Childbirth and the postpartum period - frankly and without embellishment. Postpartum period in women

For nine long months, the expectant mother is approaching the climax day by day - an exciting, long-awaited and joyful event, after which life takes on a completely different meaning. It is not surprising that a woman is worried about the anxiety associated with the anticipation of giving birth, because she has been walking towards this day for approximately 280 days.

Many books and articles have been written about what happens before and during childbirth, but the postpartum period is somehow undeservedly ignored.

The first month, counted immediately after childbirth, is often called the tenth month of pregnancy, thereby making it clear how important it is for the new mother’s body.

Generally speaking, the postpartum period lasts about eight weeks after the baby is born. At this time, the activity of many internal organs increases.

For example, the kidneys begin to actively produce fluid, which is why the woman in labor has to go to the toilet very often, the uterus contracts, decreasing in size, so that by the end of the postpartum period it acquires the size of its normal state.

Early implies fatigue and drowsiness in the new mother, especially immediately after the birth of the baby, possible pain in the perineum and external genitalia, which is associated with a fairly large stretch of many tissues during childbirth.

Gradually, the mother's health returns to normal, and the pain, although not intense, goes away. If it was done to a woman, her stitches may hurt.

Periodically, during the postpartum period, a woman’s uterus contracts, resembling weak contractions, and in first-time mothers this process is less painful than in experienced mothers. In a word, it begins to actively return to its previous prenatal state.

The physiology of the postpartum period is such that a woman, immediately after the birth of her baby, does not feel the urge to urinate for almost a day. This is explained by the fact that the tone of her abdominal cavity is greatly reduced, and the neck of the bladder swells due to compression during childbirth. Therefore, to stimulate the functioning of the urinary organs, it is necessary to move a lot, empty the bladder every three to four hours, so as not to interfere with the contraction of the uterus.

A woman who has recently given birth should have stool for three days, although, as a rule, during these days she most often experiences constipation, which is caused by limited motor function, poor nutrition, and the condition of the abdominal walls. Therefore, a woman herself must consciously adjust her food and move a lot. In such cases, kefir and prunes help well. However, if the stool does not return to normal on the fourth day, then the young mother must have an enema.

Already on the third day in the postpartum period, the mother’s breast milk begins to increase, the mammary glands swell and ache, radiating to the armpit area. Therefore, from now on, you need to sharply limit your fluid intake, bringing it to 800 milliliters per day, and feed your baby more often.

Everyone knows that during pregnancy the amount of female sex hormones reaches its maximum limit, and immediately after the birth of a child their level sharply decreases. Therefore, many young mothers in the postpartum period experience devastation, irritability and causeless anxiety. As a rule, such phenomena go away on their own, but if a woman feels a worsening of the condition - apathy, a feeling of fear, hostility towards the baby, then she needs to consult a specialist.

A woman’s food during the postpartum period should be nutritious and easily digestible; it is imperative to include cottage cheese, meat, vegetable oil, some vegetables and fruits in the diet, and when adjusted, the amount of liquid to drink is up to two liters.

A woman’s body fully recovers from pregnancy in almost two years.

Every woman who gives birth will remember for the rest of her life how her childbirth and postpartum period proceeded. It would seem that after childbirth all problems are left behind. However, this is not always true. Sometimes the postpartum period in women is accompanied by the emergence and development of various complications, and some of them can lead to death. To protect yourself from such consequences, you need to know how certain postpartum pathologies manifest themselves, what symptoms indicate the presence of the disease, and when you should consult a doctor.

General understanding of the postpartum period

As soon as a child is born, immediately after childbirth, every woman begins a new stage in life, known as the postpartum, or puerperal, period. Representatives of the fair sex who have just become mothers are usually called puerperas. Depending on the individual characteristics of their body, the duration of the postpartum period can be from 42 to 56 days, or 6-8 weeks. During this period of time, involution occurs in the female body, that is, the reverse development of changes that arose as a result of conception, the development of pregnancy and, accordingly, childbirth. The genitals, reproductive, nervous, endocrine, cardiovascular and other vital systems are subject to such changes. An exception to the rule is the mammary glands, since it is during this period that their function reaches its maximum development. The rate of involution is maximally expressed in the first 8-12 days.

