Birth is remarkable — all the more…
Birth is remarkable — all the more so because the reproductive organs, having performed an enormous task, very soon return to their former size and functions. Within about a month they are ready to begin again. The first ovulation after delivery is likely to occur about this time. Although nursing may hasten the return of the reproductive organs to their original size and may delay menstruation, it will not always prevent ovulation, as many people believe. Therefore, conception can occur before the first menstrual period after delivery. Most often the first period occurs about six weeks after delivery. This is about the time the new mother should return to her physician for her six weeks examination.
Immediately after the birth of a baby, the mother has a great drop in her estrogen level, for there is almost no estrogen produced by her ovaries. During pregnancy most of the estrogen was being produced by the placenta, which is no longer present. Some new mothers may feel very depressed after the birth of their babies because of this lowered estrogen level. Nursing also suppresses the production of estrogen, and if the baby continues to nurse for several months, thinning of the vaginal lining may result. This thin vaginal lining is like senile vaginitis older women develop in the menopausal years. A thin vaginal lining causes painful intercourse and requires the use of estrogen cream, placed up inside the vagina once or twice daily, until a few weeks after the baby stops nursing. During this time if there is any discomfort, do not neglect to use ample artificial lubrication before every sexual union.
Posted in Understanding the Basics
To Ed Wheat Sr. and Gladys Gibson Wheat, whose commitment, devotion, warmth, generosity, and integrity stood for fifty years as a beautiful picture of genuine agape love.