The womb contracts and blood and mucus is gradually discharged. If the perineum has been cut, it should soon heal as will any other small tears in the vagina. Six to eight weeks after the birth, the womb has usually contracted completely and returned to its original shape and position in the abdomen. Also the changes in hormone levels can cause women to experience mood swings or post-delivery depression. In rare cases, post-natal depression can become a serious mental illness and the mother may need to spend some time in hospital.
Some women feel sick in the early weeks of motherhood.
They can sweat a lot and the sensation of their womb contracting and cleansing feels unpleasant. Their breasts may feel uncomfortably large, sore and swollen and over-filled with milk. Some women also have difficulty losing the extra pounds which they gained during the pregnancy. Other women feel wonderful. They perceive their breasts as large and firm and enjoy breast-feeding.