How long does recovery after childbirth take?

Two in three women are still unofficially “recovering” from having a baby within the past few years, according to new research.

A survey explored the experience of 2,000 women who have given birth in the past three years, finding that “recovery” after childbirth extends well beyond how their body heals on the outside — into how their mental health, emotional health and other bodily changes shift.

The majority of those who had their last child at least two years ago still feel like they’re unofficially “recovering” (59%).

When it comes to physical recovery, the average respondent took four weeks to recover physically after giving birth and six weeks to recover mentally.

More than twice the percentage of moms said that it took them more than eight weeks to recover mentally than physically (43% vs. 17%).

Conducted by Talker Research for Intimina (https://www.intimina.com), the survey found that a majority of moms agree that no matter how hard you try, you can’t prepare for what to expect after giving birth (88%), including 87% of those who have done it more than once.

Forty-seven percent of those who previously gave birth said their most recent birth took longer to recover from than their first one, and the same percentage of all respondents said bouncing back was harder than they expected.

It took the average respondent six weeks to bounce back to having a similar body as before, going back to work and exercising; getting back to their routine was a bit easier to get the hang of at five weeks.

However, 62% haven’t bounced back to the person they were, personality-wise, before they had their last child.

Half of moms surveyed are learning that their body may never feel the same as it did prior to giving birth (51%).

Some of the changes to their body that respondents expected and experienced were hormonal changes (78%), fatigue and low energy (73%) and having stretch marks (70%).

Developing a shifted (18%) and weakened pelvic floor (17%) were less expected, but still commonly experienced.

Seven in 10 said their body is still changing after giving birth (72%), including 61% of those who have given birth at least two years ago.

“There’s a wide gap between what women are told to expect after giving birth and what they actually experience,” said Dunja Kokotovic, global brand manager at Intimina. “From weakened pelvic floors to persistent fatigue and emotional shifts, these are real, lasting effects that deserve more attention — not just from new moms, but from the people and systems around them.”

When asked about what other things respondents wish someone told them about prior to childbirth, words that would have helped include: “you don’t have to rush to feel normal,” “recovery can be just as intense as the birth itself” and to “give yourself grace even in the days that feel like you aren’t doing your best.”

While they voice the advice that they wish they heard encouragement for more self-care, 79% would feel guilty if they spent more time caring for themselves.

Further, nearly half admit their self-care habits worsened after giving birth (48%).

The average mom surveyed sets time aside to care for their body just three days a week, although a quarter don’t set aside any time for this.

Nearly two-thirds would spend more time taking care of their body post-birth if they knew how to (63%).

“Caring for your body after birth isn’t a luxury — it’s a necessity,” said Kokotovic. “That includes everything from pelvic floor exercises and proper nutrition to giving yourself permission to rest, ask for help and set realistic expectations. Your recovery deserves as much support and care as your pregnancy.”

THINGS RESPONDENTS WISH SOMEONE TOLD THEM TO PREPARE FOR GIVING BIRTH

• “Make sure I take care of myself, I can’t take care of my kids if I’m not okay.”
• “It’s okay to not feel okay — trust your instincts, rest and ask for help.”
• “Mental recovery would be harder than physical.”
• “Recovery can be just as intense as the birth itself.”
• “Your body knows how to give birth — you don’t need to ‘perform.’”
• “You don’t have to feel like you need to bounce back.”
• “It actually takes up to three years to recover completely.”
• “Emotional support matters as much as logistics.”
• “Have lots of easy meals and snacks ready at home.”
• “You can’t be perfect all the time. It’s normal to feel sad and it’s hard to do everything you used to do before. Give yourself grace.”
• “That my recovery doesn’t have to be rushed and it’s important to take care of myself.”
• “Just like with any physical feat, you have to train your body for it. Watch some videos on techniques to go through contractions, absolutely nothing can prepare you for that pain fully but having some tools to help breathe through it and work with your body instead of against it. It makes a world of difference.”
• “You will never be the same person again, neither physically nor emotionally. Instead of trying to get back to your old self, focus on finding the new you.”
• “Give yourself grace even in the days that feel like you aren’t doing your best.”
• “Nothing you’ve seen on TV, or social media is realistic. Your parents’ advice is outdated, we are in an entirely new era with technology. Your motherly instincts will kick in and just follow them even if it goes against ‘older and wiser’ and doctors. Postpartum depression isn’t regular depression and if you have it, asking for help isn’t weak. You do not need to make yourself struggle to be a ‘good’ mom. Asking for help 24/7 is not you being a bad mom nor a sign of weakness.”

UNEXPECTED THINGS EXPERIENCED AFTER GIVING BIRTH

• “That when you’re breastfeeding you can get mastitis.”
• “Having ‘phantom pains and kicks’ feeling is very weird.”
• “I thought once the baby was out, the contractions were over, nope. Your uterus keeps contracting after birth to shrink back size.”
• “Scarce periods, low motivation and energy.”
• “Still having the same cravings for foods like when I was pregnant for a few months after giving birth.”
• “That my libido and sex drive disappeared.”
• “That I need to strengthen my pelvic floor and eat well no matter if I am pregnant or not pregnant. Diet makes such a big difference.”
• “Night sweats.”
• “Hair loss.”
• “Inconsistent menstruation and incontinence.”