Just curious how long it takes the uterus to contract and reduce in swelling and water after labor? A week, a few weeks? I don't remember with my first two.
I delivered naturally at home, and yes, I'm breastfeeding.
I'm also not talking about the weight. I happily discovered this morning I only gained 7 lbs after baby and placenta. I'm talking about the swollen uterus.
Yes, sorry. I had my daughter yesterday, 38weeks, 1 day, a healthy 8.2lbs.
Everyone and every pregnancy is different.
with my first, it took over 7 months
with my second, less than 6 weeks.
Well, there are lots of variables. First, is birth vaginal or c-section? C-sections seem to take longer due to all of the air and fluids pumped in during the surgery. Vaginal seems to be much faster. Also, are you breastfeeding or not? Nursing helps to contract the uterus and it really works! If you don't nurse than it seems to take longer. Also, I think it takes longer after subsequent pregnancies but don't quote me on that one. My friend just had #4 and it seems to be taking her longer but she had a much more difficult time during the pregnancy - she is also 40 now and it isn't the same as when she was 30:)
Good luck!
Hmmm...I honestly don't remember. I know that it's one of those things that they check at the 6 week appointment and mine was always contracted and back into place by then. Based on what I remember about bleeding and breastfeeding contractions, it was about a week. I did bleed more and longer with each delivery (as in 6-12 weeks of spotting), but I think most of the work is done with those breastfeeding contractions over the first week.
Congratulations!!
ETA: you piqued my curiousity with this so I looked it up...the process is called "involution" and here is some info:
http://gynaeonline.com/involution_lochia_menstruation.htm
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Rate of Involution : Immediately after the delivery, the upper margin of the uterus lies about 5 inches above the pubic symphysis (upper margin of the pubic bones). In an average sized woman, this will be at the level of the umbilicus. But, by the 7th day, the uterus becomes much smaller and only its upper border can just be felt at the level of the symphysis.
The size of the uterus decreases at the rate of ½ inches per 24 hours in the first 14 days of the postpartum period . It regains its pre-pregnancy size at the end of 6 weeks.
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So...1-2 weeks for the biggest change and up to 6 weeks before it's really back to normal.
For me. I was lucky. Did not gain a tremendous amount of weight except for 4th, but that was all excess amniotic fluid. First three gained no more than 20 lbs n had babies that weighed 8#8oz, 7# 2oz. 7#. Fourth gained 35# baby 7# 15oz. All four times I walked out of hospital in my regular jeans. I was just lucky. Did not do anything special.
I would say it depends on weight gain mostly. You have two other kids so you are on the go so I suspect it won't be long. Congratulations.
It depends on how many pregnancies, how old you are, the size of the baby, if you're breast feeding, etc.
After my first child I was back in my old jeans in about 2 months. She was a quick natural birth, weight 8lb, 12 oz and was 21 inches long and I breastfed her exclusively until she was 1. I was 37 when she was born.
I was 40 when I had my second, he was a c-section, he was 10lbs and 22 1/2 inches long. My intestines were moved outside to get him out of my uterus and then stuffed back in. I lost the weight in pounds but my tummy never returned to it's prior condition.
I do notice that the younger you are when you have your babies the quicker your body gets back to normal.
Congratulations on your newest family member. May you all get the sleep you need!
You had the baby, J.? Before 38 weeks, am I right?
Congrats if I am reading you right about this baby!
Dawn
sigh. 5 weeks after my 2nd somebody asked me when i was going to deliver that baby.
:(
i don't think it takes most people that long.
khairete
S.
Congrats!
With my first two, it seemed to go down right away.
With my third, it took about a week.
Congratulations!
I hope everything went as planned. Being that you were able to deliver naturally at home gives me the impression that all went well.
Frankly I do not remember any of those particulars and that's okay with me :-)
I hope you're all adjusting well and you're cutting yourself some slack.
