The body of a woman after childbirth takes some time to recover. Bearing a baby affected the location of some organs, therefore, in the postpartum period, they must return to their original place. This will take two months. Naturally, this is a gradual process, because a woman will not feel drastic changes.
Uterus after pregnancy
Recovery after childbirth begins with the uterus: immediately after the placenta has separated, the uterus becomes like a ball. The weight of the uterus is about 1 kg, a week after giving birth – 500 g, and after 13 weeks – 50 g.
As long as the uterus gets its previous shape, a woman can feel pain in the lower abdomen. By the way, at the end of the recovery period, the cervix will remain cylindrical, and not conical, as it was before pregnancy. But this does not affect the health of women.
If there is a need for a quick recovery of the uterus after childbirth, an oxytocin injection course can be used. Great effect on the uterus massage. You can turn to a specialist, and eventually you can start doing uterine massage yourself.
Postpartum recovery of the menstrual cycle
Spotting is a regularity in the postpartum period. This is an abundant discharge with a specific sweet smell, changing its character over time. And after the restoration of the body, they become transparent and more scarce.
The first month and a half, when the uterus and its cervix have not yet contracted, there is a risk of the penetration of harmful bacteria. That is why genital hygiene and the use of postpartum pads are very important. These pads have a special size, and their structure allows you to cope with the discharge after childbirth.
Gaskets should be changed every two hours to prevent bacteria from actively propagating.
Few people know, but the restoration of the menstrual cycle in breast-feeding occurs after six months, and for those women who, for whatever reason, do not feed the baby with their milk, after a month and a half. Naturally, all these are individual indicators.
It is worth noting that after childbirth, menstruation is no longer as painful as it was before, in addition, they become more regular. All this is directly related to the stabilization of processes in the hypothalamus. Clan labor reduces pain sensitivity.
Vagina after childbirth
Its volume also decreases and approaches the prenatal indicators, but the vaginal dimensions will not be the same. Postpartum sexual relations should begin two months later. That is how much time is needed to restore the female reproductive system. It is worth noting that the terms can be extended if the woman during the birth had some injuries. In this case, recovery after childbirth may be delayed until the problem is completely eliminated.
Ovulation and re-fertilization of the egg can occur in the first months after the birth of the baby. These processes can occur regardless of the onset of menstruation. If you are not planning a second pregnancy in the near future, then there is a need for contraception.
Gynecologists also advise to comply with the following recommendations, which will serve as additional prevention of the onset of repeated pregnancy in the postpartum period:
- feed the baby as necessary;
- Be sure to feed in the morning from 3 to 8 hours;
- do not feed up to 6 months and do not add water.
This will allow you to provide additional protection against pregnancy. If you want to use oral contraceptive methods, you should discuss them with your doctor. Self-selection of medications to protect against unwanted pregnancy can lead to irreversible consequences. Why is this so important? First of all, for the reason that your body can be ready for the next birth only after two years. It is just so much that is needed to fully normalize all systems and organs.
The cardiovascular system
Each system in its own way undergoes recovery after childbirth. The circulating blood returns to its normal volume a week after delivery. Hence the increase in heart rate.
Postpartum hemorrhage provokes increased work of the blood coagulation system. Because the first two weeks, the platelet count becomes higher. Specialists monitor this process, since there is always a risk of thrombophilia. This is especially true for women in labor after a cesarean section.
Specific problems: constipation and hemorrhoids
Recovery after childbirth can be accompanied by very unpleasant moments, including disruption of the digestive tract and the appearance of hemorrhoids. These are very common problems that women experience during pregnancy and after childbirth.
Constipation after childbirth occurs due to the fact that the intestine has been under pressure for nine months. And when the baby is born, the walls of the intestine expand, the muscles of the pelvic floor come into complete relaxation and they will need time to regain their former tone.
There are some ways that make it possible to improve digestion and normalize the condition of the intestine:
- warm shower;
- proper diet;
- tonic massage of the abdomen.
Separately, it is worth mentioning the massage, which is a light stroking of the abdomen around the navel in a clockwise direction. When you exhale – pressure should increase, and when you breathe in – decrease.
