What does the uterus look like after a caesarean section? Normal duration of contractile activity? What to do to accelerate the reduction

Significant changes after childbirth occur in the entire reproductive system of the mother, and most of all in the uterus. After the birth of a baby, the female body returns to normal for a long period of time. In the first postpartum weeks, the uterus resembles a huge stretched muscular sac. Gradually, all internal mechanisms and organs are restored. But it should be understood that this process can continue for several months and even a year or two. Therefore, proper care, daily hygiene, the control of an obstetrician-gynecologist and an optimistic attitude should become your daily rule.

It is not always possible for a woman to give birth to a child in a natural way. Today, the number of women in labor who gave birth to a baby by caesarean section is increasing. This operation is no longer complicated, the surgical intervention can be carried out with the help of both full and partial anesthesia. But after a cesarean, a woman will have to be patient, because the restoration of her body, especially the uterus, will take more than one week.

Condition of the uterus in the postpartum period

Immediately after childbirth, the uterus of every woman is enlarged in volume, stretched in size and resembles a continuous bleeding wound. Its bottom is located approximately 4-5 cm below the navel, and the diameter is 10-12 cm. Gradually, uterine contractions contribute to its reduction and healing of the inner surface.

Both after and after cesarean section, contractions of the cervix are very weak and intensify until the end of the postpartum period. However, in a woman who has undergone surgery, the uterus recovers more slowly, its weight decreases gradually. For some time, slight postpartum spotting is observed from the uterus, which are scientifically called lochia.

The postpartum period after caesarean section lasts up to 60 days. Why is the uterus not in a hurry to contract? After the operation, the integrity of the muscle fibers of the uterus, its vessels and nerve endings is violated. That is why the rate of contraction, or involution (this is what doctors call this process), slows down. If necessary, the woman is prescribed special drug therapy. Medicines should stimulate the contractile activity of the muscles of the uterus, as well as reduce bleeding from vessels damaged during incision.

The uterus contracts slowly, so the woman does not recover very quickly. This may cause the mother and child to be discharged from the hospital a little later after a caesarean section. At home, another discomfort arises: it is difficult for a woman to roll over on her side, it hurts to cough and sneeze, stand up, walk. Intestinal gases torment, the stomach swells, sometimes there is a sharp pain. Such discomfort leads to difficulties in breastfeeding, because it is extremely difficult to find a comfortable position.

Possible complications after caesarean section

If during natural childbirth a woman loses up to 300 ml of blood, then during a cesarean section, the volume of blood loss increases to an average of 500-1000 ml. In the first case, the mother's body independently restores the lost volume of blood, while in the second case, it cannot cope with the problem on its own. That is why during and after the operation, a woman is injected with blood-substituting solutions.

It should be understood that a caesarean section is the same operation as the others, and some complications are possible after it:

• the integrity of the intestinal peritoneum is violated;
• spikes occur- adhesions between intestinal loops and other internal organs. This causes pain in the abdomen, discomfort when sitting, walking, and any other movements;
• endomyometritis- inflammation of the uterus. During the operation, there is a direct contact of the uterine cavity with air, which is difficult to achieve complete sterility. To prevent endomyometritis after surgery, the mother is prescribed antibiotics;
• subinvolution- Violation of uterine contraction. In this case, the doctor prescribes a 2-5-day therapy aimed at improving the contractility of the uterus.

Recovery of the uterus after caesarean section

Whatever the birth, in any case, they can be compared with hard work, after which the female body needs a good rest.

After the operation, the mother stays in a special postpartum ward for the first day. Doctors are constantly monitoring the woman in labor. The nurse daily treats the postoperative suture with an antiseptic solution, changes the dressings. An ice pack is placed on the mother's stomach: this stimulates the uterus to contract and helps stop bleeding. Also, a woman is prescribed painkillers that promote uterine contraction, and drugs to restore the function of the gastrointestinal tract. Mom must remember that her body must fully recover, and a strong scar must form on the uterus. Therefore, doctors recommend resuming sexual activity after a caesarean section two to three months after the operation. It is better to plan the next pregnancy in a year or two, but not earlier. It is believed that the scar is finally formed by the end of the first year after caesarean section and does not change further.

