The state of the woman’s body after childbirth. Sexual life of a woman after childbirth

Childbirth is not the easiest moment in the life of every woman. How does a woman in labor feel at first?

Well-being of the woman:

Vaginal discharge

  In the postpartum period, discharge from the uterus is considered the norm. It seems that lochia occurs somewhere in the vagina, but this is not so. Just copious discharge lingers in the vaginal cavity and follows later.
  Allocations are considered admissible if:

• A tendency towards a decrease in their number is visible.
• The color from red changes first to faint pink, then to white or brown.
• Each ceases differently, but within 1-1.5 months.
• Not accompanied by a pungent odor.
• The body temperature does not rise.

  For any deviations, it is necessary to see a gynecologist.

Uterine contraction after childbirth

  As soon as the fetus leaves the womb and the baby’s place is separated, the uterus begins to contract in order to acquire its original form, so it is inherent in nature. To speed up the process, special drugs are injected in the hospital. The reduction is accompanied, mainly, by an unpleasant pulling pain in the abdomen, as with menstruation, but in the first few hours or days, then everything happens almost imperceptibly. For a month and a half, the uterus from 1 kg turns into 50 grams. If you endure no strength, then you can use painkillers or antispasmodics.

Changes in the mammary glands

  Significant changes also occur in the chest - milk appears. About the first day, it depends on the process of childbirth, colostrum (thick first milk) is produced. After a couple of days, the situation changes and a transitional type of breast milk appears, then permanent or mature. The more the baby will pull the chest, the more milk will come. Therefore, it is recommended that the first time a newborn is applied to the breast quite often. If milk arrives too quickly, the breast will swell and the nipples will hurt. At first, cracks in the nipples appear due to the fact that the baby draws the entire nipple into his mouth and saliva gets on them, which helps to multiply various bacteria, as well as dry out the skin. Cracks must be cured in a timely manner to prevent infection.

Stool problems

Constipation in the first few days after the baby is born is a common occurrence. Pathological cases are extremely rare. Just because of the inability to go to the toilet, feces accumulate and harden. You can’t get rid of feces in a hurry. Everything has its time. As soon as the hormonal background is normalized and the wounds are slightly healed, you can try to go to the toilet yourself, and at first the enema helps.

Difficulty urinating

  During labor, a lot of blood is lost. Let's not forget that blood is a liquid. Her loss requires compensation. Therefore, at first it is difficult to go to the toilet in a small way. To make things work out faster, it’s important to force yourself to go to the toilet several times a day, including a water tap for a reflex reaction. Once everything is normal, the urea will resume its work.

Perineal pain

  If the fetus is larger than expected or some other complications during childbirth, doctors can dissect the perineum with a scalpel to make it easier for the baby to leave the womb. A variant of natural breaks is also possible. In such cases, stitches are applied. It is understood that the first few weeks will be difficult to sit down. The pains are not strong, but unpleasant and prevent you from going to the toilet normally, sitting and performing some functions. Only time will win this situation. The main thing is to try not to strain the crotch area once again so that the seams survive.

Hemorrhoids after childbirth

  As a rule, hemorrhoids occur before birth, but not at all. At the time of the birth of the baby, you need to push hard. A certain pressure is created near the anus, which leads to blockage of the veins and the appearance of hemorrhoids. Some things are inevitable. After childbirth, hemorrhoids must be cured early so as not to complicate the situation. It can be treated with modern drugs and alternative methods.

When may a doctor be needed?

  Childbirth is not the best way to affect a woman's body. The first few days can cause various unpleasant consequences. For example, pieces of the placenta or membranes remain and cause a woman to have abdominal pain and fever. In this case, you need a doctor. A thorough cleaning is necessary if there has been a place to be pus or inflammation.
  Seam differences also require immediate medical attention. Also, abnormal discharge, hardening of the breast from stagnation of milk, excessively low pressure after large blood loss, etc.
In the maternity ward, a woman in labor is carefully monitored, so emergency situations rarely occur. Another thing after discharge. It is important to remember that the woman’s body after childbirth is very vulnerable, it is necessary to immediately respond to any alarming changes.

Often, joy after the birth of a child is replaced by sadness in the mood of a young mother. All experiences are already behind, the baby is healthy and full of strength, life goes on. However, instead of feeling the joy of the accomplished motherhood, a woman suddenly feels severe fatigue, weakness and a complete breakdown. Why is this happening and how to deal with postpartum apathy?

Causes of apathy in the postpartum period

The root cause of the fact that a young mother feels tired after childbirth is hormonal restructuring of the body. Hormones are involved in all processes occurring in the body and sudden changes in the production of a hormone can lead to poor mood, irritability and sadness. The hormonal background, as a rule, normalizes during the first weeks after childbirth and, ideally, the mood of a young mother should also return to normal, but as practice shows, this does not always happen.

