Postpartum uterine hardness

The process of pregnancy and childbirth is a very draining one for women. Not to mention the nearly 10 months of caution, the appearance problems caused by pregnancy and the series of gynecological problems that may be encountered after giving birth are already very annoying. Some women find that their uterus becomes hard after giving birth. This is actually the result of uterine contractions. It is a normal phenomenon and will disappear naturally in about a week after giving birth. As the place where the fetus is nurtured, the uterus is under great pressure during pregnancy. There are actually some indicators for the recovery of the uterus.

Uterus returns to normal size

It usually takes about 42 days for the uterus to recover after delivery. The uterus after giving birth is about the same size as the baby's head and weighs about 1 kilogram. It will return to its original size, that is, the size of an egg, 50-70 grams, about 4-6 weeks after delivery. This change process is called uterine involution, which is mainly repaired by continuous contraction of the uterus. Mothers should go to the hospital for a gynecological examination about 42 days after delivery to find out whether the uterus has returned to normal.

Descent of the uterus

After the placenta is expelled, the uterus will contract immediately. You can feel a very hard and spherical uterine body in the abdomen with your hands. Its highest point is at the same level as the navel. In the future, the height of the fundus of the uterus will decrease by 1-2 cm every day. About 10-14 days after delivery, the uterus will become smaller and descend into the small pelvic cavity. At this time, the fundus of the uterus cannot be felt in the abdomen.

Closure of the cervix

Just after delivery, the cervix becomes very soft due to congestion and edema. The cervical wall is also very thin and wrinkled like a cuff. It will take 7 days to return to its original shape. The internal cervix will close after 7-10 days. It takes until about 4 weeks after delivery for the cervix to return to its normal size.

Restoration of the endometrium

After the placenta and fetal membranes separate from the uterine wall and are expelled from the mother, a new layer of endometrium will grow from the basal layer of the endometrium. About 10 days after delivery, except for the surface where the placenta is attached, the rest of the uterine cavity will be completely covered by the new endometrium. Just after delivery, the area of ​​the uterine wall where the placenta is attached is about the size of the palm. By about 2 weeks after delivery, the diameter has shrunk to 3-4 cm, but it will take 6-8 weeks after delivery to heal completely.

Lochia discharge

The discharge of lochia after delivery is also a sign that the uterus has recovered well. During the first three days or so after delivery, the lochia is large in volume and bright red in color, containing a large amount of blood, small blood clots, and necrotic decidual tissue, etc. This is called bloody lochia; after 3-5 days, the lochia turns light red and contains less blood, more cervical mucus, necrotic decidual tissue and white blood cells, etc. This is called serous lochia; 10-14 days after delivery, the lochia becomes white or light yellow and contains a large amount of white blood cells, decidual tissue, etc. This is called white lochia. 4-6 weeks after delivery, lochia secretion stops and the uterus basically returns to normal.