Visit your gynecologist, get an ultrasound to make sure that the body's recovery process is proceeding normally, ask about acceptable methods of contraception. If you are planning another pregnancy, the doctor will advise you to do a hysterography - x-rays in frontal and lateral projections obtained after the introduction of a contrast agent into the uterus. You can also undergo hysteroscopy - this is a visual examination and study of the scar on the uterus, which is performed using an endoscope inserted into the uterine cavity 8-12 months after the operation.

Recovery of the uterus after surgery largely depends on how the pregnancy proceeded, on the age of the woman, physique, and even the conditions under which the operation took place. Unfortunately, every mother who gave birth by cesarean should be psychologically prepared for the fact that she will have to endure pain for some time. Unpleasant sensations may occur due to internal wounds and uterine contractions.

Suture on the uterus after caesarean section

During childbirth by caesarean section, doctors use several. There are currently three types:

• transverse section of the uterus. Most often practiced and produced in lengths of 10-12 cm in the lower segment. It is less traumatic, with less blood loss, and also facilitates wound healing, reduces the risk of postpartum infection. The scar almost does not affect subsequent pregnancies, and childbirth can occur naturally;
• classic cut. It is carried out vertically in the upper part of the uterus, where a huge number of blood vessels are located, and therefore is accompanied by heavy bleeding. For this reason, doctors rarely do it;
• vertical cut. It is performed only in extreme cases, with some abnormal development of the uterus and premature birth.

No less important is the operation to suture the uterus after the incision

The incision on the uterus is usually sutured with a single-row or double-row suture without interruption. At the same time, doctors use special materials that completely resolve on their own over the course of several weeks to 3-4 months. It can be Dexon, Monocryl, Vicryl, Caproag and other sutures. After childbirth, doctors control the wound healing process and make sure that the suture after a cesarean section does not become inflamed.

The postoperative scar will heal longer: up to six months, and for some women - up to a year. Again, this is a lengthy process, and it is due to the fact that during the surgical incision, the integrity of the nerve endings was violated.

After the operation, you should take painkillers for several days, as the suture delivers pain. A skin scar is formed in about 6-7 days, so a woman can take a shower on her own only after a week. To alleviate discomfort, women are advised to bandage the stomach with a diaper or wear a special postpartum bandage.

Physical activity can be started no earlier than 2-3 months after childbirth. Exercises should not be heavy and painless. And remember that after a caesarean section, you can not lift any weights! If you overstrain the abdominal muscles, this can affect the healing process of the postoperative scar, up to the formation of hernias. Take care of yourself and your baby!

Specially for Nadezhda Zaitseva

During a caesarean section, an incision is made in the anterior abdominal wall and uterus to remove the baby. In this case, not only tissues are damaged, but blood vessels and nerves.

The uterus is cut in its lower part with a transverse incision about 12 cm long. If there are serious difficulties in extracting the child, then the incision can also be made along, which is very traumatic.

The uterus after caesarean section is weakened and overstretched, its inner surface is a continuous wound. In the lower part of the scar, sutured with synthetic absorbable threads, which must heal.

In the meantime, he will not let the uterus contract as quickly as we would like.

Immediately after childbirth, the uterus weighs about 1000 grams. Its bottom can be felt through the abdomen at the level of the navel. The front and back walls fit snugly against each other.

Due to a sharp decrease in the volume of the uterus after the extraction of the fetus and placenta, the vessels are compressed and the bleeding stops.

Every day its size will become smaller. On the second day, it can be felt 2 cm below the navel, a third - 4 cm below, and so every day 2 cm. By 7-8 days, it hides behind the womb and is not detected through the anterior abdominal wall.

Her weight is also decreasing very quickly. Muscle fibers become significantly smaller in volume. By the end of the first week, the uterus weighs 500 g, in the 2nd week - 350 g, and by the 3rd week - 250 g.

It will take time to fully restore the uterus and the body as a whole. This will take 6-8 weeks. But in the first days and weeks, this process is most intense. Healing and scar formation will take much longer 2-2.5 years.

If you had a caesarean section during childbirth, then the cervix, which managed to open, also undergoes reverse development. So by the 10th day, the cervical canal is almost closed. He fully recovered in 3 weeks.

