Postpartum Uterine Return to Normal: What to Expect

Question
Hi.  I am 27, and will have my son in 5 weeks.  The date of my last period was July 4th 2003.  I was wondering, aside from breast feeding, what are ways to speed my uterus back down to pre pregnancy size after he is born.  Thank you for your time. Christine

Answer
The uterus will return to its pre pregnancy size by the time you go for your six week checkup. It also takes six weeks for all your organs to return to normal (kidneys, intestines, etc.). You really can't speed up the process, even ifyou are breast feeding, although you will have more uterine contractions while breast feeding due to the action of oxytocin, which lets down the milk as well as contracts the uterus. I would just be patient.