How long does postpartum lochia discharge last? Postpartum discharge: normal or pathological

The birth of the placenta occurs, signifying the completion of the birth process. This is accompanied by the release of a large amount of blood and mucus: since the surface of the uterus is damaged, a wound remains on it from the former attachment of the placenta. Until the surface of the uterus heals and the mucous membrane is restored, the wound contents will be released from the vagina of the postpartum woman, gradually changing in color (there will be less and less blood impurities) and decreasing in quantity. These are called lochia.

Immediately after labor is completed, the woman is given a drug to stimulate uterine contractions. Usually it is Oxytocin or Methylegrometril. The bladder is emptied through the catheter (so that it does not put pressure on the uterus and does not interfere with its contractions), and an ice heating pad is placed on the lower abdomen. This time is very dangerous due to the discovery of hypotonic uterine bleeding, so the postpartum woman is observed for two hours in the delivery room.

Bloody discharge is now very abundant, but still should not exceed the norm. The woman does not experience any pain, but bleeding quickly leads to weakness and dizziness. Therefore, if you feel that the blood is flowing very heavily (for example, the diaper under you is all wet), be sure to tell the medical staff about it.

If the discharge during these two hours does not exceed half a liter and the condition of the postpartum woman is satisfactory, then she is transferred to the postpartum ward. Now you must monitor your discharge, and for this you need to know what it is and how long it lasts. Don't be alarmed: of course, the nurse will control everything. And the doctor will certainly come in, including to assess the nature and amount of discharge. But in order to be confident and calm, it is better to know in advance what will happen to you in the first time after childbirth, and what the nature of normal postpartum discharge should be.

What type of discharge occurs after childbirth?

Lochia consists of blood cells, ichor, plasma, scraps of the lining of the uterus (dying epithelium) and mucus from the cervical canal, so you will notice mucus and clots in them, especially in the first days after childbirth. When pressing on the abdomen, as well as during movement, the discharge of wound contents may increase. Keep this in mind, if you want to get out of bed, you will immediately gush. Therefore, we recommend that you first place a diaper under your feet.

Lochia will constantly change its character. At first they resemble menstrual discharge, only much more abundant. This is good because the uterine cavity is being cleansed of wound contents. After just a few days, the lochia will become slightly darker in color and less in number. In the second week, the discharge will be brownish-yellow and acquire a mucous consistency, and after the third week it will be yellowish-white. But blood impurities can be observed for a whole month after childbirth - this is normal.

To avoid bleeding?

Even after the mother has been transferred to the postpartum ward, the likelihood of bleeding still remains high. If the amount of discharge increases sharply, call a doctor immediately. To prevent bleeding, do the following:

Turn over on your stomach regularly: this will help empty the uterine cavity of wound contents. Better yet, lie more on your stomach rather than on your back or side.
Go to the toilet as often as possible, even if you don't feel the urge. Optimally every 2-3 hours, since a full bladder puts pressure on the uterus and prevents its contraction.
Place a heating pad with ice on your lower abdomen several times a day: the blood vessels will contract, which also prevents bleeding.
Do not lift anything heavy - the amount of discharge may increase with physical activity.

In addition, in nursing mothers, lochia ends much faster. Therefore, breastfeed your baby on demand - during sucking, the mother’s body produces oxytocin, which provokes contraction of the uterine muscles. At the same time, the woman feels cramping pain, and the discharge itself intensifies.

To avoid infection?

Copious discharge in the first days is very desirable - this way the uterine cavity is cleansed faster. In addition, already from the first days of the postpartum period, a variety of microbial flora is found in the lochia, which, when multiplying, can cause an inflammatory process.

In addition, like any other, this wound (on the uterus) bleeds and can very easily become infected - access to it is now open. To prevent this from happening, you should strictly observe hygiene and follow the following recommendations:

Wash your genitals with warm water every time you use the toilet. Wash the outside, not the inside, from front to back.
Shower daily. But refrain from taking a bath - in this case, the risk of infection increases. For the same reason, you should not douche.
In the first days after giving birth, use sterile diapers instead of sanitary pads.
Later, change the pads at least eight times a day. It’s better to take the ones you’re used to, only with more drops. And wear them under disposable fishnet panties.
It is strictly forbidden to use hygienic tampons: they retain the wound contents inside, preventing its discharge, and provoke the development of infections.

