After childbirth, there should be discharge every day. Postpartum discharge: how much, what, duration, nature

Smirnova Olga (gynecologist, State Medical University, 2010)

Each woman experiences a certain amount of discharge after childbirth, which can signal the normal course of the recovery process or indicate the development of pathology. To assess the situation, you need to know their permissible duration, maximum quantity, as well as color and smell.

Causes of discharge after childbirth

When a doctor tells a woman in labor that she can notice traces of blood on the pad (lochia) for a certain period of time, some women panic, associating such secretion solely with damage to the genital organs. But this is a misconception. Why is there bleeding after childbirth and what is its role for the health of the body?

Lochia is the name given to the uterine discharge that follows the birth of a baby. This is the result of restoration of the surface of the uterus. The endometrium is rejected, which comes out through the genitals. It is noteworthy that lochia contains only 80% blood, and the rest is represented by the usual secretion of the uterine glands.

The secreted liquid contains:

dead epithelial cells;
blood;
plasma;
ichor;
remnants of the placenta;
traces of fetal activity;
secret of the reproductive system.

Postpartum discharge must be present. If the lochia does not come out, there may be a violation and the woman urgently needs to go to the hospital.

After the birth of the baby, women need to use special ones. Mothers in labor most often use: , .

How long does postpartum discharge last?

The acceptable duration of lochia is considered to be a period of six to eight weeks, and this period has been established by gynecologists around the world. This time is enough to cleanse the uterus of the endometrium, which functioned during gestation. Patients mistakenly believe that they need to pay attention only to the deadline, but a very rapid cessation of vaginal secretion is also considered a relative pathology:

Five to nine weeks

The period is a minor deviation that requires taking into account the color, smell, volume and composition of the fluid secreted from the vagina. A timely visit to the doctor minimizes the likelihood of serious health problems.

Less than a month and more than nine weeks

This fact indicates existing problems in the body that require immediate examination. The doctor will conduct a diagnosis, study the test results, determine the presence or absence of serious inflammatory processes and decide on the advisability of hospitalization.

On average, vaginal discharge ends by 42 days after birth. In a shorter period of time, the endometrium cannot recover. Lochia will come out until the surface of the uterus is completely healed.

What affects the duration of discharge after delivery?

The duration of the presence of lochia depends on the following factors:

Individual characteristics of the course of physiological processes in the female body.
The rate of restoration of the reproductive system after the birth of a child.
Diseases (endometriosis, uterine fibroids, etc.).
The presence of complications during pregnancy and childbirth.
Method of delivery: natural or artificial (by caesarean section).
Intensity of uterine contraction.
Breast-feeding.

A patient who successfully carried a child to term and without complications, according to calculations, under the condition of breastfeeding, observes a more rapid contraction of the uterus and the process of restoration and cleansing of the body is more intense.

Duration of lochia discharge after repeated births

Doctors are of the opinion that the number of pregnancies also affects how long the discharge will last after childbirth. As a rule, their volume and duration are less after 2 or 3 births. Lochia may begin quite intensely, gradually decreasing over 4 weeks. By the end of the first month they are practically absent.

However, it is necessary to take into account the reaction of a particular woman’s body to the birth of a second or third child. It is possible that the first time the body endured this process more easily, therefore the recovery was faster, and the next time, a failure is possible.

Amount of secretion released

This indicator and its norm depend on a certain time:

The first few hours. Abundant, which should be 0.5% of the birthing woman’s weight, but not more than 400 ml.
Second and third days. In 3 days, on average, approximately 300 ml is released, and a special pad is filled in a couple of hours.
Home restoration. Over the following weeks, about 500–1500 ml are released, with high intensity occurring in the first 7–14 days.

Deviations in these numbers are possible, but it is important to prevent bleeding.

If the discharge is scanty or does not last long

As a rule, a small amount of discharge after childbirth or its rapid cessation is perceived positively by women. Women in labor mistakenly believe that the body has already recovered, but medical practice shows that a large percentage of such cases end in hospitalization.

There is a significant probability of endometrial remains being found inside the uterus and then an inflammatory process occurs. In the future, there may be an increase in temperature and a resumption of bleeding, but with the presence of clots, pus and an unpleasant odor.

If the number of lochia decreases, you should immediately make an appointment with a gynecologist, and if one of the listed signs occurs, call an ambulance.

Bloody discharge in women after giving birth

Intense bloody discharge is observed immediately after the baby is born. They are caused by damage to the surface of the uterus where the placenta was attached. This situation may persist for several days, and if the scarlet color of the discharge does not disappear by the end of the first and second weeks, you should consult a doctor for advice. It is important not to confuse lochia with bleeding, the appearance of which is easy to track: the sheet or diaper instantly becomes wet, and the secreted fluid is accompanied by uterine impulses in the rhythm of the heartbeat. The most common reason is rupture of seams.

