Uterine contraction after childbirth: how to speed up the process? How long does the uterus shrink after childbirth How long does the uterus shrink after the second birth

The postpartum period can be delayed for several weeks, or even months. At this time, the female body is being rebuilt, getting used to the role of a young mother, all the processes associated with gestation stop and everything returns to normal.

The biggest changes occur in the place where the baby was - in the reproductive organs. The former place of residence of the baby should again become small. How much does the uterus shrink after childbirth and how to anesthetize this procedure? Every woman asks this question.

When conception occurs, the mother mode is activated in the woman's body. The body is now directed to the bearing and development of the fetus. The mammary glands slowly increase in size, the place where a new person is formed is stretched.

After the baby appears (by natural course or by caesarean section), the uterus contracts for a certain amount of time. It is important to remember that she went through a lot of stress and now resembles a big wound, and her weight reaches up to 1.5 kg.

For some time, it bleeds, blood clots and remnants of the placenta come out of it. This is a completely natural process that lasts an average of up to three days. Further, the young mother will find in herself a discharge called lochia. From bloody, they change into yellow, then turn pale and completely disappear within 6-9 weeks.

If the body stops cleaning, then a failure has occurred and you need to urgently seek help.

Due to the large stretching and tension, the sexual organ acquires mobility. There is a possibility that this will cause discomfort when the bladder is full. But do not worry, the muscles will gain tone in the next few months.

Reduction of the uterus after childbirth without complications, under normal conditions and following the recommendations of the doctor, is carried out within two months.

Recovery

It is the degree of change in the hormonal background of the female body that affects the speed of recovery of this part of the reproductive system. But at the same time, there is a list of items that also have an impact on this process, namely:

weight and size of the fetus;
mother's age;
the number of pregnancies;
baby birth method.

How long does the uterus shrink after childbirth? Having reached its maximum size and weight, every day after pushing out the baby, she loses weight. So, from two kilograms, with the completion of the recovery period, the genital organ decreases to 50-75 grams. And the neck from 12 centimeters is reduced to 2-4. Its bottom is at the level of the navel and descends 2 centimeters every day for 10 days.

Myometrium, also known as the muscular layer of the womb, reduces its cells within 1.5-2 months. This process is most pronounced in the first few days after the birth of the baby.

Many are wondering if everything will return to its place. There is only one feature by which doctors can distinguish a patient who has given birth from a patient who has not given birth on examination. The outer os of the canal is not able to close completely and takes on a transverse shape, since its fibers have suffered a serious stretch, while the inner one is completely reduced by the 10th day.

It should take several months after childbirth before the body gains strength and energy, but the specific terms for each woman in labor are different.

Normal rehabilitation

Every new mother should consult with her gynecologist in order to know what metamorphoses occur in her body and how exactly they proceed.

Primiparas may have many questions when they face the consequences of pregnancy. Do not panic ahead of time, it is important to monitor your condition and understand how it should be and how not. So normal rehabilitation includes:

painful, pulling sensations in the lower abdomen;
loose stools, diarrhea in the first days;
bloody lochia, which lose their pigmentation and decline;
drawing in the mammary glands.

It is especially important to take care of yourself in the first week, this is the most dangerous time for a new mother.

emergency rehabilitation

How long the uterus contracts after childbirth depends on the condition of the mother, but if it proceeds very rapidly, you need to focus on this and listen to your well-being. When postpartum recovery takes less than a month, it can cause some undesirable consequences:

So, lactation will lose its quality and quantity, there will be less milk. The child will refuse to use it and will need to be transferred to artificial feeding.
Due to irregular feeding or refusal of it, the ability of conception returns to the woman. It will be necessary to additionally protect yourself so as not to conceive another baby, because the body is not yet ready for such a load.
due to the fact that the hollow organ does not have time to clear itself of blood clots and placental remnants.

How to help yourself

So that everything goes well, does not linger or accelerate, you can resort to some tricks that will help mommy get back on her feet as soon as possible without complications.

And they should be regular. So, how can you help your body recover with minimal effort?

1. The doctor can determine that the uterus has found a soft bottom. This is the reason for its slow update. In such cases, it is advised to contact professional massage therapists who will restore tone by massaging the surface of the outer abdominal wall.