How long does the discharge last after childbirth?

Lochia begins to be released from the moment the placenta is rejected and normally will last an average of 6-8 weeks. The intensity of postpartum discharge will decrease over time, and lochia will gradually lighten and disappear. This period is not the same for everyone, as it depends on many different factors:

intensity of uterine contraction;
physiological characteristics of the female body (its ability to quickly);
the course of pregnancy;
progress of labor;
the presence or absence of postpartum complications (in particular inflammation of an infectious nature);
method of delivery (with a caesarean section, lochia may last a little longer than with a physiological birth);
breastfeeding (the more often a woman puts her baby to her breast, the more intensely the uterus contracts and cleanses).

But in general, on average, discharge after childbirth lasts one and a half months: this period is just enough to restore the mucous epithelium of the uterus. If the lochia ends much earlier or does not stop much longer, then the woman needs to see a doctor.

When to see a doctor?

As soon as the discharge becomes natural, you should visit a gynecologist. But there are situations when a doctor’s examination is necessary much earlier. If the lochia suddenly stops (much earlier than it should) or in the first days after birth the amount is very small, you should see a gynecologist. The development of lochiometra (retention of wound contents in the uterine cavity) can lead to the appearance of endometritis (inflammation of the uterine mucosa). In this case, the wound contents accumulate inside and create a favorable environment for bacteria to live, which is fraught with the development of infections. Therefore, contraction is induced with medication.

However, the opposite option is also possible: when, after a stable decrease in quantity and volume, the discharge suddenly became abundant—bleeding began. If you are still in the maternity hospital, urgently call a doctor, and if you are already at home, call an ambulance.

Causes for concern are yellow-green discharge with a sharp, unpleasant, putrid odor, as well as the appearance of pain in the abdominal area combined with an increase in temperature. This indicates the development of endometritis. The appearance of curdled discharge and itching indicates the development of yeast colpitis (thrush).

Otherwise, if everything goes well, then one and a half to two months after birth, the discharge will take on the character of pre-pregnancy, and you will live your old new life. The onset of the usual menstruation will mark the return of the female body to its prenatal state and its readiness for a new pregnancy. But it’s better to wait with this: take care of a reliable method of contraception for at least 2-3 years.

Especially for- Elena Kichak

Often, after giving birth, a woman is so captivated by the child that she does not notice any serious changes in her own body.

However, the pathological nature of the discharge can have very unfavorable long-term consequences.

For this reason, it is necessary to identify the pathology as early as possible, make a diagnosis and prescribe the necessary treatment. In this material we will talk about when the discharge usually ends.

The nature of lochia and their volume changes throughout the postpartum period:

The maximum volume of lochia occurs in the first 3-4 days after the birth of the baby: approximately 300-350 ml.

The discharge is bloody and may contain clots. This is due primarily to the fact that the placental area is a large area of the wound surface in the inner lining of the uterus. As the mucous membrane heals (epithelializes), the character of the lochia changes.

From days 4 to 10, the discharge becomes lighter; it is called sanguineous, since it contains both red blood cells and mucus elements.
In the period from 10 to 21 days, lochia becomes mucous in nature, there are practically no red blood cells in them (with the exception of a few), the discharge is light in color, with slight reddish-brownish streaks.
3 weeks after birth, the discharge should only be mucous, light, transparent, and odorless.

How long to wait or how long does the discharge last after childbirth?

On average, lochia should last no longer than the postpartum period. According to obstetric ideas, lochia should stop no later than 42 days after the date of birth, which corresponds to the duration of the postpartum period.

If after this time a woman continues to have postpartum discharge, she should consult a doctor.

Discharge after natural childbirth usually ends a little earlier than. This is usually due to the fact that the contraction is somewhat worse, so the lochia may take a little longer to last.

When is it necessary to see a doctor?

All women need to closely monitor vaginal discharge after childbirth in order to recognize impending danger in time.

Quickly stopped bleeding

Many people mistakenly assume that the sooner the lochia ends, the faster the body recovers from childbirth. However, stopping discharge during the first week may indicate occlusion (closure) of the cervical canal. This condition is possible if the cervix closes quickly after childbirth.

This condition is very dangerous because lochia accumulated in the uterine cavity can cause inflammation in the pelvis.

