How long does it take for the uterus to shrink after birth?

How do I know when my uterus is done shrinking?

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Nossos corpos são projetados para carregar bebês, mas a gravidez ainda coloca muita pressão no útero e na parede abdominal. Depois de dar à luz meu segundo filho, eu sabia que levaria um tempo para minha barriga inferior encolher. Fiquei desanimada quando, dois anos depois, ela ainda permanecia visivelmente mais inchada do que antes de ter filhos. Mas o que eu estava notando não era meu útero. Na verdade, eram meus músculos abdominais enfraquecidos, que eram menos capazes de manter minhas entranhas no lugar. E quanto ao meu útero? Ele havia encolhido de volta ao seu tamanho normal por conta própria. Então, quanto tempo leva para o útero encolher após o parto—e como isso acontece? Continue lendo para aprender mais com especialistas.

Neste artigo:

• O que é involução uterina?
• A involução uterina dói?
• Quanto tempo leva para o útero encolher após o parto?
• Existem maneiras de ajudar o útero a encolher mais rápido?
• O útero continua encolhendo anos após o parto?

A involução uterina (involução do útero) é o encolhimento do útero de volta ao seu tamanho pré-gravidez. Isso acontece naturalmente nas primeiras semanas após o parto.

A involução do útero pode ser desconfortável ou até mesmo dolorosa, já que envolve contrações uterinas. Quanto maior o útero, mais dolorosas serão as contrações—o que significa que o desconforto será maior logo após o parto. “Começará a sentir como contrações de trabalho muito leves e, em seguida, se tornará mais parecido com cólicas menstruais, com a severidade diminuindo ao longo do tempo à medida que o útero encolhe”, explica Mahino Talib, MD, um obstetra-ginecologista e professor assistente clínico na NYU Grossman School of Medicine no departamento de obstetrícia e ginecologia. Se você teve uma cesariana, pode sentir dor tanto pela involução quanto pela incisão da cesariana.

Dito isso, ligue para o seu médico imediatamente se você tiver dor uterina acompanhada de:

Para aliviar a dor, seu médico recomendará ibuprofeno (Advil) ou acetaminofeno (Tylenol). “O ibuprofeno é ótimo para dor muscular, e o útero é um músculo”, diz Alessandra Hirsch, MD, uma obstetra-ginecologista do NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center. Faixas abdominais, compressas quentes e banhos de imersão também podem ajudar (junto com massagem abdominal, desde que você não tenha tido uma cesariana).

O útero se encolherá gradualmente de volta ao seu tamanho normal durante as primeiras seis semanas após o parto—por volta da época em que você verá seu médico para um acompanhamento. Nessa visita, seu médico geralmente palpará seu abdômen para sentir o útero e garantir que tudo esteja de volta ao normal, diz Hirsch. O tempo, no entanto, varia de pessoa para pessoa, diz Talib. Pode levar até 12 semanas para o útero retornar ao seu tamanho pré-gravidez, especialmente se você teve gêmeos.

Se este não é seu primeiro parto, seu útero pode estar um pouco mais esticado imediatamente após o parto. Qualquer diferença de tamanho deve ser mínima dentro de 24 horas após o parto, diz Talib.

Embora você possa pensar que a cirurgia impactaria a capacidade do útero de encolher, o corpo é incrivelmente hábil em se curar após a gravidez. Leva o mesmo tempo.

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How long does it take for a postpartum belly to shrink?

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While you’re pregnant, watching your baby bump grow is exciting! When tracking pregnancy-related changes in your body and awaiting your precious baby’s arrival, you likely took plenty of pictures to document your beautiful growing belly. After giving birth, you’ll probably notice that your post-baby belly and other features do not live up to your pre-pregnancy shape. Now you’re wondering: How long will the baby weight stick around? Is it natural to have loose skin on my stomach like this? How can I improve my “Mom pooch?” There’s no need to worry—you’re not alone in this. Moms worldwide have been asking these questions (and more) about postpartum body changes since the beginning.

