Recovery and day 40

Day 36 postpartum

In short: what happens on day 36 postpartum?

On day 36 postpartum you can start preparing for your 6-week check. This appointment reviews how your womb has shrunk, your stitches or caesarean wound, bleeding, blood pressure, breast health and mood. Noting your questions in advance about contraception, sex, exercise and bladder leaks makes the most of the appointment.

← Previous day Postpartum day by day Next day →

Day 36 postpartum – animated guide

Day 36: 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

Recovery and day 40

Postnatal bleeding

Yellowish-white (lochia alba)

Womb

≈ 80 g

Milk

Mature milk

Baby’s stomach (per feed)

105 ml

Baby’s weight (vs birth weight)

+19.9%

Wet nappies (24 hours)

Days until day 40

4 days

What’s happening in your body?

Since the birth your body has been through a major healing process; the check is to see whether it is complete. The state of your womb, pelvic floor and tummy muscles can be assessed during the examination.

Your baby today

Your baby’s growth and vaccinations continue to be followed by their own doctor; keep their vaccination record and weight notes up to date. If you are taking your baby to your check, bring nappies, spare clothes and a blanket.

Feeding and nutrition

If you have pain with feeding, supply worries or nipple problems, raise these at your check too. Feeding before the appointment keeps your baby calm and your breasts comfortable.

Emotions and rest

Be honest about your mood over the last few weeks; feeling sad, anxious or angry is an important part of the check. You don’t have to say ‘everything’s fine’.

Care and hygiene

Write down your observations, such as when the bleeding stopped, any leaking of urine or wind, pain during sex or tenderness around your wound. Take a list of any medicines and supplements you use as well.

Tips for today

Save your questions in your phone’s notes app now
Choose an appointment time that fits around your baby’s feeds
If possible, take your partner or someone close with you

When to seek medical help

Don’t wait for your check: seek help straight away if you have a severe headache, blurred vision, bright red bleeding that starts again, a painful swelling in one leg or breathlessness.

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

What happens at the 6-week postnatal check?

Your general health, blood pressure, womb and pelvic examination, stitch or wound healing, breast health and mood are assessed. Contraception and an exercise plan are discussed too.

When are postnatal check-ups done?

Postnatal checks are recommended in the first 24 hours, in the first week, around week 2 and at week 6 (days 40–42).

Is a smear test done at the 6-week check?

If your cervical screening is due, it may be done at this check or on a date your doctor suggests. Mention the date of your last test if you remember it.

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.

Book an appointment Message us on WhatsApp

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