The second cause of poor health can be heavy bleeding and complications after childbirth. Physical exhaustion, which arose due to great blood loss, is often manifested by dizziness, lack of appetite, apathy and unwillingness to care for the baby. This mood will pass as soon as the physical condition of the mother normalizes.

The third cause of negative emotions is postpartum stress. This condition is observed in 80% of women who have given birth. Stress brings with it loss of appetite, a feeling of chronic fatigue, a lack of desire to enjoy life, discontent with everyone around, self-pity and sleep disturbances.

A stressful state can be dangerous, and with a long course can develop into postpartum depression. In this case, it will be difficult for a woman to return to normal life on her own, and the help of a specialist will be required.

How to recognize the causes of apathy

Experts say that the state of chronic fatigue in the first months after childbirth is most often associated with physical exhaustion. The woman’s body is really tired during the period of bearing and childbirth. Hormonal bursts, emotional stress, postpartum complications and a change in lifestyle are reflected in vitality and physical activity.

In order to get in shape again and begin to enjoy life, the young mother needs more rest, walks in the fresh air and eat properly, properly.

If there is heavy bleeding during childbirth, it is necessary to take tests for the content of iron in the blood. Iron deficiency anemia is often disguised as stress and fatigue.

How to avoid complications in the first months

In order to avoid psychological stress and to be able to live a full happy life, you need to help yourself in the first months after giving birth.

1. After the birth of the baby, all the recommendations of doctors should be carefully followed. Postpartum therapy aims to restore a woman as soon as possible from all birth injuries and complications. You need to rest a lot, especially in the hospital, eat right and sleep well.
2. After discharge from the maternity hospital, you should also try to relax as much as possible. Ask someone close to take care of all the household chores. Sleep when your baby is sleeping, take a walk in the fresh air and include more vitamins in your diet.
3. In the first weeks after birth, carefully monitor your health. If you suddenly experience sudden bleeding, pain, or on the contrary, the discharge stops abruptly, consult a doctor immediately. Do not neglect the planned visit to the gynecologist, which should take place 10-14 days after the birth. This will allow specialists to adequately assess your condition and in time to prevent possible complications.
4. Avoid overvoltage and weight lifting. If childbirth was natural from the second week, you can begin to do basic physical exercises that will help restore muscle tone and raise your spirits. Loads must be increased gradually.
5. Many young mothers can say when is it time to relax, if you need to wash everything, clean it and disinfect it? Stop, the child is not a greenhouse plant, you do not need to wash the whole house with bleach every day. Forget Mr. Propere and Domestos! General cleaning should be done, but not more than once a week. All other days, you can just keep order. The main rules for you should be washing your hands before you take the baby, clean and ironed baby clothes and regular hygiene procedures. In this case, your baby is not afraid of numerous microbes, to which he must adapt.
6. Leave the baby alone. Many mothers flutter like little flies over their baby, and even wake him to eat on time! Relax, relax while the baby is sleeping, he will wake up and demand food when he needs it.

The danger of giving birth after 35 years for women

This is how you can help your body recover quickly in the first weeks after giving birth and regain the joy of life.

If apathy continues

If you have enough rest, eat right, walk a lot, and the state of fatigue does not go away 6 months after giving birth, you need to look at yourself from the side and take measures to correct the situation.

The reasons for the continued apathy lie in your attitude towards yourself and the world around you.

Many women simply can’t adapt in time to new living conditions and experience stress after childbirth. It seems to them that it is too difficult to be a mother. Of course, motherhood is hard work. And this work will continue throughout your life, because no matter how grown up your child is, for you he will remain your baby, and all your life you will worry and worry about him.

You thought it would be different. Everyone thinks so. Everyone thinks that the figure will remain the same, the relationship with her husband is romantic, and the child will sleep at night and never get sick. In order to be so, you need to work. After all, the family and the relationships within it are a constant work, primarily on itself. Here are some tips to get out of the difficult psychological state of postpartum stress:

• You should like yourself. Go in for sports, put yourself in order, change your hairstyle, take off your bathrobe. Many women, forced to become a housewife after childbirth, stop monitoring themselves and each look in the mirror casts sadness and longing on them. Make it a rule to smile at yourself every morning. Then your day will begin with positive emotions, and this is very important for a healthy atmosphere within the family.
• Do not break your irritation on the child and others. This will only aggravate the situation, will serve as a cause for concern for the baby and the alienation of her husband.
• Evolve. Maternity leave is an excellent occasion to learn something new. Master a new profession, the benefit for this is only to turn on the computer, do what you love, and you will see that the world around you has begun to change rapidly and the colors of life are gradually returning.
• Bring back a vibrant intimate life. Sexual satisfaction is very important both for a man’s self-esteem and for harmony in a woman’s soul. The child is still sleeping a lot, and you can easily find some time for romantic meetings with your husband.