In addition, if this condition is not recognized in time, then discharge through the fallopian tubes into the abdominal cavity is possible, which is fraught with the following consequences:

pelvioperitonitis (inflammation of the peritoneum and pelvic organs);
endometriosis (spread of endometrial tissue outside the uterine cavity);
development of the adhesive process;
tubo-peritoneal infertility.

If the discharge stops too quickly, you should consult a doctor to make sure that there are no bloody clots in the uterine cavity and that the outflow of lochia is not impaired.

Prolonged or continuous bleeding

After childbirth, everything is not always smooth sailing. It happens that spotting after childbirth continues for a long time. This pathological condition can be caused by the following reasons:

Placental tissue remains in the uterine cavity.

If after childbirth even small areas of the placenta and fetal membranes are retained in the uterus, this can cause disruption of the contractility of the uterus.

As a result, bloody lochia continues for a long time. This condition is usually diagnosed in the maternity hospital, since an ultrasound is performed 3-4 days after birth. If the uterine cavity is dilated and there are remnants of placental tissue in it, then the woman needs curettage of the uterine cavity. After this procedure, the uterus usually contracts well, which has a beneficial effect on the course of the postpartum period.

Disturbance of the blood coagulation system.

Some diseases reduce the ability of blood to clot, for example, hemophilia, thrombocytopenic purpura, thrombocytopathy, and some malignant blood diseases with hemorrhagic syndrome (leukemia).

Reduced ability of the uterus to contract.

Overstretching of the muscle fibers of the uterus can lead to a decrease in its contractile activity. This is usually associated with during pregnancy. In this situation, injections of drugs that contract the uterus (Oxytocin, Methylergobrevin), as well as taking a tincture of water pepper, will help.

Discharge with an unpleasant odor

Copious discharge with clots and an unpleasant odor may indicate inflammatory diseases of the uterus (endometritis, metroendometritis). Usually a woman develops chills and a fever.

To distinguish endometritis from the flow of breast milk, it is necessary to measure the temperature not only in the armpit, but also in the elbow.

If in both cases the temperature is high, then this indicates the systemic nature of the inflammation.

In this situation, broad-spectrum antibiotics (Amoxiclav, Flemoclav, Cefotaxime, Ceftriaxone, Moxifloxacin) are usually very effective. In case of inflammation of the uterus that has caused sepsis, with resistant microflora, reserve drugs (Tienam, Meronem, Cilastatin) can be used in conjunction with many antibiotics.

What should hygiene be like in the postpartum period?

In order to avoid inflammatory complications, you must adhere to the following rules:

Change pads as often as possible, especially within 7 days after birth (every 3 hours).
In the first week you need to wash yourself at least 2-3 times a day.
Use soap without any fragrances or dyes. Gels for intimate hygiene are ideal, as they have an optimal pH environment for the external genitalia.
If there are stitches in the perineal area, it is necessary to treat them at least twice a day with antiseptic solutions.
During the postpartum period, you can only take a shower; a bath is strictly prohibited.

The peculiarities of postpartum discharge need to be given increased attention. Any violations during this period can lead to serious complications. Therefore, in case of any deviations from the norm, you should definitely consult a doctor in order to start treatment as early as possible.

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 required.

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.

The natural end of pregnancy is childbirth.

Regardless of which way they passed - natural or through a cesarean section - bloody discharge appears from the woman’s vagina almost immediately after the end of childbirth.

Based on their consistency, smell, color, and intensity, doctors determine whether the recovery process of a young mother after childbirth is normal.

Discharge after childbirth: is this normal? Cause and physiology of the process

The discharge of bloody fluid from the vagina (lochia) after childbirth is a completely normal physiological process. The reason for this is the sloughing of the inner layer of the uterus (endometrium) after the separation of the membranes and the delivery of the fetus with the placenta. In other words, the inside of the uterus during this period is almost completely represented by a wound surface that bleeds. Naturally, this blood must come out, and this happens through the woman’s genitals. It should be noted that lochia consists of only 80% blood, and the remaining 20% is the secretion of the uterine glands. The latter are intensifying their work due to the need to restore the mucous membranes of the vagina and the uterus itself.