How the color of secretion changes (photo)

An indicator such as the color of the discharge after the birth of a child can also help a woman assess the course of the postpartum period (see photos selected on the basis of similarity).

First days. There is a large amount of blood being released due to vascular damage. A woman observes red, scarlet marks on the gasket.

First week. The presence of blood clots is allowed, but not purulent ones. The secretion becomes darker or even brown.

Second week. There are practically no clots, and the consistency of the secretion becomes more liquid. Some patients experience pinkness after giving birth during this period. The appearance of mucous membranes is possible. But they should disappear on the 14th or 21st day.

The rest of the time. At first, the liquid gradually brightens, acquiring a yellow tint.

Brown postpartum discharge

Appearance at the end of the first week is a clear sign of the absence of complications. The secretion darkens faster in those women giving birth who are breastfeeding, and the reason lies in the hormone prolactin. They can last for a different period of time for each woman, but obstetricians note that brown lochia is observed for the longest time in women in labor who have undergone a cesarean section.

An unpleasant, smelly discharge, reminiscent of the acrid smell of pus, should alert you, which may indicate the development of an infection. In this case, the body temperature rises sharply, and the patient suffers from pain in the abdominal area. The right decision is to immediately visit the hospital.

But the musty smell, which is sometimes noted even during menstruation, does not indicate pathology.

Brown secretion can turn into serous lochs, caused by a drop in red blood cells against the background of an increase in white blood cells.

Yellow discharge after childbirth

First, the woman in labor notices a red-yellow discharge, which over time can become completely yellow or gray-yellow. Under normal circumstances, this process begins on the tenth day. Vaginal secretion of a yellowish tint signals to the woman that the uterine lining has almost healed. The presence of such a secretion immediately after childbirth with a putrid odor is an alarming sign that requires medical examination.

Black secretion

Nothing frightens a woman in labor more than the appearance of black clots on the pad. A similar phenomenon sometimes occurs 21 days after delivery. You should remain calm if the secretion does not smell or cause pain. The normal reason is hormonal changes and changes in the composition of vaginal secretions.

Green lochia

With a fishy odor and pus, they indicate the development of endometritis, which occurs against the background of inflammatory processes in the uterus. The danger is that the uterine muscles contract poorly, the secretion does not come out, and this further aggravates the situation. A woman should go for an ultrasound, get tested, and consult a gynecologist.

Discharge after childbirth with an unpleasant odor

Remember that discharge normally has virtually no odor; a sweetish or slightly musty aroma is acceptable, but no more. A rotten odor indicates a problem.

Reasons for the appearance of foreign odors:

violation of vaginal microflora;
colpitis;
vaginosis;
candidiasis;
peritonitis;
ulcer;
endometritis;
parametritis.

Lochia intermittently

The time interval between the secreted bloody substance can be several days or weeks. There are two reasons for this:

It is possible that the woman confused menstruation with postpartum lochia. If the woman in labor did not breastfeed the baby, then the next period occurs immediately after the restoration of the uterine mucosa. In breastfeeding women, menstruation can be practically eliminated for six months, and sometimes there are no periods for up to a year.
The second reason is related to the passivity of the uterine muscles. If the uterus does not contract, then lochia accumulates inside without coming out. So their interruption can significantly slow down the recovery of the body and cause various pathologies against the background of suppuration and inflammation.

Prevention of bleeding and stimulation of lochia discharge

Go to the toilet frequently. A large amount of urine in the bladder puts pressure on the uterus, preventing it from contracting.
Avoid intense physical activity. This is especially true for women after cesarean section. Read about it in the article at the link.
Lie on your stomach. In this position, the uterine cavity is quickly freed from the remains of the wound.
Hot water bottle with ice. A similar technique is used in the delivery room immediately after the baby is born. There is no need to carry out the procedure at home, as there is a possibility of hypothermia of the genital organs.

Postpartum discharge is a mandatory physiological process for a new mother. There is no need to be afraid of their appearance. To be sure that there are no pathologies, a woman in labor can keep a kind of diary, noting the approximate amount, color and smell of vaginal secretion. This approach will help you react immediately to the slightest changes, go to the hospital on time and easily explain the situation to your doctor.

It is known that during 9 months of pregnancy the uterus increases in size by more than 500 times. However, after the birth of the child and the delivery of the placenta, it does not need such dimensions. The body independently strives to restore the uterus to its original form in order to subsequently be ready for a new pregnancy. The recovery process is accompanied by some kind of side effects in the form of discharge from the genital tract - lochia.

