Postpartum

Postpartum uterine cramps

After childbirth it is common to suffer from pain in the lower abdomen, real cramps that recall the pains experienced during childbirth.

Uterine cramps are due to the fact that the uterus during the nine months grows progressively from the size of a tennis ball about up to about 33 cm in height. After delivery, after the second (expulsion of the placenta), the uterus must return to its initial size.

Through a continuous series of contractions, this process of involution begins, which also avoids the occurrence of dangerous postpartum hemorrhages (in this case, when the uterus does not contract we talk about atony of the uterus and alas I know something about it …) that can endanger the life of the mother.

The uterus contracting causes the blood vessels to contract as well, thus interrupting the blood supply and therefore the possible bleeding.

It is therefore this process that causes annoying pain in the lower abdomen. Those who have had more pregnancies feel more pain, in fact uterine cramps are more frequent from the second birth onwards, while primiparous ones barely perceive them.

Cramps and lactation

These pains are accentuated when the baby is attached to the breast. The reason lies in oxytocin, a hormone produced by the pituitary gland that serves two very important things: it stimulates the production of milk by the mammary gland and stimulates uterine contractions by acting on some receptors that are located on the uterine muscles. So if you are breastfeeding and you feel cramps in the lower abdomen do not worry, it is the cramps that favor contractions and therefore involution of the uterus to its normal state.

In some cases in the hospital, immediately after childbirth, when cramps are more annoying, some medicines are administered to alleviate the pain. The doctor, however, will have to take into account two aspects: breastfeeding and any allergies. In these cases, many analgesic medicines are to be avoided.

Dr Kathryn Barlow

Kathryn Barlow is an OB/GYN doctor, which is the medical specialty that deals with the care of women's reproductive health, including pregnancy and childbirth.

Obstetricians provide care to women during pregnancy, labor, and delivery, while gynecologists focus on the health of the female reproductive system, including the ovaries, uterus, vagina, and breasts. OB/GYN doctors are trained to provide medical and surgical care for a wide range of conditions related to women's reproductive health.

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