Why Uterine Contractions Still Occur After Childbirth

After giving birth, Mother may feel relieved because the discomfort during the pregnancy passes, then changes to the happiness of meeting the Little One. But in fact, the process inside Mother's body has not yet been completed. Like pregnancy, childbirth can also cause discomfort, such as postpartum uterine contractions. Don't worry, Mother, it is natural and can be overcome.

Pain Sensation for Some Time

For several days after giving birth, Mother may experience contractions or sharp pain in the abdominal area. It feels like menstrual cramps, and sometimes it can also feel more severe pain. This pain sensation is most felt on the first and second day after delivery, then gradually decreases from the third day. Postpartum uterine contractions usually feel mild, compared to the birth of the second child and so on. This is because new mothers have better uterine muscle tension. In new mothers, the condition of the uterine muscles is generally still in a tight condition. This condition of the uterus makes contractions more stable, then relaxation returns after some time. Whereas for mothers who have given birth to their second or next child, the time interval between uterine contractions and relaxation is shorter, so that pain is more pronounced.

Causes of Postpartum Contractions

The pain you feel is caused by the uterus contracting to size before becoming pregnant. Once the little one comes out of the stomach of the Mother, a few minutes later the uterus begins to shrink. The muscles tighten the same way when pushing the baby out, so you feel cramps. When breastfeeding, contractions become more pronounced because the hormone oxytocin, the hormone that regulates the release of breast milk (ASI) also triggers uterine contractions. It takes about 6-8 weeks for the uterus to return to its previous size. This is reasonable, considering the size of a woman's uterus shortly before giving birth which is about 25 times the size before becoming pregnant.

Tips to Relieve Pain in Contractions

No need to worry, Mother can take a few simple steps to relieve contraction pain.

• Sleeping on your stomach with your stomach using a pillow shim. Some women claim this method helps when contractions are attacking.
• As an alternative, you can try gently massaging the abdomen. Compress or warm bath can also help reduce pain experienced.
• Do not delay urinating. Even if you really don't feel you need to pee. This bladder emptying trick can help because a full bladder can compress the uterus and trigger contractions.
• Take ibuprofen or other pain relievers, with the approval and follow the doctor's instructions.

Try to always think positive. For example, assuming postpartum contractions are needed for Mother's body recovery. Indeed, besides being useful to shrink the uterus, contractions in the uterus also help reduce blood loss after giving birth. In addition to trying some of the steps above to relieve pain due to uterine contractions, do not forget to control the obstetrician or midwife after giving birth to check the health condition of the mother.