Settling in

Day 15 postpartum

In short: what happens on day 15 postpartum?

On day 15 postpartum unhappiness that hasn’t lifted can be an early sign of postnatal depression. While the baby blues usually pass within two weeks, depression lasts longer and affects about 10–15% of mothers. Loss of enjoyment, sleeplessness even when your baby sleeps and intense guilt are key signs. It is treatable; asking for help is a strength.

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Day 15 postpartum – animated guide

Day 15: the 40-day postpartum dial, your womb shrinking, postnatal bleeding, your baby’s stomach capacity and weight change (illustrative animation).

What the animation shows

RING: Coloured ring: the 40-day postpartum period and its stages; the gaps in the ring mark the weeks
LOCHIA: Inner band and pad: the colour of postnatal bleeding (red → pinkish-brown → yellowish-white) and how heavy it is
BLUES: Blue arc: days 3–14, when the baby blues may appear
UTERUS: Womb: its weight (g) and height relative to the belly button (cm); the dashed line marks the belly button
STOMACH: Circle: roughly how much milk your baby can take per feed (ml); dashed rings show day 1, day 3, week 1 and month 1
FEED: Drop and nappy: feeds in 24 hours and the minimum number of wet nappies to expect
WEIGHT: Graph: your baby’s weight compared with birth weight (%)
ICONS: Outer icons: first feed, milk coming in, heel prick test, cord falling off, back to birth weight, 1 month, 6-week check

Stage

Settling in

Postnatal bleeding

Yellowish-white (lochia alba)

Womb

≈ 290 g

Milk

Mature milk

Baby’s stomach (per feed)

71 ml

Baby’s weight (vs birth weight)

+2.2%

Wet nappies (24 hours)

Days until day 40

25 days

What’s happening in your body?

The rapid fall in oestrogen and progesterone after birth, lack of sleep and new responsibilities can affect brain chemistry. Thyroid problems and anaemia can cause similar symptoms to depression, so your doctor may request a blood test.

Your baby today

Your baby knows your face, smell and voice; even if you find it hard to smile at them, carrying on caring for them protects your bond. On days when you don’t feel well, getting help from loved ones with your baby’s care does them no harm; it is good for you both.

Feeding and nutrition

Many medicines used to treat postnatal depression are compatible with breastfeeding, so you don’t need to avoid treatment because you are breastfeeding. Skipping meals can lower your mood further, so try to eat regularly.

Emotions and rest

The idea that ‘a good mother wouldn’t feel like this’ is not true; depression is not a weakness but a treatable illness.

Care and hygiene

A short walk during the day, daylight and taking turns with your partner for a few hours of unbroken sleep all aid recovery. Writing down your feelings also makes it easier to explain them to your doctor.

Tips for today

Tell your partner, someone close or your doctor honestly how you feel
Hand one night feed to your partner with expressed milk to get a block of sleep
Give yourself permission to let housework wait and to accept offers of help

When to seek medical help

Thoughts of harming yourself or your baby, or seeing or hearing things that aren’t there, are an emergency: call your local emergency number (999 / 911 / 112) or go to the nearest A&E straight away. For unhappiness, hopelessness or feeling unable to bond with your baby lasting more than two weeks, see your doctor without delay.

Tradition and evidence

Turkish folklore tells of ‘albastı’ (the ‘Al Karısı’), a spirit said to ‘strike’ a new mother left alone; many cultures have similar postpartum beliefs. The good side of this belief is that a new mother is never left on her own. But what was described as albastı is in reality a medical emergency, such as a postpartum infection with high fever or postpartum psychosis. These symptoms call for immediate medical help, not amulets or red ribbons.

Postpartum day-by-day table

Day	Topic	Stage
Day 1	The First Day After Birth	First 72 hours
Day 2	Colostrum (First Milk)	First 72 hours
Day 3	Milk Coming In and Jaundice	First 72 hours
Day 4	Breast Engorgement	Milk comes in
Day 5	The Baby Blues	Milk comes in
Day 6	Stitch Care and the Toilet	Milk comes in
Day 7	The End of Week One	Milk comes in
Day 8	When Can I Have a Bath?	Healing
Day 9	Sleep and Tiredness	Healing
Day 10	The Umbilical Cord Falls Off	Healing
Day 11	Eating Well After Birth	Healing
Day 12	Yellowish-White Discharge	Healing
Day 13	Caesarean Wound Care	Healing
Day 14	The End of Week Two	Healing
Day 15	Postnatal Depression	Settling in
Day 16	Cracked Nipples and Mastitis	Settling in
Day 17	Visitors and 40-Day Beliefs	Settling in
Day 18	Pelvic Floor and Kegels	Settling in
Day 19	Night Sweats and Hormones	Settling in
Day 20	Can I Go Out With My Baby?	Settling in
Day 21	The Three-Week Growth Spurt	Settling in
Day 22	Tummy, Binders and Diastasis	Settling in
Day 23	Lifting and Driving	Settling in
Day 24	Support From Partner and Family	Settling in
Day 25	Medicines, Tea and Coffee	Settling in
Day 26	Expressing and Storing Milk	Settling in
Day 27	Anaemia After Birth	Settling in
Day 28	Week 4: Is the Bleeding Ending?	Settling in
Day 29	Exercise After Birth	Recovery and day 40
Day 30	Your Baby’s First Month	Recovery and day 40
Day 31	Losing Weight After Birth	Recovery and day 40
Day 32	Sex After Birth	Recovery and day 40
Day 33	Contraception After Birth	Recovery and day 40
Day 34	Hair Loss and Skin Changes	Recovery and day 40
Day 35	Week Five: Building a Routine	Recovery and day 40
Day 36	Preparing for Your 6-Week Check	Recovery and day 40
Day 37	Pelvic Floor and Core Strength	Recovery and day 40
Day 38	Saunas and 40th-Day Bath Rituals	Recovery and day 40
Day 39	What to Watch for After Day 40	Recovery and day 40
Day 40	Day 40: The End of Postpartum	Recovery and day 40

Frequently asked questions

How long does postnatal depression last?

Untreated, it can last for months; with the right support and treatment, most mothers improve significantly within a few weeks to a few months. The earlier help is sought, the faster the recovery.

What is the difference between the baby blues and depression?

The blues peak on days 3–5, are mild and pass on their own within two weeks. Depression lasts longer than two weeks and makes daily life and caring for your baby harder.

Can I keep breastfeeding with postnatal depression?

In most cases, yes. There are treatment options compatible with breastfeeding, so plan your medication and feeding with your doctor.

Postnatal care at SoftCare Clinic

Book an appointment with our specialist doctors for a postnatal check, breastfeeding problems, a stitch or wound check, or support with postnatal depression.

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The information on this page is general guidance for an uncomplicated postpartum period and does not replace a medical examination. Heavy bleeding, fever, breathlessness, chest pain, or thoughts of harming yourself or your baby are emergencies: call your local emergency number (999 / 911 / 112).

Medical content editor: Op. Dr. Şükrü Sanus