What is postpartum discharge and which is considered normal?

During pregnancy, the fetus is connected to the wall of the uterus through the placenta (baby place). During childbirth, it is rejected, and a large bleeding wound remains at the former attachment site. Immediately after the birth of a child, the uterus begins to rapidly contract, pushing out unnecessary tissue remnants, blood clots, drops of amniotic fluid and everything that prevents it from becoming the same size as before pregnancy. These secretions are called lochia.

Lochia should be present in any young mother, regardless of whether the birth was natural or a caesarean section. Every woman is obliged to monitor the nature of the discharge: color, smell, degree of abundance.

The postpartum period lasts 6–8 weeks (42–56 days). It is believed that this time is enough for the female body to fully recover.

Normally, changes occur approximately in this order:

During the first 5 days, the uterus contracts most intensely, the lochia is bright scarlet due to blood clots (hence the smell of iron), it is abundant - a woman can change pads every hour.
On days 6–10, the discharge becomes dark brown, brown or pink-brown, without clots, and not as abundant as in previous days.
By the end of the second week, the lochia acquire a yellowish tint, and their number decreases.
After the 15th day, the discharge becomes spotting, mucous, almost transparent, without a strong odor and continues until the end of the postpartum period.

The decrease in the amount of discharge after childbirth occurs gradually

Certain conditions related to the norm

During breastfeeding, a reflex release of oxytocin occurs, a hormone that increases uterine contractions. Therefore, when breastfeeding, especially in the first week, a woman will feel discomfort in the lower abdomen, and there will be more lochia. However, in this case, the uterus empties faster, which means that the period of discharge for a nursing mother will end sooner (by about the 6th week).

Multiple pregnancies predispose to slow contractions of the uterus after childbirth. Therefore, lochia in this case can last from 6 to 8 weeks, which is also a variant of the norm. After physical activity, lifting heavy objects (things significantly exceeding the child’s weight), the discharge may become larger. But such situations without other complaints about the color and smell of lochia are not a reason to panic.

Any intervention in natural childbirth in the form of so-called cleansing, examination of the uterus for the presence of residual placenta or membranes “dulls” uterine contractions, and therefore can increase the period of lochia. Such things are carried out strictly according to indications, and the postpartum period in such cases also lasts 6–8 weeks.

In conditions of surgical delivery, a suture remains on the uterus, which prevents it from contracting at full strength. Therefore, in women who have had a cesarean section, the discharge may initially be less abundant, but longer lasting. Most often, synthetic uterotonics (uterine contractions) are used in hospitals to help the weakened body cleanse the uterus after surgery. Such lochia should also end by the 8th week after birth.

Read more about discharge after cesarean in the article -.

Video: doctor about discharge after childbirth

What do deviations from the norm look like?

The postpartum period is not always favorable. This may be due to both external and internal factors. The condition of the uterus will be characterized by changes in postpartum discharge: color, smell, volume, etc. Let's look at them in more detail.

Too short a period of discharge from the genital tract (up to 6 weeks) should alert a woman, especially if the lochia ends abruptly. There are many reasons for this situation:

blockage of the cervical canal (exit from the uterus) with blood clots, mucus and tissue debris;
excessive tilt of the uterus forward, which creates a mechanical obstacle to the outflow of lochia (anatomical feature);
spasm of the internal pharynx (this, in fact, is the exit from the uterus);
weak contractility of the uterus due to overstretching (noted with polyhydramnios and multiple pregnancies) or complicated labor (long labor, cesarean section, etc.).

In any of the described cases, lochia accumulates in the uterine cavity. A condition occurs, which in medicine is called lochiometra. In addition to the absence of discharge, pain in the lower abdomen and increased body temperature are added. At this stage, it is better to immediately consult a doctor to find out the reason for the disappearance of discharge and eliminate it.

There are no minor complications in obstetrics. Therefore, a woman must tell her doctor about any problems.

When the discharge continues for more than 8 weeks, its quantity does not decrease, but only increases - this is also a reason for urgently seeking help. Most likely, something is preventing the uterus from contracting normally (blood clots, remnants of placenta, pieces of membranes). This may also be a symptom of an inflammatory process in the uterus - endometritis.

Excessively abundant lochia (in the first 4–5 days more than one obstetric pad per hour is lost) or their sharp increase indicates bleeding. The same reason applies to the return of brown and then scarlet discharge 2–3 weeks after birth. This is a direct indication for urgent hospitalization.