As for the diet, the woman’s diet in the postpartum period should be enriched with plant foods – zucchini, apples, pumpkin, prunes. Fiber helps normalize the digestive tract, that is, get rid of constipation.
If we talk about hemorrhoids, then many women are faced with the loss of hemorrhoids. They do not require treatment only on the condition that within a week after the birth process, the nodes are reduced, and the discomfort is in decline. Otherwise, there is a need to contact a proctologist. An experienced doctor will choose a safe and effective treatment for hemorrhoids.
Delaying a visit is not worth it. The sooner you see a doctor, the faster you will recover.
The condition of the mammary glands after childbirth
The breast of women after childbirth is the main source of food for the baby. Throughout pregnancy, the body has prepared the mammary glands for this important function, and now your baby receives invaluable natural nutrition, enriched with everything necessary for growth and development.
The period of the first few days after the birth is special: at this moment colostrum is released from the nipples, which is a unique concentrate of beneficial bacteria. It is they who, entering the body, colonize the intestines of the crumbs and, as a result, contribute to the complete maturation of the baby’s digestive system. This is important from the point of view of the formation of protective forces, because 70% of the immunity is concentrated in the intestine.
Colostrum is enriched with growth factors, which is why breastfeeding is so important in the first hours after the birth of the baby. In appearance, it is a yellow substance with a thick consistency that allows you to reduce the load on the adrenal glands of the newborn, quickly get rid of meconium and increase the level of adaptation to the new world.
Baby sucking promotes more active milk production. Therefore, apply crumbs to the breast at its first request, to ensure lactation. In this case, the need for decantation also disappears, and breastfeeding allows you to establish confidential and close contact of the mother with the baby. This is important for the psycho-emotional balance of the newborn.
How to recover from childbirth: help from a doctor
In some cases, you may need the help of a specialist. First of all, we are talking about postpartum complications. In most cases, such processes manifest themselves as an increase in temperature.
One of the most frequent complications is endometritis (inflammatory processes in the inner lining of the uterus). In this condition, body temperature can reach 38.5 degrees, and other symptoms at the beginning of the disease are absent. A little later, pain may appear in the lower abdomen. You can get rid of endometritis, but this requires medical intervention. After contacting the doctor, you will have to undergo an ultrasound and, according to its results, the doctor will prescribe treatment for you.
Particular attention should be paid to the condition of the seams, if you have them. Orchid spots, redness, pain in the wound area are a signal for an urgent visit to a specialist.
As a result of stagnation of milk in the mammary glands, a woman may develop mastitis. The surest prevention of this disease is the application of crumbs to the chest according to the rules. If you feel pain in the mammary glands, and you also have a fever, you need to call a doctor.
With non-purulent mastitis, a woman can continue breastfeeding, but she still needs physiotherapeutic procedures and medications. At the same time, purulent mastitis provides a surgical solution to the problem.
Postpartum Body Recovery
One of the physiological aspects of pregnancy is weight gain. For 9 months, a woman gains an average of about 12 kg. This figure includes: the weight of the child, amniotic fluid, increased blood volume and placenta. Because almost all the weight goes away after the birth of the crumbs. But there are cases when a woman, even after pregnancy, retains her kilograms. A similar phenomenon is directly related to an increase in appetite and the virtual absence of restrictions on calorie intake. In addition, the activity of the expectant mother is reduced, and the weight continues to remain.
Wear a postpartum brace. It positively affects the muscle corset, makes it possible for the organs to take their previous position, and helps to reduce the uterus. The bandage should be worn for several weeks, and then – remove it so that the muscles begin to work independently.
A young mother should take into account that recovery after childbirth should be gradual: only moderate physical activity is shown to women. If delivery occurred using cesarean section, then any type of load should be discussed with your doctor. The result of an unreasonable approach to the return of previous forms can be damage to the joints or a decrease in lactation. Therefore, working on yourself should be a pleasure, not just another stress.
Doctors advise starting sports not earlier than two months after the birth of the baby. This is primarily due to the processes that occur in the body of women. A period of perestroika also takes time.
What types of loads will be most optimal for women? Doctors advise visiting the pool. Swimming positively affects the musculo-ligamentous corset, helps to lose extra pounds, improve the emotional state. Great if you went to the pool during pregnancy. This will allow you to easily return to your previous rhythm.