When a woman can go to church after childbirth

The postpartum period is a difficult test for many women. In this situation, it is important to remember that a lot depends on your emotional state. First of all, this concerns the child, because if the mother is nervous and annoyed, the baby instantly reacts with crying and anxiety. Bring joy back to your family and you will become a truly happy mom and wife!

For nine months a woman is waiting for the very moment when her baby is born. And here they are - the long-awaited birth. During this process, serious changes occur with the woman’s body. Naturally, the consequences of childbirth also remain.

How to lose weight after childbirth

As a rule, during pregnancy, a woman gains weight significantly. Extra pounds do not immediately go away after childbirth. Therefore, get ready for work and work on your body. And in no case do not rush to sit on various diets. This can only aggravate the situation and harm not only you, but also your newborn baby.

Remember that it depends on your diet, what kind of breast milk does your baby eat?. Just do not abuse too much high-calorie foods, sweet, fatty, salty, smoked, and eat "for two", as was customary during pregnancy.

It is absolutely necessary to lead a mobile lifestyle. Swimming, light gymnastics in the first weeks after birth will give a good result. Walking with the baby, or dancing, is also quite beneficial for health.

Even breastfeeding contributes to your weight loss, as milk and fats and proteins necessary for the growth of the child are excreted. The most ideal and safe is weight loss - 1 kilogram per month. If you achieve such results, then excess weight will very soon leave your life.

During pregnancy, there is an active accumulation of fat. Moreover, it is postponed in sometimes unusual places for him. For every woman, this happens differently. Cellulite can form on the stomach, legs, hips, and other parts of the female body.

Fighting him with just one exercise and physical activity sometimes does not give the desired result. Then you should turn to the help of a cosmetologist and a massage therapist.

Specialists will pick up special creams and prescribe an individual massage course. Physicochemical procedures also help in the fight against cellulite, such as lipolysis (breaking down fat masses using electrodes), myostimulation (stimulating muscles with weak electric charges), lymphatic drainage (breaking down fat with water), acupuncture, pressure therapy (the effect on body fat is very strong) compressed air), herbal medicine.

But there are also problems with overweight, such as a change in the hormonal system of a woman. In such cases, you should consult an endocrinologist.

What happens to the hair and nails of a former pregnant woman after childbirth

During pregnancy, a lot of growth hormones are secreted. This affects the active growth of hair and nails in women. Hair becomes thicker and nails tighter and stronger. Such processes are explained by the production of large amounts of calcium in the female body.

But after giving birth, a completely different picture is observed. Hair begins to fall out, lose its strength and shine, and nails are constantly broken and exfoliated. This occurs from the restructuring of the body after birth stress.

The processes in the body, slowed down during pregnancy, after childbirth are gaining their usual speed. From this comes a quick renewal of the body, the first symptoms of which are hair loss. Another important reason for the weakening of hair is a decrease in the female sex hormone - estrogen, which is responsible for the growth of hair and nails.

Hair may fall out if a woman has had a cesarean section or anesthesia. Also, hair loss can occur due to stress, lack of vitamins and calcium in the body, lack of sleep, fatigue, and other factors.

Hair loss problems end pretty quickly. Five to six months after giving birth, hormonal restructuring will end and all processes in the body will normalize again.

Weakened hair and nails require additional care and strengthening. In this case, you can resort to alternative methods of treatment and various masks.

For example, a mask made of egg yolk, whey, decoction of herbs (nettle, burdock root) is a good fit. Hair follicles will well strengthen burdock oil.

For nails, you can make therapeutic baths, also from herbal infusions. They will prevent the stratification of nails and give them strength.

But not only natural remedies help with hair restoration. There are many cosmetic products designed to care for hair. These are strengthening and regenerating shampoos, and conditioners.

After childbirth, you can continue to take multivitamins. They contain all the necessary trace elements, including calcium and fluorine, which affect the growth of hair and nails.

An important role is played by hair combs. Use wooden combs or a soft brush. They will reduce the risk of hair damage. You should also not use a hairdryer, varnishes and styling mousses. This will further weaken the hair.

Stretch marks on the skin

Another important problem after childbirth is stretch marks, or striae. These are strips of red or purple color that brighten over time and turn pink or white.

During hormonal changes in the body, the skin becomes thin in problem areas and loses its elasticity, collagen fibers are torn, which leads to scarring and the formation of connective tissue.

Striae mainly appear on the abdomen, chest, hips, buttocks. In some women, stretch marks disappear within two to three months after giving birth, in others, on the contrary, the fight against stretch marks takes a long time. It all depends on the physiology of the female body.

But you can still get rid of them, or at least make them not so obvious. For this, there are procedures such as peeling, wrapping, mesotherapy. And sometimes they even resort to surgical intervention - abdominoplasty.

