New moms are curious about many things. Among the questions that might be running through your mind is, "Why do they push on your stomach after birth?" Is this necessary, and what are its benefits? This article teaches you what you need to know. On top of that, you will also learn additional things about postpartum recovery. Continue reading to find out how to steadily get back to good health.
Why Do They Push on Your Stomach After Birth? The Purpose of Fundal Massage
The act of pushing on your stomach after childbirth is called fundal massage. Its purpose is to encourage the uterus to contract and stop bleeding after the placenta has been detached. It helps prevent complications, particularly postpartum hemorrhage, from developing.
Is Pushing on the Stomach After Birth Necessary?
No, pushing on the stomach after childbirth is not always necessary. Fundal massage can help but should only be done if you are at risk. It protects you from postpartum hemorrhage, which is a serious problem. This medical condition makes you lose more blood than is usually experienced by moms who have given birth. That results in low blood pressure and other complications that go with it.
However, a fundal massage should only be performed if your uterus is soft and you are experiencing postpartum hemorrhage (PPH). If your uterus is already contracting properly, pushing on the stomach can actually worsen the bleeding.
So, do they have to push on your stomach after childbirth? It depends on your case. They might need to, but they also might not.
Benefits of Postpartum Fundal Massage
Postpartum fundal massage has physical and psychological benefits. It helps stop bleeding, preventing you from losing too much blood. Effectively, it prevents your body from going into a shock.
What about the psychological benefit? Many expecting moms are anxious because they worry about postpartum hemorrhage. Knowing the existence of fundal massage and how it can help gives them peace of mind.
What to Expect During a Fundal Massage
It is not a pleasant experience. You may be surprised by how hard the nurse is pushing because it needs significant force to impact the uterus. Furthermore, in some cases, the nurse would need to put their hand on your vagina to compress the uterine arteries. That said, you should prepare yourself physically and mentally when giving birth.
The Procedure Explained: What Happens and Why
Here is how medical providers perform a fundal massage.
- They will search for the top of your uterus, called the fundus. It is usually around or below your belly button.
- Your provider will examine its state. If it is soft, they will proceed with the massage. On the other hand, if it is firm, they will announce that you don't need a fundal massage.
- If you need a massage, one of your provider's hands will push down and firmly rub the uterus. Their other hand will support the bottom of their hand. Your provider will keep doing it until the tone of your fundus is restored.
Pain Relief and Relaxation Techniques
Here are some relaxation techniques you should practice to cool down or ease any pain you may feel after childbirth.
Follow Your Doctor's Advice
Your doctor may recommend some medication for pain relief. We suggest following their advice. Just remember to inform your doctor if you want to switch to a different medicine. They will help you make informed decisions.
Eat Nutritious Food
Eating nutritious food does help you recover from sickness. It also helps you ease pain and relax after childbirth. If you are healthy, your systems are better equipped for a fast recovery. Also, eating certain foods will help you avoid some problems. For example, high-fiber foods will help prevent discomfort. So, be sure to eat a balanced diet and don't forget to stay hydrated.
Use Cold and Hot Compress
If there is swelling and you experience pain, consider a cold compress. This is especially useful if you have had a C-section. After a few days, you may want to switch from cold packs to heat packs. Heat packs will help relax your muscles.
Use the Momcozy Ergowrap Postpartum Belly Wrap
The newest postpartum belly wrap from Momcozy aims to help moms who just gave birth recover. It offers both abdominal compression and back support. What separates this belly wrap from other products is its 3D abdomen lifting structure that gently elevates and pulls in your belly while providing firm compression. This provides you with more comfort.
Furthermore, the belly wrap can be worn against the skin, reducing the irritation of rough fabrics on the sensitive skin of the belly. That said, it is a really great tool to have for your maternity journey.
This product is available in standard and petite versions, so you can use it regardless of your body type.
Addressing Concerns and FAQs About Pushing on Stomach After Birth
You probably have never heard of fundal massage before. It usually doesn't pop up in conversations. So, you may have lots of questions about it. You can find some answers in this section.
Is the Fundal Massage Painful?
Unlike a traditional massage, you should expect a fundal massage to be painful rather than relaxing. The medical provider needs to apply some force to affect the uterus. That can feel unpleasant. However, it should not be excessively painful.
How Often is the Fundal Massage Performed?
Fundal massage is very frequently performed in the few hours after birth. It will be performed every 10 - 15 minutes after you have given birth. After one hour has passed, it will be less frequent - once every 30 minutes. Then, it will be after every 4 - 8 hours.
Can I Refuse the Fundal Massage?
You can probably refuse the fundal massage if you already received postpartum oxytocin. The two serve the same purpose - they aim to prevent excessive bleeding. According to a study, there's no difference between moms who received fundal massage and postpartum oxytocin and those who received only the latter.
Other Tips and Techniques for Postpartum Recovery
Here are some more tips for a rapid recovery after giving birth.
Overcoming Baby Blues
You may suddenly feel sad after childbirth. This is called baby blues, which moms experience because of hormonal changes. The thing is that your mood can affect the speed of your recovery. A support system is essential to overcoming this problem.
Please note that if this problem lasts a few weeks, it may be postpartum depression. If that is the case, please contact your doctor.
Hemorrhoids
Many mothers also have to deal with hemorrhoids. It is a painful swelling of a vein in the rectum that can also cause itching. Applying witch hazel to your hemorrhoids can help ease it. If you are not seeing improvements, contact your doctor.
Perineum Soreness
Do you feel soreness in your perineum or the area between your vagina and anus? You can ease this by sitting on an ice pack. Do it multiple times a day, with each session lasting 10 minutes.
Again, if there are no improvements after a few days, call your doctor.
When to Seek Medical Help After Fundal Massage
You should seek medical help after fundal massage if you notice bright red bleeding in your vagina 3 days after giving birth. Likewise, you should contact your doctor immediately if you notice excessive bleeding. Furthermore, the blog clots should also be no bigger than a quarter. If it is bigger, you might need to ask your doctor's opinion.
You should also contact your doctor if you experience nausea, chills, and fatigue.
Conclusion
Is pushing on your stomach after childbirth necessary, and what are its benefits? It is not always necessary, but when it is, fundal massage can help prevent postpartum hemorrhage. While there is "massage" in its name, it is not a pleasant experience. So, be prepared.
If you are looking for other ways to ease pain and discomfort after childbirth, you'd be pleased to know that there are many things you can do. You can use belly wraps, cold or heated packs, witch hazel, medicine, and other things. The support from your loved ones will also help you get through the challenges.
Please note that you should contact your doctor when you notice that something is amiss. For example, you are still bleeding so much even after days of fundal massage. Your doctor will tell you what to do.
