After the birth

Postpartum is the weeks when the body recovers from birth. Bleeding, called lochia, lasts three to six weeks while getting paler, the womb returns to size within one to two months, and tiredness is normal. A fever, a pad soaked every hour or a painful, swollen calf means seeking help quickly.

The baby blues affect half of new mothers, or more: tears, irritability and worry appear between day 2 and day 5, then fade in under two weeks. Postpartum depression lasts, shows up almost every day and can start at any point in the first year. It can be treated: talk to a professional early.

Pelvic floor rehabilitation helps the muscles that support the bladder, womb and rectum regain their strength after childbirth. Simple exercises can be done at home. Guided sessions with a midwife or physiotherapist are recommended if urine leaks persist at 3 months. Leaks, heaviness, pain: mention them at the postnatal visit.

The return of periods after childbirth (retour de couches in French) is your first period after the birth. Without breastfeeding it usually comes back between 6 and 8 weeks, sometimes from 5 weeks. While nursing, it can take several months, often until feeds drop off. Beware: ovulation comes before that period, and pregnancy is possible from week 3.

There is no set time to resume sex after childbirth: you wait until you feel like it, the bleeding has stopped and any scars have closed, often around four to six weeks. Tiredness, lower desire and dryness linked to breastfeeding are common. Pain that lasts deserves a consultation. Sort out contraception first.

From day 21 after the birth, ovulation is possible, even before the first period; breastfeeding protects only under the strict conditions of LAM. While nursing, avoid the combined pill for the first six months and prefer a condom, progestogen-only pill, implant or IUD. Decide with your doctor or midwife.

The belly takes several months to regain its shape after childbirth. Abdominal separation, or diastasis, affects 60% of mothers at six weeks and often closes by itself. Start with walking, the pelvic floor and deep abdominals; crunches and impact sports wait. Nothing shows that a belly band closes a diastasis.

Hair loss after childbirth is common and temporary: as oestrogen drops, the hairs that pregnancy had held in place fall out over a few months. It starts around 2 months, peaks around 4 months, and most women regain their usual volume before baby's first birthday. Beyond that, or with deep tiredness, see a doctor.

The mental load is the invisible work of thinking of everything: nappies, appointments, vaccines, meals. In Morocco, women do 87.5% of unpaid domestic work, according to the HCP. To breathe, make it visible, hand over whole tasks and accept help. Exhaustion that lasts may be parental burnout: it can be treated.

After a birth, many couples argue more and have less time for each other: it is common and often temporary. What helps: truly sharing tasks, talking without blame, keeping small moments for two and accepting to leave baby with someone. If conflict sets in or frightens you, get help.

Becoming a dad is learned by doing: skin-to-skin, nappy changes, bath, rocking and shared nights build the bond and confidence, however clumsy at first. In Morocco, paternity leave is 3 paid days in the private sector and 15 days for civil servants. Supporting mum, including with breastfeeding, counts as much as the hands-on care.

In Morocco, maternity leave lasts 14 weeks, 7 of them in principle after the birth: you often go back when baby is under two months old. Choose childcare during pregnancy, plan two to three weeks of settling in, negotiate a gradual return and know your rights: a paid nursing hour, and possible contract suspension of 90 days.

A baby's first-year budget rests on four items. Starter gear costs from under 3,000 DH to nearly 15,000 DH depending on the range (our prices of 12/10/2026). Add 400 to 800 DH of nappies a month at the promotional price we recorded, then, depending on the family, formula and childcare.