Lochia

After childbirth, blood, mucus, and the remains of the placenta are released - these are lochia. They are important because by their color, smell and quantity, you can make a diagnosis and determine whether the uterus is contracting correctly.

1. In the first 3 days they are bright red and very plentiful. Gaskets should be changed every hour.
2. From 4 days to the middle of 2 weeks, they become bloody-bloody. Their color is pink-brown or brown. Every day the number of lochia decreases and their color becomes lighter.
3. By the 10th day they are yellowish or white and not plentiful, but spotting.
4. By 3 weeks contain streaks of mucus from the cervical canal.
5. The discharge will completely stop by 6-8 weeks.

Why does uterine contraction after caesarean section not go as fast as we would like?

After a caesarean section, the uterus recovers slowly. There are 7 reasons for this.

• First reason It's a scar on the uterus. Damaged blood vessels and nerves. The nutrition of the organ is disturbed. The body must spend energy not only on the restoration of the uterus, but also on the healing of the scar.
• Second- blood loss during caesarean section is much greater than that during childbirth. With low hemoglobin, hypoxia occurs - oxygen starvation of organs and tissues, which negatively affects the recovery of the body after childbirth, the uterus will recover for a long time.
• Third reason- hypodynamia. After a caesarean section, the woman is forced to stay in bed for the first day. In the following days, her movements are limited due to pain.
• Fourth reason- It is necessary to carefully monitor the emptying of the intestines and bladder. If there is no stool by the third day after cesarean, an enema should be given. A full bladder and rectum prevent the uterus from bouncing back.
• Fifth reason- overstretched uterus: if there was polyhydramnios, a large fetus, twins or triplets, if the birth is not the first, but 3 and subsequent.
• Sixth reason- if a caesarean section is performed due to the weakness of the birth forces. The uterus is not sensitive enough to hormones that contribute to its recovery.
• Seventh reason- bending of the uterus anteriorly, may interfere with the outflow of lochia.

When the uterus contracts poorly, blood clots and the remains of the placenta accumulate in its cavity. This can lead to their suppuration and the development of endometritis. Or massive bleeding.

Therefore, it is important to monitor how the uterus is recovering, and take action at the first sign of a violation.

What is important for a woman to know?

1. Be sure to carefully observe intimate hygiene. Change pads regularly. Use soap or gel for intimate hygiene.
2. If the discharge is very profuse, or has an unpleasant odor, or rotten fish - be sure to tell your doctor.
3. If you are worried about malaise, weakness, pain in the lower abdomen, fever - see a doctor
4. During breastfeeding secretions intensify because oxytocin is produced in the body when you suck on a nipple. This hormone simultaneously stimulates milk production and uterine repair. This is why breastfeeding is so important. By the way, during feeding, pains in the lower abdomen, reminiscent of contractions, but not so intense, may disturb. That's the way it should be.
5. If you are breastfeeding then menstruation may be absent throughout the period breastfeeding. But to achieve a contraceptive effect, rule 6 must be observed. If you feed the baby 6 times a day at regular intervals, then ovulation will not occur within 6 months. But this is very difficult to do in practice, so be extra protected. After a cesarean, the uterus needs 2-3 years to fully recover.

How to accelerate uterine contraction and body recovery after cesarean

Important! After surgery, to prevent bleeding and improve uterine contraction, an ice pack is placed on the abdomen for two hours. Obstetricians every 15 minutes will massage the uterus through the anterior abdominal wall.

The first two hours after a caesarean are the most dangerous, because bleeding may begin.

The doctor will prescribe a contracting drug - oxytocin.

