The postpartum, or postnatal, period is the 6-8 weeks following the birth of your baby. The World Health Organization describes this period as being the most critical, yet most neglected, phase of pregnancy. Clearly, it is important to visit your doctor regularly to ensure that there are no postnatal complications for either the mother or the baby. During this postnatal phase, your hormone levels and uterus size will return to pre-pregnancy conditions. Two of the most common symptoms new mothers experience are postpartum depression and urinary irregularity. Your doctors will work to alleviate these symptoms and assess for muscle tears or bladder complications. Additionally, they’ll help provide the information you need on how to care for your baby during these critical weeks.