One month after childbirth, mucous discharge. How long does discharge last after childbirth? What color should they be? What is postpartum discharge
Every young mother is always worried about what they should be discharge after childbirth, is this process happening normally for her? Doctors who observe patients after the birth of babies also pay special attention to the nature of the discharge. In the context of the normal development of the postpartum process, a very important question is how long such discharge lasts. It is no less important to control their smell, quantity and other characteristics. How many days does the blood bleed after? and other features of such discharges will be discussed in this article.
How is the postpartum period going?
So, the postpartum period begins at the moment when birth occurs placenta . In medicine, it is customary to distinguish two stages after childbirth:
- early stage lasting for two hours;
- late stage , lasting from 6 to 8 weeks.
In the postpartum period, the placenta, which has separated from the wall of the uterus, is released. At the place where it separated, a wound surface with gaping vessels is formed in the mucous membrane of the uterus, from which blood is released.
How long does it take for the uterus to contract after childbirth? This process begins immediately, and as long as the uterus contracts, its walls become tense and the torn vessels are compressed. During the first 2 hours after birth, moderate, bright red, bloody discharge appears. The normal discharge rate after childbirth in the first stage is no more than 0.4 liters.
If blood loss increases, then it is imperative to exclude hypotensive bleeding . Next, the doctor must make sure that there is no undetected rupture in the perineum, cervix, or vaginal walls of the woman in labor.
After labor and delivery of the placenta have occurred, the weight of the uterus is about 1 kg. But after a certain number of days, when the postpartum period ends, it returns to what is considered normal size, weighing approximately 70 g. To achieve this state, the uterus contracts, but these seductions are not as intense and painful as with contractions . How long the uterus contracts after childbirth also depends on the characteristics of the body. In this case, the woman feels only mild spasms, which manifest themselves mainly when the newborn sucks the breast. The fact is that when the nipples are stimulated, the production of a hormone is activated, which stimulates uterine contractions.
Postpartum uterine involution – a process that occurs gradually, 6-8 weeks. after childbirth. During this time, the wound surface heals, the size of the uterus returns to its original size. On the first day after the baby is born, the edge of the woman’s uterus is palpated at approximately the level of the navel. Already on the fourth day, its bottom is located in the middle between the navel and the womb. On the 9th day, the fundus of the uterus is located 1-2 cm above the womb. That is, every day after the birth of the child, the uterus decreases by about 1 cm.
The doctor will tell you in detail how bleeding occurs after childbirth and how long this process lasts before the woman is discharged from the maternity hospital. Depending on how much bleeding occurs after childbirth, the smell, amount and color of the discharge, the doctor can determine whether the postpartum period is normal.
Such selections are called “ lochia " At its core, lochia is the secretion of a birth wound, which contains bloody cells, mucus, decidua, plasma, and lymph. It is very important for expectant mothers to know exactly how long lochia lasts after childbirth. What lochia is and what lochia looks like is usually explained by the doctor before discharge from the hospital. Women should be sure to note how long lochia lasts after childbirth, because this is an indicator of whether the body’s recovery process is developing normally in a young mother.
The nature of the discharge at different times is as follows:
- When the first two hours after birth are completed, reddish or brownish discharge occurs, its character is moderate. The duration of such discharge is from 5 to 7 days.
- In the first 3 days, the volume of discharge is approximately 300 ml, so the padding diaper should be changed approximately every 2 hours. Blood clots are likely to appear in the lochia, which is normal.
- From about 6-7 days the color of the lochia changes - they become yellowish or have a whitish tint. Their color depends on the quantity involved in the healing of postpartum wounds.
- At 9-10 days, watery lochia begins to appear, in which a lot of mucus can be seen. They have a light shade, gradually become more and more scanty, and by 3-4 weeks. disappear completely. That is, after a month, lochia usually stops.
Despite the fact that the exact answer to how long bleeding lasts after childbirth is always individual, normally it lasts on average from 6 to 8 weeks. Regardless of how many days after birth the discharge occurs, it is important that over time it becomes more and more scanty.
How long discharge lasts after childbirth depends on many things, so not everyone has the same amount of time. How long the discharge continues depends on the physiology of the body, the intensity of uterine contractions, the characteristics of delivery and a number of other points. Also, how long postpartum discharge lasts depends on whether the woman practices. At the same time, how long the discharge with blood stains lasts after childbirth is an indicator of whether the young mother’s body is recovering normally.
The actual question is how long the discharge lasts after. It should be understood that this is a surgical operation, and the body’s recovery after it takes a longer period. Accordingly, the duration of lochia after cesarean section may be longer. However, how long the discharge lasts after a cesarean section largely depends on how successful the operation was and whether complications develop after it. As a rule, such discharge should last about 8 weeks.
A woman should be wary of smelly discharge after a caesarean section, as this may indicate the development of an inflammatory process. You also need to track how long the discharge lasts so as not to miss the symptoms of pathology. If you have any suspicions, it is better to consult a doctor.
Subinvolution of the uterus after childbirth
How exactly the period after childbirth proceeds from a physiological point of view is determined by the process of uterine contraction. The correct process of separation of the mucous membrane and release of blood clots from the uterine cavity is important.
Involution of the uterus, that is, its reverse development, is a very important physiological process for a woman, as her reproductive and menstrual functions are restored. If the uterus contracts poorly, then there is a risk of developing purulent-septic complications.
Therefore, a woman should visit a doctor 10 days after she was discharged from the maternity hospital. The specialist conducts a general examination, as well as a gynecological examination.