Speaking about the puerperal period, one cannot fail to note the fact that it includes two main stages: the early and late postpartum period. Each of them has its own specific features and characteristics, which should be considered in more detail.

Features of the early postpartum period

The early postpartum period begins from the moment of birth of the placenta and lasts about two hours. A new mother is in the maternity ward and resting on the bed. Despite the fact that this period of time is much shorter than the birth itself and is much easier for the woman to tolerate, nevertheless, in order to avoid various kinds of complications, the woman in labor needs close supervision from a midwife and a gynecologist.

Immediately after labor is completed, the volume of the uterus decreases significantly. This occurs due to the contraction of its walls. They begin to thicken, and the uterus itself becomes spherical in shape. If the birth was normal, then immediately after the birth of the placenta, the length of the uterus is 19 cm, the width is 12 cm, and the weight ranges from 1000 to 1200 g. Blood clots and a small piece of the so-called decidua inevitably remain in its cavity. This is a normal occurrence and should not cause concern. The cervix looks like a flabby sac with thin walls. The outer pharynx is covered with abrasions, and in some places tears can be seen. Due to the fact that the fixing and ligamentous apparatus of the uterus, as well as the pelvic floor muscles, have been stretched and are in a relaxed state, not only the mobility of the uterus increases, but also its displacement.

The mother's pulse is somewhat lower than usual. As for blood pressure, it can be either within normal limits, or high or low. Body temperature usually remains normal, but as a result of stress and excessive physical exertion, it may rise slightly (up to 37.5 ° C).

After two hours, that is, at the end of the early postpartum period, the woman is transferred from the maternity ward to the general ward.

What do we mean when we talk about managing the postpartum period?

Naturally, during childbirth a woman experiences very strong physical and emotional stress. She is tired, deprived of strength, but with all this, due to the fact that her body has produced a huge amount of tonic substances during this process, she is unlikely to be able to fall asleep. A woman in good health does not sleep, and the midwife will not allow her to do so, since falling into a state of sleep can provoke uterine hypotension or, in other words, heavy uterine bleeding, which will significantly complicate the course of the postpartum period.

According to the rules of obstetrics, in the first two hours after birth, the woman is left to rest on the birthing bed under the close and continuous supervision of a midwife. This is explained by the fact that most often during this period complications arise that cause severe bleeding. Management of the postpartum period must proceed correctly, with strict adherence to all existing standards. The main task of a gynecologist and midwife is to minimize the risk of developing various purulent-inflammatory diseases in mother and child. Thus, immediately after the baby is born, he is placed on the mother’s stomach. A few minutes later, with a soft cloth soaked in sterile petroleum jelly or vegetable oil, the newborn is treated with the umbilical cord residue, and his skin is thoroughly cleaned of blood, mucus and vernix. The child is weighed on special scales. Next, the circumference of the baby's chest and head and his height are measured.

As for the mother, immediately after childbirth is completed, the cervix and soft tissues of the birth canal are examined using mirrors. To assess the general condition of the postpartum woman, her body temperature, pulse and blood pressure are systematically measured. For several days after childbirth, the woman is examined in the external genitalia, the condition of the uterus and the nature of the discharge are monitored. As a rule, to make sure that the health of the postpartum woman is not in danger, she is sent for an ultrasound examination (ultrasound).

If the postpartum period proceeds normally, the involution of the uterus occurs adequately, the amount of lochia is normal, and the mammary glands produce enough milk.

Features of the late postpartum period

After the completion of the early postpartum period, the late postpartum period begins, which lasts 6-8 weeks. During this time interval, involution of all organs that have undergone certain changes during 9 months of pregnancy occurs in the woman’s body. It is noteworthy that in breastfeeding mothers this process occurs much faster than in non-breastfeeding mothers.

Every day the uterus becomes smaller due to the contraction of the walls. Over the course of ten days, its bottom gradually drops. If initially the fundus of the uterus may be at the level of the navel or drop by only 1 cm, then already on the 10th day after birth it is already hidden behind the pubis.

