Healing After Childbirth

After childbirth it is necessary for a woman to spend a lot of time resting so that her body can begin healing. The process of childbirth is very tiring. It is said that during childbirth a woman's uterus uses as much energy as someone who has run a 26K race. The healing process after childbirth takes a minimum of 8 weeks before a woman's uterus is back to its pre-pregnancy state.

Right after childbirth the uterus can be felt at the same level as the belly button. It begins to contract and these contractions cause the uterus to expel the placenta. At this point, the uterus feels like a hard mass in the middle of the abdomen. After the placenta is expelled, it begins a process called involution where it shrinks down to its original size and eventually fits back underneath the pubic bone.

The contractions that cause involution can be quite uncomfortable and even painful. Some women say that these contractions feel like menstrual cramps, while others would describe them as being similar to the contractions of childbirth. Women may notice that they feel these after birth pains even more intensely after their second and subsequent childbirths.

A woman can help the healing process by remembering to take it easy after childbirth. If possible, she should get help from family members or friends. She should try to sleep as much as possible, especially when the baby is sleeping. Things like household chores, driving, working, and cooking should be put off as long as possible to allow the body to heal properly following childbirth.

Although it can be hard to live in a home that is messy or chaotic, it really is better to rest than to overdue it. In certain cultures, women are not allowed to leave their home until a month after delivery. Some are not even allowed to lift anything heavier than a frying pan. The woman's main priority during the weeks after childbirth should be to take care of herself and her new baby. Of course, this is harder to do with each child as she has other children to take care of as well.

Women need to pay close attention to their nutritional needs following childbirth to allow for proper healing. Meals should be well balanced and proportioned. Women should also continue taking their prenatal vitamins, especially if they are nursing.

A woman should avoid sexual activity until at least 4 weeks after they have given childbirth. This is to allow the uterus and cervix to return to their normal size before introducing anything into the vagina. Women should not put anything into the vagina, not even a tampon. After 4 weeks, a woman should be seen by a doctor to ensure that uterus has healed properly following childbirth. If it has, then the woman can resume sexual intercourse whenever she feels comfortable.

It is important for a woman not to try to rush the process of healing after childbirth. The body will heal in its own timing and some woman heal faster than others. By getting proper rest, nutrition, and avoid sexual contact a woman will be doing what is necessary to allow her body what it needs to heal properly following childbirth.