How long does it usually take to recover after giving birth

There is no unified standard answer to postpartum recovery. The recovery of core physiological structures usually takes 6 weeks to 6 months, and complete recovery involving body posture, hormones, and psychology may take 1 year or even longer. The specific time varies from person to person.

The time point that many people are most familiar with is the 42-day puerperium review. I went for a check-up with my best friend who had just given birth a while ago. The B-ultrasound showed that the uterus had returned to its pre-pregnancy size, the side incision wound was healing well, and the pelvic floor muscle assessment scored 80 points. The doctor said on the spot, "I am recovering very well, and I have no problem living a normal life." As a result, she went home and hugged the crying baby for half an hour. At night, her back was so sore that she couldn't turn over. She also leaked some urine when she coughed. She held her cell phone emo on the spot and said, "Didn't you say she has recovered? Is this because I checked for loneliness?"

In fact, it is not that the reexamination is inaccurate. 42 days is just a sign of the end of the puerperium, which means that the internal organs such as the uterus and cervix have basically returned to their original positions. The wounds caused by the birth have initially healed, and there are no pathological problems. However, the muscles and ligaments that have been stretched for 10 months, as well as the hormones that fluctuate like a roller coaster, cannot completely return to their original positions in such a short period of time. Just like you have stretched a rubber band for 10 months, you can't just let it go and ask it to snap back to its original length, right?

Mothers who have had vaginal tear or lateral incision must have experienced it. In the first 3 months, let alone running and jumping, even if you squat for a long time, you will feel like your lower body is falling. This is a sign that the pelvic floor muscles are still slowly recovering. Generally speaking, it takes 3-6 months to return to a relatively stable state. If the separation of the rectus abdominis is within 2 fingers, it can be basically recovered by abdominal breathing and core training in about half a year. If the separation exceeds 3 fingers, it may take longer and even require medical intervention. Mothers who had a caesarean section don’t need to rush. The superficial wound will heal in a month or two, but it will take 1-2 years for the scar on the uterus to fully grow. This is why doctors generally recommend waiting at least 2 years before conceiving another child.

Speaking of this, it's quite interesting. In the past, young people always thought that the old man's saying "you have to sit for a hundred days after confinement" was old feudal. Now many obstetricians will specifically advise not to lift heavy objects, not to stand or squat for long periods of time, and not to do hard work in the first three months after delivery. In fact, it coincides with what the elders say. Of course, those "can't wash your hair or brush your teeth" dross should have been thrown away long ago, but the logic of "leaving enough buffer time for the body" is really a practical experience passed down by the older generation.

I know a coach who has been doing pregnancy and childbirth training for 8 years. She gave birth to her first child at the age of 25. She maintained low-intensity exercise during pregnancy and had a natural delivery without side incision. She returned to her regular fitness rhythm 2 months after giving birth. Her waistline is more obvious than before she gave birth to the baby. As a result, she gave birth to her second child at the age of 32, and she had a natural delivery. She had just passed the pelvic floor muscle assessment half a year after the birth, and she started leaking urine even after running for two steps. She even said with a smile, "At this age, I gained 30 pounds when I was pregnant with my second child. How can I compare with when I was younger? There is really no way to apply one standard to everyone."

There is a lot of quarrel online now about the "6-month golden repair period after childbirth". Two groups of people are arguing. One group says that repairing after 6 months will be in vain and no matter how much money is spent. The other group says that as long as the method is right, repairing after three or four years will be effective. Objectively speaking, both sides are reasonable. The hormone levels have not fully returned to pre-pregnancy within 6 months after delivery, and the elasticity of muscles and ligaments is still in a relatively easy-to-adjust stage. Interventional repair is indeed more efficient at this time, but it is definitely not "there will be no shop after this village". There is a mother around me who only started regular pelvic floor muscle training one and a half years after giving birth. After three months, the problem of urinary leakage was basically solved. There is really no need to be anxious because she missed the so-called golden period.

Oh, by the way, many people forget that postpartum recovery is not just about the stomach retracting and not leaking urine. My hair started falling out 3 months after giving birth, I still break down in tears half a year after giving birth, and sleeping through the night is even more of a luxury. These are all part of recovery. I have met many mothers who have no physical problems for a long time. However, more than a year after giving birth, they are still worried that they have not returned to their pre-pregnancy weight. In fact, it is really unnecessary. Emotional stability, being able to eat and sleep, are much more important than vest lines.

You really don’t have to worry about others wearing navel-baring clothes 3 months after giving birth. Some people have three or four people at home to help take care of the baby, and they can sleep for 8 hours a day and still have time for repairs. Some people take care of the baby alone and can’t even eat a few mouthfuls of hot meals. Of course, the recovery speed is different. Follow your own pace, check regularly and listen to the doctor's advice. If you feel uncomfortable, make timely adjustments. Taking your time is better than anything else.