2. It is important to refuse and. As you know, overheating leads to blood flow to the pelvic organs, which provokes bleeding. On the contrary, apply cold heating pads to the lower abdomen. There should be a cloth between the body and the lotion so as not to catch a cold.

3. Walking outdoors has never hurt anyone. It is especially pleasant to do this with your baby, knowing that after giving birth, the muscles contract even faster.

4. Overflow of the rectum, difficulty with defecation, constipation should be avoided. Also, the bladder should be emptied on time.

5. Hygiene is one of the key points. Purity and freshness must always be present and at a high level. So infections will not be able to get through open channels and complications in the form of inflammation will be prevented.

6. at this difficult time. It will fix everything in its place and recovery will go faster.

7. the same natural process as the very appearance of a child, and it is dishonest to deprive the baby of mother's milk. It not only helps him develop faster and ensures good health for future years, but also contributes to the speedy recovery of the wet nurse.

8. It is this posture, according to health workers, that helps prevent neck bending, which can lead to bad consequences.

9. Gymnastics. But only after the consent of the doctor. In order not to harm yourself, you need to take step-by-step instructions from a specialist and act on it.

10. Taking prescribed drugs. These medicines are approved for nursing mothers and will not harm the baby in any way.

ethnoscience

Very often it happens that it is alternative medicine that is able to help. Even our grandmothers used such methods and became mothers of many children.

Nettle promotes rapid muscle contraction. It must be infused in boiling water in a ratio of 3 tablespoons of a dry plant to 0.5 liters of hot water. Take orally three times a day for half a cup.

When spotting goes beyond what is permitted, red geranium and the shepherd's purse plant come to the rescue. They insist all night and drink during the day in small sips.

Complications

No one is immune from unplanned complications. If the uterus contracts longer than expected after the baby is born, it is important to seek help. The absence of lochia indicates a blockage of the cervical canal. This problem must be solved so that inflammation does not start.

You can't do without the help of a gynecologist.

If the placenta lingers in the body of the mother, the baby appears. This will help the process of involution.

It is important to pay attention to the nature of bleeding. If they are reinforced and last longer than the prescribed time, this may be a signal for a delay in involution. The cause is often a violation of the rejection of the placenta and trauma. Doctors may resort to surgery and donated blood transfusions.

Inflammation of the reproductive system, called endometritis, is included in the list of complications. The source is a difficult delivery, abortion, reduced immunity, diseases of the reproductive system. These symptoms are directly related to each other. It is important not to delay treatment when suspicions arise.

One of the most dangerous difficulties that a woman can face is the omission, and subsequently the prolapse of the reproductive organ (prolapse). Often found in mothers who carried two children.

To prevent the disease, it is necessary to visit a gynecologist for a preventive examination at 6-9 weeks.

Individual cases

C-section

How long does involution take for the fair sex, on whose beautiful bellies a small scar flaunts? Within 60 days. The reason for the slowdown is the cutting of the muscle layer (myometrium), blood vessels and fibers. Doctors prescribe medications that help the body contract muscles.

Sometimes there is a blockage of the cervical canal, which threatens with unpleasant consequences.

Not the first pregnancy

How many days is the contraction after the second birth or third? The number of pregnancies does not affect the contractile processes. They depend, directly, on the current pregnancy and delivery.

But in some cases, women noted that after the appearance of the second baby, the pain in the chest and perineum was more intensified. Multiparous women need to take painkillers.

Carrying multiple children

When the joy of parents doubles or even triples, the mother's body suffers the same shocks. So, the sexual organ is stretched very strongly and its recovery takes longer than usual. Very often, they resort to drug treatment and performing special gymnastic exercises.

Abortion

When a pregnancy is terminated, the body comes into a stupor, which is due to a long period. It all depends on the quality of the procedure. Recovery usually takes 2-3 weeks.

Conclusion

How long does the uterus shrink after childbirth? This question does not have a clear answer, as it is a purely individual process. There are only approximate calculations of how long it takes and how exactly it happens. But it is better to discuss all points with a specialist in order to be sure of success.

