Soon after giving birth, your body will begin to readjust to its new role as nurturer and nourisher. And there are two sides to this recovery: emotional and physical.

Emotional recovery
With a wonderful new baby in the house, you’ll experience so much joy. But you also may experience sadness for a time–postpartum blues–and any number of other feelings. This roller-coaster ride is normal for both first-time and “experienced” moms and is related to hormonal changes in your body. Support from your partner, family, and friends can help you through these times. But if you feel out of control or hampered in your ability to care for your baby, talk with your doctor.

Physical recovery
You can begin your road to recovery while you’re still in the hospital. Start with Kegel exercises. Simply squeeze and relax the muscles that surround the urethra as if you were stopping the flow of urine. When you’re home and have regained some of your strength, get your doctor’s okay and then gradually build up to stretching, walking, swimming, and stationary cycling. For guidance and moral support, call a local fitness center for information about joining a postpartum exercise class.

Be good to yourself
Proper nutrition can speed your emotional and physical recovery. Now is not the time to go on a crash diet, especially if you’re breastfeeding. Instead, take this time in your life to continue the healthy eating habits you began during pregnancy. Staying on a good postpartum nutrition course will be a big help–you’ll need energy to help you recover and to take care of your new baby.