Sometimes it can be diagnosed subinvolution of the uterus , when the return to previous parameters occurs very slowly. The doctor makes this diagnosis if during this period a very soft and loose uterus of large size is palpated, and its contraction does not occur under hand.
To confirm postpartum subinvolution, the specialist must prescribe an ultrasound examination of the pelvis. Such a study will make it possible to find the cause that is an obstacle to uterine contraction. As a rule, we are talking about the remains of the fetal membranes or placenta.
Factors that predispose to the manifestation of uterine subinvolution:
- multiple pregnancy ;
- polyhydramnios ;
- rapid labor or protracted ;
The doctor decides individually whether there is a need to hospitalize a woman. If a young mother does not complain about her health, her condition is generally satisfactory, and there are no remains of membranes or placenta in the uterus, the doctor prescribes the use of uterotonic drugs. Typically this is oxytocin , water pepper tincture, methylergometrine .
If foreign contents are detected in the uterus, they are removed using vacuum suction. Diffuse lavage of the uterus is also sometimes practiced, for which solutions or antiseptics are used.
For prophylaxis, the patient is also prescribed a short-term dose - they should be used for 2-3 days.
Lochiometra
This condition is also a complication after childbirth. During development lochiometers lochia lingers in the uterus. In most cases, this condition appears 7-9 days after the baby is born. This complication can be caused by the following reasons:
- blockage of the cervical canal of a mechanical nature;
- insufficiently active uterine contraction;
- the presence of a mechanical obstruction in the cervical canal (blood clots, remnants of membranes, decidua);
- the uterus is bent forward too much.
If during pregnancy there is overdistension of the fetal sac, and this occurs with multiple pregnancy, large fetal size, polyhydramnios, the ability of the uterus to contract weakens. This also happens with prolonged or rapid labor, incoordination of labor, cervical spasms, and caesarean section.
If lochiometra is diagnosed on time, then the woman’s general health does not have time to deteriorate, her pulse and body temperature do not change. In this case, the only sign of a pathological condition is very scanty discharge during a period when it should be abundant, or it stops completely.
In this case, lochiometra treatment is carried out after childbirth, and the woman’s condition gradually improves.
If the lochiometer is missed, if the doctor palpates the uterus, pain is noted, and he also notes that the size of the uterus has increased compared to the previous day. If the lochiometer was missed, the woman may subsequently develop.
Therefore, it is important to know what the normal discharge rate should be after childbirth, and to consult a doctor in a timely manner if certain violations occur. Therapy consists, first of all, of ensuring the outflow of lochia from the uterus. Initially, the doctor prescribes conservative treatment:
- parenteral use or ;
- uterotonics ( oxytocin ), applying cold to the lower abdomen.
If a woman is diagnosed with a kink in the uterus, the specialist performs bimanual palpation to return it to its normal position.
If the cervical canal is blocked, the specialist carefully widens it with a finger. Sometimes special devices are used for this purpose—Hegar dilators.
Provided that all the measures described above did not lead to the elimination of the pathological condition in 2-3 days, curettage is performed - emptying the uterine cavity using instruments. Vacuum aspiration can also be used. To prevent inflammatory processes, women are prescribed antibiotics.
How long the lochia lasts after curettage depends on the period when the procedure was performed.
Postpartum endometritis
Another complication that is more dangerous to health compared to a lochiometer is endometritis or inflammation of the uterus. In a pregnant woman weakened, as this is necessary to prevent rejection of the fertilized egg, which the body considers a foreign body. Restoration of immunological protection occurs approximately 5-6 days after the birth of the child or 10 days after it occurred abdominal delivery . That is why all young mothers have an increased risk of developing inflammatory diseases of the reproductive organs.
Currently, certain factors are identified that predispose to the development of endometritis after childbirth. They are indicated in the table below.
| During pregnancy |
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| During childbirth |
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| Are common |
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Signs of acute endometritis
- The onset of endometritis is acute, it develops from 3-4 days after birth.
- The discharge becomes brown and cloudy.
- A little later, purulent discharge with a greenish tint is noted.
- A characteristic symptom is the appearance of discharge with an odor after childbirth, while the unpleasant odor of postpartum discharge usually resembles rotten meat.
- The general condition worsens - the temperature rises to 38-39 degrees, weakness, increased heartbeat, and malaise are noted.
- The results of peripheral blood tests indicate an inflammatory process (leukocytes increase, ).
Signs of endometritis in subacute form
This condition usually manifests itself after the woman has been discharged from the maternity hospital.
- In this case, it is important to note how much bleeding after childbirth - the bleeding remains until 10-12 days.
- The temperature rises - sometimes to febrile levels, sometimes slightly.
- If a woman ignores the warning signs, the discharge becomes purulent and acquires a bad odor.
Postpartum in any form is a reason for hospitalization. In a hospital setting, the patient undergoes a hysteroscopy to exclude the presence of remnants of membranes, placenta, and blood clots or to detect their presence. If any are found, they are removed by vacuum aspiration or curettage.
Diffuse lavage of the uterine cavity is also carried out, for which antibiotics and antiseptics are used. At least three such procedures are carried out.
What should you pay attention to?
Thus, it is important to pay attention to what bleeding after childbirth is like and how long this phenomenon lasts. If we talk about the norms for how long bleeding occurs after childbirth, then lochia should stop after about 3-4 weeks.
If a woman does not practice natural feeding, her monthly cycle is restored - this becomes noticeable by the nature of the discharge. If in about 1-2 months. after childbirth, leucorrhoea becomes profuse, resembling the white of an egg, this means that what is happening ovulation . Sometimes a woman notices that after giving birth, her periods last a little longer than before. How long your period lasts depends on the characteristics of the body, but such changes are normal.