In this article:

The long-awaited moment for any mother has come when her baby is born. Ahead expect chores and care for the child. It is at this moment that the recovery phase begins for every woman: contraction of the uterus after childbirth. This period begins immediately after the birth of the child and usually lasts from 6 to 8 weeks. During this time, all those changes that took place during the entire period of pregnancy undergo a reverse process.

The uterus in the postpartum period - what happens?

As you know, every woman has individual characteristics of physiology. In connection with this fact, the uterus of each woman returns to its almost original position at different times.

The uterus after childbirth is in a stretched and enlarged form. This is a bleeding wound, and the uterus is most damaged in the place where the placenta is fixed. Moreover, it will bleed until the vessels clog. In addition, what is left of the fetal membrane is still in the uterine cavity and blood clots are present.

The uterus after childbirth should “clear itself” of everything no longer needed within three days. During this period, two of the most important processes take place in it: phagocytosis and extracellular proteolysis. As a result of this activity, discharge (lochia) appears from the uterus. And if during the first days they are bloody, then after 3 or 4 days they are serous-sanious due to the high content of leukocytes. Over time, they begin to turn yellow. By the end of the third week, they become even lighter, and after 6 or 8 weeks, the discharge completely disappears. The place where the placenta was fixed heals after 3 weeks.

How fast is the uterus shrinking?

From the beginning to the end of pregnancy, the uterus undergoes significant changes. From a small organ weighing 50 grams, it grows to an impressive size and already weighs 1 kg. Gradually, it is reduced, but it will not be able to fully recover to its previous state. In a woman who has already given birth, she will weigh approximately 75 g.

Immediately after childbirth, the uterus still weighs 1 kg, the diameter of the uterine os is 12 cm. In this case, you can still manually remove the remains of the placenta. By the end of the first day, the uterine pharynx is reduced by half, after another three days it becomes even smaller.
The contraction of the uterus can be judged by the state of the bottom. A day after the birth of the child, it is at the same level with the navel. In the following days, the uterine fundus descends at a rate of 2 cm per day. By about the 10th day, it is hidden behind the womb.

The hormonal background has a significant effect on the rate of uterine contraction. But besides it, this process is influenced by some other factors such as:

woman's age;
number of pregnancies;
the size of the child;

It is worth noting that the higher these indicators, the uterus will contract more slowly. In addition, it matters whether a caesarean section was performed or whether the birth took place naturally. In this case, after surgery, the restoration of the uterus after childbirth will be a little harder. In addition, if a woman is breastfeeding a baby, this will also reduce the time for this process of uterine recovery.

It should be borne in mind that during this recovery period there will be small “contractions” of the lower abdomen. They can often be stronger and more intense after the second birth.

In some cases, when a woman does not tolerate such pain, she is prescribed special painkillers or antispasmodic devices. However, it is best not to resort to them. In addition, this happens quite rarely, so you should not worry about this.

How is the process going?

Many women will probably be interested in how exactly this process of uterine contraction takes place. The uterus contracts after childbirth due to the fact that some cells of the muscle tissue of the uterus contract, while others simply die. And if initially the shape of the uterus is spherical, then over time it becomes slit-like.

How much time will it take? Usually the uterus is able to recover in a fairly quick period of time. As a rule, it is reduced in 1.5-2.5 months, it all depends on the individual characteristics of the body of each woman. At the same time, the most active moment of reduction is observed in the first days after the appearance of the baby.

Accelerating the process of uterine contraction

However, in some cases, in order for the contraction of the uterus to pass normally, some methods are used. For example, when the uterus began to contract immediately after childbirth, its bottom should be dense. If it is soft, then this means that the uterus has a reduced contractility. In this case, massage performed on the outer surface of the abdominal wall will be an effective tool.

To increase the rate of uterine contraction on the first day after childbirth, they resort to a cold heating pad, which is placed on the stomach. In some cases, special drugs are prescribed, which also stimulate the uterus to contract quickly.

The most important thing to do after the baby is born is to strictly observe personal hygiene. Regular washing, suture treatment (if there were ruptures during childbirth) and other necessary measures will help to avoid the occurrence of various complications.