Regeneration processes also occur on the surface of the uterine mucosa. The most problematic area is the placental area, which will take approximately 5-6 weeks to recover. In other areas of the mucosa, the recovery process will be completed on the 11-13th day after birth. After the end of the regeneration phase, all other phases of the uterine cycle follow in turn. The uterine mucosa is fully restored by the end of the postpartum period.

In the ovaries, regression of the corpus luteum stops and follicle maturation resumes. After 1-2 months, menstruation may occur. Since some women are able to conceive regardless of lactational amenorrhea, it is recommended to choose an appropriate method of contraception.

What you need to know about postpartum discharge?

Childbirth and the postpartum period are topics of particular interest to expectant mothers. During pregnancy, most women try to prepare as well as possible for the birth of a long-awaited and already so beloved baby. For this purpose, they read specialized literature, search for information on the Internet, communicate on forums, and the most responsible attend courses for expectant mothers, where they are explained in detail not only what childbirth is and how it proceeds, but also what the so-called postpartum period. Discharge from the genital tract, which appears immediately after the end of labor, does not become an unpleasant surprise for informed postpartum women.

So, during the postpartum period, women experience spotting for some time, which is called “lochia.” There is a natural process of cleansing and healing of the wound surface of the uterus formed on the endometrium due to the separation of the placenta. Thus, the body cleanses itself, and the uterus is freed from non-viable tissue. If this process occurs in a timely manner, no complications are observed in the postpartum period.

It is very important to closely monitor the volume, pattern, color and duration of postpartum discharge, or lochia. Immediately after birth, they include blood cells (platelets, leukocytes and red blood cells), plasma, dying epithelium and mucus from the cervix. They should be bloody (with blood clots), quite abundant and constitute approximately 0.5% of the total body weight of the postpartum woman, but not more than 400 ml. The smell of lochia should be persistent and sweetish. Gradually, the nature of the discharge changes - its quantity decreases, and the color becomes dark red with a brown tint. Starting from the 10th day, the discharge should become yellowish-white and odorless. The complete cessation of lochia discharge from the uterus occurs after 5-6 weeks. It should be noted that in women who are breastfeeding, postpartum discharge stops faster. This is explained by the fact that in them the process of restoration of the uterus occurs in a shorter period of time.

Pathological discharge: when should you seek medical help?

Each postpartum woman's recovery after childbirth is different. It all depends on the general state of her health, as well as on how the pregnancy and the birth itself proceeded. You should pay attention to a number of factors and circumstances that indicate either a normal postpartum period or certain deviations. In the maternity hospital, the situation is somewhat simpler, since the woman’s condition is monitored around the clock. However, as soon as a new mother leaves the walls of the maternity hospital, she is forced to independently monitor all the changes occurring in her body. Particular attention should be paid to the nature of postpartum discharge, because any deviation from the norm serves as a signal of the presence of a problem. Therefore, you should immediately consult a doctor if:

1. The discharge stopped too quickly. Remember that the duration of postpartum discharge should not be less than 5 weeks. If lochia stops earlier, this may be a sign that some disturbances have occurred in the body, and complications of the postpartum period are possible.
2. After 5 days, the lochia does not change its color, remaining red, as on the first day after birth. This indicates problems with the mother’s blood clotting.
3. The color of the lochia changes repeatedly from brown to bright red. This may be a sign of uterine bleeding.
4. The discharge acquires an unpleasant odor, which may indicate that an infection has been introduced into the uterine cavity.

What you need to know about bleeding during the postpartum period?

Bleeding in the postpartum period is, unfortunately, a common occurrence. The reasons for this may be:

• birth canal injuries;
• violation of the separation of the placenta and its removal from the body (tight attachment, accretion, ingrowth, germination of the placenta);
• hypotension of the uterus (weak contraction of the muscular layer of the uterus, which significantly complicates the separation and removal of the placenta);
• problems associated with blood clotting.

Bleeding in the early postpartum period can be caused by:

• injuries of the birth canal;
• hypotension or atony of the uterus;
• delayed separation of the placenta from the uterus;
• disseminated intravascular coagulation syndrome.