Help yourself

• Physical activity after caesarean is required. And the sooner you start, the better. The first exercises should be done within 3-4 hours after the operation, of course, if there is no temperature, there was no bleeding and high pressure during the operation. This is necessary in order to improve blood circulation in the body, restore breathing, prevent the development of pneumonia if you had general anesthesia, normalize bowel function, prevent constipation and blood clots, and speed up the recovery of the uterus. And, most importantly, to increase vitality. Exercises are done on the back and on the side. Roll over in bed. Move your arms, lift them up, pull in your stomach, bend your knees, move your feet. As soon as you are allowed to rise, start doing gymnastics while sitting. Flexion and extension of the legs at the knee joints, abduction of the arms to the sides, while drawing in the stomach as you exhale.
• From the first days, do Kegel exercises. They will improve blood circulation in the pelvic organs, the uterus will contract better.
• Perform a light abdominal massage. Stroking clockwise, starting from the navel, and increasing the radius of the circle. Easy kneading. It's good to lie on your stomach.
• Postpartum bandage will help you stand up and facilitate the first movements. In addition, it will help restore the tone of the muscles of the anterior abdominal wall.
• Observe personal hygiene. Change pads. Wash with soap constantly. Process the seam after cesarean on the anterior abdominal wall. In the hospital, this will be done by doctors, and at home, follow their recommendations.
• Monitor bowel movements and bladder.
• Breastfeed. It is beneficial for both mother and child.

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recovery after caesarean section can be divided into two stages: recovery from caesarean section in the maternity hospital and recovery from caesarean section after discharge.

If natural childbirth poses a danger to the mother or child, then the fetus is removed by surgical intervention. This process is called a caesarean section. A caesarean section is a fairly common operation and can be both planned, recommended by the attending physician due to anatomical features or the presence of certain diseases and contraindications for natural childbirth in a woman, and emergency, in case of a certain danger to the health of the mother or baby. The rehabilitation period in the case of such an intervention will be longer than in the case of natural childbirth. Many women who have gone through this difficult process want to know how to recover faster after a caesarean.

After an unnatural childbirth, the first days are the most difficult. The mother's body is very weak, initially she needs special care.

Recovery after caesarean section in the hospital

In order to recover as quickly and easily as possible after a caesarean section, most experts recommend starting to slowly turn in bed a few hours after the operation, gently move your arms and legs while lying down, doing a little warm-up. After the anesthesia wears off, you need to get up gradually without rushing. You should sit down, get out of bed, and even more so, walk no earlier than 6 hours after the operation, when your doctor allows. Lifting heavy objects and even more so straining the abdominal muscles is strongly discouraged in order to avoid divergence of the seams. In the first few days, the nurse will treat them with brilliant green or potassium permanganate solution, and then apply a sterile bandage. After a week, the threads will either gradually dissolve themselves, or the doctor removes them. A bandage is applied to the area to prevent mechanical action by the seams of the linen. A scar usually forms around the end of the first week, and it will take at least two or three more to fully heal.

Eating after surgery

On the first day after anesthesia, you can not eat solid food. Trace elements and vitamins are administered through a dropper. It is only allowed to drink water without gas with lemon juice. On the second day, you need to eat foods that contain a lot of protein. It is very important not to eat foods that cause fermentation or gas and those that can harm the baby. On the fourth day, you can switch to a regular diet for newly born mothers.

Recovery after discharge

In order for the pelvic organs and the uterus to return to their previous shape as soon as possible after the birth of the baby, it is required at least six or eight weeks. A caesarean section is performed by dissecting the uterine cavity, from where the fetus is then removed, after which the doctor applies stitches. Unlike natural childbirth, the vagina and cervix remain in this case the same as before childbirth.

However, the presence of sutures imposes some restrictions, requires a more careful and attentive attitude of the young mother to her health. At the same time, the recovery processes on the skin occur much faster, while the healing of the suture applied to the tissues of the uterus takes at least two months. In order to protect the woman's body as much as possible from the attack of various infectious pathogens, antibiotics are administered to her both during the operation itself and for some time after it, usually after 12 hours and at the end of the day. You should not skip the course of antibiotics that many doctors prescribe over the next few days. Painkillers, selected by a specialist taking into account your characteristics, will help to cope with discomfort in the first days.

During the entire period after the operation, it is important for a woman not to forget the importance of hygiene, to gently wash the genital area after each urination. A variety of drugs and agents with an antibacterial effect can be used at this time to reduce the likelihood of penetration of various pathogens.

Wearing a bandage after a caesarean section

To quickly and easily restore weakened abdominal muscles, it is required to use a special support bandage immediately after the operation for at least a month. Lightweight, durable and elastic fabric has an excellent tightening effect and is worn over a sterile dressing. This helps to minimize the risk of postoperative hernias, fixes the position of the uterus and other internal organs. In addition, the bandage helps to reduce unpleasant, painful sensations in the postoperative period, reliably fixing the stitches.