From about day 4, a woman can move more actively and this also contributes to the rapid contraction of the uterus. It is also important to follow all the instructions of the doctors and exclude any possible pressure on the uterus. To do this, visit the toilet regularly (if necessary) and resort to the prevention of constipation.

In addition, in order to control the entire process of uterine contraction, a woman must be under constant medical supervision. If the birth went without complications and naturally, then the woman is even recommended to get up after a few hours. There is also a special postpartum gymnastics, which also stimulates the contraction of all muscle tissues. And the uterus is just that organ.

Useful video about the postpartum period

During pregnancy, the uterus undergoes great changes. During the period of bearing a baby, it grows more than 10 times. After the birth of a child, the reproductive organ gradually returns to the prenatal state. Sometimes contraction of the uterus after childbirth takes on a pathological character. If the problem is not recognized in time, it may be necessary to remove the organ. How long does it take for the uterus to recover normally?

What is the uterus at the end of childbirth?

Childbirth is completed at the moment when the child's place, or placenta, comes out of the uterus. The uterine cavity becomes like a bleeding wound. The site of separation of the placenta is subjected to the greatest damage, since a large number of vessels are torn there.

How does the uterus contract normally?

Despite the duration of the stretching process, the recovery of the uterus after childbirth is fast. Immediately after childbirth, the bottom of the uterus is 1-2 cm above the navel. Every day it moves down. After 10 days, the uterus descends into the pelvis. Simultaneously with the omission, there is a decrease in the size of the reproductive organ and the exit of lochia. These processes are caused by contraction of the uterus.

The contractions after childbirth are like contractions. The organ tenses, and the woman feels discomfort in the lower abdomen. Uterine contractions increase when breastfeeding. In primiparas, they are more intense than in multiparous ones. The table describes the standard terms for recovery processes in the uterus.

Process	Full recovery time	Period Features
Uterine weight	1.5–2 months	After 7 days after birth, the weight of the organ decreases to 500 g, after 2 weeks its mass is 350 g, after 2 months - 50–70 g.
Lochia cleansing	6 weeks	The first 3 days, scarlet blood is released with clots and mucus. Further, the discharge becomes pink or yellow-brown. By day 10, blood impurities disappear, lochia is yellowish or transparent.
Restoration of the endometrium	10–12 days	The recovery process occurs during cleansing of lochia and activation of the formation of leukocytes.
Healing of the placenta attachment site	21 day
Cervical reconstruction	8–13 weeks	After 12 hours, it decreases to 6 cm, on the 10th day the internal pharynx closes, the external pharynx closes after 8 weeks.

As shown in the table, recovery, also called uterine involution, normally takes 1.5 to 2 months. The most intense uterine contractions are felt during the first week after childbirth.

Why is the organ not contracting or is the process going badly?

The rate of recovery of the reproductive organ depends on the individual characteristics of the woman and the level of the hormone oxytocin in the body. After a cesarean section, the contractility of the uterus is lower than after a natural birth (we recommend reading: how long does the uterus contract after a cesarean section?). However, regardless of the method of delivery, the recovery period should not exceed 2 months. The uterus contracts poorly due to a number of reasons:

a woman in labor is less than 18 or more than 35 years old;
repeated abortions in the past;
childbirth after a previous caesarean section;
inflammation of the uterine endometrium;
hormonal deficiency;
refusal to breastfeed;
the birth of a large baby;
multiple pregnancy;
complications that arose during childbirth (weak labor activity, rapid labor);
premature birth of a child;
congenital pathologies of the structure of the reproductive organ;
polyhydramnios;
the presence of a neoplasm in the uterus;
violation of the hematopoietic function.

How to understand that the uterus is not contracting well?

Poor uterine contraction prolongs the postpartum recovery process. There is a danger of inflammation of the uterine endometrium due to a delay in the release of lochia, which can lead to infertility. In this regard, it is very important to identify deviations within a 2-month period. There are a number of ways in which you can determine that the body is almost not reduced.

Ultrasound examination

In the case of a normal course of the postpartum stage, ultrasound is prescribed for 4–6 days after childbirth. If delivery and the first day of the postpartum period passed with complications, the study is carried out earlier. Ultrasound is done abdominally. 2 hours before the procedure, a woman needs to drink 1-1.5 liters of fluid to fill her bladder. In the case of a slowdown in the recovery of the uterus after childbirth, an ultrasound scan will reveal:

a large number of clots or blood in the uterine cavity;
the presence in the uterus of the remains of the placenta or membranes;
discrepancy between the size and height of the fundus of the uterus to the norm.