Unpleasant odor of discharge: lochia usually has a neutral odor (in the first days after birth, a musty odor is allowed). Therefore, when sharp putrefactive, sour notes appear, we can talk about the addition of an infectious process in one or more parts of the woman’s reproductive system.

Bright yellow and green discharge is a sign of inflammation, and the process can concern exclusively the uterus or affect the fallopian tubes and ovaries. To the changed color of lochia will be added a putrid odor, increased temperature (up to fever), constant aching pain in the lower abdomen and general weakness.

White color and cheesy consistency with a sour odor are a sign of vaginal candidiasis (thrush). At this stage, you should take treatment seriously (taking antifungal drugs) to protect yourself from an ascending infection (transition of inflammation to the cervix, into the uterine cavity and higher).

Lochia that is clear as water may indicate gardnerellosis (bacterial vaginosis), which is most often followed by thrush. Such discharge is often accompanied by the smell of rotten fish.

Black color without any other symptoms is scary only in appearance. This variant of the norm occurs due to changes in hormonal levels during the process of recovery of the body. Caused by a change in the composition of cervical mucus.

Photo gallery: pathological lochia

Purulent discharge is a clear sign of a bacterial infection. Bright yellow lochia indicates an inflammatory process in the genital area. With lochia, the curdled discharge of thrush is mixed with mucus. Bacterial vaginosis is accompanied by the smell of rotten fish.

What to do if pathological lochia occurs

In case of pathological discharge, you must consult a doctor, because each case is unique. Most often, additional procedures are performed (pelvic ultrasound, examination of discharge). If remnants of placenta or membranes are detected, instrumental treatment methods will be needed. Lochiometra is amenable to conservative therapy.

Any inflammatory process is a rather dangerous complication in the postpartum period, requiring the prescription of anti-inflammatory drugs and antibiotics. To reduce the risk of adverse reactions to medications in a child, medications are selected that are used to treat newborns in maternity hospitals. You can also express your breasts approximately 15–30 minutes after administering intravenous and intramuscular medications and 1–1.5 hours after taking medications via the enteral route.

A nursing mother should not be afraid to take antibiotics and antifungal drugs, as her future condition depends on this. After all, after childbirth, a woman’s body is so weak that it is often unable to cope with the infection on its own.

Prevention of pathological postpartum discharge

To avoid complications after childbirth, a young mother needs to follow the following rules:

maintain a hygienic regime: change the pad every 3-4 hours, take a shower daily, wash your face in the morning, evening and after each visit to the toilet;
exclude taking a bath for the entire postpartum period in order to prevent bleeding;
for the first 2–3 days, urinate once every 3 hours;
if there are stitches on the abdomen (after cesarean section) or perineum (after ruptures during natural childbirth), treat them 2 times a day;
lie on your stomach for at least 20 minutes a day;
wear a bandage;
follow doctor's orders.

Lochia is only an indicator of changes in the reproductive system, reflecting the woman’s health status. Normal postpartum discharge lasts 6–8 weeks, does not have a strong odor, gradually decreases in quantity, and changes color from bright scarlet to almost transparent pale yellow. Any deviation from this norm indicates a pathological course of the postpartum period and requires a more in-depth study. A woman at this time should be especially attentive to herself, since now she is responsible for two lives.

After giving birth, new mothers notice discharge from the genitals for several weeks. They are usually bloody, brownish, or watery. The appearance of blood on underwear can be frightening and raise fears about the presence of uterine bleeding after childbirth. Should a mother who notices unusual vaginal discharge after the birth of her baby be concerned? Let's consider under what circumstances such a phenomenon is recognized by doctors as the norm, and how long the discharge lasts after childbirth.

Causes of discharge in women after childbirth

Bleeding after childbirth is called “lochia.” Discharge after the birth of a baby occurs not only in women who give birth naturally, but also in those who have undergone a cesarean section.

Why does postpartum discharge appear? To answer this question, you need to understand what happens to the uterus after the baby is born.

Despite the fact that the child is already in the hands of the midwife, the process, which is called postpartum, continues for the woman. The afterbirth comes out of the uterus.

The placenta consists of several layers, the first is formed from the endometrium of the uterus and is called the basal decidua. It is permeated with blood vessels and includes depressions filled with maternal blood. Due to the fact that the arteries and capillaries of the mother and fetus enter the placenta, diffusion occurs between the two bloodstreams, and the baby receives the nutrients it needs.

When the placenta breaks away from the wall of the uterus and comes out, the surface of the organ resembles an open wound. Blood flows from gaping vessels, especially intensely in the first minutes after birth.