Among the equally useful types of load, which will help accelerate recovery after childbirth, oriental dances. Belly dance helps to regain former attractiveness in the area of the waist, hips, and, therefore, gives the woman the opportunity to feel her attractiveness. Also, this type of load provides the internal organs with a quick normalization of functions.
Of the fairly simple types of physical activity – walking. The best option is a joint walk with the baby. Move as much as possible, try not to sit on the bench, even if the baby fell asleep. The best thing is to find a companion for such walks and make records together. For more confidence in the result, buy a pedometer or install a special application on your mobile to increase the distance every day. If you prefer walking alone, make a selection of your favorite music or audiobooks. This will make your activity more meaningful. When your child is a little older, you can go cycling with him. For this you need a special child seat for a bicycle. By fixing it on your vehicle, you can be sure of the safety of the crumbs.
Also today, there are many available classes for women after childbirth in fitness rooms: zumba, yoga, shaping, etc. But all your initiatives are best discussed with the doctor.
Cosmetic aspect
For women who are wondering how to recover from childbirth with cosmetic procedures, it is important to know the following:
- all procedures are best performed by qualified specialists;
- means (if we are talking about masks, scrubs) should be hypoallergenic;
- independent measures must be discussed with a specialist.
Of course, visiting salons and beauty parlors in this crucial period is a rather difficult moment: caring for a newborn greatly limits her mother in movement and in time. Therefore, you can carry out some procedures at home. What you can do at home:
- take a contrast shower to get rid of cellulite;
- lubricate stretch marks and enhanced pigmentation with special means;
- use masks and scrubs;
- carry out wraps;
- do self-massage.
With regular procedures, you can achieve excellent results and restore your appearance to its former freshness.
Separately, it should be said about the hair. Many women report increased hair loss after pregnancy. All this is the absolute norm, since during the bearing of the baby the hair practically did not fall out. Now this process compensates for the nine-month stagnation.
Loss of about 500 hairs per day in the postpartum period is the norm. Over time, this figure will decrease, and will be 80-100 hairs per day. You can improve the situation with the help of vitamin-mineral complexes, as well as firming shampoos, which are enriched with oils and plant extracts.
If you have the desire and the means, you can visit the salons of laser therapy, where you will smooth the skin surface, get rid of defects in the form of stretch marks, age spots.
Do not be discouraged if you do not see a lightning-fast result, and it seems to you that nothing changes in your appearance. Continue to work on yourself, and your body will reciprocate. Remember that you have been waiting for crumbs for 9 months, and you won’t be able to get the forms you had before pregnancy in a week.
Postpartum Nutrition
Recovery after pregnancy is unthinkable without proper nutrition. The diet of a young mother should be properly formed, since the health of not only her, but also the crumbs depends on this. Another thing is when you do not breast-feed, because in this case you can afford diets and eat what you consider necessary.
The main recommendations for nursing mothers:
- Avoid strict diets that can affect lactation and reduce the amount of milk.
- Minimize the number of baked goods you use, as they can cause excessive baby gas, cause colic and even an allergic reaction.
- Focus on cereals, but don’t lean too much on rice, as this can lead to constipation in your child.
- Eat enough meat and meat dishes to keep your hemoglobin reserves normal. This is a kind of building material for the crumbs.
- Your diet should have as little smoked meats, sweet soda, desserts from the store, as well as fried, spicy and fatty foods.
- Give preference to steamed, stewed or baked dishes.
- Take multivitamin preparations that will help you replenish the body’s supply of nutrients.
- Drink water without gas. Try to drink at least three liters of fluid per day.
- Do not forget about dairy products, which are especially important after childbirth to restore the body. Daily use cottage cheese, kefir, live yogurt. Better when these products are cooked at home. Thus, you will know what kind of milk they are made of, what will be consumed in their composition, and you will also be able to control their freshness level.
- Continue to lead a healthy lifestyle, do not return to caffeine and nicotine.
Recovery after childbirth may take some time, but this should not cause your depression. Keep optimism, pay attention to the baby, communicate more with family and friends, attend salons, and cultural events so that life does not pass by you and you regain your former tone and energy. Be healthy and beautiful!