The nature of the discharge

With poor recovery of the uterus after delivery, lochia lingers in its cavity. The processes of decay and inflammation begin.

You can understand that the body has failed if the discharge:

smell bad;
have a green tint;
scarlet blood is secreted for more than 4 days;
lochia are absent;
after the complete cessation of the allocation resumed;
lochia ended before the 6th week or lasted more than 8 weeks.

Feelings of a woman

Normally, during uterine contraction, a woman experiences pain in the lower abdomen, as during contractions. However, the sensations are short-lived and not intense. There is also soreness of the mammary glands, pulling pain in the perineum. These symptoms are most pronounced in the first week after delivery. However, after 1.5 months they completely disappear. If the uterus contracts too long, the following symptoms appear:

there are no signs of contractile activity;
unbearably hurts in the lower abdomen, in the lower back and perineum;
the intensity of contractions increases after 7 days;
when touching the stomach, it feels like the uterus is hard;
the urge to urinate does not come on the third day after the birth of the child.

A woman may experience severe chills, fever and fever, fainting, weakness and dizziness. Sometimes urinary incontinence occurs.

What to do to speed up the contraction of the organ?

If it is determined that the involution of the reproductive organ is slow, doctors determine why this is happening and take measures to help reduce the uterus. In some cases (if endometritis or placental remains are found in the uterine cavity), curettage is done. If the general condition of the woman is satisfactory, measures to help reduce the organ are carried out at home.

Medications

Since the organ contracts under the influence of oxytocin, doctors use it at a reduced recovery rate. In order to help the uterus contract, pills, injections and intravenous infusion of oxytocin preparations are used.

The regimen for the use of the drug is determined depending on the condition of the woman and the severity of the pathology. As a rule, the medicine is prescribed in the first days after childbirth. For 3–4 days, 2 ml of oxytocin is administered 3–5 times a day.

In the form of tablets, oxytocin is prescribed in case of minor violations of contractile activity. The use of the tablet form of the drug is also aimed at improving the production of prolactin and, as a result, lactation. To speed up the natural production of the hormone, doctors recommend frequently applying the newborn to the breast.

Physiotherapy (cold, massage, physical education)

Applying ice to the stomach is one of the oldest ways to involute faster. In some maternity hospitals, in the first hours after delivery, a heating pad with ice is placed on the stomach of a woman in labor. Under the influence of cold, the muscular organ begins to shrink. Sometimes the procedure is carried out throughout the entire period of the woman's stay in the hospital. Ice is placed on the stomach 4-5 times a day for 5-10 minutes, placing a towel under the heating pad.

However, this procedure gives the woman discomfort and increases the risk of activating inflammation in the appendages. In this regard, the use of cold has become an unpopular therapeutic measure.

A special massage also helps to speed up the recovery of the reproductive organ. There are 2 types of procedure:

Interior. The first day after childbirth, the doctor performs manipulations inside the uterine cavity every 2 hours. The process makes the woman uncomfortable. However, it allows you to quickly cause contractions.
External. The obstetrician makes light pressure on the uterus, massages and strokes the stomach. The doctor's touch causes pain, since manipulation causes contractions. The procedure is also canceled on the second day.

One of the simplest physiological exercises for involution of the uterus is resting on the stomach. Lying in this position is also recommended after a caesarean section. In the absence of contraindications, experts recommend from the third day to engage in special physical education every day. Recommended exercises:

Lying on your back, unbend and bend your legs. At one time, you need to do 10 flexion and extension movements.
Kegel exercises.
Sitting on a fitball, raise your legs alternately and hold them up for 10 seconds. In this case, it is necessary to tighten the muscles of the vagina.
Sitting on a gymnastic ball, make circular movements with the pelvis.

If sutures were placed during childbirth or complications arose, physical education should be agreed with the attending physician. You need to work in a well-ventilated area. Before classes, you should empty your bladder.