If you want to get back in shape faster after a caesarean section, it is better to postpone the start of physical activity for a while. Classes are contraindicated. You can walk more and walk with the child, do simple exercises, while trying not to strain the abdominal muscles, because of this it increases the likelihood that the seams will simply disperse. After a couple of months, you will be able to see a doctor who will check how healing is proceeding and recommend the most appropriate exercises to restore the previous form. After receiving the approval of a doctor for physical activity, you can use this training program:

Complications after caesarean section

constipation

Constipation after caesarean section a very common occurrence. After such an operation, there are much more problems with constipation than after natural childbirth. Since there is a strong relaxation of the intestines. Antibiotics have a negative effect. All this disrupts the intestinal microflora. For recovery, special medications are prescribed. Laxative after caesarean section should include probiotics. These include suppositories, tablets, powders. When breastfeeding, a laxative can be used only as directed by a specialist. Such drugs are addictive, so they need to be alternated.

Umbilical hernia

It happens infrequently. In some cases, they encounter it with repeated dissection of the abdominal cavity or with a longitudinal incision. The only way to completely get rid of this problem is through surgery. Other methods only heal for a certain time.

Niche after caesarean section

The most common pathology niche after caesarean section. This is an incorrectly formed scar at the site of the incision of the uterus. This problem mainly appears after a second operation and may threaten miscarriage. When a niche is identified, it is necessary to constantly monitor the condition of the scar using special diagnostics.

Period of uterine contraction after caesarean section

After a caesarean section, the uterus recovers more slowly than after a normal birth. Since the vessels, muscle fibers and nerve endings are damaged. The uterus itself has a scar, in order for it to drag on, a certain time and care is needed.

How long the uterus shrinks after a caesarean section depends on many factors. Basically, in order for the uterus to come to a satisfactory condition, it will take about two months. In the absence of complications, the contraction process occurs by itself. In some cases, drugs are prescribed to stimulate uterine contractions.

lactation after caesarean section

Breastfeeding a baby after surgery is a very real process. But surgery provokes a large loss of blood. Because of this, colostrum after a caesarean section and milk may not come immediately. At this time, the child needs to be supplemented so that he does not lose weight. In some cases, milk needs to be expressed, the best way to do this is with a breast pump. Such a device reduces the time for pumping and stimulates lactation. If there is pain in the nipples, then you need to see a doctor.

Transferring a caesarean section requires a certain period for the recovery of the body. It is very important to follow all the doctor's recommendations and take care of your health. You need to devote your time to restoring your own strength and establishing breastfeeding.

Features of recovery after caesarean section- video

Features of recovery after caesarean section

Postpartum involution of the uterus causes a lot of anxiety in young mothers: is everything going right? Especially if the child was born as a result of a surgical operation. It is important to know how the uterine contraction should go after a cesarean section. After all, in this case there are differences from what happens after ordinary childbirth. And there are more opportunities to get complications.

Read in this article

Postpartum condition of the uterus

The main female organ is in no hurry to acquire its former size. This is natural, because in his smooth muscles there are many cells that have now become superfluous, which gradually atrophy. The muscles of the uterus are stretched and weakened. The inner surface is a wound, she also has to.

The uterus after caesarean section has even greater features. It has a seam, longitudinal or transverse, it depends on the type of intervention performed. That is, the tissues are interconnected by surgical threads, usually self-absorbable. But in any case, the body also expends energy on healing the suture, and not just the surface of the mucous wound. Nerve and muscle fibers, vessels must grow together, which makes the involution of the uterus more complex and lengthy.

The pain that accompanies the process, due to forced trauma to the organ, is stronger than after normal childbirth.

Restoration of the organ after caesarean section

Recovery of the uterus after caesarean section has 3 interrelated aspects:

1. Reduction of an organ in size, accompanied by contractions of its smooth muscles.
2. Seam healing.
3. Purification of the internal space from unnecessary tissues and regeneration of the mucous membrane, occurring with the removal of bloody discharge.

