Day 6 postpartum
In short: what happens on day 6 postpartum?
On day 6 postpartum episiotomy or tear stitches are midway through healing; mild pulling and itching are normal. Stitches usually dissolve on their own and heal within 1–2 weeks. Wiping from front to back, changing your pad often and eating to prevent constipation all speed healing and lower the risk of haemorrhoids (piles).
Day 6 postpartum – animated guide
Day 6: 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
Milk comes in
Postnatal bleeding
Pinkish-brown (lochia serosa)
Womb
≈ 560 g
Milk
Transitional milk
Baby’s stomach (per feed)
45 ml
Baby’s weight (vs birth weight)
-5%
Wet nappies (24 hours)
6
Days until day 40
34 days
What’s happening in your body?
Swelling around the perineum goes down; as stitches dissolve you may feel pulling or itching. Bleeding is pinkish-brown and gradually lessening. Pushing during labour and pregnancy hormones make piles and constipation common at this stage.
Your baby today
Your baby should now have at least 6 wet nappies a day; breastfed babies may pass yellow, seedy poos several times a day. Sleep–wake cycles are still irregular, and it takes time for your baby to tell night from day.
Feeding and nutrition
8–10 glasses of fluid a day, vegetables, fruit, dried apricots and whole grains soften stools and ease fear of the toilet. Keep a glass of water beside you while feeding and drink whenever you are thirsty.
Emotions and rest
Feeling nervous about your first poo is completely natural; stitches are not expected to come apart because of it, and trying to relax makes it easier.
Care and hygiene
After using the toilet, rinse the area with warm water, pat dry with a clean towel and change your pad every 4–6 hours. A valley cushion and brief cold packs ease the pain.
Tips for today
- Put a small stool under your feet on the toilet so your knees are higher than your hips
- When you push, gently press a clean pad against your stitches for support
- Don’t put off going to the toilet, as waiting makes constipation worse
When to seek medical help
See your doctor if pain at the stitches increases, or there is redness, foul-smelling discharge or the wound opens, or if passing urine burns or you can’t pass urine. If you haven’t had a poo for several days, get advice before taking any medicine.
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 do episiotomy stitches take to heal?
They usually heal within 1–2 weeks and the stitches dissolve on their own. It can take a few weeks for the tenderness to go completely.
When is the first poo after giving birth?
Usually within 2–4 days of the birth. Plenty of fluids and fibre help; if needed, your doctor can suggest a stool softener that is safe while breastfeeding.
Do piles go away after birth?
Most postnatal piles settle within a few weeks once constipation is prevented. Cold packs, not sitting for long and a high-fibre diet help; if they bleed, speak to 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.
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