We could schematically divide the factors that affect the size of the belly after pregnancy into two categories:
- factors that we cannot influence
- factors that we can influence
The factors we cannot influence are:
The factors we can influence are:
- the condition of the woman’s abdominal muscles
- or the her body weight
- the fluid retention during pregnancy
In this article we will deal with the factors that we cannot influence.
Woman holds her baby in her arms – She gave birth a few weeks ago.
Bigstock
How long does it take for the uterus to return to its pre-pregnancy size?
To give an order of magnitude h matrix under normal conditions it weighs about one hundred grams while at the end of pregnancy it weighs one or even one and a half kilos.
The uterus is essentially a sac (a “bag” in other words), the walls of which are particularly thick and are mainly composed of muscle tissue. This muscle tissue is called the myometrium and it contracts in anticipation of labor in order to push the baby into the pelvis, these are Braxton Hicks contractions.
The contractions of the myometrium are particularly intense during childbirth. After its removal placenta by the doctor or at his end third stage of childbirth, or during cesarean uterine contractions continue.
The continuation of uterine contractions is extremely important in order to reduce the bleeding after childbirth, while the size of the uterus gradually decreases through them. Indicatively, we could say that:
- immediately after delivery or caesarean section the upper border of the uterus is palpated between the symphysis pubis (the upper border of the pelvis) and the umbilicus
- within 12 hours of delivery the upper border of the uterus “rises” and can be felt just below the navel
- on a daily basis: the upper border of the uterus descends by 1 to 2 cm until a week later it is palpated again between the symphysis pubis and the umbilicus
- contractions continue until the uterus reaches its pre-pregnancy size, when your baby will be around 40 days old
The woman perceives these contractions as “cramps” in the lower abdomen, which in fact become more intense during breastfeeding. Then the hormone is secreted oxytocinwhich acts on the muscular wall of the uterus, causing it to contract.
In addition, often after childbirth or caesarean section, oral medication is also administered, which aims to increase the contractions of the uterus, in order to reduce the chances of severe bleeding.
Belly with stretch marks after childbirth.
To what extent does the height of the pregnant woman affect the speed of the belly “falling”?
As a rule, taller women also have a longer torso. Therefore, the uterus – and of course the baby – is “given more room” to grow inside their belly, since it often grows along the trunk, that is, towards the chest and not the abdominal wall. So the belly of a taller pregnant woman may show slightly smaller than the abdomen of a smaller pregnant woman, located in the same gestational agesince the second woman’s uterus “necessarily” grows towards her belly.
Therefore, since as a rule taller women also have a smaller belly during pregnancy, they usually also see their belly “disappear” faster after giving birth.
In the video below you can see how you can improve the health of your vagina after childbirth thanks to HIFU ultrasound!
Dr. MENELAOS KON. LYGNOS, MSc, PhD
OBSTETRICAL SURGEON GYNECOLOGIST
Master of Science University College London
Doctor of Obstetrics and Gynecology
www.eleftheia.gr
