Contents
In line with its mission, the Editorial Board of MedTvoiLokony makes every effort to provide reliable medical content supported by the latest scientific knowledge. The additional flag “Checked Content” indicates that the article has been reviewed by or written directly by a physician. This two-step verification: a medical journalist and a doctor allows us to provide the highest quality content in line with current medical knowledge.
Our commitment in this area has been appreciated, among others, by by the Association of Journalists for Health, which awarded the Editorial Board of MedTvoiLokony with the honorary title of the Great Educator.
The time when pregnancy changes gradually subside and the body returns to pre-pregnancy normal is called puerperium. This period lasts up to 6 weeks after giving birth. This is a specific and often difficult period for a young mother. What changes occur during the puerperium?
Postpartum hormones
Pregnancy hormone levels fall shortly after birth. Placental lactogen concentrations and chorionic gonadotrophins reach their minimum values a few days after dissolution. In lactating women, the concentration of prolactin increases and it lasts up to a year with frequent and regular breastfeeding of the child. By the end of the first week, progesterone, estrone and estradiol levels reach pre-pregnancy levels. This process is delayed in women who are naturally breastfeeding. Menstruation occurs at various times after delivery, but usually during the puerperium. The time of its appearance depends on breastfeeding and its frequency. The first period usually occurs without ovulation.
Changes in laboratory tests after childbirth
During pregnancy, the amount of tissue fluid decreases. This is because of the increased diuresis and blood loss in childbirth. The amount of blood circulating in the body is reduced by up to 1 liter. Consequently, v postpartum laboratory tests we can expect a decrease in the hemoglobin value and therefore anemia. Iron levels return to normal in the second week of the postpartum period. Additionally, the number of white blood cells, especially granulocytes, increases immediately after delivery. Your body temperature may increase in the first 2 hours after delivery, which is also due to fluid loss during delivery.
- Do you want to know more? Read: Blood morphology – what is this test, what are the standards?
Changes in the circulatory system after childbirth
The changes also affect the circulatory system. Immediately after delivery, the heart’s stroke volume increases by 80%. This situation can be dangerous in women suffering from hypertension or heart anomalies. After delivery, your heart rate is usually a bit slower 60-70 beats per minute. Already during the first week it occurs normalization of blood pressure, heart rate and stroke volume.
Lactation after childbirth
The mammary glands change significantly anatomically and physiologically during pregnancy and later in the postpartum period. At the end of pregnancy, each breast gains weight by about 400 g due to the rapid multiplication of cells in the follicular epithelium. Lactation depends on the correct concentration and ratio of hormones in the body. Violent lowering placental hormones – estrogen, progesterone, placental lactogen unblocks the action of prolactin, and thus initiates lactation. In order for the secretion of milk to be maintained, it is necessary to regularly empty the alveoli and ducts, i.e. stones that stimulate the production of prolactin. Nipple stimulation during feeding, it stimulates the body to produce oxytocin, a hormone that is necessary in lactation, additionally causes the contraction of the uterus and strengthens the bond between mother and baby.
Do you want to improve the condition of your breast skin? You can reach for the Frashe breast firming cream available from Medonet Market.
- Also read: What is lactation? How to wake it up or stop it?
Changes in the genital organs after childbirth
During pregnancy, the uterus grows in size, weighing 10 times more than it was before pregnancy. Immediately after delivery, the weight of the uterus is reduced by 1 kg and its size corresponds to that from before the 20th week of pregnancy. The bottom of the uterus is at the level of the navel. Seven days after giving birth, its bottom is at the level of the pubic symphysis, which corresponds to the size of the 12th week of pregnancy. Approximately the uterus contracts by 1 cm on each day of puerperium. Six weeks after giving birth, the uterus reaches its normal size and weighs 6 g. During the feeding process, oxytocin is released into the body, which strongly contracts the uterus. It is accompanied by painful contractions, especially strong in the 100nd and 2rd weeks. Their intensity and pain decrease with the duration of the postpartum period.
Changes in the endometrium, cause the so-called “Feces” that are released through the vagina. In the first days they are bloody, at the end of the first week they are brown, by the end of the second week they become brighter and yellow, and finally disappear. In the first week of the postpartum period, the cervix is closed. The external opening takes on a characteristic appearance for women giving birth via the natural route. The vagina returns to the size it was before pregnancy after the third week after giving birth. The entrance to the vagina may be looser than before birth. The tension of the vaginal walls and the area around the entrance can improve this appropriate Kegel exercises.
- See also: Vagina after childbirth – changes in appearance, exercise
Abdominal muscles after childbirth
Overstretching the muscles and fascia of the abdominal wall increases the risk of hernias in the postpartum period. The skin is also overstretched, which results in the appearance of stretch marks. Reversal of these changes occurs at week 6. Recovery will be facilitated by mild and gradually intensified abdominal and pelvic muscle exercises. They are recommended from the first days of the puerperium, but it is best to consult a doctor or physiotherapist before starting them. Intensive exercise will be safe only after the 6-7th week of the postpartum period.
- Read more: Postpartum belly – exercise, postpartum belt, natural ways
Weight loss after childbirth
Postpartum, the average weight loss is 5,5 kg, consisting of the weight of the fetus, amniotic waters and the placenta. Additionally, the loss of fluids and electrolytes causes a loss of approx. 4 kg.
Check your health if you have recently had a baby and do the Post Pregnancy and Breastfeeding Test Package that you can buy on Medonet Market. Support your body after childbirth by drinking Organic Mother’s Tea with knotweed, rosehip, nettle and lemon balm.
The content of the medTvoiLokony website is intended to improve, not replace, the contact between the Website User and their doctor. The website is intended for informational and educational purposes only. Before following the specialist knowledge, in particular medical advice, contained on our Website, you must consult a doctor. The Administrator does not bear any consequences resulting from the use of information contained on the Website.