Bleeding, naturally, requires prompt medical intervention, since it poses a real threat to a woman’s life. Regardless of what postpartum period - early or late - bleeding occurs, its treatment should include:

• stopping bleeding;
• identification and treatment of the disease that caused the bleeding;
• elimination of the consequences of bleeding.

Preventive measures to prevent bleeding in the postpartum period

To avoid bleeding that sometimes occurs after childbirth, it is necessary to take a number of measures in advance, among which the following should be noted:

• assess existing indications/contraindications for childbirth and decide whether the woman will give birth herself or through a CS (caesarean section);
• if necessary, use uterotonics (drugs that stimulate uterine contractions);
• exclude unnecessary palpation of the uterus;
• to prevent ruptures, perform episio- or perineotomy, which involves dissection of the mother’s perineum by a gynecologist;
• examine the released afterbirth and assess its integrity;
• if necessary, use uterotonics.

What should you know about pathologies of the postpartum period?

It often happens that postpartum women, having been discharged from the maternity hospital, believe that all the hardest things are over and they can relax. However, we should not forget that the pathology of the postpartum period can appear at any time and cause a lot of trouble. Therefore, women should monitor their health very carefully and, if any irregularities or malfunctions are detected, immediately consult a doctor.

After childbirth, women experience pathologies that can be divided into 4 groups:

1. Injuries of the birth canal, the treatment of which occurs with the use of disinfectants, cleansers and antimicrobial agents.
2. Iatrogenic and other injuries of the cervix that lead to metritis.
3. Pathology of uterine involution.
4. Postpartum tetany or, in other words, eclampsia.

To treat these groups of pathologies, conservative drug therapy is required.

Basic rules of hygiene for postpartum women

As noted above, the postpartum period in women is often accompanied by various kinds of complications. In order to minimize the risk of the appearance and development of a particular infectious disease, each postpartum mother must follow several simple rules of personal hygiene.

1. Particular attention must be paid to the choice of gaskets. In the first days after childbirth, you will need special postpartum pads or absorbent diapers.
2. On the 5-6th day of labor, you can return to using regular pads, but with an increased degree of absorption.
3. Gaskets should be changed as often as possible.
4. The use of tampons during this period is strictly prohibited.
5. After each visit to the toilet, it is necessary to wash the genitals. It is better to use regular baby soap for this.
6. If stitches have been placed on the perineum, they should be treated with antiseptics, for example, furatsilin or potassium permanganate.
7. It is not recommended to take baths. During this period, preference should be given to the soul.

The postpartum period is the period that begins after the delivery of the placenta and lasts approximately 8 to 10 weeks after birth. After giving birth, doctors monitor the woman very closely. Postpartum diagnosis is very important. What do doctors pay attention to in the postpartum period, what examinations are prescribed and why is all this done?

Postpartum period

The postpartum period is a period of not only physical, but also emotional restructuring of the body. The length of this period varies from 6 to 10 weeks, and begins immediately after childbirth. While a woman is in the postpartum ward, her blood pressure, body temperature, and pulse are usually measured. Particular attention is paid to vaginal discharge and uterine contractions. If all indicators are normal, then after 2 hours the postpartum woman is sent to the postpartum ward. There, observation of these and other parameters continues for approximately 3–4 days.

Uterus in the postpartum period

Perhaps the most significant changes in a woman’s body after childbirth occur in the uterus. It begins to contract intensively and quickly decrease in size immediately after birth. To complete the picture, you can imagine how much it shrinks: by the end of pregnancy, the uterus, as a rule, weighs about a kilogram, and 8 weeks after birth its weight reaches 50 - 100 grams!

After childbirth, the uterus is at the level of the navel. The doctor checks her condition by touch; ideally, the uterus in the postpartum period feels dense and painless to the touch. Every day the uterus contracts very intensely and per day, approximately, its height drops by 2 cm. And by the 10th day it goes behind the pubic bones. Contractions of the uterus are very important, so the doctor palpates it every day to determine whether its condition is normal or not. In case of any complications, the doctor prescribes drugs that promote uterine contraction. Typically, women whose uterine contractions are sluggish are given oxytocin. Before discharge, women undergo ultrasound diagnostics (ultrasound), through which it is determined whether the condition of the uterus is normal or not. It is also important that there are no blood clots or unseparated placenta particles in the uterine cavity. If this occurs, the woman will be scheduled for a cleanse and her discharge will be delayed another day.