What is peeling? This is ridding the skin of the upper layer of cells by exfoliating. As a result, stress occurs on the skin, and directly the active production of elastin and collagen. In other words, there is a skin renewal.

Peeling can be of several types - mechanical (surface), laser, chemical, median chemical. During the peeling procedure, tanning is contraindicated.

The next way to remove stretch marks is mesotherapy. Mesotherapy is the introduction under the skin of specially selected microinjections. Microinjections may include amino acids, enzymes, collagen, vitamins, plant extracts.

Subtle stretch marks are removed by wrapping. Seaweed wrap helps effectively. A mixture of algae - spirulina is applied to problem areas, then the woman is wrapped in a thermal blanket for an hour or half an hour. After such procedures, the skin acquires a fresh look, comes in tone. And fresh striae dissolve and disappear.

But perhaps the most cardinal way to get rid of stretch marks is abdominoplasty. This is skin removal along with stretch marks. This method is dangerous, as new scars and suppuration of the skin may form.

The safest means to combat striae are cosmetic products - creams with a high content of callogen, essential oils, elastin, plant extracts. Massage with a special brush and a contrast shower also contribute to the disappearance of stretch marks.

Female breast after childbirth

In preparation for childbirth, the body is changing. The breast of a woman does not avoid changes. After childbirth, the breast swells greatly, increases in size, the nipples become darker and larger. Unpleasant and slightly painful sensations appear. This is due to the fact that the mammary glands begin to function in the breast.

Many women are upset because of a change in the shape of the breast after childbirth, its sagging, the appearance of stretch marks and cracks on her nipples. All these problems are solvable.

To begin with, it is worth picking up special underwear. The bra should be spacious and suitable size. Let the underwear after childbirth does not have a special aesthetic beauty, but it carries a convenient and comfortable function. A properly selected bra will retain the shape of the breast and prevent it from sagging.

The female breast after childbirth becomes even more sensitive and vulnerable to various factors. Therefore, it is necessary to carefully observe hygiene rules. Wash your breasts only with boiled and warm water. Baths from chamomile infusions are welcome.

In order to avoid stagnation of milk and hardening of the breast, it is necessary to massage it. The movements during massage should be soft and smooth. Check for chest tightness. To increase milk flow, it is recommended that you pour cool boiled water over your breast.

After feeding the baby it is very useful to take an air bath. This procedure will relieve tension and relax the muscles of the chest cavity. But, even following all the rules for breast care, all the same, there are problems.

One of them is milk stagnation - lactostasis. This results in hardening of the chest and an increase in temperature. If the necessary measures are not taken in time, then endometritis or mastitis may develop from this.

Nursing mothers also have such a problem - as nipple cracks. This occurs in the first weeks of feeding. The reasons - from the incorrect capture of the nipple by the baby, long sucking, drying the nipple when washing with soap and other factors.

Vegetable oils such as olive, sea buckthorn, rosehip oil, or peach oil can be used to soften cracks that have already appeared. Also, special ointments with calendula extract and vitamin A are suitable. The best cream for getting rid of cracks and irritations on the nipples is Bepanten now.

Mom's belly after childbirth

After the birth of a child, a woman for a long time leads her body into a suitable form. Work is ongoing on all fronts. Including, and over the saggy belly after childbirth.

During the bearing of the child, the abdominal muscles are significantly stretched, the press becomes weak and a fatty coating forms. After childbirth, this can’t be hidden.

But, before bringing your own, what you had before pregnancy, be sure to consult a doctor. In such situations, do not rush and start training in the first days after giving birth.

This can lead to rupture of tissues, divergence of sutures and painful discharge. Only 6 to 8 weeks after giving birth can you do light exercise. If you had a cesarean section, then at least three to six months later.

I will help keep the abdominal muscles toned in the postpartum period with special underwear, postpartum bandages and belts. The use of creams and lotions with a high content of callogen will not harm.

Sutures and tears of the vagina. Bleeding. What to do with it?

As a rule, during childbirth, namely at the time of birth of the head and shoulders of the baby, ruptures of the vagina and perineum occur. There are two types of gaps - spontaneous and violent. They, in turn, are divided into deep and superficial. Consider the causes of spontaneous vaginal ruptures:

1. underdeveloped vagina (narrow or short).
2. rapid delivery.
3. improper labor management.
4. narrow basin.

The causes of violent ruptures are obstetric interventions, carried out by such an object as obstetric forceps, or by vacuum extraction of the fetus. Unfortunately, violent breaks occur due to negligent treatment of women in labor by the obstetric staff.

When vaginal breaks appear, bleeding begins. He is stopped with special injections. Vaginal tears are sutured by the doctor under general anesthesia with catgut sutures. The seams will subsequently dissolve.

