Recovery of the uterus after childbirth

Pregnancy and childbirth are natural processes of the female body. Normally, this period is pleasant and easy for the expectant mother. All systems of organs and tissues are rebuilt until the birth of the baby, and then the reverse restructuring of the body occurs. The period of time during which the recovery of the uterus after childbirth occurs is very important.

Recovery period after childbirth

Gynecologists have the term "postpartum period". This is the time required to restore the female body to prenatal indicators. Its duration is considered to be about two months.

A longer recovery is required for the uterus - the organ in which the child is directly located during pregnancy. Until this period, the weight of the uterus is about fifty grams.

Factors affecting the recovery period

How quickly the uterus recovers after childbirth depends on various factors:

• features of the woman's body;
• the degree of complexity of the birth process;
• the course of the pregnancy;
• method of delivery - natural childbirth or caesarean section;
• type of feeding the baby - breast, artificial or mixed;
• individual characteristics of the body.

The recovery process begins immediately after childbirth. The uterus contracts faster and easier when breastfeeding a baby. This determines the importance of breastfeeding the baby after birth. The newborn will begin to actively suckle the breast, and oxytocin will be produced in the mother's body, which is directly involved in the process of restoring the uterus.

In the maternity hospital, medical professionals can speed up this process by artificially injecting this hormone to stimulate the smooth muscles of the uterus.

Indicators of changes in the uterus after childbirth

The uterus is a muscular organ, the contraction of which begins after the delivery of the placenta. This process only at first glance occurs slowly, but in fact the organ is actively restored:

• immediately after childbirth, the weight is 1000 g;
• after 7 days - 500 gr;
• after 8 weeks - no more than 50 gr.

The indicators are indicative, the whole process depends on the individual characteristics of the organism and on the course of pregnancy and childbirth.

The recovery process includes not only a return to its previous size, but also in the restoration of the mucous layer of the uterus - the endometrium.

Mechanism of uterine contraction

After the placenta is delivered, the inside of the uterus resembles an open wound. The endometrium is covered with blood clots and particles of the fetal membrane, which are actively excreted after childbirth. Such secretions are called lochia.

The main task of physicians in this period is to apply all possible measures for the full contraction of the uterus.

How much the uterus recovers after childbirth depends primarily on the level of oxytocin in the body. In the absence of breastfeeding, the amount of the hormone is minimal, so its artificial administration is advisable. There are times when women are against such treatment, then this situation should be discussed with the gynecologist in advance.

In addition to introducing the hormone into the woman's body, a cold heating pad is applied to the stomach. It is also recommended to lie on the stomach for a long time and often. Following the competent advice of doctors will help the young mother to return to her previous form as soon as possible.

It is necessary to explain to the woman in labor in advance that the process of uterine contraction may be accompanied by painful sensations, reminiscent of contractions. Repeated births provoke more severe cutting pains, due to which pain medication is sometimes required.

Breastfeeding reduces pain significantly. A week later, mom feels much better.

One of the most important points in uterine contraction is personal hygiene. Active recovery of the body is facilitated by physical exercises, especially walking. Doctors are also advised to observe a diet and rest regimen in order to help the mother's body recover more quickly.

Features of the restoration of the reproductive system of the woman in labor

Pregnancy in a woman's body makes its own adjustments. Natural childbirth greatly affects the cervix and vagina.

Kegel exercises will help strengthen the muscles of the vagina. With their help, it will return to approximately prenatal size, but will not be able to fully recover. This is a feature of the female body.

The reproductive system of a woman is restored as the production of hormones - estrogen and progesterone. At the beginning of the recovery phase, their number is reduced, which leads to vaginal dryness. In a nursing young mother, this condition lasts up to 6 months. There are times when the process stretches for a year.

Recovery of the cervix after childbirth lasts the longest and is completed by the fourth month after childbirth. The shape of the external pharynx also undergoes changes: from round prenatal to slit-like. The cervix becomes like a cylinder, and before childbirth it resembled a cone-shaped shape.

Atypical recovery after childbirth

There are cases of prolonged recovery of the uterus after childbirth due to its poor contractility. This happens when, during pregnancy or childbirth, a woman has various kinds of pathologies. For example, a history of fibroids. Multiple pregnancy also provokes a long recovery.