The process of lochia secretion is most intense in the first hours after the end of labor, because during this period the walls of the uterus contract especially actively, thereby “pushing” blood out. The physiology of this stage of recovery of a woman’s body is controlled by hormones, namely oxytocin and prolactin. These substances are produced by the hypothalamus, they stimulate the contraction of the smooth muscles of the walls of the uterus, as well as the production of milk by the woman’s mammary glands. A strong release of these compounds into the blood occurs during the baby's breastfeeding, so experts strongly recommend feeding the baby immediately after birth.

Normal discharge after childbirth: basic criteria

In the first days after the end of pregnancy, the amount of discharge can be quite high (as on the first or second day of menstruation). Their volume per day can be up to 400 ml (or 500 g). At this time, the woman will have to change about 5 special postpartum pads or regular pads with a high ability to absorb liquid per day.

As for the consistency of lochia, it can vary. Both watery discharge and those mixed with clots or mucus are considered normal. Another criterion for assessing normal discharge is its color. Normally, it should be bright red, scarlet in the first days, and gradually “darken” after one or two weeks (this is a mandatory sign that everything is fine with the woman’s body). After some time, the lochia lighten and become mucous. And finally, about the smell: discharge after childbirth normally has a sweetish or musty smell, without putrefactive or any other unpleasant impurities.

Discharge after childbirth: normal duration of “uterine cleansing”

Normally, the release of lochia in a woman after the birth of her baby continues for up to two months, or more precisely, about 8 weeks. It is by the end of this period that they should become mucous, and the uterus should be completely cleared of the endometrium that functioned during pregnancy. Isolation of lochia for more than 8 weeks is a reason to contact a gynecologist, undergo an ultrasound examination of the uterus and other necessary diagnostic methods.

After the specified period, women who, for one reason or another, did not breastfeed, may begin a new menstrual cycle. In the case of prolonged lactation, menstruation (or rather the maturation of the egg) is suppressed by the hormone prolactin, although this is not necessary. Even with active lactation, menstruation can begin after a month or several months. If menstruation is absent for a long time due to breastfeeding, we are talking about lactational (physiological) amenorrhea.

Pathological discharge after childbirth: how to recognize them

For a number of reasons, postpartum recovery does not always go smoothly and safely. During this period, complications may develop, which may be indicated by a change in the nature (color, smell, etc.) of lochia. If the discharge becomes somehow “different”, the woman should definitely contact a gynecologist in order to recognize a possible pathology as early as possible. A young mother should be alerted to lochia of a scarlet or yellow-green color, with a distinct unpleasant odor, or a sudden cessation of discharge, especially a couple of days or a week after she became a mother. Read more about the causes of pathological discharge below.

No discharge after childbirth (lochiometer)

As has already become clear, discharge after childbirth is the norm, and it should be present in any case. Therefore, a signal for concern may be a sharp cessation of postpartum menstruation (lochiometer) before the end of the recovery period (the endometrium is not able to return to normal faster than in 40 days!). Most often, this pathology is diagnosed 7-9 days after birth. The cause of this condition is most often a spasm of the cervix, due to which the cervical canal becomes “impassable”, which causes the retention of secretions in the uterine cavity. This can trigger the onset of the inflammatory process and the addition of infection. Another reason for the absence of lochia can be too large endometrial clots “stuck” in the cervical canal (mechanical blockage), as well as the lack of normal contractile activity of the uterine muscles.

In any case, if discharge stops prematurely after childbirth, a woman should normally seek medical help in order to avoid the development of complications.

Postpartum hemorrhage

A complication in the form of bleeding from the uterus (not to be confused with normal discharge after childbirth) can develop either immediately after the birth of the baby or several days or even weeks later. This pathology is evidenced by vaginal discharge in the form of bright scarlet blood, quite intense. If the discharge has already turned brown or yellow, and again changes its color to scarlet, it means that the woman is experiencing bleeding. To avoid such complications, you must adhere to several rules:

It is necessary to empty the bladder and intestines on time, since these organs in an overcrowded state do not allow the uterus to contract normally;

For the first 7-10 days you need to be on your feet less, lie down more, and generally give up any physical activity;

Apply a heating pad with ice to the lower abdomen.

Change in odor and color of postpartum discharge

The normal odor and color of lochia are described above. What does changing these “parameters” mean?