After some time, the organ begins to shrink, decreasing and reaching its original size. This phenomenon is called involution. By contracting, the muscles compress the blood vessels, helping to stop postpartum bleeding, heal wounds and stop lochia. Individual factors influence how quickly the uterus shrinks to its original size.

Color and other characteristics of normal discharge

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What should normal discharge be like immediately after childbirth? The shade should gradually change from blood red to whitish and transparent:

Immediately after birth, the discharge is bloody. This is due to the fact that the blood vessels damaged during the separation of the placenta did not have time to heal, and almost pure blood is released from the woman’s vagina after childbirth, so if there is bleeding, this is a normal phenomenon. You need to stock up in advance on pads intended for heavy periods or for urological patients. Doctors prohibit the use of tampons and menstrual cups.
Within a week after the baby is born, the postpartum scarlet lochia turns brown or brown. Lumps of blood may be mixed with the discharge even after 5-6 days after pregnancy.
At the end of the week, the postpartum discharge becomes yellowish in color. The liquid resembles ichor oozing from small wounds during healing. This color of lochia is due to the content of lymphocytes and leukocytes in them, which contribute to the restoration of torn vessels inside the uterus.
Gradually, the discharge acquires a mucous consistency or becomes transparent. This is a sign that the regeneration of the inner lining of the uterus was successful, and lochia after childbirth was replaced by vaginal discharge.

Initially, postpartum bleeding smells like blood. Over time, the smell of metal gives way to dampness or delicacy - this is what clotted or stagnant blood smells like, there is nothing wrong with that.

How long can the discharge last normally?

Doctors divide the postpartum period into the following stages:

early - the first 2-3 hours after birth;
late - lasts up to 8 weeks.

At the beginning of the postpartum period, the mother who gave birth is still in the delivery room. During this period, the most active bleeding is observed. How much blood does a woman lose? Approximately 400 ml. The midwife closely monitors the woman in labor in order to promptly notice after childbirth pathological bleeding, which is a symptom of hypotension, injuries, and ruptures.

How long does lochia last after childbirth? The duration depends on the reduction in the size of the uterus, which, by contracting, helps heal the wounds. The uterus decreases by approximately 1 cm per day. On the day the baby is born, the bottom of the organ can be felt at the level of the middle of the abdomen; after 3-4 days it is located in the middle between the navel and vagina. By day 9-10, the uterus is at a height of 1-2 cm from the vagina. If in the last days of pregnancy the organ weighs about 1 kg, then by the end of the postpartum period it returns to its original weight of 70 g.

How long does it take to bleed? Lochia is most intensely secreted in the first 3 days. Their volume is approximately 300 ml, and the woman has to change the pad frequently.

On the 9-10th day, when the uterus has almost returned to its original state, the discharge becomes scanty and does not cause much discomfort. After childbirth, lochia may completely stop within a month.

How long does lochia last after childbirth as a result of surgery? After a cesarean section, lochia, as a rule, lasts longer than during a natural birth (more details in the article:). Any surgical intervention is stressful for the human body, and rehabilitation after it is more difficult. How long does it take after giving birth for all this to stop? About 8 weeks. In the first month after birth, lochia is usually more abundant.

Does the duration of discharge depend on the type of feeding?

How long does this symptom last after the birth of the newborn if the mother is breastfeeding? When breastfeeding, discharge passes faster than if a woman who has given birth feeds her baby with formula.

Milk appears in a woman’s mammary glands under the influence of oxytocin. It is produced due to the sucking movements of the baby - the brain receives a signal, and the pituitary gland begins to produce a hormone that causes contraction of myoepithelial cells and pushes milk to the nipple.

Oxytocin has a similar effect on the uterus. Under the influence of this hormone, the uterine muscles contract more strongly, which means involution, and with it healing, occurs faster. If a mother wants to quickly undergo rehabilitation after childbirth, she should feed her newborn with milk. How long should lochia last while breastfeeding, and how quickly does it end? This is an individual process, but some women notice a cessation after the end of the month.

Pathological discharge and accompanying symptoms

What should I do if, a month after giving birth, bleeding starts again, or the lochia does not stop even after 3 months? This indicates the presence of abnormalities in uterine involution. How to determine that rehabilitation after childbirth is not going well? First of all, you need to pay attention to the nature of the discharge, its color and smell.

