How long before I get my uterus back?

I'm 4 weeks postpartum and my uterus is still huge. I get the "You're pregnant again?" and "You didn't waste any time" comments from total strangers. The worst part is that they make these comments after I tell them the boys are only 4 weeks old... idiots!

Anyhow, my uterus hasn't gotten much smaller in the past 2 weeks and I've stopped bleeding for the most part. I know it's my uterus because it's a rock hard and in the middle of my belly. I'm worried that it will never contract as I've seen women on here who have lost all their pregnancy weight after just 4 weeks... I'm far from my pre-pregnancy weight and actually still look about 6 months pregnant (singleton comparison).

How long does it typically take for the uterus contract?

 

I had mine back about 3 weeks but I was breastfeeding. I literally could see it shrink while I was nursing! Very creepy actually.

I've heard it takes 6 weeks usually so you've got a few weeks before I'd be concerned. I'm sure just like everything else, it's different for everyone. I'd call the doctor if you are really concerned.

And don't worry about your weight!! You've got lots and lots of time to take that off! It took 9 or so months to be put on so it may take that long to come off (or longer!!)

 

I was bfing as well and it took mine a solid 6 weeks to go back down. I think 4 weeks is too soon for it to be back to normal and how rude of people to say that to you!!!! I would have been crushed!

Even though my girls were born at 30 weeks, I still managed to gain 60 lbs. I was thin to begin with, 115 lbs pre-pregnancy. I have lost 50 of those pounds in the first 12 months. The last 10, who knows if Iwill ever lose them. Honestly, I look better at 125 more so then 115. I lost weight a few months before I got pregnant b/c of a certain medication I was taking so my normal weight is 125 lbs.

I wouldnt worry too much about your weight just yet. You cant expect it to just fall off. Just take your time and when you are ready to lose it, then start dieting, working out, etc.

Good luck!

 

If your breastfeeding it will shrink sooner (4-6 weeks) but if you are formula feeding it will take longer (8-12 weeks). I've heard tell that if you're formula feeding and you want it to shrink faster to stimulate your nipples like you would if you were trying to go into labor. When you do that you stimulate the release of Oxytocin which is what both triggers labor and shrinks your uterus during breastfeeding. I have no idea if this works, but a friend swears by it.

Try not to let your body get you down, it just did a tremendous job and it will take some time to recover!

And next time suggests that you are already pregnant again you can politely point out that they need to brush up on their math skills. Then smile really wide, that freaks people out.

 

I bought this at Motherhood and I really think it helped me shrink back down quickly:
http://www.maternitysupport.com/postparm.htm