After childbirth, how long is the discharge. Is copious blood discharge normal after childbirth - why does it take so long to end? How much blood flows after childbirth

Postpartum recovery is a special state of a woman, when organs and systems return to their normal, “non-pregnant” state. Normally, it should take place without medical assistance, but under the scrupulous control of a woman. The main indicator of health is postpartum discharge, which varies depending on the condition of the uterus. It is important to know what should be their duration, type, color, intensity, smell at each moment of time.

Discharge after childbirth (lochia) is due to the healing and cleansing of the uterus. The process goes through several stages and is natural. It is popularly believed that a woman “cleanses” for 40 days. Official medicine is inclined to agree, and calls the average period of 42 days. More "blurred" boundaries from 5 to 9 weeks. Everything that lasts less or longer than the indicated periods is a pathology.

The task of a woman is to carefully monitor the lochia. Any deviation from the norm is a signal of trouble and is a reason for an immediate visit to the gynecologist.

The alarm should be beaten if the discharge after childbirth:

Ended in less than a month
Last longer than 2 months
Send green
Have become curdled white
Have purulent inclusions
Acquired an unpleasant odor (putrefactive, sour)
Increased sharply in volume
Secondary bleeding

An indicator of a woman's health in the postpartum period is normal (up to 37) body temperature. If it is elevated or you think that “something is not right” with your discharge, go to the gynecologist. It's better to worry too much for nothing than to miss the problem.

The healing process of the uterus

The healing process of the wound cavity of the uterus is conditionally divided into 3 stages:

from 1 to 7 days after birth - red discharge
2-3 weeks after childbirth - brown discharge
The final stage - white lochia

The established dates are indicative, since they depend on the body, the complexity of childbirth, the method of delivery, breastfeeding. An individual consultation can only be given by your gynecologist when studying the anamnesis.

First lochia

The cleansing of the uterus begins immediately after the birth of the child - this is the expulsion of the placenta on the birth table. The obstetrician carefully examines its integrity. If gaps are found, then there is a suspicion of incomplete separation of the placenta. The uterine cavity is cleaned to remove the remains of the placenta.

The first two hours after childbirth, the woman is monitored in the delivery room. Its purpose is to prevent bleeding. To do this, they stimulate the contraction of the uterus by injection, and put ice on the stomach. The discharge is profuse, mostly blood.

How long does bleeding last after childbirth? Intense lochia of bright red color ends in 3-4 days. At this time, the blood is still poorly coagulated, and the wound surface remains extensive. By day 4, the lochia darken, acquiring a brownish color.

Clots in the first week (especially after sleep) are considered normal, as is the pungent smell of blood. Alertness should be caused by large clots that exceed the volume of a chicken egg. There are lochia after childbirth so plentiful that the pad is changed once an hour.

Second phase

The second stage of cleansing the uterus lasts up to 3 weeks. The secretions consist of ichor, mucus, remnants of dead cells with a small admixture of blood. The volume is comparable to the usual monthly or less. Color - brown. The smell is similar to musty, but without putrid or sour.

End of the recovery period

After the third week, before stopping, the lochia brightens to white-transparent or yellowish. Made up of mucus. By quantity they are characterized as smearing. During this period, a woman can switch to daily pads.

Lochia after cesarean

Recovery after a caesarean section goes through the same stages, but more slowly. With such a delivery, a scar is added to the wound in the uterine cavity on its wall, which delays healing. Longer discharge after childbirth.

Pathological conditions

Discharge after childbirth ended early

Allocations after childbirth stop earlier if the woman in the maternity hospital was subjected to cleaning. With such an intervention, an artificial cleansing of the uterine cavity from the remnants of the placenta, dead endometrium, and waste products of the child occurs. This may speed up healing somewhat.

In other cases, the disappearance of lochia before day 35 does not indicate a strong, quickly restored organism, but an early closure of the cervical canal. With such a pathology, the discharge loses its natural outlet and accumulates in the uterine cavity.

It should be understood that lochia is composed of dead tissue. If you do not carry out a gynecological cleaning, the contents of the uterus will begin to decompose. This leads to infection or even sepsis.

Inflammatory diseases and fungus

The inflammatory process in a woman who has given birth can develop for various reasons: chronic infections, colds, poor hygiene, decreased immunity. Allocations acquire a characteristic "fishy" smell, greenish color, change the consistency. After a while, a high temperature and pain in the lower abdomen are added. Without proper treatment, inflammation of the uterus is fraught with infertility.

The appearance of thrush is signaled by itching, a sour smell from the discharge, a change in the consistency of lochia to curd-white.

Bleeding

The appearance of blood in the lochia after the first week always indicates pathology. If you are in the hospital, inform the doctors about it. If you notice blood at home, call an ambulance immediately.

Prevention of complications

Preventive measures in the postpartum period are reduced to:

Compliance with medical prescriptions
Compliance with hygiene requirements
Sufficient physical activity
Abstinence from sexual intercourse

Breastfeeding is a natural "reducing agent". With frequent attachment of the child, the woman's uterus receives powerful oxytocin stimulation.

And remember! A woman's attentive and responsible attitude to her health is the key to a happy life for her children.

Pregnancy and the birth of a child leads to numerous changes not only in life, but also in the body of a woman.

After a certain time after childbirth, the body returns to its original state, but before that, unusual phenomena are observed. One of them is postpartum discharge, which is called lochia.

