Contraction of the uterus after childbirth

Pregnancy and the birth of a baby is always a long-awaited and responsible time in the life of any woman. And what happens to the body of a young mother after childbirth, how soon will the uterus return to the prenatal state? Let's take a look at this issue.

How much does the uterus contract

In the process of childbirth, there are 3 states of the uterus - this is the period of disclosure, expulsion of the fetus and postpartum. The latter normally lasts no more than half an hour. During this time, the placenta is separated, at the site of which a wound is formed. Then mucus and blood clots, which are called lochia, begin to come out of the uterus, which at first have a bloody color, and then they become serous-bloody. The discharge ends completely after 6 weeks. During this time, the endometrium is completely restored.

During the same 6 weeks, the uterus fully returns to its prenatal size and shape. Most active recovery goes in the first few days after the birth of the baby. During this period, the cervix closes and its weight decreases, decreasing by 20 times.

If some pathology develops, then the process of organ contraction is very slow, or even stops altogether. This condition is very dangerous for a woman's life and can lead to death if medical assistance is not provided on time.

Why does the uterus contract poorly after childbirth?

There are many reasons for the return of the uterus to the prenatal state. These include:

• Possible complications during pregnancy. For example, a pregnant woman had hypertension or nephropathy.
• Multiple pregnancy.
• Attachment too low children's place inside the uterus.
• The baby was very large.
• Great depletion of the mother's body.
• Labor pains were not active enough.

In many ways, the behavior of a young mother after childbirth affects the reduction process. If you spend all the time in bed and be inactive, the organ will contract weakly.

In some cases, the reduction does not occur at all. Various pathologies that have arisen during pregnancy and childbirth lead to this. For example, inflammation, kinking of the uterus, tears and cracks in the birth canal, polyhydramnios, the presence of a tumor of a benign nature or poor blood clotting.

What to do to make the uterus contract

A young mother must be examined by a doctor several times after the completion of childbirth in order to determine how well the uterine contraction is going. Monitoring is carried out regularly throughout the time that the woman is in the maternity hospital. If an insufficient contraction of the organ is revealed, then the woman will have to stay there longer. In this case, all measures will be taken to help the uterus decrease in size.

To improve the process, a woman is prescribed drugs that facilitate this process. For example, oxytocin is injected. For the same purpose, a massage of the uterus is prescribed, which is carried out outside.

It is very important for a good contraction of the organ to often breastfeed the child, then in the woman's body oxytocin is formed naturally and accelerates the process of returning the uterus to its original state. It is also important to maintain good personal hygiene. It is necessary to wash and process the seams in time, if they were imposed. The uterus is an open wound immediately after delivery and is highly susceptible to infections.

In some cases, lochia that remains in the organ cavity due to poor contraction can clog the uterine pharynx. As a result, an infection develops, the presence of which is indicated by the characteristic smell of discharge. In this case, for health, the young mother has to clean out the uterus. If, despite all the efforts of doctors, uterine contraction does not occur, then a decision will be made on surgical intervention. In especially severe cases, the organ is even removed.

Exercises to contract the uterus after childbirth

To speed up the process of restoring the tone of the uterus, it is recommended to do special gymnastics.

1. The breathing exercise is best done while lying on the floor. Bend your knees slightly in the supine position. Now breathe in deeply and slowly with your nose, while your stomach should puff up. Exhale also slowly, but through the mouth. Now do the same, but when you inhale, your chest should be heaving. Perform 5 breathing movements with your chest and abdomen.
2. The following exercise is a well-known one. Kegel exercise. It is necessary to compress and unclench alternately the muscles of the vagina. This exercise is useful not only for the involution of the uterus, but also for the vagina. With its help, you can significantly reduce the width of this organ and generally return the vagina to the prenatal state. Kegel exercise is also good because you can perform it anywhere and anytime, and no one around you will notice.
3. The last exercise is aimed at the abs. Of course, such an exercise cannot be performed in full, but it is necessary to start preparation. It is performed from a supine position. As you inhale, rise and rest on your bent arms. With an exhalation, return to the starting position. This exercise must be repeated 5 times.