How to determine the presence of the disease by the color of lochia is shown in the table:

Color	Other symptoms	Possible diseases
Red, bloody or brown 1-2 months after baby is born	Pulling, aching sensations in the lower abdomen.	Endometriosis is the growth of the endometrium outside the uterus. Myoma is a benign tumor of the myometrium. Polyps are pedunculated growths that can penetrate the vagina through the cervical canal and sometimes degenerate into cancerous tumors. However, the reason may be the onset of menstruation; in women who refuse breastfeeding, the menstrual cycle may begin immediately after childbirth.
Light red or pink	Sharp pain in the lower abdomen.	Injuries during childbirth, suture dehiscence, cervical ectopia, polyps.
Bright yellow	Itching, bad odor, increased body temperature.	Endometritis is an inflammatory process in the uterine endometrium.
Green	Itching, burning, unpleasant odor, foamy discharge.	Infection of the uterus, vagina, or fallopian tubes. Bacterial vaginosis - due to hormonal fluctuations, a change in the pH of the vagina occurs, which causes inhibition of beneficial bacteria and the growth of pathogenic microflora. Gonorrhea and chlamydia are sexually transmitted diseases.
White	Itching, burning, sour smell, flaky consistency.	Thrush is an infection caused by Candida fungi. They are constantly present in the vagina and begin to multiply when hormones fluctuate or immunity is reduced.

Regardless of the stage at which they appeared, purulent discharge is a reason to immediately make an appointment with a gynecologist. Most often they are accompanied by lethargy, headache, fatigue, and increased body temperature. Pus may be a symptom of salpingoophoritis. This is an inflammation of the appendages, which develops due to the entry of staphylococci, streptococci, and gonococci into the fallopian tubes and ovaries. You can see what pathological discharge looks like in the photo.

Mucous discharge is normal, especially at 3-4 weeks. They indicate pathology if they come on too profusely or appear at a time when there should still be bleeding.

What to do if lochia suddenly ends prematurely? This indicates the presence of a lochiometer. With this disease, lochia cannot leave the uterus for the following reasons:

blockage of the cervical canal;
inflection of the uterus;
weak contraction of the organ.

Any deviation from normal indicators in color, smell, consistency is a reason to consult a doctor. Do not neglect warning signs; they can be symptoms of dangerous diseases.

Features of hygiene in the postpartum period

The doctor who managed the pregnancy and delivered the baby while the woman in labor is still in the hospital will tell you about hygiene rules during the rehabilitation period after childbirth. A few recommendations on how to properly keep the vulva and perineum clean to avoid infection:

During lochia it is necessary to use pads. Tampons and menstrual cups contribute to the proliferation of pathogenic microflora and stagnation of discharge. You can buy postpartum pads in pharmacies, but if the discharge is heavy, you can use diapers with an absorbent layer. For scanty lochia, regular menstrual products will do.
You need to wash yourself at least twice a day. You don't need to use soap too often. You need to wash in the shower, not in the bath. You cannot lie in hot water for a long time; this can negatively affect the restoration of the integrity of blood vessels and cause heavy bleeding. When washing, you need to make movements from front to back, from the vagina to the anus. If you do the opposite, intestinal microflora may enter the vagina, which will cause inflammation.
If a woman has had stitches, they need to be treated regularly. Antiseptic drugs are suitable for this - a solution of potassium permanganate or Furacilin.

If you adhere to the rules of hygiene and monitor the nature of the discharge, the risk of infection can be minimized. Any disease is easier to treat in the initial stages than in an advanced state.

The inevitable lochia after childbirth is a wound discharge from the uterus. After pregnancy, the female body is restored, and the injured walls of the uterus heal. As a result, the organ begins to recover and becomes the same size as before pregnancy. Its upper surface heals, and the area where the vaginal wall attaches to the placenta tightens. Thus, the cause of lochia that appears after childbirth is:

restoration of the uterine cavity;
cleansing of membranes.

The uterus shrinks and throws out tissues it does not need, which have become toxic. The discharge is similar to menstrual discharge, but consists of different substances. These are fragments of the lining of the uterine cavity, ichor, remnants of the placenta, mucus from the cervical canal, and blood.

Lochia consult hygiene products
menstrual cycle resumption
Development Complex degree of consequences

Immediately after delivery, a large wound covers the entire surface of the uterus. Therefore, blood clots and blood may be released. There is no need to worry, because in this way the body cleanses itself and restores itself.

If the lochia differs from those that should be normal, this indicates postpartum complications. Yes, the first few days after birth a woman is in the hospital, so doctors monitor the duration of lochia. But then she is discharged home, so she will have to independently monitor the nature of the discharge.

Normally, postpartum lochia lasts 6-8 weeks. Permissible deviations are 5-9 weeks. Otherwise, you need to consult a doctor. You can look at photos of lochia to know what they look like after childbirth.

Duration of uterine recovery

We found out how long lochia lasts on average after a childbirth, but they come in several varieties. Their duration also depends on this.

They appear during the healing process of the inner surface of the uterus.