In such cases, a woman is prescribed ultrasonic physical procedures that contribute to the speedy contraction of the uterus. The same procedures relieve pain, which greatly facilitates the condition of the young mother.

Folk way to reduce the uterus

One of the effective folk remedies used for a long time is a decoction of nettle.

To speed up the recovery process of the uterus, as well as its contractility, it is recommended to pour two tablespoons of nettle leaves with boiling water and consume half a glass three times a day.

This method is used as an auxiliary and only on the recommendation of a doctor, especially when breastfeeding.

Possible complications of the recovery period after childbirth

The recovery process of a typical course lasts no more than eight weeks and is accompanied by secretions - lochia. At the very beginning of this period, they look like heavy menstruation, after three days the amount of discharge is reduced.

After childbirth, the shape of the uterus resembles a ball, and at the end of the recovery period it looks like a small pear.

Weak uterine tone is the cause of a long recovery after childbirth. In this regard, there is a risk of complications:

• delayed exit lochia;
• occurrence of uterine bleeding;
• inflammation of the genital organs;
• endometritis.

You can determine the occurrence of such complications by the nature of lochia - their smell, quantity, type and duration of discharge. So you can understand how long after childbirth the uterus is restored.

Restoration of the ability to conceive after childbirth

With artificial feeding of the child, the menstrual cycle is restored for about two months. With mixed feeding, this process is delayed for six months. Breastfeeding prevents the restoration of menstruation for up to two years. But we must remember that all indicators are average, which does not negate permissible deviations depending on the individual characteristics of the female body.

Possibility of re-pregnancy

After how much the uterus recovers after childbirth, after the same amount, re-conception is possible. But you need to understand that the body is not capable of pregnancy then. when the first menstrual bleeding began, and a couple of weeks before that, when ovulation occurred. Therefore, often a new pregnancy is a complete surprise for a woman.

Menstruation appears to be normal within one month after the cessation of breastfeeding. The cycle should recover and become regular during this period. If this does not happen, then this is an occasion to consult an endocrinologist.

Features of recovery of the uterus after caesarean section

Natural childbirth is a natural process, after which there is a rapid recovery of the mother's body. The operative method of delivery delays the rehabilitation period.

How the uterus is restored after childbirth by caesarean section will depend on the competent organization of this process, as well as on careful adherence to the recommendations of doctors.

A caesarean section is not an obstacle to physical activity, which is allowed as early as six hours after the operation. After a maximum of 12 hours, the woman should get up and start walking. Injections of oxytocin help stimulate uterine contractions in the early days. For the same purpose, it is important to stimulate lactation. If possible, lying on your stomach will help reduce the recovery time of the uterus after childbirth.

Duration of recovery of the uterus after caesarean section

One of the main disorders of the postpartum period is considered to be a change in bowel function. Motility weakens, and adhesions form in the abdominal cavity. This leads to constipation, can affect the condition of the pelvic organs.

How long the uterus recovers after giving birth by caesarean section also depends on the woman’s desire to return to its previous shape as quickly as possible. The recovery process is somewhat longer than with natural childbirth, but it can be normalized easily.

Long walks in the warm season, moderate exercise, stable breastfeeding at the request of the baby - all this will shorten the recovery period of the mother's body.

The stitches after the operation are removed after five or seven days, sometimes after ten. The uterus recovers more slowly than during natural childbirth, about eight weeks. With caesarean section, a long period of discharge can be noted.

Experts recommend eating light food in the first months after childbirth, avoiding flour, spicy food in order to normalize digestion and stool.

After the restoration of the menstrual cycle, women who have had a caesarean section should consult a gynecologist about methods of contraception. The doctor will individually select the duration of taking the drugs to enable the uterus to return to its previous state, to strengthen the scar.

In general, the recovery process after operative delivery is no different from the usual one.

A woman is often worried not only about how long the uterus recovers after childbirth. A young mother is concerned about her appearance, emotional state, desire to return to her former shape. At the same time, much depends on close and dear people who are next to the woman. Understanding, care and love can do more than doctors and medicines.