At this time, it is very important to take care of postpartum contraception , which you should definitely talk about with your doctor. In this case, the guide to action should not be the advice of friends or a forum - a specialist will help you make the optimal choice of contraceptives.
If breastfeeding is practiced, then when the baby is one month old, the discharge becomes mucus in nature and does not have an unpleasant odor. And during the entire period of natural feeding, they do not change their character.
However, a woman should be wary if yellow discharge suddenly appears 2 months after childbirth, when lochia has long been completed. Particular attention should be paid if the leucorrhoea has a bad odor, and discomfort and itching are felt in the genitals. In this case, you should immediately go to see a doctor.
The doctor will help you find out why pathological discharge appears, for which he will take a smear to determine vaginal microflora , after which he will prescribe treatment.
If there is no fever, this most likely means that the discharge is a sign. But if a woman is also worried about temperature, pain in the lower abdomen, then this may be a sign of inflammation in the appendages or uterus. Therefore, in this case, you cannot hesitate to contact a specialist.
Hygiene in the postpartum period
In order for the uterus to contract actively and return to normal size, hygiene in the postpartum period is very important:
- It is recommended to sleep on your stomach so that pressure on the uterus promotes its active contraction and stimulation of the outflow of lochia.
- You should immediately visit the toilet as soon as the woman feels the first urge, since a full bladder and a full rectum worsen uterine contractions.
- It is important to change the pad every two hours, since lochia is a suitable environment for the proliferation of pathogenic bacteria, which subsequently leads to infection.
- You should absolutely not use tampons at this time.
- Every day you need to wash yourself at least twice, using boiled water or a weak solution. potassium permanganate .
- It is worth practicing free feeding, putting the baby to the breast on demand, since when the nipples are stimulated, synthesis occurs oxytocin .
Discharge in women after childbirth is a normal process of healing and restoration of the endometrium of the uterus after the separation and delivery of the placenta. The birth of a child leads to the formation of a bleeding wound in the uterine cavity, which provokes a long period of vaginal discharge. Dying epithelium, mucus and plasma come out with the blood, and all together this is called lochia.
Gradually, the woman’s body is cleansed and the nature of the discharge after childbirth changes, as the wound heals and the mucous membrane is restored. It is very important to be attentive to your health during the postpartum period, since any sudden change in the process of cleansing the uterus can mean complications in the form of inflammation, infection, etc. It is very important to know how the type and composition of discharge after childbirth changes over time in order to control this process.
Discharge a week after birth
7 days after giving birth, the woman is already at home, so the doctor must explain to her how to care for the intimate area and in what cases you should worry about your health. The first days after the baby is born, the discharge should be red and profuse. They may be accompanied by cramps as the uterus actively contracts to return to its prenatal size.
To discharge after childbirth intensified, the gynecologist palpates the abdomen, massaging the female organs, and also encourages active breastfeeding. Thanks to this, within a week the uterus is actively cleansing and healing. If a cesarean section was performed, then recovery takes longer and the first weeks may be accompanied by heavy bleeding after childbirth.
It is important to do an ultrasound while still in the maternity hospital to exclude the possibility of placenta residues in the uterine cavity, which can lead to stagnation of the exfoliated endometrium and inflammation. Often this is what causes heavy bleeding, severe pain and fever in a new mother some time after returning home.
During the first month, a woman should use diapers instead of pads to detect clotted discharge after childbirth. This is normal, but it is important to monitor changes in color and consistency of anything found on the diaper being changed. During the postpartum period, it is very important to observe the strictest intimate hygiene and maximize the release of the uterus from lochia. To do this you should:
- Breastfeed your baby. During this process, hormones are produced that stimulate contractions of the uterus, which leads to increased and accelerated release of secretions;
- Periodically lie on your stomach. When you lie on your back, the uterus falls back and lochia cannot flow freely, so it is very useful to set aside time every day to lie on your stomach. It is also better to do this without underwear, putting a diaper underneath;
- Refuse sex. For the first 2 months after childbirth, you should refrain from intimate relations with your husband in order to avoid infection, because the uterus is open, and the escaping blood will only contribute to the proliferation of bacteria;
- Regular intimate hygiene. This should also be done in order to avoid infectious complications. Every 2-3 hours it is necessary to change the diaper and thoroughly wash the genitals. Even if you have normal discharge after childbirth, douching is strictly contraindicated - the uterus will cleanse itself. Tampons are also contraindicated, even when the lochia becomes scanty. A hygiene product must be chosen carefully, preferably on the advice of an obstetrician-gynecologist, since even a simply scented intimate gel can lead to irritation of the genital organs. In the first 2 months after giving birth, you cannot take a bath, only shower.
Discharge after childbirth lasts at least 1 month, after which it becomes very scanty and mucous, which means complete healing of the uterus and reproduction of the mucous membrane.
Discharge after childbirth one month
A month after the birth of your baby, the red discharge after childbirth is already replaced by spotting brown ones. This means that the uterus has almost recovered - no new blood comes out, but only old blood comes out. Also, dark brown discharge after childbirth can be complemented by white-yellow discharge, which is similar in consistency to mucus. This is further evidence that the endometrium in the uterine cavity is completing its recovery.
In terms of quantity, these discharges are insignificant and no longer cause the discomfort that was in the first days of the postpartum period. Before the release of lochia is completed, the uterus must reach its normal size, and its inner layer must be completely covered with mucous membrane. It is quite normal if, a month after giving birth, the discharge still contains blood, the main thing is that there is not much of it and this is not accompanied by any symptoms of ill health.