If a woman gave birth via cesarean section, then she requires a slightly longer and more careful postpartum observation. In addition to the standard examination criteria, monitoring of intestinal motility and inspection of sutures are added. Keep in mind that due to the presence of sutures, it is more difficult for the uterus to contract and it happens more slowly. Therefore, the recovery process after a cesarean section takes a little longer.

Vaginal discharge during the postpartum period

After the placenta separates from the walls of the uterus, the uterus is one large wound. The uterine mucosa is completely restored only by the end of the 10th day. Immediately after childbirth, active contractions of the uterus begin, and blood oozes from the torn vessels. In the first days after childbirth, vaginal discharge, with active contractions of the uterus, is quite abundant. Gradually, the abundance goes away and the vaginal discharge takes on a slightly different character - it becomes light and yellowish. This usually happens by the end of the second week after birth. The discharge usually stops by the end of 5-6 weeks after birth.

Tests in the postpartum period

A general blood test, which is performed in the postpartum department, allows you to assess the general condition of the woman. Low hemoglobin indicates possible anemia, which occurs in women as a result of quite significant blood loss. The analysis also makes it clear about the presence or absence of inflammatory processes and allergic reactions. A urine test is done to rule out gestosis or diseases of the urinary system.

Blood pressure in the postpartum period

If a woman has suffered from gestosis, especially in its severe form, then in the first days after childbirth she will have high blood pressure. In such cases, a woman should consult an ophthalmologist to rule out damage to the visual organs. The doctor will examine the fundus of the eye and check the condition of the blood vessels and retina. Also, high blood pressure may indicate hypertension, and low blood pressure may indicate anemia or hypotension.

Bladder and bowel in the postpartum period

In the postpartum period, the uterus should contract very intensely, but a full bladder or intestines greatly interfere with this process, so doctors monitor timely emptying. Immediately after giving birth, the woman's urine is removed using a catheter. Problems with intestinal motility usually occur due to painkillers administered to the woman. This is their side effect, but it goes away quite quickly. In the first days after childbirth, a woman should not push, especially if stitches were placed in the perineum or internal genital organs. Also, after childbirth, there is an exacerbation of hemorrhoids; in these cases, you should also not strain. Therefore, after childbirth, a laxative or glycerin suppositories can help to establish this process. It is also recommended to monitor your diet: pureed or chopped food can help in this matter, and you should also eat more vegetables.

Breasts in the postpartum period

After the birth of a child, active activity of the mammary glands begins. First, the breast produces primary milk - colostrum. It has a transparent whitish color. But don't underestimate him. Colostrum is the baby's most important food in the first days of life. It is of decisive importance in the process of developing the baby’s immunity and digestion. Regular, familiar milk comes, as a rule, on the third day.

Frankly, the arrival of milk is a rather painful and unpleasant process. The first attempts to feed the baby rarely bring physical pleasure. Nipples are just adapting to their new and long-awaited role, so cracks are normal. At first, it is important to establish breastfeeding. A breast pump will be a good helper for you with this. Use it before feeding your baby, express a little (a couple of pumps) of milk to make it easier for your baby to suck. This need will disappear quickly enough. There are various ointments for healing cracked nipples; we can recommend one such as “Bepanten”. Also give your breasts air baths more often, this promotes active healing of cracks.

Features of the postpartum period at home

After discharge, a woman must monitor her well-being independently. If stitches are applied, they must be removed within 6-7 days. If there are seams, a woman should treat them daily, for example with brilliant green. It is also recommended to wash yourself as often as possible. For stitches, it is recommended to use special “postpartum” disposable underwear and pads. Their special breathable properties contribute to the speedy healing of sutures.

After 6-8 weeks after giving birth, a woman should visit a gynecologist for an examination and advice on subsequent contraception.4

Congratulations! You are now a Mom, which means that everything is just beginning, and childbirth has given way to the next important stage of your life - postpartum.

