Re: Post Partum Recovery
All three of my deliveries were natural and each time I bled heavily for 3 days and then like periods for the next 4 or 5 days.
1st baby
labour time in total: 9 hours
Pain relief: Gas and air, pethidine
perineum tears: Yes…big one
I was tired…and that’s all…felt no heavy pain or discomfort.
2nd baby
labour time: 5 hours
Pain relief: gas and air
tears: small tear
recovered very quickly after the birth and left the hospital after 7 hours. I hated the hospital management…so decided to have the next baby at home. 
3rd baby (Homebirth)
labour time in total: around 2 hours
pain relief: gas and air
tearing: none
It was a very easy birth…and the fact that I was in comfort of my own home and had the freedom to walk around during labour.
I remember vomiting afterwards…but this is it. Recovered quite quickly…just 30 minutes after the birth I was putting the dirty sheets in the washing machine. 
Oh and the advice:
- Eat only healthy stuff…(no junk food otherwise you’d be paying for it during labour)
- Stay active…specially during the last few months of pregnancy…walk as much as you can…(you’ll have an easy labour)
- Don’t forget to massage your perineum everyday with olive oil.
- Don’t spend too much money on baby clothing and furniture.