Traditional medicine

Many adherents of traditional medicine claim that the uterus will recover better if you drink the uterine collection or decoctions, tinctures and juices of medicinal herbs. The following herbs help restore the body:

Nettle. To prepare the drug, you need to take 40 g of dry nettle leaves and pour 0.5 liters of boiling water over them. The liquid must be infused for at least 40 minutes. Take an infusion of 0.5 cups before meals.
Shepherd's bag. The infusion is prepared in the same way as the previous remedy. The prepared liquid is designed for a one-day intake.
Burdock juice. The leaves must be crushed with a meat grinder and squeeze the juice out of them. Drink 2 times a day, 1 teaspoon.

To induce uterine contractions, they also use white lamb, birch and raspberry leaves, bay leaf, barberry roots, and sage. Components can be combined. However, it should be borne in mind that many medicinal herbs are prohibited during breastfeeding. The use of uterine fees must be agreed with a specialist.

How to relieve pain from intense contractions?

Since different women have different pain thresholds, some mothers in the first days after childbirth are so painful that they need painkillers. Various medicines help relieve pain. However, their use must be coordinated with the attending physician. For anesthesia it is recommended:

No-Shpa;
ibuprofen;
Paracetamol.

The body of a woman after childbirth includes the mechanisms of reduction, return to normal. The ratio of hormones changes, the mammary glands begin to produce milk, the width of the strip of tendons connecting the abdominal muscles gradually decreases. The contraction of the uterus occurs most vividly and rapidly after childbirth. Immediately before childbirth, the length of the uterus in a woman reaches 35–40 cm, and she needs to shrink to its original size of 6–9 cm.

How and why the uterus contracts

The contraction of the uterus begins immediately after the completion of childbirth and the discharge of the child's place. The condition of the uterus and the rate of its contraction is an important indicator of the postpartum period, so doctors constantly monitor it. In the process of reducing the uterus in size and compacting its tissues, small bleeding vessels on its inner surface are clamped, and the uterine cavity is cleared of wound secretions (discharges of this kind are called lochia). The pain in this case is strong, as in labor pains.

The contraction of the smooth muscles of the uterus is caused by the action of oxytocin, the same hormone regulated the frequency and strength of uterine contractions during childbirth. Oxytocin is produced in a woman's body "paired" with another hormone - prolactin, which is responsible for the production of milk. Therefore, in nursing mothers, the uterus contracts much faster - the reflex signal for the production of the necessary hormones is irritation of the nipples during feeding.

Uterine contractions after childbirth is a rather lengthy process. The weight of the uterus of a woman who has just given birth is about 1 kg, within a week it is halved, and the uterus acquires a “pre-pregnant” weight of 50 g in 2-3 months. After childbirth, the bottom of the uterus is palpated at the level of the navel, and then every day its level drops by 1.5-2 cm. Thus, on the sixth day, when the woman in labor is discharged home, the normal height of the bottom of the uterus is 4-5 cm above the pubic line.

Causes of slow uterine contractions

In some women in labor, the process of uterine contraction is slow or completely absent. This phenomenon is called subinvolution and is considered dangerous because it can cause bleeding or the development of postpartum complications. As a pathology, a delay in the rate of uterine contraction for more than one day is considered.

Factors that can reduce the rate of uterine contraction include:

multiple pregnancy, polyhydramnios or a large weight of the child, which caused excessive stretching of the body of the uterus;
low-lying place of attachment of the placenta;
childbirth by caesarean section;
the presence in the uterus of blood clots or remnants of the fetal egg;
too early or too late age of the woman in labor;
inflammation of the lining of the uterus (endometritis);
the presence of tumors of the uterus;
anomalies in the structure of the uterus;
a large number of previous births or abortions;
disorders of the endocrine system, leading to a deficiency of oxytocin;
some common diseases (pyelonephritis, anemia);
weak physical activity after childbirth.

How to speed up uterine contractions

What is being done in the hospital

Stopping bleeding and better contraction of the uterus contributes to the cold, which is applied to the stomach of a newly-made mother immediately after childbirth. The rate of contraction of the uterus is influenced by the fullness of the bladder. It must be emptied on time, despite the pain that is possible due to stitches after childbirth. It is also recommended to start getting out of bed after childbirth as early as possible - movements increase the tone of all muscles, including the muscles of the uterus, and help remove blood clots from it.