The postpartum period can be early and late.

The early period (and it takes the first 2 hours after birth) is dealt with by obstetricians in the maternity hospital, so we will not dwell on it in detail. This period occurs when, after giving birth, you are left alone (or with your baby) in the delivery room. Obstetricians monitor you for 2 hours, because sometimes various complications may occur, and it will be easier to deal with them in the delivery room.

The late postpartum period lasts for 2 months after birth. Why 2 months?

Because during this time the uterus almost completely returns to its original size (from one kilogram to 50 grams) during postpartum contractions. You will feel this primarily during breastfeeding, i.e. breastfeeding helps a woman recover faster after childbirth.

In the late postpartum period, you need to know what is normal and what is a reason to see a doctor.

This is fine:

1. Rejection of the uterine lining (the same one that is shed during menstruation) is normal during the postpartum weeks. This discharge is called lochia. Initially, the lochia is light red and quite profuse, but within a few days after delivery it will seem like normal menstruation, and after three to four weeks you will only have light discharge. For lochia, it is better to use pads rather than tampons! In six to eight weeks, the lochia will go away, and with it your postpartum period will end.
2. Excessive sweating is also normal. This occurs under the influence of hormones and will pass in a couple of months. During this period, it is advisable to wear clothes made from natural fabrics and consume more liquid.
3. Enlarged belly. Your belly will likely look like you're four months pregnant for a few more weeks. Thanks to breastfeeding and appropriate exercises, you can strengthen it. But at first, train only the oblique abdominal muscles. The fact is that during pregnancy, the abdominal wall in the middle stretches significantly, and if you do exercises that train the rectus abdominis muscles, you will only contribute to this stretching. Take your time, give yourself time to get back to normal and continue to ensure that your diet is balanced.

4. A feeling of drowsiness and weakness often accompanies a woman after childbirth. This is the body’s reaction to the process of childbirth, because about five thousand kilocalories are spent during childbirth alone!! Now you need to consume more vitamins and minerals (primarily iron, zinc, calcium). Your doctor may also advise you to take an iron supplement for several weeks if you had anemia during pregnancy or if you lost a lot of blood during childbirth. In addition to medications, it is very important to use psychological factors for weakness:

   • Settle down in bed with your baby as often as possible and enjoy that first closeness (however, get up from time to time to stimulate blood circulation).
   • Rely on your instincts, not on the good advice of others. Don’t worry if one of your relatives starts telling you that you are feeding (swaddling, dressing, etc.) the baby incorrectly. It is impossible to please everyone, because we are all different.
   • In the first weeks, the baby especially needs the mother's closeness. If your husband joins you, even better. If possible, refuse visits from guests, at least in the first weeks.
   • Get more rest. Ask your mom, husband, or other people close to you to help around the house, cook, or walk your baby while you relax. Leave “I myself” for other stages of your life.
5. The release of milk outside of feeding is quite common and is not a pathology. The following reasons can lead to this: uncomfortable synthetic underwear, stimulation of the nipples by a partner, changes in air temperature. Only external manifestations are eliminated by using special pads in the bra.
6. Sometimes not everything is fine with the functioning of the intestines. His tone is reduced, digestion is slow, and there is no stool. Therefore, monitor timely bowel movements especially carefully (as a last resort, use an enema, but an appropriate diet is still preferable). An overfilled bladder and clogged intestines put pressure on the uterus, the outflow of lochia is hampered, and its return to normal size is slowed down.

