Will going back to work 50 days after childbirth lead to postpartum complications?

Oct 30, 2024 Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Zhang Lu
Introduction
Whether going back to work 50 days after childbirth may lead to postpartum complications depends on the individual mother's physical recovery. It is recommended that mothers undergo a comprehensive medical check-up before returning to work, ensuring their bodies have sufficiently recovered to handle work demands. They should also balance work and rest, maintain healthy lifestyle habits, and seek understanding and support from family members and colleagues when necessary.

In general, whether going back to work 50 days after childbirth may lead to postpartum complications (commonly known as "sitting the month" illness) depends on the mother's physical recovery. If her recovery is good, returning to work may not cause postpartum problems; however, if she remains physically weak, returning to work could increase the risk of such complications. The details are as follows:

If a mother has recovered well within 50 days after delivery and has experienced no postpartum complications—such as poor uterine recovery, mastitis, or postpartum depression—returning to work is unlikely to result in postpartum illness. At this point, her body has largely recovered, and gradually increasing activity levels can help her adapt better physically and reduce the risk of postpartum complications.

However, if 50 days after childbirth the mother is still physically weak and suffers from conditions such as anemia, infection, insufficient milk production, or if organs like the uterus and pelvic ligaments have not fully healed, returning to work at this stage may place additional strain on her body and increase the risk of postpartum complications.

It is recommended that mothers undergo a comprehensive medical checkup before returning to work to ensure their bodies are sufficiently recovered to handle work demands. They should also balance work and rest, maintain healthy lifestyle habits, and seek understanding and support from family members and colleagues when necessary.