All processes take place simultaneously. But the operation performed makes them slower. It can also cause complications, so the woman then stays longer in the hospital. But then an extract home follows, then the opportunity to ask the doctor about something incomprehensible is moving away. Most of all, women are interested in how long the uterus contracts after a cesarean section. On average, the process takes up to 60 days.

Allocations

The uterus, with any method of delivery, is cleaned at the end of it. A woman discovers in herself, at first plentiful, then decreasing in quantity and changing color. In the first days, and are noticed in them.

With the inhibited behavior of the muscles of the organ, the excretions linger inside for a longer period. Therefore, they will also go longer, while maintaining a considerable volume. But their decrease in the norm is still noticeable.

The seam

The seam on the uterus, of course, is not visible, but prevents its contractions. A scar should form at the site of the incision on the organ. That is, a section of connective tissue is formed in this area. It is more rigid than smooth muscle, stretches worse, and the movements of the uterus during contraction and relaxation cause pain. The seam should turn into a scar by the 6th month after birth. That is, in the place of the incision, an independent process also takes place.

The condition of the external seam on the skin of the abdomen, on the abdominal wall is also important. The damage caused during the operation makes these muscles weaker, which also does not contribute to the rapid reduction of the uterus.

Return of the normal size of the uterus

It is also important how the uterus contracts after a caesarean section. The same thing happens to her as at the end of a normal birth. But since the organ is injured, the sensations during contractions will be stronger. To remove them, women are given painkillers. But in the future, discomfort will still be felt, especially when feeding.

The movements of the muscles of the uterus lead to the disappearance of excess fibers, pinching of the blood vessels. And on the 10-11th birthday of the baby, the organ, despite the cesarean section, is done a little more than before pregnancy.

Possible complications due to surgery

How long the uterus contracts after a cesarean section depends on the presence or absence, which do not occur during natural childbirth, or they occur less frequently:

• a significant loss of blood, making a woman weaker and more passive, and the uterus prone to hypotonia;
• the introduction of infection into the cavity of the organ, which interferes with the restoration of its internal surface and muscle movements;
• that violate the location of the organ, preventing contractions;
• arising from exorbitant physical activity for this stage.

How to help the body return to normal

The movements of the smooth muscles of the uterus are controlled by a hormone. It is produced by the body on its own, but only if you make an effort. It consists in the desire to feed the child. It is necessary to establish the process from the first days.

The more often you put the baby to the breast, the more actively the restoration of the mother's reproductive organs takes place.

There are other methods that promote uterine contractions:

• need to move despite discomfort and weakness;
• several times a day you need so 20 minutes;
• apply briefly to the area between the navel and pubis a vessel with ice wrapped in a towel;
• prevent overfilling of the bladder and constipation.

Problems of the postoperative period

Difficulties are associated mainly with movements. Getting out of bed, coughing, walking are more difficult than after normal childbirth. And this can cause the passivity of the newly-made mother, which means that it will slow down the contractions of the uterus. The same happens for additional reasons:

• accumulation of gases in the intestines due to a slowdown in motility as a result of the operation;
• difficulties with lactation, because the child is brought only on the 3rd day;
• external seam preventing lying on the stomach.

In addition, lochia may linger in the cavity of the organ, which will cause.

But despite all the difficulties, how much the uterus contracts after a cesarean section depends on its owner. Most problems with this are solvable. To help a woman -, careful care of the seam, the correct regimen.

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Childbirth greatly affects the reproductive system of a woman and, first of all, the uterus. And it takes a long time to fully recover. After childbirth, the uterus may resemble a stretched bag, but over time, it and all other organs will become the same shape. But do not forget that the recovery may end in 1-2 months, and in some cases even several years must pass. Therefore, it is worth adding trips to the doctor, daily hygiene and, of course, a good mood to the list of your rules. But there are cases when childbirth takes place with the help of caesarean section. Today it has become quite familiar and this operation is easy. But after such childbirth, the uterus of a woman recovers much longer.

Uterus after caesarean section

Also, women after a caesarean section in most cases are left in the hospital a little longer. And when mom gets home, she has other problems. It hurts to walk, roll over on her side. Coughing or sneezing also causes severe pain. As a rule, this is not yet a complete list. And all this together becomes one huge problem with breastfeeding, when it is very difficult to find a position.

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