How long does the maternity period last

‍The maternity period starts from the moment you give birth to your child until 6 weeks after birth. It is a transition period to living as a family or expanding your family. That's why we also call it the “4th trimester” because you can still see it as part of your pregnancy. What you need to know about the maternity period:

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Are you recovering from childbirth?

‍Every birth needs recovery time. With a short birth, you can still experience a few days of aftereffects; after a long birth, you need longer to replenish your energy. During a medical procedure, your body must recover, but you also need to recover mentally.

It is also possible that you have a good birth on paper, but you notice that it has made a huge impression, which is completely normal. You've done a great physical performance that marks the start of a major change in your life.

You can't prepare for everything you might encounter during your maternity period. What you can do is read our maternity checklist.

Getting to know your baby ‍

This is the time for you to really get to know your child. You may have imagined what it would be like, but you can't really know it until you experience it. This period is dedicated to feeding your child. When you bottle feed, you get to know your child's rhythm. But when you breastfeed, you are also busy managing your energy.

For good adhesion, it is important that you and your child spend a lot of time together. A lot of skin-to-skin has a positive effect on your child's heart rate and temperature, so they experience less stress, cry less and sleep deeper. Make time for these wonderful moments.

Your relationship gets an extra load  

If you are in a relationship while your baby is born, you will notice that the relationship also changes. You now give the attention you had for each other to your child together. Your partner may feel like they can't do much, even though you're doing a lot of work and are happy to have them there to support them.

During the first few weeks, your baby will ask for feedings every 3-4 hours, including at night. Your night's sleep is severely interrupted, which causes sleep deprivation, which can be a challenge within your relationship.

First 40 days

‍Did you know that in other cultures, it is common for the new mother to have complete rest for the first 40 days before recovery? Her environment cares for her,
cooks for her and takes all responsibilities away from her so that she has the space to make the transition from pregnancy to motherhood.

Learn more about the first 40 days of Chinese culture in Heng Ou's book “The First 40 Days.”

When can you exercise again after giving birth?

We recommend waiting 6 weeks before exercising after a vaginal delivery and 8 weeks after a cesarean section. This is a minimum. If you notice that you need longer, this is completely fine.

If you would like to get started again, we have several options. Check out the entire range below.