Physical effects and recovery after stillbirth

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Physical recovery after stillbirth

Your breasts and breast milk after stillbirth

Vaginal birth recovery after stillbirth

C-section (caesarean) recovery after stillbirth

Other physical changes after stillbirth

Getting a period after stillbirth

Your feelings about your body after stillbirth

Your body will need to recover after the birth, which can be very difficult to deal with. Here is some information on how to cope with the physical effects of having a stillborn baby. 

Physical recovery after stillbirth

Many people have told us that the emotional trauma of shock and grief are far worse than the physical effects of stillbirth. Others found the physical effects were as difficult to cope with. Try to remember that your body is recovering after the birth, which can feel hard to deal with. 

Some people have told us that they wish they’d been told their body would do many of the same things as if their baby had lived. You will experience your breast milk coming in, for example.  

Unless you would prefer them not to, the hospital will tell your GP, community midwife and health visitor what has happened so they can offer you care and support once you are home.

Postnatal visits and appointments are usually arranged by the hospital before you go home. If you don’t hear from a community midwife or bereavement midwife within a few days of arriving home, let your bereavement midwife or hospital know so they can ensure you get the care you need.

Read more about postnatal care after a stillbirth.

Your breasts and breast milk after stillbirth

Breast milk is made when your hormones change after having a baby. Your breasts will make milk after you have given birth to your stillborn baby. This can be very distressing and feel unfair.

Breast engorgement 

Breast engorgement, sometimes referred to as ‘milk coming in’, happens when your breasts fill with milk in the first few days after the birth. It can make your breasts feel very large, tight, painful and tender.

There are things that can help the discomfort of breast engorgement, including taking paracetamol or ibuprofen and wearing a well-fitting bra. You may find it helpful to wear breast pads for the first few days if you find you’re leaking milk. 

Stopping your breasts making milk

There are medicines that can stop your breasts making milk. The team caring for you can talk to you about this option, including any side effects the medicines might have. 

“I was given this medication as part of my hospitals protocol of managing stillbirth. I was very grateful to be given it early on and had no symptoms of my milk coming in which I think I would have found very distressing.”
Kathryn

There may be medical reasons why you aren’t able to have these medicines, including if you have had pre-eclampsia or high blood pressure.

Some people prefer to let their milk dry up without taking medicines. Your maternity team will be able to tell you about the options and answer any questions.  

Donating breast milk

If you’d like to, you may be able to donate your milk to a breast milk bank. Donated breast milk helps other babies whose mothers are unable to give breast milk. When a mother is unable to give any or enough of her own breast milk for premature and sick babies, donor breast milk is preferred to infant formula as it contains antibodies to fight infection. If this is something you would like to do, be sure to let your maternity team know as soon as possible.  

Vaginal birth recovery after stillbirth

Bleeding (lochia)

After the birth, it is normal to bleed from your vagina. This is called lochia and it is your body getting rid of the lining of your womb and blood from where your placenta was attached.  

Everyone is different, but for most the bleeding will be heavy to start with and you will need very absorbent sanitary pads. It’s best not to use tampons until after your 6-week postnatal check because they can increase the risk of infection.

The bleeding may have some lumps or small clots in it. If you’re filling a large sanitary pad in 1 to 2 hours or if you are passing blood clots larger than a £2 coin, please contact your maternity unit as you may need to be checked.

The bleeding will get less, turn a brownish colour and then stop after a few weeks. 

Stitches 

You may have stitches from vaginal tearing or a cut (episiotomy) during the birth. Stitches usually dissolve by the time the cut or tear has healed.  

It is normal to feel pain or soreness for 2 to 3 weeks after having any tear. The stitches may also irritate and it may sting when you wee. They may also feel a little itchy.

The skin part of the wound usually heals within a few weeks of giving birth. If you have a third or fourth degree tear this may take longer to heal and you may be given antibiotics to prevent infection in the area of the stitches.

Tell your midwife if your stitches are sore, are smelly, or if you have any other concerns. Painkillers can help with the soreness.

Going to the toilet 

It can be worrying going to the toilet after giving birth because of fear of the pain, worry about the stitches breaking and the lack of sensation, or control.  

It can help to have a jug of water nearby so you can clean and cool the area after going to the toilet.

Although you might want to put off having a poo in case it hurts, try not to get constipated. Eat lots of fresh fruit and vegetables, wholegrain cereals and bread. Drink lots of fluids to keep your urine diluted (so it stings less) and your poo softer.

It might give you confidence to hold a clean pad of tissues over the stitches while you do a poo. But it’s very unlikely that going to the toilet will affect your stitches. Talk to your midwife if you’re constipated

Piles 

Piles (haemorrhoids) are common after any birth and they tend to go after a few days or weeks. Drink lots of water and eat plenty of fruit, vegetables and wholegrains if you can. Try to avoid getting constipated and straining.

If you are worried, or very uncomfortable, talk to your midwife or GP about getting some ointment to soothe the area. 

Exercising your pelvic floor 

Exercising your pelvic floor strengthens the muscles around your bladder, womb, bowel and vagina. These muscles are important for controlling when you wee or poo.  

If you do pelvic floor exercises (where you squeeze and hold the muscles like you are holding in wind and a wee) soon after giving birth, you might find you have little or no sensation. Don’t worry, it should come back. It just takes time. 

Find out more about pelvic floor exercises.

C-section (caesarean) recovery after stillbirth

You’ll probably be in hospital for 1 or 2 days after a c-section and may need to take things easy for a few weeks.

The staff caring for you will encourage you to get out of bed and walking as soon as possible.  

Someone will need to take you home as you will not be able to drive for a few weeks afterwards.  

Gentle exercise such as walking will help you recover and reduce your risk of blood clots. But avoid lifting or carrying heavy things, doing activities like vacuuming, or having sex until you feel able to do so comfortably. This may not be for about 6 weeks.

A hospital midwife should tell you about how to care for your wound. A midwife will also visit you at home and will take off the dressing, if you have one, and remove stitches if they are not dissolvable.

Contact your midwife or GP straight away if you have any of these symptoms of possible infection or a blood clot: 

• bad pain where your wound is
• leaking wee
• pain when you wee
• heavy vaginal bleeding
• your wound becomes more red, painful and swollen
• pus or foul-smelling fluid from your wound
• a cough or shortness of breath
• swelling or pain in your lower leg. 

Read more about recovering from a c-section. 

Other physical changes after stillbirth

It’s common to have after-pains after giving birth. They can feel like labour contractions, cramps or strong period pains. This is your womb going back to its normal size. Painkillers can help with this.

Your tummy will feel baggy and it will take a while for your bump to go down.  

Getting a period after stillbirth

It is hard to say when your first normal period will happen after giving birth. It could be about 4 to 6 weeks after giving birth. It can be hard to know whether it is lochia or your first period.

Sometimes your first period isn’t like your normal period. Everyone is different. You might find your first period particularly difficult to cope with, and periods after this one too. This is totally understandable. 

Your GP may ask you about contraception at your 6-week check, so you might want to think about this before the appointment. This is also an opportunity to ask any questions you have about trying for another baby after stillbirth. 

Read more about postnatal appointments and your 6-week check.  

Your feelings about your body after stillbirth

Some people have told us that they felt disappointed and angry at their bodies for not ‘doing what they were supposed to’. If you feel this way, please speak to your healthcare team as they will be able to help you process your feelings and find support for you.