Discharge after childbirth 2 months
If there is discharge for a long time after childbirth, this may mean that the uterus contracts weakly and healing occurs rather slowly. In any case, the blood impurities should have disappeared by now. White-yellow discharge means the final stage of healing of the uterus, so there is no need to worry. If lochia has replaced clear mucous discharge, then this is a normal phenomenon 2 months after birth.
In any case, the obstetrician-gynecologist strongly recommends that you contact the maternity hospital with any questions within 8 weeks of the postpartum period, since it is he who is responsible for how the separation of the placenta and cleansing of the uterus went. If during this period nothing bothered you, then a routine examination by a gynecologist should be done after 2 months and already in the clinic.
After 8 weeks of uterine recovery, the color of the discharge after childbirth should become transparent and the amount minimal. They should not cause any discomfort. This means that the uterus has recovered, returned to its normal size, and the cervix has closed. The young mother can again visit public bathing places, take a bath and enjoy her intimate life.
Discharge 3 months after birth
The duration of discharge after childbirth should not exceed 8 weeks. If, 3 months after the birth of the baby, vaginal discharge occurs, then this can be either menstruation or a manifestation of the inflammatory process. It is important to pay attention to the nature of the discharge and the accompanying symptoms.
White mucous discharge after childbirth may be due to thrush. If they are insignificant and transparent, then there is nothing to worry about - a natural liquid, like saliva or sweat. Stretchy discharge after childbirth that is colorless and odorless is also normal and often accompanies ovulation.
If a woman does not breastfeed, it is quite possible that her menstrual cycle will resume 3 months after giving birth. This will lead to the arrival of menstruation with all the accompanying symptoms, such as pain in the lower back and lower abdomen, and increased breast sensitivity. If it is heavy bleeding after childbirth, accompanied by high body temperature and general malaise, then you need to call an ambulance, since in this case only a doctor can make a diagnosis.
3 months after birth, only colorless, odorless, and non-discomfortable discharge is considered normal. In all other cases, it is better to get tested, do an ultrasound and be aware of the condition of your body.
When does the discharge end after childbirth?
With normal recovery of the female body, discharge after childbirth lasts no more than 8 weeks. This period is quite enough for the uterine cavity to shrink and for the placenta to become covered with healthy endometrium. Afterwards, the menstrual cycle begins to recover, which resumes depending on the regularity of breastfeeding.
If a woman breastfeeds, this leads to increased contractions of the uterus, which speeds up the process of lochia release. Also, the production of prolactin delays the functioning of the ovaries, which stops the resumption of menstruation. So the cycle can be restored six months after birth or more. However, this process is individual for all women.
If the discharge suddenly stops after childbirth, you should immediately consult a doctor, as this can have very adverse consequences. The accumulation of lochia in the uterine cavity occurs for various reasons:
- Overstretching of the uterine cavity, which leads to its bending back. To prevent this, you need to lie on your stomach more often and massage it. It is also important to maintain water balance in the body and breastfeeding;
- Untimely emptying of the intestines and bladder, which begins to put pressure on the uterus. At the first urge you need to go to the toilet to prevent complications.
If you do not react in time to stop the release of lochia during the postpartum period, then you will have to treat endometritis - inflammation of the uterine mucosa. Blood is an excellent breeding ground for bacteria, so it must be drained in a timely manner to avoid infection.
If you know how long the discharge lasts after childbirth, and it suddenly stops, then call your doctor. Treatment consists of eliminating cervical spasm by taking No-shpa, after which Oxytocin is prescribed, which promotes uterine contractions.
Bloody discharge after childbirth
Bloody and pink discharge after childbirth is normal, as the uterus is intensively cleansed at first. However, you should be wary if the number of lochia has increased sharply. It is possible that parts of the placenta remained in the uterus, which led to severe bleeding. Disturbances in the blood clotting system may also be the cause.
If parts of the placenta remain in the uterine cavity, this can be diagnosed by ultrasound or during a gynecological examination. They are removed under general anesthesia, after which intravenous antibiotic therapy is administered to eliminate the risk of infectious complications. If you do not clean the uterine cavity in a timely manner, this will certainly lead to severe inflammation and life-threatening consequences.
If sudden heavy discharge after childbirth provokes blood clotting disorders, then appropriate treatment is carried out. A woman, while pregnant, should tell her doctor about such health problems so that postpartum hemorrhage can be prevented.
Often, an increase in discharge is due to the fact that the uterus is not contracting enough. Such bleeding is called hypotonic. They are quite abundant, but nothing hurts and there are no other symptoms of danger. However, it is worth considering that any bleeding, if not stopped in a timely manner, can lead to critical consequences.
Heavy discharge after childbirth is normal only if it occurs in the first week and the doctor is notified about it. Otherwise, you need to call an ambulance. To stop bleeding, reducing medications will be administered and infusion therapy will be performed to replenish blood loss. In some cases, surgical intervention is not possible, so it is very important to seek help in a timely manner.
Brown discharge after childbirth
2-3 weeks after birth, the discharge becomes darker than initially, as the wound in the uterus heals and hardly bleeds. However, old blood is still in its cavity, it gradually becomes brown and also comes out as part of the lochia. Dark discharge after childbirth is nothing more than old blood that did not empty the uterus in a timely manner.
The appearance of dark lochia begins in the middle of the first caruncle after childbirth and can last 4-6 weeks. It is important that the discharge is not abundant and does not increase sharply. If this happens, you should definitely consult a doctor, since timely and complete cleansing of the uterus is the key to your women’s health.
Yellow discharge after childbirth
Such discharge is normal at the final stage of lochia release. They can also signal the resumption of the menstrual cycle. If, 4 months after birth, the discharge changes from colorless to yellow, without a distinct odor, then this indicates ovulation.