The active phase lasts about three weeks. During this time, several types of discharge are observed.

Reds. It takes about 3-4 days after the baby is born. They cause discomfort to a woman because they are very abundant. The color of the discharge is bright scarlet, since the remains of non-viable tissue contain a large number of erythrocytes - red blood cells. Clots of brown blood may also be released. The discharge should end on day 4. In this case, a woman changes one pad per hour. If you have to change it more often, you need to call your doctor. After childbirth, the gynecologist usually advises the woman about how long the lochia lasts, so it is not difficult for the expectant mother to navigate.
Serous. Lasts from 4 to 10 days and is not as abundant as red ones. The color of the discharge is pinkish-brown or brown, since a large number of leukocytes are present in the discharged substances. Usually, red clots no longer appear, and only bloody-serous discharge is observed.
White. They do not cause discomfort to the woman and last for 20 days. Normally, the discharge should be without bloody clots or a strong odor. They are yellowish or whitish in color, almost transparent, of a smearing nature.

If after giving birth you know how long it will take for the lochia to come out, you will immediately understand when you need to contact a specialist for help. The volume of discharge begins to decrease over time, and already at week 3 it does not cause discomfort, therefore it is almost unnoticeable and very small in volume. Usually, by the 6th week, glassy mucus with bloody patches is released from the cervix, at which point the body completes its restoration. At the same time, the duration of the discharge does not depend on whether it is your first pregnancy or your second.

In case of complications, you should consult a doctor

When to see a doctor

If you know exactly when the lochia discharge should end after childbirth, it will be easier to track possible violations. You need to make an appointment with a doctor in the following cases.

The discharge lasts too long or its amount has become quite large. Such bleeding is possible due to the fact that parts of the placenta remain in the uterus, so it cannot contract normally. In this case, the woman will have to remove the remaining placenta in the hospital. The procedure is painless due to intravenous anesthesia.
The bleeding has stopped, although you know exactly how many days after the last birth the lochia should go. Stopping discharge indicates a possible accumulation of lochia in the uterine cavity. If they are not removed, there is a risk of developing endometritis.

Endometritis develops if, after childbirth, lochia is excreted with pus and has an unpleasant, pungent odor. A woman notices a deterioration in her health:

lower abdomen hurts;
the temperature rises.

In this case, you need to urgently call a specialist or call an ambulance. Sometimes a cheesy discharge appears from the vagina. This may indicate the appearance of candidiasis. If left untreated, there is a risk of developing a severe infection.

It doesn’t matter how long lochia lasts after the first or second birth. If severe bleeding occurs, you should immediately call an ambulance. In this case, the woman is indicated for hospitalization.

Only careful attention to your health, monitoring of discharge and timely response to its changes will help to avoid serious complications. It is better to play it safe and consult a doctor once again than to subsequently be treated for unpleasant sores.

Do not ignore the rules of hygiene, which are especially important for the successful completion of the postpartum period.

If there is a relapse

Sometimes it happens that after childbirth the lochia first ends and then starts again. If, after 2 months, scarlet discharge from the vagina is observed, the cause may be:

restoration of the menstrual cycle;
rupture of sutures after severe emotional or physical stress.

When you know how long lochia can last after a previous birth, but suddenly they return after 2-3 months, you need to look at their character. Sometimes the remnants of the placenta or endometrium are released in this way. If the discharge is dark in color with clots, but without pus and a sharp putrid odor, everything should end without complications.

In addition, when the discharge goes away and then comes again, there is a risk of developing an inflammatory process in the uterus. Only a doctor can help you here. He will conduct an examination and find out the cause of the incident. You may be experiencing a new menstrual cycle. But in the worst case scenario, medical intervention will be required.

In this article:

Postpartum bleeding is a normal process, which results in the natural cleansing of the uterine cavity from lochia and retained remnants of placental tissue. The severity of bleeding depends on its nature, total blood loss and duration. How long does blood bleed after childbirth is a question that concerns every young mother.

For many women, bleeding as a result of childbirth is not a cause for alarm and does not pose any threat. Abundant in the first days, it gradually decreases and disappears within a few weeks. Severe bleeding, which occurs with painful contractions and nagging pain, pronounced odor and putrefactive discharge, is not normal and requires urgent medical intervention.

Causes of bleeding after childbirth

Severe bleeding in the first hours after the birth of a newborn can be caused by:

Poor indicators of blood clotting, individual for a woman in labor, as a result of which blood flows out of the genital tract in liquid streams without any symptoms of incipient thrombosis (thickened lumps, darkening of the color of the blood). It is not difficult to prevent such bleeding if, on the eve of giving birth, a woman undergoes an appropriate blood test for coagulation.
, resulting in injury to the birth canal.
Incremental tissue of the placenta, as a result of which blood will flow, since the uterus cannot fully .
Unsatisfactory ability of the reproductive organ to contract due to overstretching of its tissues caused by, and.
Gynecological problems associated with changes in the structure of the reproductive organ - uterine fibroids or fibroids.