This requires immediate medical consultation:

Let us note some symptoms, when mothers appear, they should urgently consult a gynecologist, even if their general health is not bad:

1. Increased body temperature. This symptom is not always associated with a cold: first of all, you need to exclude a postpartum complication - inflammation of the mucous layer of the uterus (endometritis). If it is not diagnosed in time and treatment is not started, it can lead to serious consequences. In addition, it is necessary to exclude an inflammatory process in the area of ​​the suture(s), if any.
2. Changes in the nature and quality of discharge from the genital tract. A woman after childbirth should be alerted by the appearance of discharge with an unpleasant odor, as well as the appearance of more abundant, bloody or purulent discharge - all this indicates an inflammatory process in the uterus.
3. The appearance of any painful sensations in the lower abdomen or in the area of ​​the postoperative suture. This may be a sign of serious negative changes in the uterus or indicate inflammation of the suture. The appearance of discharge from the suture after a cesarean section, as well as engorgement and redness around the postoperative suture indicates infection and inflammation.
4. The appearance of painful sensations in the chest, swelling, redness, which do not go away after feeding the baby. Especially in combination with elevated temperature, it is often a symptom of incipient mastitis. And mastitis in severe form requires surgical intervention. To prevent mastitis, nature came up with breastfeeding, but not all women know this...

Here are the most common questions that women ask after childbirth at an appointment with a gynecologist

When will the normal menstrual cycle be restored?

The timing of the restoration of the menstrual cycle is individual for each woman. This is usually associated with lactation. After childbirth, a woman’s body produces the hormone prolactin, which stimulates milk production in the female body. At the same time, prolactin suppresses the formation of hormones in the ovaries, therefore preventing ovulation. But this does not mean that you do not need to protect yourself! It’s necessary, because nowadays it’s rare for anyone’s body to work like a clock.

If the baby is entirely breastfed (i.e., eats only breast milk), then his mother’s menstrual cycle will be restored at the end of the lactation period, i.e. after the start of the introduction of complementary foods. If the child is on mixed feeding (that is, the mother, in addition to breast milk, introduces formula into the baby’s diet), then the menstrual cycle is restored after 3-4 months. With artificial feeding (the baby receives only formula), menstruation is restored, as a rule, by the second month.

How long should you breastfeed your baby?

Breast milk is the most healthy, balanced and valuable product for a newborn. It is good if the baby receives breast milk for at least six months. It’s great if he has this opportunity for a year and a half. In addition, during feeding, hormones are released, which cause the uterus to contract more actively, and therefore, recovery after childbirth is faster.

Is it possible to get pregnant if you don't have a regular cycle yet?

Pregnancy can occur in the absence of normal menstruation. This happens because ovulation begins on average two weeks earlier than your period. Abortion in the first months after the birth of a child is a severe hormonal and psycho-emotional stress, leading to various disorders in the woman’s reproductive system. In order to avoid the possibility of an unplanned pregnancy, it is necessary to discuss contraception issues at your first appointment with a doctor after childbirth.

When can you start having sex after giving birth?

Sexual intercourse after childbirth can be resumed after about 8 weeks, i.e. after the discharge from the genital tract becomes natural. It is not recommended to start sexual activity earlier, since the cervix has not yet fully formed. Infection may penetrate and inflammation of the inner layer of the uterus (endometritis) may develop.

When can you start physical education?

Don't rush to the gym immediately after giving birth. The body needs to be given time to recover. You need to wait until all the stitches have healed and the bleeding from the genital tract has stopped. And you can start exercising in the gym or in the pool after the first visit to the doctor after childbirth, in the absence of contraindications.

When is the best time to plan your next pregnancy?

The interval between pregnancies depends on how the birth and postpartum period proceeded. If the birth was spontaneous, and then the woman breastfed the child for a year, then it is better to plan pregnancy a year after the end of lactation. This must be done so that the body recovers from the previous pregnancy and prepares for the new one.

If the birth occurred by cesarean section, then it is better to plan the next pregnancy no earlier than in 2-3 years. It is not recommended to become pregnant before, since during a new pregnancy the scar on the uterus may not withstand the load and disperse. On the other hand, it is also not worth postponing a second pregnancy for decades, because over the years, connective tissue will predominate in the scar tissue, and it does not stretch well.

If pregnancy or childbirth had complications, then before a new pregnancy it is necessary to be thoroughly examined in order to minimize the risk of unpleasant surprises.

Despite being busy, a young mother should not forget to contact a gynecologist in a timely manner, because prevention is always better than disease.

Remember: The more attentive you are to your health, the more care and affection you can give your baby.

Erokhina A.V. obstetrician-gynecologist at the XXI Century Medical Center