The Fourth Trimester
Recovery, care visits and what to expect in the weeks after birth, with the sources behind each point.
Postpartum care timeline
- US clinical guidance recommends contact with an obstetric care provider within the first 3 weeks postpartum, followed by a comprehensive postpartum visit no later than 12 weeks after birth that covers mood, infant feeding, sexuality/contraception, sleep, physical recovery, and chronic disease management — not just a single 6-week check.Source: ACOG
- WHO recommends a minimum of four postnatal care contacts for a healthy mother and newborn: at least 24 hours in a health facility after birth, then further contacts between 48-72 hours, between 7-14 days, and again during week six after birth.Source: WHO
Fertility after birth
- How soon ovulation (and fertility) returns after birth differs by feeding method: it can occur within a few weeks of childbirth if not breastfeeding, but is usually delayed to around 6 months if breastfeeding — and ovulation happens before the first period returns, so pregnancy is possible even before a period resumes.Source: ACOG
Educational reference only — not medical or legal advice. Every postpartum experience differs. Always consult your doctor, and confirm current entitlements with your employer or a labour-law professional.