Late bleeding may develop 2 hours after delivery and over the next 6 weeks.

Why does there bleed after childbirth in this case:

particles of placental tissue are retained in the uterus;
a bloody clot or several clots cannot leave the uterus as a result of its spasm in the cervical area;
The recovery time of the uterus is delayed due to the inflammatory process in the pelvic area; this condition is characterized by an increase in general body temperature and prolonged bleeding.

How long does bleeding last after childbirth?

Every woman who cares about her health always asks her doctor about how and how many days the blood flows after childbirth. Normally, postpartum discharge lasts up to 6 weeks, but for many young mothers it ends a little earlier.

During this period of time, the mucous layer of the uterus is restored, and the organ takes on its prenatal form. bleeding continues longer because the muscles and walls of the uterus were injured during surgery, and it takes longer for it to return to its original state.

How much blood will flow after childbirth directly depends on the following factors:

features of the course of pregnancy and labor;
way of delivery - or;
natural contractile activity of the uterus;
, for example, inflammatory phenomena in the pelvic organs;
features of a woman’s physiological status, health status;
features of lactation - regular application of the baby to the breast, on demand, reduces the number of lochia and enhances the contractile activity of the uterus, as a result of which the organ begins to cleanse itself more effectively.

To reduce the duration of postpartum bleeding and avoid possible complications, it is recommended to follow the following rules:

regularly empty the bladder and intestines so that overfilled organs do not create excess pressure on the uterus and do not interfere with its contractility;
carefully observe hygiene rules to prevent infection of the birth canal;
exclude physical activity and intimate relationships for 6 weeks after the birth of the child;
sleep on your stomach, as in this position the uterus cleanses more intensively;
establish breastfeeding as much as possible.

Despite the fact that bleeding after childbirth is a natural process, this condition requires attention from the woman and the doctor.

Normal bleeding

How long after childbirth bleeding normally occurs was stated above - about 6 weeks. Postpartum hemorrhage is divided into several stages, which differ from each other by specific features: coloring and intensity of discharge.

On the first day after birth, the amount of discharge will be greater than during normal menstruation. The blood will flow bright scarlet. On the first day, blood is removed from the vessels that attached the placental membranes to the wall of the uterus, so there will be a lot of it. Such bleeding is considered normal from the first to the fourth day after delivery.

Over the next 10-14 days, the amount of discharge decreases significantly. The scarlet tint of the discharge, which is accepted immediately after childbirth, at this time changes to faint pink, brownish or yellow. The uterus continues to contract, and after 2 weeks bleeding is minimized to a small amount of discharge per day.

Less commonly, bleeding continues longer, and until the 6th week of the postpartum period, a woman is bothered by uterine discharge with scarlet blood. If they are not abundant and inconsistent, there is nothing wrong with that. Most often, their appearance is preceded by physical exertion, nervous shock and other unfavorable factors.

Pathological bleeding

We described above how long postpartum bleeding will last normally and what it depends on. But pathological conditions do occur.

The need for medical attention arises if postpartum discharge is accompanied by the following symptoms:

they last more than 6 weeks;
slight bloody discharge suddenly changes to bright scarlet blood;
the woman’s well-being and general condition worsens;
discharge is accompanied by significant pain in the lower abdomen;
clinical manifestations of intoxication develop - body temperature rises, dizziness, general weakness, nausea, etc. appear;
bloody discharge instead of physiological shades acquires yellow-green and dark brown colors, complemented by a repulsive odor.

Regardless of how much blood flows after childbirth, if the discharge becomes more intense and acquires a scarlet color and a liquid structure, you should urgently contact the ambulance service. Painful sensations, an increase in body temperature, changes in the nature and color of uterine discharge always become evidence of developed postpartum complications, for example, endometriosis, inflammatory process in the pelvis and other pathological conditions. In such cases, the correct course of action will be timely, thorough diagnosis and treatment.

How many days after delivery a young mother will have discharge is a controversial question. Postpartum bleeding normally lasts no more than 6 weeks, but this can be influenced by many factors, including the physiological characteristics of the woman.

During the postpartum period, the mother should monitor the nature of the bleeding, any changes and accompanying symptoms of this condition. If everything is normal, and the body recovers without complications after the birth of the child, then after 6 weeks any uterine discharge should stop.