At RMC, we cater to each milestone from prenatal to postnatal care, and we know what you’re going through; we’re here for you, Mama. Today we’re sharing the answers you’re looking for and advice on everything concerning your postpartum belly. Read on to learn more!

Your bump first appears during pregnancy as your uterus expands beyond your pubic bone, causing your abdomen to protrude. Throughout the nine months of your pregnancy, the uterine expansion will progress; baby growth and developing pregnancy organs will cause your tummy to stretch like a balloon.

As a result of all the stretching and strain, you’ll be left with a “pregnancy pouch” for a while, as if the balloon deflated. Stretch marks, extra belly fat, and loose skin remain for most Moms, and it’s not uncommon for a new Mom to leave the hospital looking six months pregnant.

Your stomach muscles are pulling and stretching well beyond their normal position to support these developments through the entire nine months of your pregnancy. They’re working overtime during labor and delivery. If you have a firmer bump along the middle of your tummy—bulging out near or around your belly button—you may have a condition known as diastasis recti.

Diastasis recti (abdominal separation) occurs when the connective tissue of a mother’s linea alba thins and broadens, separating the abdominal muscles into an abnormal position and pushing out the hip joints and abdominal region. The condition is quite common, affecting 30–60% of women in the postpartum period, and is often not a cause for immediate medical attention. Treatment options are available for the success of future pregnancies and cosmetic reasons.

Right after giving birth, most Moms lose weight—some lose up to twelve pounds. The size and weight of the baby, placental tissue, and remaining amniotic fluid expelled during delivery determine initial postpartum weight loss. Moms recovering from C-sections can typically expect their scars to heal in a few weeks.

In the first six weeks after giving birth, hormonal changes will begin to cause the uterus to shrink and your abdominal muscles to contract; the skin on your postpartum belly will steadily tighten. Any leftover fluids and hormonal secretions that drive much of your leftover swelling will excrete vaginally and through perspiration.

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How long after birth does uterus return to normal size?

Your uterus, which enlarged as your baby grew, will take about six to eight weeks to contract back to normal size. During this process, you may experience cramping, bleeding, a heavier-than-normal period, and/or vaginal discharge. Your abdominal wall muscles will slowly regain their muscle tone over time.

Does breastfeeding shrink the uterus faster?

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Don’t have an ob-gyn? Learn how to find a doctor near you.

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Last updated: July 2023

Last reviewed: December 2022

This information is designed as an educational aid for the public. It offers current information and opinions related to women’s health. It is not intended as a statement of the standard of care. It does not explain all of the proper treatments or methods of care. It is not a substitute for the advice of a physician. Read ACOG’s complete disclaimer.

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When does uterus fully shrink after C-section?

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Uterus involution refers to the process where your pregnant uterus (womb) returns to the way it was before pregnancy. Your uterus goes through major changes when you’re pregnant. The lining of your uterus thickens, your blood vessels widen and your uterus grows several times its normal size. These changes transform your uterus into a space of nourishment and protection for a growing fetus.

Once you no longer need these changes to support your pregnancy, your uterus returns to its pre-pregnancy state. Uterine involution is a significant post-pregnancy change that allows you to regain some comfort and fertility. Your uterus shrinks during involution, lessening the pregnancy weight your body has to carry. In addition, involution is necessary for you to begin menstruating. Instead of supporting a fetus, your uterus goes through changes that allow you to become pregnant again.

Involution begins as soon as the placenta is delivered. The placenta is the organ that allows the mother to share nutrients with the fetus. It’s attached to your uterus during pregnancy. The placenta is delivered shortly after your baby is born.

During uterine involution, your uterus returns to the condition and (approximate) size that it was before pregnancy. After your provider delivers your baby, your uterus contracts to deliver the placenta. The repeated squeezing and relaxing in your uterus muscle wall compresses the blood vessels. The narrowed blood vessels prevent you from losing too much blood at the site where the placenta was once attached to your uterus (postpartum hemorrhage).