It is worth considering the situations in which you will definitely need to see a doctor:
- Yellow discharge after childbirth is accompanied by an unpleasant odor. Particularly dangerous is a sharp putrid odor, which indicates the spread of infection;
- In addition to the discharge, itching and burning of the genitals are disturbing. This is also a sign of infection, which can enter the uterus and cause inflammation;
- Thick discharge after childbirth, accompanied by pain in the lower abdomen. It is especially dangerous if they radiate to the lower parts of the spine;
- Bright yellow or greenish lochia is a sign of infection of the genital tract or even the uterus. To avoid serious consequences, it is important to consult a doctor in a timely manner;
- Purulent discharge after childbirth is especially dangerous, since it is a sign not only of infection, but also of the presence of a source of inflammation, which must be immediately eliminated in order to prevent a threat to the woman’s life;
- An increase in body temperature along with copious bright yellow discharge indicates an active process of inflammation in the uterus, the causes of which must be determined by a doctor
Most of these situations occur with endometritis - inflammation of the uterine lining. It is provoked by weak cleansing of its cavity, which leads to the accumulation of lochia. If you smell discharge after childbirth, you should definitely see an obstetrician-gynecologist.
Mucous discharge after childbirth
Transparent discharge after childbirth appears after the lochia has completely exited the uterine cavity. In most cases, this is nothing more than the secret of the functioning of the pelvic organs. They can also precede and accompany ovulation or be released after sex. This is also how the hormonal changes in the body that occur after childbirth manifest themselves.
If you are concerned about discharge after childbirth that looks like clots of clear mucus, then get tested to make sure that they are normal. You should be alerted if any other symptoms appear, such as fever, itching, or smell. Such discharge may be a manifestation of cervical erosion, so it may be worth undergoing a colposcopy.
Green discharge after childbirth
Green lochia is a clear sign of inflammation in the uterine cavity. As a rule, they are accompanied by fever and pain in the lower abdomen. Bleeding may also suddenly begin, as green discharge may be caused by parts of the placenta remaining in the uterus. Another reason may be delayed lochia or poorly healing tears and cracks in the birth canal.
In addition, green discharge with an odor after childbirth is often caused by infections, so it is necessary to follow special rules of intimate hygiene during this period and abstain from sex. Also, to prevent such complications after childbirth, you need to avoid abortions, STDs and strengthen your immune system.
If you have green discharge, then you need to see a doctor, take a smear for flora and undergo an ultrasound. In such cases, they are treated with antibiotics and physiotherapeutic procedures. Sometimes it is necessary to scrape out the scarred endometrium. It is also very important to strengthen your body in general.
White discharge after childbirth
White discharge is not always thrush, as many women think. Thrush can be easily diagnosed by the cheesy consistency of the discharge, sour odor, dryness and itching in the vagina. Also, a regular smear will help make a diagnosis, and curing colpitis is not difficult.
However, white discharge may be a natural secretion of your reproductive system. If some have a uniform consistency and there are no other unpleasant symptoms, then there is no need to worry. However, it is worth knowing that white discharge can signal:
- Inflammation of the fallopian tubes;
- Pathologies of the uterus;
- Inflammation of the vaginal mucosa;
- Violation of the secretion of the cervical glands.
To prevent these problems, you need to undergo a timely examination by a gynecologist and take tests. It is also important to avoid douching, chemical contraceptives, poor intimate hygiene and a sedentary lifestyle. This is especially important in the postpartum period.
After childbirth, a woman must be very attentive to her health and fully control the process of cleansing the uterus. She also needs to be able to distinguish dangerous situations from normal ones, for which she should discuss all this with her doctor in advance. Normal discharge after childbirth last about 2 months, gradually decreasing and not accompanied by pain.
Discharge after childbirth occurs in all women and in any case, regardless of whether the birth was natural (on time), premature, or a caesarean section.
Why do I have bleeding after childbirth? After the baby leaves the mother's womb, the placenta begins to separate from the uterus. This causes the rupture of numerous blood vessels that connected the two parts. Bleeding begins, which performs an important postpartum function: it removes the remnants of the placenta, dead parts of the endometrium and other products of intrauterine vital activity of the fetus, which after birth turn into ballast for the body.
Such discharges are usually called the term “”. All women experience bloody discharge within a month after childbirth. But their character can be either absolutely normal or pathological. Therefore, every woman needs to know all the features of this process. First of all, you need to know how long the discharge lasts after childbirth, how long the bleeding lasts.
Each young mother has her own individual characteristics. The time frame for recovery and healing of all damaged tissues and organs is always different for women. Therefore, it is impossible to give an accurate and comprehensive answer to the question “how long does the discharge last after childbirth.” There are some average statistical frameworks that can be conditionally considered the norm. Anything that does not fit into these frameworks can be considered a deviation. And deviations, in turn, can be either not very alarming or very dangerous.
Normal discharge
How long does bleeding last after childbirth? Most often, the duration of postpartum bleeding is considered to be 1.5-2 months. That is, if the discharge stops 5 weeks after birth, then this is normal. If the discharge after childbirth has not stopped after 2 months, then treatment cannot be avoided.
Non-dangerous deviations
If the discharge continues for more than two months, then you should not panic right away, but you should definitely pay attention to the nature of the discharge - color, smell, composition, thickness (consistency - after childbirth, blood clots may be in the lochia). Using all these parameters, you can get an approximate picture of what is happening inside the female body and draw preliminary conclusions. In any case, you should consult a doctor. The doctor will make an objective conclusion and decide whether it is worth resorting to medical intervention in this case.
