You should expect bleeding for up to six weeks postpartum. Shelve your tampons, and use pads exclusively. Change your pad at least every four hours.

Wear something comfortable that won’t aggravate your skin. Loose-fitting, full-coverage underwear is ideal for healing. (Thongs can create a better environment for bacteria to grow.)

Bleeding should taper off around the second week but can last for up to six weeks postpartum, at which point it may temporarily stop and start up again.

• Change sanitary pads frequently, and add an ice pack or witch hazel pads to help reduce swelling and discomfort.
• Mesh underwear, often supplied by hospitals, can hold high-absorbency maxi pads in place while saving your nicer underwear from stains.