After giving birth, a woman needs to undergo a preventive course of antibacterial therapy. These are special vaginal baths that reduce the risk of postoperative complications, because the composition of the baths includes a solution of disinfectants.

Uterus and vagina after childbirth (within a month)

During childbirth, the cervix is \u200b\u200bwide open to exit the baby. In severe childbirth, there may be ruptures of the cervix and, as a result, bleeding. Sutures are placed at the points of tearing. This is done without anesthesia, since the sensitivity of the uterus is impaired.

On average, after birth, the weight of the uterus is 1 kilogram. But, having the property of gradually contracting, after a few days the uterus will decrease in size and narrow. The same thing happens with a woman's vagina.

It will take several weeks after birth and the reproductive organs again return to the state in which they were before pregnancy. The postpartum period is called Puerperium. It is during this period that it is necessary to be observed by a gynecologist, because significant changes occur in the body.

Highlights and Gaskets

Immediately after childbirth, in women from the genital tract begin to go abundant discharge, called Lochia. In the first days after birth, the discharge is strong and bloody. But gradually the discharge decreases. In the second week, they change color, turning brown.

After 3 to 4 weeks, the color changes to yellowish white. And after 7-8 weeks, the discharge practically stops. During discharge, it is necessary to use sterile hygiene products - disposable pads and underpants.

They are sold in pharmacies and specialty stores for expectant mothers. It is better to take gaskets and underpants of such companies as, Chicco, Kanpolovskie, Piligrin. Remember that hygiene products must be very soft and super absorbent.

Pain and consequences after childbirth and cesarean section

Childbirth is a strong physiological and emotional stress for a woman. Naturally not to do in such a situation and without pain. The pain in the perineum is perhaps the brightest and most severe immediately after childbirth.

It occurs from severe muscle strain, tissue breaks, perineal incision (episiotomy). After a week, the pain will subside, and then completely stop. With an episiotomy, it is not allowed to sit for five days, so that the seam does not open.

Immediately after birth and in the subsequent postpartum period, pain occurs in the musculoskeletal system. The cervical spine, spine, lower back, legs hurts. Muscle pain spreads throughout the body. Pain occurs in the chest, in the shoulders and abdomen.

Within a few days, the muscles will return to tone and the pain will gradually subside. But it can take more than one month to fully restore muscle activity. The main thing in this period is not to give the body strong loads and take care of yourself. Dizziness, headache, pressure drops, weakness, and nausea may also bother a young mother.

After a short period of time after childbirth, pain in the pelvis, the so-called symphysiolysis syndrome, can occur. It occurs due to a rupture of the symphysis, which leads to very painful sensations.

The postpartum period is characterized by pain in the lower abdomen. They have a pulling or cramping character. Such pain is caused by constant contractions of the uterus. Especially frequent, pains occur during lactation, as oxytocin is produced, which affects the activity of the uterus. After five to seven days, the pain decreases.

Other consequences after childbirth can be: difficulty urinating, constipation, or vice versa, frequent stools, breast pain, sore nipples, tearing of the eye capillaries, emotional disturbance, depressed mood, depression, or agitation, irritability.

After a cesarean section, pain in the suture area has long been a concern. Within a week after cesarean section, the suture is treated with antiseptic solutions - iodine, brilliant green. A woman is discharged after surgery, usually on the tenth day. But the pain in the scar area lasts several weeks. At this time, you need to take care, do not lift weights, do not make sudden movements, in order to avoid seam divergence.

Postpartum Nutrition

Immediately after giving birth, in no case should you limit yourself to nutrition, no matter how much you want to lose weight. The quality and quantity of breast milk that your baby eats completely depends on your diet. After all, breast milk like nothing else is rich in energy and all the useful nutrients necessary for the growth and development of the baby.

A nursing mother needs to eat regularly, at least 4 times a day. The diet should be varied. It should include dairy products (milk, kefir, cottage cheese, yogurt). As well as lean meat, poultry, eggs, vegetable oil and butter, bread, vegetables, fruits.

Consume more fluids, approximately 1.5 to 2 liters per day. Many foods you eat can cause allergies in your child. Such products include: chocolate, coffee, strong tea, honey, citrus fruits, strawberries, pickles, spicy, smoked meats.

Do not completely abandon them, just limit the dose. In addition, this will positively affect your figure. Do not abuse flour and sweet. Of course, completely give up alcohol.

Non-fat soups, stewed or baked vegetables, unsweetened cereals on the water (oatmeal, rice), boiled fish and meat, brown bread, sea kale and other freshly prepared foods are very useful for nursing mothers. Add energy foods to your diet, such as nuts, cheese, sour cream. Canned foods and convenience foods are not recommended.

When can I start having sex after giving birth?

With the appearance of the baby in the family, everything changes. Including the sexual life of the spouses. Intimate life is affected by the way a woman suffered pregnancy and childbirth, and in what condition she is in the postpartum period.