Dangerous deviations
If the discharge after childbirth ends after a week, or 2 weeks, or 3 weeks after birth (before 5 weeks have passed), or if it continues for more than 9 weeks, then this is a cause for serious concern. It is imperative to record the moment when they ended, if they ended ahead of time. All this may indicate malfunctions in the functioning of internal systems and organs. In such cases, examination and possibly treatment are required. You should not delay your visit to the doctor; this is fraught with serious consequences. The longer you wait, the more likely you are to develop postpartum complications.
It often happens that young, inexperienced mothers are happy if their discharge stops within a month. It seems to them that they were able to successfully enter the normal rhythm of life, and their young body successfully coped with all the difficulties associated with childbirth. But statistics show that more than 90% of such cases lead to complications that require serious treatment.
On the third day, very dark discharge should be replaced by lighter ones. After a month, the discharge becomes increasingly scarce. If, 6-6 weeks after birth, the bloody discharge first stopped, and then started again (blood began to flow again), then this is also a reason to visit the doctor. Blood clots should disappear during the second to fourth weeks after birth, or their number should be reduced to a minimum. Regular periods may begin two months after giving birth.
Features of uterine contraction
Contractions of the uterus, which provoke bleeding from its cavity, often cause pain in the lower abdomen. The pain itself resembles contractions. Moreover, it often happens that after the second and subsequent births, the pain during lochia is more severe than after the first birth.
It happens that black lochia appears during the first few weeks after birth. If they are not accompanied by severe pain and an unpleasant odor, then, quite possibly, they are not a symptom of a pathological condition of the uterine cavity.
Postpartum discharge can become of this nature due to the activation of hormonal restoration processes and restoration of mucous membranes.
During the first two hours after birth, there is a risk of severe uterine bleeding, which can then cause inflammation of the uterine mucosa. To avoid it, the woman is given drugs to increase uterine contractility. In addition, the bladder is emptied through a catheter. When the uterus contracts, the blood vessels are pinched, which prevents dangerous blood loss through the vaginal mucosa. Signs of this condition in the mother’s body are increasing weakness, dizziness, and headache.
Discharge after childbirth. Norm and deviations
In order to objectively and adequately assess her condition after childbirth, a woman should pay attention not only to how long and how many days the postpartum discharge will last. The time period may be within normal limits, but the nature of the bleeding, composition and other characteristics of the discharge itself may show signs of serious abnormalities.
What kind of discharge after childbirth is normal? When does the discharge end, in what quantity and how many days after birth does it last?
During the first 2-3 days after birth, bleeding occurs from burst vessels. Then the uterus begins to heal, and open bleeding stops. What discharge should there be at this time? During the first 7 days, discharge may not only be in the form of liquid blood. Most often you can see it oozing out in clots. The placenta separates and, together with the remnants of the endometrium, comes out in the form of clots.
After about a week, there are no longer any clots, and the discharge becomes more liquid. If mucous discharge is observed in the lochia along with blood, then there is no need to be afraid of this, this is normal. This is how the products of intrauterine vital activity of the fetus come out. The mucus should also be released for a week, and then it should end.
How long is the discharge heavy after childbirth? Usually about a month. 30-35 days after birth, lochia takes on the appearance of ordinary smears, similar to those that occur during menstruation, only the blood has already coagulated.
But if they are accompanied by a sharply unpleasant odor, if heavy discharge continues for several weeks (and at the same time they not only do not stop, but also do not change), then this is already a cause for concern.
Lochia
In addition to the composition and duration (duration) of lochia, you need to pay attention to their color, as well as how they smell. The color of lochia can say a lot. Normally, for the first 2-3 days, the discharge has a scarlet (bright red) color, since the blood has not yet coagulated. After this, for 7-15 days, the discharge is more brown in color. This suggests that the restoration of the uterus takes place without complications and deviations. There are yellow lochia, which, depending on the shade, can indicate different processes occurring inside the female body.
Yellow discharge
Despite the fact that blood clots come out after childbirth, they may not necessarily be red; the color can be different. They are also yellow and may have other shades.
Pathological changes
Depending on the specific shade of yellow, doctors distinguish several conventional types of lochia.
- Pale yellow. These are not very thick and not very abundant lochia, which can begin by the end of the second week. These are normal.
- Bright yellow clots after childbirth, interspersed with a clearly green color and accompanied by a very unpleasant putrefactive odor, may appear within 4-5 days. Such lochia is already an alarming signal. The cause is most likely inflammation of the lining of the uterus, which is called endometritis.
- If yellow blood clots after childbirth began 2 weeks later, then such clots in the uterus after childbirth are most likely symptoms of endometritis.
Lochiometra
One of the common postpartum complications is lochiometer disease. It consists in the fact that the discharge suddenly stops, i.e. blood in the uterus after childbirth begins to accumulate. Most often this happens 7-9 days after birth.
Endometritis
Green discharge after childbirth is much worse than yellow discharge, because... may be a symptom of endometritis. As soon as a woman notices the first, even the slightest green spots in the discharge, she should immediately consult a doctor. Some abnormalities in the mother's health and other factors may contribute to the occurrence of endometritis during pregnancy.
Bleeding in the uterus
Normally, they should have a bright red color only at the initial stage, i.e. during the first few days after the baby is born. At this time, a woman’s uterus is, in fact, an open wound in which the blood does not have time to clot. Therefore, the discharge has a pronounced bloody appearance. Blood clots that remain in the uterine cavity after childbirth are gradually eliminated, and their presence in the general flow of uterine secretions is normal.
Brown discharge
Brown discharge after childbirth begins after about 2 weeks, and indicates a normal recovery process.