If the gynecologist sees that the uterus is contracting slowly, he can prescribe drugs based on oxytocin that improve its contractile activity, or prescribe a massage of the uterine fundus through the anterior wall of the peritoneum. In the case when the cause of subinvolution of the uterus is the presence in it of a part of the placenta or large blood clots that clog the uterine os, the uterine cavity is cleaned.

What can be done at home

If the violations of the rate of uterine contraction are small, the woman can be discharged home on time. At home, you can speed up the contraction process by doing physiotherapy exercises and using decoctions and infusions of medicinal herbs. But do not forget: both therapeutic exercises and herbal medicine methods can only be used with the permission of a doctor!

Of the exercises that contribute to better uterine contraction, already in the first days after discharge, they are usually allowed to perform:

Retraction and protrusion of the abdomen. Performed in the supine position. On inhalation, the abdomen inflates, on exhalation it retracts.
Slow contraction and relaxation of the muscles of the buttocks.
Tension in the groin muscles (as if you want to stop urinating). This Kegel (Kagel) exercise is very effective for restoring the elasticity of perineal, vaginal, and uterine muscles that have been stretched during childbirth.

Well stimulate uterine contraction after childbirth infusions of nettle, wormwood, birch leaves, raspberry leaves, geranium, decoction of shepherd's purse, viburnum juice. Talk to your doctor about which of these folk remedies are best for you.

It is said that the effort required to give birth to a child can be compared to the energy expended in a ten-round boxing match. You have won this fight. We wish you a speedy recovery and good health!

The main process that occurs in the female body during the recovery postpartum period is uterine contraction. It usually lasts for 1.5–2 months, but during this time the body should undergo changes that are the opposite of those observed during the previous nine months of pregnancy.

How long the contraction of the uterus after childbirth will last depends on the individual characteristics of the female body. This process is influenced by other factors, which we will get acquainted with in this article. To reduce the recovery period, doctors recommend that women do a special set of exercises, which should be started even at the planning stage of the baby. Let us consider in more detail what happens to the uterus after the birth of a child and how you can influence the process of its recovery.

What happens to the uterus after childbirth?

During the first few days after the birth of a baby, the uterus is a highly stretched bleeding organ, inside which contains pieces of amniotic tissue, placenta, and blood clots. In the place where the placenta was attached, in fact, there is a large bleeding wound. During the first three days, processes of suppression of bacteria by blood leukocytes (phagocytosis) and enzymes (proteliosis) are actively taking place in the uterine cavity. This ensures the sterility of the open wound surface, which is the inner wall of this organ.

Nature provided for the need for its self-purification through special secretions called lochia. Within three to four days, all unnecessary particles are removed from the uterine cavity, the blood vessels on its walls gradually shrink and the discharge changes color from blood red to yellowish. Along with the cleansing process, there is a contraction of the muscles that make up the walls of the uterus.

In a nulliparous woman, the uterus weighs an average of about 50 grams.

During pregnancy, its weight increases to 1 thousand grams, as the walls are stretched, their blood supply is increased, new cells are formed.

If, immediately after childbirth, the size of the uterine os is approximately 12 cm, which makes it possible to clear the internal cavity of the remnants of the placenta and amniotic membranes, then after a day its diameter is reduced by half. For three days after childbirth, the size of the pharynx is intensively reduced. With the contraction of muscle tissue, part of the lymphatic and blood vessels with which it is saturated is pinched and dries up (obliterated).

Is it possible to perform an x-ray procedure while breastfeeding

The cells, due to which the increase in size occurred, die and are absorbed or excreted along with the lochia. The remaining cells are significantly reduced, returning to their original appearance. However, the uterus cannot finally return to its original parameters. Usually, in women who have given birth, it has a larger volume than in those who have not given birth, and, accordingly, its average weight is already about 70-75 grams.

During contraction, the bottom of the uterus sinks. If after childbirth it is at the level of the navel, then on each subsequent day it drops by about 2 cm and after 10 days it hides behind the bosom.

