Pelvic girdle pain that continues after birthTikTok · The Mummy MOT
The Mummy MOT discusses “Pelvic girdle pain that continues after birth”. This video has passed Floreo Baby Hub's owner screening and is paired with current NHS postnatal-recovery guidance so families can check the wider context and find professional support when needed.
- #InThisWithYou: Mental health as a dad-to-be (Ben's story)YouTube · Tommy's
Tommy’s shares Ben’s story about mental health as a dad to be.
- What is Perinatal OCD and what are the treatment options - with @therapy_for_me.co.ukYouTube · Perinatal Mental Health Partnership UK
The Perinatal Mental Health Partnership introduces perinatal OCD and treatment options.
- Coping with neonatal guilt as a parentTikTok · Bliss
Bliss discusses “Coping with neonatal guilt as a parent”. This video has passed Floreo Baby Hub's owner screening and is paired with current NHS neonatal-care guidance so families can check the wider context and find professional support when needed.
- Intrusive thoughts and other scary feelings - Maternal Mental Health Alliance - Information CentreYouTube · Maternal Mental Health Alliance
The Maternal Mental Health Alliance discusses intrusive thoughts and other frightening feelings.
- Finding postnatal mental-health support as a new parentTikTok · National Childbirth Trust
National Childbirth Trust discusses “Finding postnatal mental-health support as a new parent”. This video has passed Floreo Baby Hub's owner screening and is paired with current NHS postnatal-recovery guidance so families can check the wider context and find professional support when needed.
- Tummy-gap exercises during postnatal recoveryTikTok · The Mummy MOT
The Mummy MOT discusses “Tummy-gap exercises during postnatal recovery”. This video has passed Floreo Baby Hub's owner screening and is paired with current NHS postnatal-recovery guidance so families can check the wider context and find professional support when needed.
- Preparing for postnatal class - Leeds MaternityYouTube · Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
Leeds Teaching Hospitals introduces its preparation for the postnatal period.
- Antenatal depression: Tommy's midwife JoYouTube · Tommy's
Tommy’s midwife Jo introduces antenatal depression.