The aftermath of childbirth is the period from childbirth until the return of childbirth or resumption of periods. This normalization phase lasts about 4 to 10 weeks during which your organs return to normal. Small ailments can occur during this period.

The vagina after childbirth

It takes several weeks for your vagina to return to its original shape. He has lost his tone. Perineal rehabilitation will restore tone.

The uterus after childbirth

Right after childbirth, the bottom of the uterus reaches below the navel. The uterus will retract within two days of giving birth, under the effect of contractions (called trenches). The trenches are often painless after a first childbirth but often painful after several pregnancies. After 2 days, the uterus is the size of a grapefruit. It continues to retract rapidly for the next two weeks, then more slowly for two months. After this time, your uterus has regained its place and its usual dimensions.

Lochia: bloody discharge after childbirth

Uterine involution (uterus which regains its shape before pregnancy) is accompanied by blood loss: lochia. These consist of debris from the lining of the uterus, associated with blood clots and secretions from scarring of the endometrium. The loss of blood appears bloody for the first two days, then becomes bloody and clears up after 8 days. They become bloody again and more abundant around the 12th day after childbirth: this is called the small return of diapers. Lochia can last from 3 to 6 weeks and are more or less abundant and bloody depending on the woman. They must remain odorless. A foul odor can signal an infection and should be reported to your midwife or obstetrician-gynecologist.

The wound in the perineum heals quickly. But not without discomfort. Its location makes healing painful. Taking painkillers and using a buoy or two small cushions to sit on relieves the discomfort. The threads are removed on the 5th day, unless they are absorbable threads.

After 8 days, the episiotomy healing is usually no longer painful.

It is common for a hemorrhoidal outbreak to occur during the aftermath of childbirth, especially after an episiotomy or perineal tear. Hemorrhoids are due to the assimilation of veins during pregnancy and the efforts made during expulsion.

Urinary incontinence due to sphincter contusion can occur after childbirth. In general, it regresses spontaneously. If the disorders persist, re-education of the perineum is imperative.

Two to three days after childbirth, the milk rush occurs. The breasts swell, become tight and tender. When the milk rush is too important, engorgement can occur.

Pregnancy and childbirth have put a strain on your perineum. Your obstetrician-gynecologist can prescribe perineal rehabilitation sessions during the post-natal visit, 6 weeks after childbirth. Ten sessions are prescribed to start. The goal is to learn how to contract your perineum to tone it back. Different techniques can be used: manual rehabilitation of the perineum (voluntary contraction and relaxation exercises), the biofeedback technique (vaginal probe connected to a machine with a screen; this technique makes it possible to visualize the contractions of the perineum), the technique of electro-stimulation (a probe in the vagina delivers a slight electric current which makes it possible to become aware of the different muscular elements of the perineum).

Stretch marks will fade after childbirth but remain visible however. They can be erased or enhanced with laser. On the other hand, the pregnancy mask or the brown line along your abdomen will disappear in two or three months.