In some cases, during the contraction of the muscles of the uterus, a woman may experience cramping pain in the lower abdomen. Usually they are fairly easy to tolerate, but if the pain becomes excessive, the doctor may prescribe special antispasmodic or pain medications. If the pain does not go away a week after giving birth, or if the muscles are still contracting after 1.5–2 months, then the woman should consult a doctor to rule out the possible development of pathologies.

What determines the rate of contraction?

As mentioned above, the physiology of the woman in labor largely affects the contraction of the uterus after childbirth. In addition, the following factors may influence this process:

Hormonal background. Normalization of the hormonal background of the body directly affects the contractility of the muscles. Breastfeeding a newborn baby is very conducive to such normalization. Prolactin produced during the application of the child to the breast causes a more intense contraction of the uterus after childbirth, thus accelerating the process of its purification from blood clots and remnants of fetal tissues, as well as recovery.
Delivery method. In the event that childbirth is carried out by caesarean section, a scar appears on the uterus, which significantly prevents it from being reduced.
The age of the mother. The older the woman, the less elastic the muscles of the uterus become, which is why it contracts worse.
Fruit size. The larger the baby is born, the more the uterus stretches during pregnancy, which slows down the process of its recovery.
Multiple or repeated pregnancies, a large volume of amniotic fluid cause a stronger stretching of the walls of the uterus, because of which it can poorly restore its original size.
The uterus is poorly reduced, in the walls of which there are neoplasms, fibromyomas, nodules. In addition, the elasticity of the muscles is strongly affected by previous inflammatory processes in the uterus or its appendages.
The general tone of the body of the woman in labor, her physical activity, and a number of simple physical exercises help to contract the muscles more intensively, allowing the uterus to return to the desired size faster.

Delicate problem after childbirth with urinary incontinence

How can you speed up recovery?

There is no clear value for how long the process of recovery of internal organs after childbirth takes. On average, the uterus of a woman who has given birth should return to normal in about 1.5–2.5 months after the birth of the baby. The epithelium on its inner surface will recover in about 3–4 weeks, however, the place where the placenta was attached to the walls will overgrow for about 1.5–2 months. This is because at the site of attachment of the placenta there is a huge number of blood vessels, on each of which a microthrombus forms during childbirth. Therefore, it will take more time for them to recover.

In the case when the doctor believes that the recovery process is going badly, he can prescribe a comprehensive treatment that includes taking medication along with performing a special set of exercises and massages.

Since the uterine tissues begin to contract most intensively immediately after childbirth, the doctor observing the woman in labor can already draw conclusions about the contractile abilities of the uterus during this period. If the doctor notices that the uterus does not contract well, its bottom is soft, and not hard, as it should be, then he will recommend an external massage of the abdominal wall, which is highly effective in this case.

In the first hours after childbirth, a heating pad with ice is usually placed on the woman's stomach, which also enhances muscle contraction.
If the birth process took place without complications, then after a few hours the doctors allow the woman to move, get up. Small physical activity will help reduce the muscle tissue of the internal organs.
It is very important in the postpartum period to monitor the personal hygiene of the woman in labor. Timely treatment of sutures, regular washing will help prevent the development of infectious diseases and postpartum complications.
Frequent attachment of the baby to the breast stimulates the body's production of prolactin and oxytocin, which increase the contraction of muscle tissue.
For better contraction of the uterine muscles, pressure on it from other organs should be minimized. Therefore, after childbirth, it is very important to go to the toilet often (at the first urge to urinate) and to empty the intestines regularly. For many women, this does not work out well in the first days after childbirth, so doctors recommend that they take laxatives.
A set of special exercises stimulates the contraction of the uterine walls. It is advisable to do physical exercises several times a day, dosing loads so as not to overwork the body. It is contraindicated to perform gymnastic exercises for those women who were stitched during childbirth.
To stimulate the contraction of the uterine walls, it is useful to rest for 15-20 minutes a day, lying on your stomach. Or at least as much as a woman can do it. It's great if a woman can sleep on her stomach for a long time. Such a dream partially replaces the exercise of postpartum gymnastics.
Among the general set of exercises to stimulate muscle contraction, a woman in labor must perform Kegel exercises.