In the ideal case, if the birth was normal, without complications and medical interventions, the uterus, which was an open wound, comes in tone after 6 weeks. Sex at this time is extremely undesirable and harmful.

Since the female genital and reproductive organs are weakened and susceptible to infection. And any interventions can lead to complications and injuries (resumption of bleeding, uterine inflammation - endometritis, vaginal ruptures).

Abstinence from sexual intimacy should last as long as necessary for a complete recovery of a woman's body, namely her birth canal. This can last two to three months (if there were tears, suturing, or an episiotomy).

After examination by the attending physician and receiving medical confirmation that everything is in order with the body, one can resume sexual life. A woman should be prepared for intimacy and emotionally.

As a rule, when a woman resumes sexual life after childbirth, she experiences unpleasant, uncomfortable and painful sensations. This may be due to the anatomical change in the genital tract of a woman as a result of surgery, tears, cuts, sutures, dry vagina and other circumstances. Over time, such sensations will pass. The main thing is that a loving man understands you and takes care of your condition.

Can I get pregnant when I breastfeed? Surely such a question is asked by all young mothers who have renewed their sex life after childbirth. You can answer it positively. During lactation, there is a rapid resumption of ovulation.

The menstrual cycle after childbirth gets confused and during this period it is quite possible to become pregnant. Birth control pills should not be taken, as there is breast-feeding. The use of vaginal contraceptives is also not advisable, because there may still be discharge.

The safest method of contraception is barrier contraception or a condom. The optimal period between pregnancies should be from two to five years.

Monthly after childbirth

After a cardinal restructuring of the body in the postpartum period, the menstrual cycle goes astray.

There is an opinion that menstruation is absent during lactation. The production of the hormone prolactin in the endocrine system, which stimulates the production of milk, inhibits the hormonal performance of the ovaries. Because of this, the eggs do not mature, and ovulation as current does not occur. As a result, menstruation does not occur.

While there is an intensive period of lactation (continuous breastfeeding of the baby), the menstrual cycle stops. If the mother introduces complementary foods into the baby’s diet, alternating with breastfeeding, the menstrual cycle resumes until the lactation ends.

This occurs by 4 to 5 months after the birth of the woman. If a woman does not breast-feed initially after childbirth, then the menstrual cycle can recover as early as 12 weeks after childbirth.

The cycle is established during 2–4 periods of menstruation. If the menstrual cycle is not established for a long time, or does not come at all, it is worth contacting the attending gynecologist.

After all, these may be the first symptoms of inflammation and tumors of the genital organs. After childbirth, the nature of menstruation can also change. They can be profuse, or meager, painful, or painless. But, subsequently, everything will return to normal.

Regardless of how a woman gave birth - naturally or by doing it - she is in an excited psycho-emotional state and physical exhaustion. Moreover, psychologists say that a woman in labor in the first few days has the right to absolutely any emotions - both positive and negative. Why? Because a woman just a few hours ago passed into a new state of her mother and she needs to get used to it. Yesterday she was pregnant, and today is her mother; a few hours ago, she could not see herself in the mirror because of her large tummy, and now her body sagged, took strange forms. If a woman’s birth took place in a complex form, then it’s natural that she won’t even be able to get out of bed, not to mention anything more.

Difficult birth

Complex births immediately affect the appearance of a woman according to such signs as:

• Cyanotic circles under the eyes with multiple bursting blood vessels due to improper breathing during attempts;
• Red rash on face and body;
• Pain in the perineum, bleeding, inability to move due to pain;
• Dizziness, weakness, nausea due to blood loss, shock, and a drop in blood pressure;
• Problems with full deep breathing due to weakening of the chest muscles due to attempts.

Postpartum period

The period is called the postpartum period and it is also extremely difficult for the vast majority of mothers. A woman has problems with urination. They appear in the form that the patient feels the need to relieve the need, but she can not do this because of violations in the pelvic organs. After childbirth, the pelvic space increases dramatically, and for a long period of time will be restored. As a result, the bladder also begins to grow in volume. It turns out that the bladder is filled with excess, but due to new anatomical features, urination is either impossible (in such cases, a catheter is inserted into the woman) or it is extremely painful.

In addition to the above problems with the urethra, in women in labor there is a spasm in the pelvic organs, which prevents the physiological release of urine. For most women, during the natural birth, perineal edema occurs, as a result of which, the patient is consciously afraid to go to the toilet, as there is a well-founded fear of new pain.

What to do? It is very important that in the maternity hospital a woman was observed by the medical staff for some time after the delivery. Regarding urination - it should be carried out in a special container that allows you to measure the amount of urine, as well as the results of laboratory tests, to assess the presence or absence of an inflammatory process. In the absence of urination within 6 hours after childbirth, the patient is required to install a catheter. If a woman gave birth by Caesarean section, then during urination she will feel pain and burning in the stitching area. To eliminate this pain, you can already start pouring warm water on your stomach in the hospital (consult with your doctor beforehand).

