MONTH 11
Possible Physical Changes
Immediately after delivery: sweating, chills, cramping as uterus returns to normal size, fluid retention, exhaustion or fatigue. Up to first week: body soreness, sore, cracked nipples if breastfeeding. Throughout month: discomfort sitting and walking if you've had an episiotomy or a C-section, constipation and/or hemorrhoids, hot flashes, breast tenderness, engorgement.

Possible Emotional Changes
Elation, depression or both, alternately, fear of being inadequate, feeling overwhelmed by new responsibilities, feeling that postpartum life is anticlimactic.

Possible Appetite Changes
May feel ravenous if breastfeeding.

The Inside Story
Enlarged uterus, which shrinks rapidly (especially if you breastfeed), stretched out abdominal muscles, internal organs are returning to original locations.

Sleep/Stamina Irregularities
Sleepiness, fatigue and/or exhaustion trying to juggle new duties and rest with Baby's erratic sleep schedule. Grab naps whenever your baby sleeps, try to rest and relax during breastfeeding.

Rx for Stress
Join new-mothers' exercise and/or stretching classes for moral support and to ease aches and pains, spend plenty of time with baby to help alleviate anxiety or post-pregnancy let down, sleep, get help.

Special Risks
Infection at incision sites or breasts if breastfeeding, malnutrition if you are breastfeeding and are not getting enough nutrients or calcium, dehydration.

Symptoms That Say "Call Your Doctor"
After fourth day following childbirth, heavy bleeding with clots at any time during next six weeks, fever, chest pain, pain or swelling in calves or thighs, lump or localized pain in breast, infected incisions, inability to urinate, painful or difficult urination, prolonged depression.

MONTH 12
Possible Physical Changes
Fatigue, pain in perineum, constipation, gradual loss of weight, noticeable hair loss, achiness in arms, legs and back from carrying Baby.

Possible Emotional Changes
Elation, blues, deepening love for and pride in your newborn, growing sense of confidence, feeling pressured to return to normal routine even though you may not be physically or emotionally ready, perception of your body more as a source of nurture (and nutrition) for your newborn and less as a source of sexual pleasure, anxiety about leaving newborn with other caregivers.

Possible Appetite Changes
Slowly returning to pre-pregnancy diet, appetite Increases if you're breastfeeding.

The Inside Story
See Month 11.

Sleep/Stamina Irregularities
See Month 11. May feel less fatigued as you find ways to match your sleep/rest cycles with Baby's. (Some mothers feel that keeping Baby with them at night helps.)

Rx for Stress
See Month 11. exercise , practice relaxation techniques, simplify, prioritize, ease back into being sexually active if it feels right for you, firm up daycare arrangement, make plans to return to work.

Special Risks
Lingering postpartum depression .

Symptoms That Say "Call Your Doctor"
Same as Month 11 . Call your physician if you experience two or more signs of chronic postpartum depression: inability to sleep, lack of appetite, no interest in yourself or baby, feeling hopeless, helpless, or out of control.