How many days does the mother need to stay in confinement?

Nowadays, young women don’t know much about things like confinement. They have no idea how long it takes, so they start working before the confinement period is over. Although they may not feel any discomfort in their bodies at the beginning, they will slowly find that their resistance begins to decrease over time. So how long does it take for a mother to rest after giving birth?

The postpartum period refers to the period from the time a woman gives birth to the time her body and reproductive organs have basically recovered, which usually takes 6 to 8 weeks. It is commonly known as confinement among the people. There are many physiological changes in the postpartum period. As these changes occur, they also help various parts of the body to recover. After delivery, many parts of the body will return to their pre-pregnancy state.

1 Contraction of uterine muscle fibers During the process of uterine contraction, the number of uterine muscle cells remains roughly unchanged, but the length and volume of the muscle cells decrease, and the excess cytoplasm denatures and autolyzes, passing through the lysosomal enzyme system and finally converted into amino acids, which are carried to the kidneys through the blood and lymph. As the muscle fibers continue to contract, the uterus gradually shrinks. One week after delivery, the uterus shrinks to about the size of 12 weeks of pregnancy and can be palpated above the pubic symphysis. Ten to two days after delivery, the uterus descends into the pelvic cavity and the fundus cannot be palpated during abdominal examination. Until 6 to 8 weeks after delivery, the uterus returns to its pre-pregnant size. As most of the water and electrolytes retained in the uterus during pregnancy gradually disappear, the weight of the uterus also gradually decreases, from 1000g at delivery to 500g one week after delivery, 300g two weeks after delivery, and 50g~60g at 6~8 weeks after delivery, which is slightly larger than the non-pregnant period.

2 Repair of the endometrium After the placenta is separated and discharged from the decidua spongiosum, the placental attachment surface immediately shrinks to half its original size, causing the open spiral arteries and venous sinuses to compress and narrow. Under the influence of normal coagulation function, blood clots are formed, and bleeding gradually decreases until it stops. Subsequently, the wound surface becomes necrotic and falls off, and is discharged from the vagina along with the lochia. The remaining endometrial basal glands and interstitial cells proliferate rapidly to form a new functional layer. The entire uterine neoendometrium is slowly repaired. Around the third week after delivery, the entire surface of the uterine cavity is repaired by the neoendometrium except for the placental attachment surface. It takes until six weeks after delivery for the placental attachment surface to be completely repaired. If during this period, the placental attachment surface is poorly restored and blood clots fall off, it may lead to late postpartum hemorrhage. 3 Recovery of the cervix: After delivery, the cervix is ​​soft, the outer opening is sleeve-shaped, purple-red, edematous, and about 1 cm thick. The next day, the tension of the cervical os gradually recovered. 2 to 3 days after delivery, the cervical os can still accommodate 2 fingers. One week after delivery, the internal os of the cervix closes and the cervical canal is formed. By 4 weeks postpartum, the cervix has completely returned to normal. Only because the external os of the cervix is ​​slightly lacerated during delivery, and because the lacerations are mostly at 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock, the external os of the cervix of primiparas changes from a round shape before delivery (pre-delivery type) to a "I"-shaped transverse tear after delivery (delivery type).

The above article will explain in detail how long it takes for a woman to sit in confinement after giving birth. Because a woman will consume a lot of physical energy during childbirth, her body functions need a period of recovery. This period of time is called confinement, which takes about 6-8 weeks.