Physiological problems

After giving birth, a woman can feel cramps in the abdomen, which in her sensations remind her of labor. These sensations are especially acute during breastfeeding. This pain should not be eliminated medically, as it speaks of a natural contraction of the uterus. In the near future, the mother’s stomach will begin to leave, and the figure will gradually acquire a prenatal form. If the spasm is very strong and you are not able to endure it, then after consulting a doctor, you can take an anesthetic (for example, Paracetamol). Carefully read the instructions for use of all the medicines that you are going to drink during breastfeeding - whether they are compatible with lactation or not.

Increased sweating  - This is another problem that mom encounters within a few weeks after giving birth. This process is absolutely natural and he says that the body thus gets rid of excess fluid accumulated during pregnancy.

Urinary incontinence  - The problem of the postpartum period, which can be combated by performing Kegel exercises. During its implementation, you need to try to squeeze the muscles of the vagina and hold them in this position for several seconds. Each time you urinate, do the same with a stream of urine.

Lochia or bleeding in the first two months after childbirth - another physiological phenomenon in the body of a woman, which causes a lot of inconvenience. Such a blood discharge should not be considered menstruation. Lochia consists of blood, mucus and the so-called deciduous tissue. The first few days after birth, the bleeding will be very strong and with each subsequent day it will decrease. stops exactly at the moment when the damaged blood vessels are completely restored. And in any case, it is not recommended to use tampons during the allocation of Lochia, as they can contribute to infection of the pelvic organs.

When will menstruation begin?

In every woman, the moment of renewal of menstrual flow is individual. For some, menstruation appears within a few months, for someone in six months. This factor is directly affected by that factor - whether a woman is breastfeeding or not. On average, menstruation resumes 3 months after delivery.

Bowel problems

It is possible that the patient may have problems with bowel movements. This is due to the physiological process of weakening of the muscles of the abdominal cavity. What to do in this case? Drink plenty of fluids, eat prunes, raisins, apples, kefir, and also move more - all this stimulates the intestines. If you have seams on the perineum, then do not strain too much during bowel movements. Also, pain in the suture area can be felt during coughing, when walking, as well as with an improper sitting position. In this case, nothing can be done - you need to wait until the seams are tightened. After each urination or defecation, the sutures should be washed with warm water and soap and treated with an antiseptic to avoid infection.

Postpartum recovery is a long stage. The body needs time to establish all vital functions and get rid of pain. Do not rush and do not load yourself for several months after giving birth - you must recover physically. Otherwise, it will be possible to encounter even greater problems in the form of impaired and defecation, but in a pathological form, as well as with the problem of lactation and a general deterioration in well-being. Take care of yourself!

Maria Sokolova

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Pregnancy and childbirth seriously affect the life of every woman, without exception. Someone immediately feels and sees something new, someone later, but these changes do not pass anyone by. Change all areas of life. Namely: the lifestyle of the mother, appearance, daily routine or schedule, the general rhythm of life, and, of course, health. Still, after all, a little man appears in the house, which for a long time becomes the center of attention of the whole family. Especially if he is the first-born of young parents.

Changes in the life of a woman after childbirth - what awaits you?

Changes in lifestyle are a reassessment of values. What used to be important is fading into the background, while in the first place are completely new activities and activities related to the child, with maternal responsibilities, in general. Appearance changes during pregnancy. Weight increases on average by 10-12 kg, for someone and by 20. This cannot but have an effect. After childbirth, weight can behave differently in different women. In some, the weight rises again, while others lose weight due to breastfeeding, while immediately after childbirth, absolutely everyone loses about 10 kg in the hospital, which goes along with the discharge of water, the birth of the baby and the placenta, plus blood loss. Many women have severely broken nails and too much.

The baby makes his own adjustments in the daily schedule of the newly made mom. If you used to have the opportunity to sleep sweetly until late in the morning, or lie down to take a nap at lunchtime, now you will have a small home boss who will dictate his own rules. How much you sleep when you eat or take a shower, now for a long time it will depend only on it.

What effect does childbirth have on a woman’s body?

Very important changes will occur precisely in the health of women. Childbirth is a great stress for the body, despite the fact that preparation for it went on for all nine months: the uterus experienced training contractions, and the pelvic cartilage and articular ligaments became loose and softened under the influence of relaxin. Everything is complicated by the fact that a woman exhausted by childbirth has to care for her newborn 24 hours a day. The first few weeks are especially difficult.