Over the next several hours and days, your uterus continues to contract and decrease in size. It weighs less and takes up less space in your pelvic cavity as each day passes. The lining of your uterus (endometrium) regenerates, or builds back up, too.

Uteruses generally decrease in weight along a similar timeline. That said, your uterus’s size and weight before pregnancy depend on various factors, including whether or not you’ve given birth before. Generally, if you’ve had a baby before, you’ll have a slightly larger uterus than someone delivering their first child.

The following breakdown offers an approximation of how much a uterus weighs soon after you’ve had your baby up until eight weeks:

It takes about six weeks for your uterus to return to its pre-pregnancy weight and size. Your uterus will shrink more rapidly if you breastfeed. When your newborn suckles, your body produces a hormone called oxytocin that causes your uterus to contract. The increased contractions narrow the blood vessels in your uterus, preventing bleeding. The contractions also cause your uterus to shrink back to its original size more quickly.

You may experience pain from uterine contractions, called afterpains, and notice a discharge called lochia in the weeks following delivery. Both are normal.

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When did your C-section pooch go away?

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It’s not weird to keep wearing maternity clothes after pregnancy! It takes time for your body to recover. It comes as a surprise to many new moms: After nine-plus months of pregnancy, you have your baby and … still look about 4 or 5 months pregnant.

“I’ve been asked if I’m expecting at least six times since I gave birth, and it hurt my heart every time,” says BabyCenter Community member Mish00.

Deep breaths: This is to be expected! Imagine your belly as a balloon, slowly inflating as your baby grows. Childbirth doesn’t pop that balloon; it starts a slow and steady leak.

While no two women are the same, there are certain postpartum body changes that are pretty standard. Here’s how to navigate them, and what to expect.

During pregnancy, your uterus and the ligaments, muscles, and skin around your belly do a lot of stretching – and they don’t snap back immediately. When you’re holding your new baby in your arms, you’ll have a soft, round midsection.

But your body is already changing. The moment you give birth, your uterus starts contracting back to its pre-pregnancy state. The cells in your body that swelled during pregnancy begin to release extra fluid, which your body will expel via pee and postpartum sweating.

It typically takes six to eight weeks for the uterus to return to its pre-pregnancy size, and as the uterus contracts the abdomen will shrink as well. But for some moms, it may take much longer for their post-pregnancy belly to feel “normal” again. Many find that their midsection looks permanently different.

“I’ve been asked if I’m expecting at least six times since I gave birth, and it hurt my heart every time.” – BabyCenter Community mom Mish00

Some postpartum stomach bulges are caused by diastasis recti. Your abdominal muscles naturally separate during pregnancy, but when you develop this common condition, the connective tissue remains separated postpartum.

Your healthcare provider can confirm whether you have diastasis recti and, if needed, refer you to a physical therapist to recommend exercises to help treat it. In some cases, surgery may be necessary to repair the muscles.

The skin on your belly may tell a story, too: Many expecting moms develop a dark line down their abdomen, called the linea nigra, and a web of stretch marks – tiny scars caused by the skin’s extensive stretching.

Stretch marks usually become less noticeable six months to a year postpartum, as their pigmentation fades. They become lighter than the surrounding skin (the color will vary depending on your skin tone), but their texture will remain the same. Certain stretch mark creams might help decrease the visibility of your stretch marks over time, but finding a product that works for your skin will take trial and error.

The deeper color of the linea nigra should gradually fade over a year, but it may not completely disappear. (Stretch mark creams won’t have any impact on the linea nigra, which is caused by hor).

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When does postpartum belly go away?

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The arrival of a new baby is a joyous yet transformative time for a mother. Your body changes a lot during pregnancy and even once your little one arrives, you may still face physical changes post-pregnancy, especially with your postpartum belly. Understanding how your body changes, how long your postpartum belly bump may last, and ways to support recovery can help empower you through your postpartum journey.

