This is how your body changes during childbirth
After giving birth, your body changes again. But it’s not just your stomach that’s getting smaller. The uterus is getting smaller and your body has to adjust hormonally to “no longer pregnant”.
Postpartum is the time after the birth of your child. This time is characterized by extensive hormonal and physical changes that put your organism back into its normal, non-pregnant state.
Physical and hormonal changes in childbed
After the afterbirth is born, the hormones HCG, HPL and above all the hormone estrogen show a steep drop in concentration. This flushes out the water retention in your body caused by pregnancy. Your blood count and body weight will normalize, and your susceptibility to urinary tract infections will also decrease. In the first few days after birth, the amount of urine can increase significantly due to the breakdown of the stored water, up to four liters per day.
Therefore, the postpartum period is a time of relaxation and of course getting to know each other. You can find tips in our article “ How to recover in childbirth ”.
regression of the uterus
The uterus, which has grown to 20 times its size and weight at birth, returns to its normal size during the course of the postpartum period. This happens when the muscle tissue contracts again due to the aftermath. In addition, the blood supply to the uterus improves again after the drop in estrogen levels. The hormone oxytocin, which is released during breastfeeding, also has a regressive effect on the uterus. You can also support the recovery with recovery exercises .
What is the weekly flow?
When the uterus heals, the so-called weekly flow occurs. It consists of remnants of the egg skin, mucous membrane and clots of coagulated blood. Depending on the healing process, the amount and composition of the weekly flow, which begins immediately after birth, changes. The amount of weekly flow is about 100-200 ml per day at the beginning and decreases continuously in the course of the puerperium until the weekly flow stops completely at the end of the puerperium. You can find some hints in our article “ How to deal with the weekly flow correctly ”.
You need rest!
The first time after the birth you should also think of yourself. Your body needs to rest and recharge its batteries. Remember: If you feel fit, you can enjoy the time with your little one much more! In our article “ Proper support for new parents ” you can find out more about how others can actively support you during this time.