Major postpartum health problems a woman may experience:

1. Postpartum discharge . Women are usually worried if these discharge does not stop within the next month. But they can normally last 40 days. If this process is delayed for a longer period, then this is an occasion to contact your gynecologist. Otherwise, the restoration of the body will not occur at the pace at which we would like. During this period, frequent washing with warm water and soap is recommended. In case of cracks and sutures in the vagina and perineum, it is necessary to apply a wound healing ointment, usually it is Levomekol. It is strictly forbidden to use tampons and douching, due to the high risk of infection.

Reviews from forums:

Katerina:
  I didn’t have long postpartum discharge. Just a couple of weeks. But I know that my friends lasted more than a month. Organisms are apparently different for everyone.

Irina:
  I suffered for a long time with stitches, very much. Even in the hospital, such edema went at the site of the sutures. Went every day to wash until discharge. She’s already at home. For three weeks I did not sit down at all. Then she began to slowly, when the pain ceased. Now everything is fine, the seam is almost imperceptible, but as I recall all this cat-like, I distort.

2. Unstable hormonal background.   It usually improves after breastfeeding. It is believed that active hair loss after pregnancy and rashes on the skin of the face occur due to disturbances in the hormonal background. If after the end of feeding the problems do not go away, and you understand that the body will not come to its senses in any way, then you should visit a doctor to take the necessary tests and understand what is missing and what is in excess, to understand the cause of hormonal disorders and get qualified treatment, to establish the proper production of hormones. Usually, just enough to relax more, eat healthy foods, walk in the fresh air, that is, correctly adjust the regime of the day and nutrition. It is important to know that the use of oral hormonal contraceptives should start only after 3-6 months after setting a regular cycle.

Reviews from forums:

Kira:
  I had the only problem after giving birth. Hair began to drop out terribly. I did a bunch of different masks, it seemed to help, but after the termination everything was resumed. Everything normalized only after the end of feeding.

Natalya:
Oh, I became so nutty after giving birth, the skin is terrible, the hair falls out, she screamed at her husband. Thanks advised to be examined for hormones. After treatment, everything was fine. I can’t imagine what it would have come to if everything had continued like this. After all, many couples get divorced after giving birth. And this turns out to be just hormones.

3. Irregular cycle.   Menstruation may not even be more than a year with ideal breastfeeding, because the hormone prolactin blocks the production of progesterone and estrogen, which contribute to the maturation of the egg and, therefore, the resumption of menstruation. After the cessation or reduction of lactation, these hormones begin to be actively produced and start this process. But do not wait for the perfect cycle until the complete cessation of feeding. Normally, menstruation resumes before this event or 1-2 months after and becomes regular within six months after the end of lactation. If this did not happen, then a visit to the gynecologist-endocrinologist will be very useful, in order to check the hormonal background.

Reviews from forums:

Eugene:
  My menstruation returned when the child was 3 months old, although we were purely on HB. Maybe it’s true that the first month I was only expressed, I did not feed my son. After all, he was prematurely born, spent a month in the hospital nursing.

4. Cracks in the nipples.   With this problem, the feeding process turns into a real torture. The reason for this is the incorrect capture of the nipple by the baby. The problem will be resolved if you make sure that the nipple along with the areola is completely captured by the baby's mouth. For the purpose of prevention and treatment, you need to use various creams and gels (Panthenol, Bepanten, etc.) or silicone pads.

Reviews from forums:

Renata:
  Bepanten helped me a lot. I smeared my nipples without waiting for cracks. I washed it off before feeding, although it says "do not wash it off", but I was afraid of something. Apparently, thanks to him, I did not know what cracks are. But my sister was very tormented. I had to buy pads, so it was easier for her.

5. Stretched muscles of the vagina. This is a necessary consequence of all natural birth. Many women worry if vaginal muscles return to their pre-pregnancy state. Although it was worth pondering even before childbirth, and perform special exercises that increase the elasticity and firmness of the walls of the vagina, respectively, increase their extensibility without consequences during childbirth. Ideally, the vagina returns to its original form 6-8 weeks after birth. Depending on the degree of difficulty in childbirth, this period may be delayed; in some cases, surgical intervention may even be required. To accelerate the return of the walls of the vagina to the prenatal period, Kegel exercises will help. The result of these exercises your spouse will not leave unnoticed.

Reviews from forums:

Veronica:
  I was very afraid that there will be problems in sex after childbirth, precisely because the vagina will remain stretched. But I was mistaken, nothing of the kind happened to us. True, I searched the Internet for some special exercises and performed them a couple of times a day while my daughter was asleep, maybe they helped, or maybe everything itself returned to normal ...

6. Hemorrhoids.   A very frequent companion of the postpartum period, this trouble appears due to strong attempts, and can poison life for a long time. For treatment, it is important to establish regular stools, eat foods that have a slight laxative effect, the main thing not to push during a trip to the toilet is to use glycerin and sea buckthorn candles for the first time. The first will help to empty without problems, and the second will heal the bleeding cracks in the anus.