Day 27 postpartum
In short: what happens on day 27 postpartum?
On day 27 postpartum, if you still feel very tired, pale and breathless, you may have postnatal anaemia (iron-deficiency anaemia). Blood loss at birth and iron stores depleted during pregnancy are the main causes. A simple blood test confirms it; iron-rich food is important, and your doctor will decide whether you need a supplement and for how long.
Day 27 postpartum – animated guide
Day 27: 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
≈ 120 g
Milk
Mature milk
Baby’s stomach (per feed)
91 ml
Baby’s weight (vs birth weight)
+13.7%
Wet nappies (24 hours)
6
Days until day 40
13 days
What’s happening in your body?
Blood lost at birth, especially after heavy bleeding or a caesarean, drains your iron stores. Your bone marrow is making new blood cells, but this slows if iron is short. Anaemia can increase tiredness, palpitations and susceptibility to infection, and can also affect your milk supply.
Your baby today
Your baby gets through the first months on iron stores built up in the womb; your anaemia does not significantly reduce the value of your breast milk. Your baby’s iron and vitamin D needs are assessed separately at their paediatric checks.
Feeding and nutrition
Red meat, chicken, fish, eggs, pulses, dark leafy greens and molasses are valuable sources of iron; vegetables and fruit containing vitamin C alongside them improve absorption. Drink tea and coffee at least an hour after meals rather than with them.
Emotions and rest
The exhaustion and lack of motivation caused by anaemia can sometimes be confused with depression; share your symptoms with your doctor so the two can be told apart.
Care and hygiene
If you feel dizzy, get up slowly from lying or sitting, use a non-slip mat in the shower and take extra care when carrying your baby.
Tips for today
- Squeeze lemon into lentil soup and add plenty of parsley to salads
- If you take an iron supplement, drink plenty of water and eat fibre to prevent constipation
- Don’t stop a supplement your doctor recommended, or change the dose, on your own
When to seek medical help
Go to A&E if tiredness comes with chest pain, breathlessness at rest, fainting or marked palpitations; bleeding that increases again also needs checking without delay.
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 anaemia last after birth?
With the right diet and a supplement when needed, levels usually recover within a few weeks to a few months. Recovery is monitored with a follow-up blood test.
Can a breastfeeding mother take iron tablets?
Yes, iron preparations recommended by your doctor are compatible with breastfeeding. Your doctor will set the dose and duration based on your test results.
What are the signs of anaemia after giving birth?
Extreme tiredness, paleness of the skin and inner eyelids, dizziness, palpitations, and brittle hair and nails are common signs. If you have these, you need a blood count.
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.
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