The appearance of poisonous yellow or yellow-green discharge most likely indicates a bacterial infection in the woman’s genital tract. Most often, staphylococci and streptococci are associated, causing pathologies such as endometritis (inflammation of the uterus), parametritis (inflammation of the periuterine tissues), etc. It is not uncommon for a change in the nature of the discharge in this case to be accompanied by pain in the lower abdomen, as well as an increase in body temperature, up to 41 degrees. In addition, suckers in this case acquire an unpleasant odor (rotten fish, rot or pus);

White discharge, cheesy consistency. Such lochia indicates a fungal infection, namely thrush. The pathology is also accompanied by an unpleasant sour odor from the discharge, itching and redness of the external genital organs. Thrush often takes women by surprise after childbirth, since during this period the body is weakened and the immune system does not work at full capacity;

A change in the smell of discharge or a change in color should also alert a woman.

A break in discharge after childbirth: normal or pathological?

It happens that postpartum menstruation ends, and the woman exhales with relief, and after a couple of days the lochia appears again. Is this normal? The answer to this question is yes and there are two possible reasons:

1. Quick restoration of the menstrual cycle. In this case, the menstrual blood will be red or scarlet in color. And, of course, this can happen no earlier than six weeks after birth.

2. If lochia stops and then resumes again, this may indicate stagnation of clots in the uterus. If, apart from this, the woman is not bothered by anything (the body temperature is not elevated, there is no pain), then the body’s recovery process is proceeding normally.

Hygiene after childbirth

1. It is necessary to carry out water procedures using baby soap at least twice a day or when changing a sanitary pad, as well as after bowel movements. At the same time, a woman is not recommended to take a bath; hygienic water procedures are carried out in the shower or with the help of a bed;

2. Hygiene products are selected according to the abundance of lochia. In the maternity hospital, you can use special postpartum pads, and when you return home, you can use regular “menstrual” pads with the greatest absorbency (“night pads” are suitable). These hygiene products need to be changed as they are filled, but at least once every 6 hours;

4. If necessary (as prescribed by a doctor), treat external seams with antiseptic solutions (potassium permanganate, furatsilin, etc.).

Heavy bleeding after childbirth (lochia) is a normal physiological process. At first, postpartum bleeding brings a lot of inconvenience to a woman. But the presence of lochia is more of a benefit than a harm to the female body. Thanks to lochia, the uterine cavity is cleansed.

Let's figure out what postpartum discharge should be like normally, and what may indicate pathology. We will also answer the question: how long does the discharge last after childbirth?

The fact is that at the place where the placenta is attached to the uterus, after the placenta comes out, an open wound forms. The blood vessels that connected the uterus and placenta are torn away and come out under the influence of uterine contractions. Postpartum discharge consists of blood, blood clots, plasma and cervical mucus.

During the first two hours after the baby is born, the bleeding is heavy. Therefore, the woman in labor is under the supervision of medical personnel. Immediately after childbirth, a woman loses 400-500 ml of blood. During this time, nurses monitor the woman’s condition and ask her to empty her bladder on her own or with the help of a catheter. Because a full bladder prevents effective contraction of the uterus.

Postpartum discharge continues until complete healing of the wound surface and epithelization of the uterine cavity occurs.

Postpartum bleeding should not be painful

What does postpartum discharge look like normally?

Lochia is an important stage of the postpartum period. Depending on their condition, they determine how the postpartum woman’s recovery process proceeds.

Gradually, the color, quantity and quality characteristics of postpartum discharge change.

During the first 2-3 days, postpartum bleeding can be quite heavy. The discharge is bright scarlet. Blood clots after childbirth are also common. You should not be scared by the intensity of the discharge in the first days after childbirth. Due to active contractions of the uterus, the cleansing process is underway. On the contrary, if the number of lochia suddenly decreases, you should consult a doctor. Perhaps a blood clot has blocked the cervical canal or there is a bend in the cervix.
After a week, the amount of discharge decreases. The color is shaggy red-brown, sometimes mixed with mucus. May resemble bleeding during menstruation.
After two weeks, the discharge becomes yellowish-whitish and smears like in the last days of menstruation. This color is due to the large number of leukocytes in the blood as the healing process occurs.

During sudden movements or when getting out of bed, bleeding may increase. In the case of a cesarean section, the discharge is usually less intense and lasts longer. Then the postpartum woman is prescribed drugs to contract the uterus, for example, oxytocin.