Green discharge
Green discharge after childbirth is a clear sign of the beginning of the rotting process, which is very dangerous. Even if the greenish discharge is odorless, the body still cannot be considered safe in this state.
Bloody issues
Bloody discharge after childbirth is generally normal. Bloody discharge a month after childbirth resembles the usual small smears that all women experience at the end of their menstrual period.
Features of lochia after cesarean section
Discharge after childbirth performed by cesarean section has a slightly different character, but is generally the same. Only in this case is it more likely to catch an infection or provoke another inflammatory process, so greater attention should be paid to hygiene after a cesarean section. In the first week after birth, the discharge is very heavy. The total duration of lochia can be longer, because The uterus does not contract as quickly, and healing of damaged tissue occurs more slowly.
Prevention of complications and inflammation
To reduce the likelihood of complications, it is recommended to go to the toilet as often as possible. It is important to breastfeed your baby. When the nipples are stimulated, oxytocin is produced, a pituitary hormone that increases uterine contractions. When feeding, pain in the lower abdomen may appear (or intensify), but this is normal. In this case, women who have given birth before experience more severe pain.
Be very careful about hygiene.
Hygiene in the postpartum period is the basis for the successful restoration of the female body. There are several basic recommendations:
- carefully select gaskets, change them at least every 3-4 hours;
- do not use tampons;
- wash your genitals as often as possible;
- When processing seams, use antiseptics.
After giving birth, a young mother has many questions: is everything okay with the baby? How to properly put a baby to the breast? What to do with the umbilical wound? How long does the discharge last and when does it stop after childbirth?
When does the discharge end after childbirth?
Often after giving birth, a woman does not pay any attention to herself - all of it goes to the newborn. Meanwhile, the postpartum period is fraught with many dangers for the postpartum woman. Immediately after the placenta leaves, the woman begins to experience very strong bleeding - lochia. Blood oozes from the wound at the placenta’s attachment to the uterus, the epithelium that lined the uterus during pregnancy begins to be torn away - all this, mixed with mucus from the cervical canal, flows out of the genital tract.
When does the discharge go away after childbirth? Normally, the duration of discharge after childbirth should not be more than 6-8 weeks.
In the first two hours after birth, while the woman is still in the maternity ward or on a gurney in the corridor, doctors observe the nature of the discharge. This period is especially dangerous for the development of hypotonic bleeding, when the uterus stops contracting. To avoid complications, a woman is placed on her lower abdomen with an ice pack and drugs that improve uterine contractions are administered intravenously. If blood loss does not exceed half a liter and its intensity gradually decreases, then everything is in order, the postpartum woman is transferred to the postpartum ward.
Within 2-3 days after childbirth, women's discharge has a bright red color and a musty smell. The bleeding is quite severe - the pad or diaper has to be changed every 1-2 hours. In addition to blood, small clots may be released from the genital tract. This is normal - the uterus is gradually cleared of everything unnecessary and reduced in size.
In subsequent days, the lochia gradually darken, becoming brown and then yellowish (due to the large number of leukocytes). After a month, the discharge after childbirth looks more like mucus, and in some women it may stop altogether. On average, after 1-2 months the uterus returns to its pre-pregnancy size. 5 months after birth, the discharge may already be of a menstrual nature, since usually by this time the monthly cycle is restored.
During the postpartum period, women have many questions about the restoration of their body. One of them concerns vaginal secretion, because discharge after childbirth is an integral component of the holistic rehabilitation process. Basic knowledge of how to independently diagnose bleeding allows you to quickly respond to possible deviations from the norm.
After the baby is born, the mother’s body is rebuilt. Changes affect internal organs and hormonal levels. The uterus of a woman who has just given birth contracts in volume, and vaginal flow occurs. Along with blood discharge, the remains of intrauterine fluids accompanying pregnancy also come out. Such flows are called lochia. Their duration, intensity and color allow the doctor to conclude whether the restoration of the patient’s internal organs is proceeding normally.
Duration of bleeding
Every body is individual, and every postpartum recovery story is special. Doctors are guided by a general scheme within which the rehabilitation process takes place for most young mothers. Many people are concerned about how long the discharge lasts after childbirth, since it causes a certain amount of discomfort. How long do periods last and why are they the main indicator of women’s health?
The minimum normal period for postpartum bleeding is 5 weeks. If they stop earlier, you should be wary, since there is a risk of insufficient “cleaning” of the body;
The maximum period is 9 weeks when the course ends. In this case, a prolonged course is a signal of insufficient blood clotting;
Duration assessment does not occur separately from other indicators. With intense discharge, a short bleeding cycle is expected;
Mothers after cesarean section have different normative periods. In their case, restoration of uterine tone occurs more slowly than in those who gave birth naturally, and the upper limit for the duration of the flow is set personally by the doctor.
So, the answer to the question of how long the discharge lasts after childbirth depends on the course of the birth of the child itself, and on other factors. What helps reduce the duration of secretion?
Breastfeeding the baby. Lactation stimulates the contraction of the uterus and the removal of fluids from it. Experienced mothers notice light contractions directly during breastfeeding.
Ingestion of large amounts of liquids. One way or another, a young mother needs to restore the body’s water balance. If she is breastfeeding, the fluid intake rate increases by 1.5 - 2 liters per day. With the correct water balance, discharge after childbirth is intense, and cleansing occurs quickly.
Kegel exercises. Many women are familiar with special movements in the vaginal area even before pregnancy - they are designed to maintain the tone of the internal organs. As soon as after the birth of the baby, the tension and relaxation of the internal muscles does not cause discomfort to the young mother, the exercise is performed daily. They also stimulate the contraction of the uterus and the removal of fluids from it.