After childbirth, you may be surprised to find that your stomach doesn’t immediately revert to its pre-pregnancy state. This is completely normal and expected. Initially, the abdomen may appear softer and rounder, similar to being pregnant in the early months. This look and feel are due to stretched muscles, loose skin, and residual bodily fluids that supported your baby during pregnancy.

If you had a caesarean birth, you will also have an abdominal incision on your belly. Your healthcare provider will give you advice on how to care for your caesarean section incision and scar to help the healing process.

Some women may experience diastasis recti after pregnancy. This is when the muscles of the rectus abdominus separate during pregnancy and don’t go back to their normal positions. If your healthcare provider diagnoses you with diastasis recti, they’ll discuss your treatment options with you or refer you to a physical therapist.

So, if you think you still look and feel pregnant after giving birth, remember, in reality, this is normal and everyone’s postpartum bellies will be different. Be patient and gentle with yourself as your body gradually returns to its pre-pregnancy shape.

Postpartum, the uterus begins to contract and shrink back to its pre-pregnancy size shortly after delivery, a process called involution, which generally takes around six weeks. Every day, your uterus will gradually shrink and move downwards and back behind your bladder.

The uterus weighs about two pounds immediately after birth and is around seven inches long. Soon after delivery, it starts to decrease in size, and by about six weeks, it may reach close to its pre-pregnancy weight of two ounces and three inches in length.

During this period, you may feel your uterus contract and relax. These contractions, often felt as postpartum belly cramps or “afterbirth pains,” are a positive sign of healing and return to the pre-pregnancy uterine size.

The journey of the postpartum belly through the weeks and months after childbirth varies from person to person. While your uterus may shrink back to its pre-pregnancy size by around six weeks, it may take up to six months or longer for your body and belly to return to their pre-pregnancy state. Here’s a general idea of the postpartum belly progression week by week:

• Your belly likely remains large and soft in the first couple of weeks after giving birth.
• Don’t be surprised if you still look pregnant.
• However, this postpartum period sees the most rapid reduction as the uterus contracts and gradually begins to shrink back to its pre-preg.

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Why is my uterus not shrinking after a C-section?

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Uterine atony (atony of the uterus) occurs when your uterus doesn’t contract (or tighten) properly during or after childbirth. It’s a serious complication that can cause life-threatening blood loss. Uterine atony (or the muscular tone of your uterus) describes a uterus that is soft, or lacking tone.

During pregnancy, your baby grows in your uterus and gets blood, oxygen and nutrients from the placenta. Blood vessels and arteries supply blood to your baby through the placenta. After delivery, your uterus contracts to deliver the placenta. These contractions help prevent bleeding because they compress the blood vessels that connect your uterus to the placenta. Without pressure on these blood vessels, they can bleed freely and cause postpartum hemorrhage (excessive bleeding after birth).

Uterine atony can also occur during a miscarriage or other uterine surgeries, and it can be a complication of vaginal births or C-sections. Uterine atony happens in about 2% of all childbirths in the United States; however, not all cases lead to postpartum hemorrhage.

Atony of the uterus requires immediate medical intervention. Most people have a full recovery when it’s treated promptly.

When muscles in your uterus don’t contract after giving birth, you’re at risk for excessive blood loss. After you give birth, blood vessels in your uterus break open to allow the placenta to detach from your uterine wall. Contractions help squeeze your blood vessels shut. When the muscles aren’t squeezing enough, the blood flows freely, and you’re at risk for severe bleeding. This is a medical emergency because it can be life-threatening.

Uterine atony has several risk factors. These factors can prevent your uterus from contracting after delivery:

• Having a full bladder
• Excessive stretching of the uterus (due to multiple pregnancies, a large baby, or excessive amniotic fluid)
• Prolonged labor
• Use of certain medications during labor

Healthcare providers also believe if the following factors are present during labor, your uterus may not contract after delivery:

• Induced labor
• Multiple births (twins, triplets, etc.)
• Previous history of uterine atony

You’re at high risk for uterine atony if you have more than two risk factors. For people who have known risks, healthcare providers can make preparations before delivery so they are ready for quick action.

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