This is general education, not medical advice, and it doesn't replace your midwife, GP or obstetric team. Your postnatal checks with them matter — please keep them.
Two common recovery journeys
However your baby arrived, your body is doing significant repair work. Two of the most common areas mums ask about are:
- Perineal recovery — after a vaginal birth, with or without a tear or stitches. It's common to feel sore, swollen or tender for a while.
- C-section recovery — healing an abdominal incision, which is major surgery as well as birth. Tightness, numbness and a sensitive scar are all common.
Discomfort in the early days is normal. What's not something to push through quietly is pain that's worsening, or anything that feels wrong — more on that below.
Gentle things that tend to support healing
Alongside the advice from your maternity team, small, consistent care goes a long way:
- Rest as much as newborn life allows — healing happens when you're not on your feet all day.
- Cold in the early days can be soothing for a sore perineum; your midwife can advise on how and when.
- Gentle movement as you're cleared for it, rather than either total stillness or overdoing it.
- Support your scar — once a c-section wound has fully healed, gentle scar care may help with comfort and flexibility over time.
- Pelvic floor and core — a women's health physio is worth their weight in gold here; ask for a referral.
Where gentle therapy may fit
Once you're healed enough and cleared by your care team, some mums choose supportive therapy for lingering tightness, a sensitive scar, or slow-to-settle discomfort. As a registered nurse, Hayley offers gentle LLLT and hands-on techniques as supportive care — always alongside, never instead of, your medical follow-up. Results vary from person to person, and she'll be honest about whether it's likely to help you.
Signs to contact your GP, midwife or hospital
Please don't wait on any of these — reach out to your maternity team, GP, or hospital:
- A fever, or feeling generally unwell
- Increasing pain, redness, swelling, or any discharge or smell from a wound or stitches
- Heavy or increasing bleeding, or passing large clots
- Wound edges opening, or a c-section scar that looks or feels wrong
- Any feelings of sadness, anxiety or being unable to cope that worry you — your mental health is part of recovery, and support is available (you can also call PANDA on 1300 726 306)
Asking for help early is the strong thing to do, not the weak one.