Nurses press on your stomach after delivery to perform a fundal massage, which helps your uterus contract firmly, preventing excessive bleeding (postpartum hemorrhage) by squeezing blood vessels and encouraging the uterus to shrink back down to its normal size (involution). This is a crucial step to ensure the uterus gets hard and firm, signaling it's effectively clamping down on the placental site.
It can promote the shrinking of the uterus (involution) that is supposed to happen after birth. It also helps support your back and your abdominal muscles – they are weaker after carrying the baby and giving birth.
You literally just tell them that you know your patient rights and can refuse and service at anytime- you would like to refuse the fundal massage. They will probably be bitches about it but they have to allow you that by law. I then just performed a light one on myself- never had any complications from refusing this.
Your provider can often feel whether certain internal organs such as the liver, spleen, or uterus are larger than normal. The next step is finding the reason for the enlargement—possibly disease. Percussion means tapping the belly and listening to the sounds.
In women, the exam can also give information about the uterus and ovaries. When your doctor presses on your belly, they are feeling to see if any of these organs are enlarged or painful. That might be a sign of problems that need more assessment.
To have a smooth recovery after giving birth, you should avoid a few things.
The 5-5-5 rule is a postpartum guideline for the first 15 days of recovery, emphasizing rest to help the new parent heal and bond with the baby, by spending 5 days in bed, followed by 5 days on the bed, and then 5 days near the bed, gradually increasing activity while prioritizing rest, nourishment, and self-care over chores or visitors. It's a framework for creating boundaries and slowing down to prevent overexertion, though individual recovery needs should guide the pace.
Massage therapists must also be aware of endangerment sites where deep pressure should be avoided:
The various side effects of applying uterine fundal pressure include: uterine rupture, postpartum urinary retention, severe perineal trauma and pain, rib fracture, postpartum dyspareunia, and potential neonatal distress or trauma. Therefore, caution is recommended in the application of uterine fundal pressure.
Yes — at least, most of the time. Although postpartum belly is stubborn, the good news is that eventually, much of it will disappear on its own. Just as you experience hormonal changes during pregnancy, your hormones shift after you've given birth.
Immediately postpartum typically they will do a fundal massage every 15mins for the first hour, then every 30mins for the next hour. After that it differs per hospital, some do every hour, some do every 4 hours, and other do every 12 hours. There's not a recommended time frame by any governing bodies.
The maternity staff caring for you will check you're recovering well after the birth. They will take your temperature, pulse and blood pressure. They'll also feel your tummy (abdomen) to make sure your womb is shrinking back to its normal size.
Postpartum shaking might feel like a wild ride, but it's your body's way of dealing with the intense experience of childbirth. Embrace the shakes, support your body through them, and remember that this too shall pass.
Pressing on your stomach is a way to find out if the size of your internal organs is normal, to check if anything hurts, and to feel if anything unusual is going on. Looking, listening, and feeling are all part of a physical exam.
Massage red flags include professionalism issues (no license, unsanitary space, unprofessional boundaries, inappropriate touch, poor communication, body shaming) and physical warning signs (sharp pain, numbness/weakness, nausea, intense pain that takes your breath away, symptoms that worsen or don't improve). Trust your instincts if you feel uncomfortable, and prioritize a therapist who respects your boundaries, communicates clearly, and maintains professional standards for hygiene and draping, as indicated by this article from All Bodies Massage Therapy.
Yes, a massage therapist can work on the groin area (adductor muscles) for therapeutic reasons like injury recovery or improving flexibility, but they must have your explicit consent, use proper draping (like a "diaper drape"), and avoid the immediate genital area; it's a professional, not a sexual, touch, so communicate your comfort level to ensure appropriate and safe treatment.
The 40-day rule after birth, often called confinement or "The Golden Month," is a widespread cultural tradition emphasizing a mother's deep rest, healing, and bonding with her newborn, with family often handling chores and visitors, promoting physical recovery (like stopping bleeding) and mental well-being, rooted in ancient practices from Asia, Latin America, and religious traditions like Judaism and Christianity. Key aspects involve nourishing the mother, sheltering her from stress, and focusing solely on resting and bonding, a stark contrast to Western pressures to "bounce back" quickly.
In reality, the third week might be the hardest week postpartum, since everything seems to feel “normal,” but so much is happening at the same time. This being said, the third week will be an important week to focus on your mental health.
Causes, summarized by the 4 "T's" (tone, trauma, tissue, thrombin), require prompt intervention. Management involves an interprofessional approach, emphasizing accurate blood loss assessment, fluid replacement, and source control.
Avoid vegetables and fruits such as cabbage, sweet bananas, strawberries, cherries, and grapes: May cause gas and abdominal discomfort for the baby.
In those first few weeks postpartum, your cervix is still somewhat dilated, regardless of whether you had a vaginal delivery or a c-section. There's a theory – though no research has confirmed this – that tub water could travel into your uterus, introduce bacteria, and cause an infection.
Key Takeaways: Postpartum Recovery After Childbirth
Seek immediate medical attention for "red flags" like heavy bleeding (clots larger than a quarter), high fever, severe abdominal pain, or headaches with vision changes.