If a woman does not breastfeed, then on average a month or 2 after giving birth, ovulation occurs. During which a discharge similar to egg white is observed, lasting 2-3 days. And 14 days after ovulation, menstruation begins. And the previous menstrual cycle is restored.

If the mother is breastfeeding, menstruation does not occur during the entire lactation period, until breastfeeding is completed.

Duration of postpartum discharge

A particularly pressing question for young mothers is: how long does discharge last after childbirth? The average duration is 30-40 days. This time is enough to restore the uterine epithelium. However, the timing is very individual.

This depends on several factors:

how was the pregnancy
how was the birth
How actively does the uterus contract?
Method of delivery: cesarean section or natural birth
Does mom breastfeed?

In nursing mothers, postpartum lochia ends faster than in those who refuse breastfeeding. During breastfeeding, a large amount of the hormone oxytocin is released, which promotes active contraction of the uterus.

Video: Commentary by an obstetrician-gynecologist on the topic of the early and late postpartum period. About the first days of a young mother, her personal hygiene and discharge.

If bleeding continues for more than two months or less than two weeks, then this is a reason to pay attention to the nature of the discharge: its color, smell and composition. The development of a pathological process is possible.

When to see a doctor

A woman who has just given birth needs to carefully monitor her well-being and the nature of her discharge.

You will need to see a doctor in the following cases:

If the bloody discharge suddenly stops a week after giving birth. This is by no means a cause for joy. Perhaps a blood clot blocked the cervical canal or the uterus contracted poorly. This means that pieces of membranes could remain inside. In this case, additional stimulation of uterine contractions with oxytocin is carried out. In some cases, manual cleaning or using a vacuum aspirator.
Discharge after childbirth with an unpleasant odor. A sour, fishy or rotten smell - in a word, foul - can indicate pathology. This could be an infection, vaginal dysbiosis or colpitis.
Pain in the lower abdomen along with foul-smelling discharge may indicate endometritis. Endometritis is an inflammation of the lining of the uterus. Body temperature may be elevated. However, it should be borne in mind that postpartum fever can also be associated with the establishment of lactation. The first flow of milk often occurs with an increase in body temperature.
Too yellow discharge may be normal, or it may indicate the presence of pus in the composition.

If, after childbirth, discharge with an unpleasant odor bothers a woman, it is better to play it safe and consult a doctor. This may indicate infection of the birth canal or that pieces of the placenta may have remained in the uterine cavity.

In any of these cases, you should see a doctor for a smear test or an ultrasound scan. As a rule, a woman who has given birth is discharged from the maternity hospital only after an ultrasound scan of the uterine cavity. Only in this case can you be sure that the uterine cavity has been cleared of clots and membranes.

Sometimes there is a black discharge. There is no need to panic - this is the norm and occurs due to hormonal changes in the body.

After the discharge stops, a routine examination by a gynecologist is necessary.

Features of postpartum hygiene

Postpartum discharge is a favorable environment for the development of pathogenic bacteria. Therefore, it is important for a young mother to know some features of personal hygiene after childbirth. Then the uterine cavity will be safely cleared of lochia, and the woman will avoid complications.
After each visit to the toilet, you need to wash yourself, and it is advisable to do this without using cosmetics with fragrances. Children's toilet soap is good. Movements should be directed from front to back.
In the first days after childbirth, it is better to use sterile diapers instead of pads.
Gaskets need to be changed every 2 hours. In this case, you can use not special postpartum pads of huge sizes, but those that you are used to using during menstruation, only a couple of drops larger. Special mesh panties hold the pad well and provide good air circulation.
You cannot douche or take a bath. Use the shower exclusively, at least in the first weeks after giving birth.
Tampons should not be used under any circumstances. The discharge should come out.
In the first days after giving birth, sleep on your stomach more often. This promotes active contraction of the uterus and the discharge of lochia.
Empty your bladder and bowels more often. Otherwise, the organs put pressure on the uterus and interfere with normal contractions.
You can begin sexual activity only after the discharge has stopped.

Using tampons increases the risk of infection of the birth canal

Postpartum bleeding is a normal physiological cleansing process after childbirth. And the more active this process is, the better and faster the uterus will return to its pre-pregnancy state. The woman’s task is to monitor changes in the color, smell and number of lochia. And in case of any deviations, consult a doctor.