After giving birth to a baby, a new mother begins the "confinement month," a one-month period as it is commonly known in folk tradition. So, do you know the three basic facts about "confinement"? The editor is here to answer these questions for new mothers.
One: Changes in the Uterus
The most significant change during the puerperium is in the uterus. Uterine involution is an important indicator of the mother's postpartum recovery. Uterine involution is mainly manifested by the contraction of uterine muscle fibers, the reduction of the uterus in size, and the regeneration of the endometrium. Generally, on the first day after delivery, the uterine fundus is 1-2 transverse fingers below the navel, and the uterus weighs about 100 grams. It then descends by approximately 1.2 cm each day. On the 1st to 2nd day postpartum, a small, hard, spherical bulge will appear in the lower abdomen, accompanied by intermittent pain. This is a physiological phenomenon during the process of uterine involution. The uterus typically retracts into the pelvic cavity in 10-14 days, after which it can no longer be felt from the lower abdomen. By the 6th week postpartum, the uterus can return to its normal size. After delivery, the cervix is relaxed, congested, and edematous, appearing purple. The cervical wall is thin, wrinkled like a cuff, 1 cm thick, and 3-6 cm long. It shortens, hardens, and returns to its normal shape within 18 hours. The external os can accommodate two fingers on the 3rd day and one finger on the 12th day, with the internal os closing. The cervix returns to its normal size by the 4th week postpartum. Due to trauma during delivery, the external os of the cervix in a primipara changes from its original circular shape to a transverse fissure, forming the anterior and posterior lips of the cervix.
Two: Changes in the Breasts
The amount of milk secretion is related to the development of the mammary glands, the mother's nutrition, health status, and emotional state. Therefore, it is essential to ensure the mother gets adequate rest and sleep, pay attention to dietary conditioning, and avoid mental stress and infection. After delivery, the breasts undergo significant changes. After childbirth, the levels of estrogen and progesterone in the body drop sharply, and the mammary glands begin to secrete milk. Shortly after delivery, the baby should be allowed to suckle the nipple because nipple stimulation promotes the secretion of prolactin from the pituitary gland. The secretion of prolactin is key to the process of milk formation; milk secretion is only possible with prolactin secretion. Additionally, nipple stimulation can also stimulate the posterior pituitary to secrete oxytocin, causing the myoepithelial cells around the alveoli to contract, expelling milk and promoting uterine contractions. Therefore, the suckling-reflex is key to continuous milk secretion. Later, a conditioned reflex is established, and the baby's cry can trigger the secretion of prolactin and oxytocin. If nipple stimulation is not carried out promptly after delivery, insufficient lactation often occurs.
Three: Breastfeeding Can Reduce the Risk of Cancer
Cancer is receiving increasing attention due to its rising incidence rate. The focus of cancer prevention and treatment is on prevention and reducing the risk of cancer. Breastfeeding can reduce a woman's risk of breast cancer, particularly premenopausal breast cancer, as well as the risk of uterine and fallopian tube cancer. This is mainly due to the reduction in estrogen during lactation. The less estrogen there is to stimulate the growth of cells in the breasts, uterus, and fallopian tubes, the lower the risk of these tissues becoming cancerous.