Quality of bleeding
To assess the progress of recovery of a woman’s internal organs, doctors use a number of characteristics of postpartum processes. Taking into account how long the discharge lasts after childbirth is just one of the indicators. Others include the appearance of the bleeding and its smell. Together, they make it possible to determine the normal discharge rate after childbirth and possible deviations.
Compound
The recovery period determines the normal composition of secretion:
- 1-3 days: blood;
- Week 2: blood clots, mucus is allowed;
- end of 1 month – blood smears.
Purulent fluids at any time indicate an internal infection.
The appearance of clots and mucus in the first days after childbirth.
Transparent discharge, approaching the consistency of water.
Color
- 1-3 days: scarlet currents;
- after 3 weeks, brown flows begin (the blood coagulates, the wound heals);
- By the end of the restoration of the uterus, secretion fluids become transparent, light pink or with a yellowish tint.
The bright yellow and greenish color of the currents signals inflammation. An obvious green color indicates an advanced form of endometritis and suggests immediate consultation with a doctor.
Smell
The smell of blood in the initial stage of secretion is normal. After the third week it takes on a slight mustiness, which again is ok.
Discharge after childbirth with an unpleasant odor is a signal of inflammation! The characteristic smell of rot indicates an inflammatory process. Sour - about a possible fungal disease. If such bleeding is accompanied by deviations in color, an examination by a gynecologist is mandatory.
It is important to remember several subtleties of diagnosing discharge.
- Dangerous bleeding is accompanied by general malaise and dizziness. The temperature reaches 38 degrees Celsius. There is a pulsating heaviness in the lower abdomen. It is important to listen to your body and monitor how you feel.
- Redness of the vaginal mucosa along with a “cottage cheese” discharge indicates thrush. This is not uncommon when recovering from childbirth, but it is still better to consult a doctor for treatment.
- Dark secretions look scarier than they actually are. At the end of 3-4 months, black-brown or black flows are normal.
Number of allocations
The amount of bleeding after childbirth can also be used to judge women's health. What should the discharge be like after childbirth - intense or weak? The strength of secretion varies depending on the period. So, in the first few weeks the normal intensity is one, and as time passes it is another. The amount of liquid released is indicated by the fullness of special sanitary pads for young mothers.
Normal secretion strength:
- in the first two weeks after birth the flow is very profuse;
- the course becomes more sparse after 2-3 weeks;
- at the end of the recovery process (week 8-9), the discharge is only smears. For hygiene, you no longer need special postpartum pads with maximum absorbency.
Deviation from the above diagram is a signal of illness. If bleeding in the first days is not intense, the cause may be a congestion or blood clot that prevents the release of contamination.
The reverse situation is also dangerous: heavy bleeding ends by the end of 2 weeks. If this does not happen and by the third week a large amount of fluid continues to be released, the patient may have poor blood clotting.
In both extreme cases, an urgent visit to the doctor is necessary.
Resumption of discharge
How often do you experience spotting after childbirth? Nature provides for the cleansing of a woman’s body only once. However, sometimes women report resumption of bleeding. Should I worry?
The most obvious option is to quickly restore the cycle. Menstruation occurs individually for each woman, at the moment when she has completely restored the function of childbearing. Since postpartum blood flow and menstruation have similar characteristics in appearance, they are easy to confuse. Using an ultrasound, the gynecologist determines whether the young mother’s cycle has arrived or whether the cleansing of the body continues.
The release of the remaining endometrium and placental particles. In rare cases, the cleansing of internal organs from the remaining elements that accompanied pregnancy occurs at the end of the recovery process. If the liquid has a slimy, transparent appearance and no unpleasant odor, most likely this is just such a situation. Usually such delayed discharge does not last long.
All repeated flows of yellow, green color, which smell unpleasant, are a signal of an inflammatory process. To avoid the risk of pathology of the female organs, it is important to see a doctor as soon as possible.
How to maintain hygiene during postpartum discharge
Unfortunately, bleeding that comes out is a fertile environment for the growth of dangerous bacteria. To prevent their development, it is necessary to strictly follow hygiene measures.
To collect secretions, doctors recommend using special pads with enhanced absorbency. During the first days, a special product is used, which is sold at the pharmacy. Then regular night pads marked “5 drops” will do.
The use of tampons is strictly prohibited. In order to ensure the free flow of liquid, nothing should stop its movement. In addition, tampons cannot absorb the blood clots that inevitably pass after the first week.
The sanitary pad is changed every 2 hours, regardless of the intensity of the currents. It is accompanied by washing the external genitalia (if possible, if the woman is at home, also every one and a half to two hours).
The minimum number of ablutions is reduced to two or three per day. When using the toilet, you must use a mild cleanser labeled “for intimate hygiene.”
If natural childbirth has complications and there are ruptures in the birth canal, it is necessary to continue to take care of the injured skin areas at home. Upon discharge, the doctor gives detailed instructions on hygiene in this case. Most often, liquid antiseptics such as a solution of potassium permanganate or furatsilin are used.
For young mothers who have had surgical births, maintaining hygiene is especially important. Since there is an incision in the uterus, the recovery process must be protected from infection. In addition, daily hygiene includes taking care of the seam. The two-hour shift rule must be followed exactly.
Maintaining women's health is not the last task of a young mother. Observing how long the discharge continues after childbirth and what its characteristics are, allows women to avoid the risks of the recovery period and ensure their well-being. Despite the fact that young mothers have a lot of worries related to their newborn, it is important to follow the doctor’s recommendations for diagnosing the flow and maintaining hygiene during this special period.