Lochia occurs in all women after childbirth. Their cause is the rupture of blood vessels between the uterus and the placenta when the baby is born. The result of this rupture is bleeding. Its occurrence is a natural process, since the uterus must be cleansed of the remnants of the placenta, dead particles of the endometrium and traces of the vital activity of the fetus.

Some women who have given birth do not know about this phenomenon, so they are nervous when it occurs. But, even with this information, young mothers need a detailed study of this process in order to understand when it is normal and when there are pathologies. This will help to avoid complications by seeking medical help in time.

How much discharge after childbirth

Each woman differs from others in the individual properties of the body. Therefore, pregnancy, childbirth and the duration of the recovery period after them are different for everyone. Therefore, it is impossible to determine in advance how many days the discharge goes after childbirth. It is possible to name only indicative frameworks from which it is necessary to make a start. Anything outside of them is considered a deviation.

Normally, the duration of the period when there is postpartum discharge is 6-8 weeks. Sometimes small deviations are allowed, when lochia can stop a week earlier or later than the period established in gynecology. These deviations are considered normal, but only if there are no violations in other features. Therefore, with a duration of postpartum discharge of 5 or 9 weeks, doctors analyze such indicators as smell, color, density, quantity, composition, etc. Based on this, it can be judged whether the recovery period is normal.

The danger is the situation when lochia lasts less than 5 or more than 9 weeks. Therefore, a young mother must take into account the time when postpartum discharge stopped. Both too early and too late completion is considered a deviation. This happens when there are violations in the work of the female body. Therefore, it is very important to consult a doctor in time to determine the causes. This will make it possible to prevent the development of complications.

Important! Women whose lochia lasted less than a month are usually happy with this circumstance. But when the discharge after childbirth ends so quickly, you should be wary, since the vast majority of such cases later led to hospitalization. With a shortened period of postpartum discharge, the body fails to get rid of all the pathological residues. After some time, these residues begin to decompose, which leads to the development of inflammation.

This means that any young mother needs to compare the duration of lochia excretion with the norm. Even if deviations are among the permissible, you need to consult a gynecologist to make sure there are no problems.

The composition of the secretions

To understand whether postpartum recovery is normal, a young mother needs to take into account not only the duration of lochia, but also their composition. Sometimes the duration of the discharge is within the normal range, but their composition indicates deviations in the work of the body.

Normal indicators of discharge after childbirth:

For the first 2-3 days, spotting is considered normal. During childbirth, blood vessels burst, which leads to bleeding.
After that, the uterus heals, and open bleeding should stop.
The first week is the stage of the release of the remnants of the placenta and dead endometrium. Therefore, clots may be present.
After a week, the release of clots ends, and the lochia becomes liquid.
The presence of mucous secretions is also normal - these are the waste products of the fetus. They should also be gone within a week.
5-6 weeks after birth, lochia acquires the character of spotting discharge. They are similar to those observed during menstruation.

The presence of spotting after childbirth should not be alarming. Dangerous is the content of pus in them - this is a sign of violations. You need to urgently go to the gynecologist in such cases as:

The appearance of purulent discharge. This indicates the beginning of the inflammatory process that occurs due to infection. The diagnosis confirms the presence of fever, pain in the lower abdomen, an unpleasant smell of discharge.
Isolation of mucus and clots a week after the birth of the baby.
The transparency and wateriness of lochia is also a deviation. This can be caused by gardnerellosis (vaginal dysbacteriosis), in which there is a copious discharge that smells like fish. Another reason for the appearance of this deviation is the release of fluid from the lymph nodes.

Knowledge of the features inherent in normal lochia will allow the new mother to seek medical help in time.

Discharge color

After giving birth, an important characteristic of lochias is their color. It can also be used to judge how successfully the recovery of the body of the woman who has given birth is going. The norm is:

Bright red color in the first 3 days. At this time, the blood does not clot yet.
For 2 weeks after that, the color should be brown. This indicates the normal course of uterine healing.
Shortly before the end of the lochia (in the last weeks), they should become transparent. There may be slight haze and a yellowish tinge.

Any other shades of postpartum discharge are pathological.

yellow discharge after childbirth

About what kind of problems there are in the body, can be judged by the shade of such secretions.

With pale yellow light discharge that appeared at the end of the second week, there is no need to worry - this is one of the options for the norm.
The appearance of bright yellow lochia with a greenish tint 4-5 days after birth (especially with the smell of rot) indicates endometritis.
The bright yellow color of the discharge with the content of mucus in them, detected after 2 weeks, indicates the development of latent endometritis.

At home, endometritis cannot be cured; for this, it is necessary to take antibiotics or surgically remove the inflamed area of the uterine epithelium.

Green discharge after childbirth

Green discharge is a more dangerous phenomenon. They appear when the inflammation of the uterus is at an advanced stage. Therefore, you need to contact a specialist as soon as the first purulent impurities with a slight greenish tint are noticed.

This is another reason for concern and a visit to the gynecologist. Especially if white lochia is accompanied by the following manifestations:

sour bad smell
itching in the perineum,
cheesy consistency of secretions,
redness of the genitals.

These symptoms indicate the development of infectious diseases of the urinary tract (thrush or yeast colpitis).

In the presence of black discharge, which is not complicated by additional symptoms such as pain or an unpleasant odor, there is no cause for concern. This is another kind of norm, due to changes in the composition of the blood due to hormonal changes.

Bloody discharge after childbirth

Lochia of red color during normal recovery of the body can be only a few days after the birth of the child. This is due to the presence of an open wound in the uterus, which is why bright red lochia stand out. After a week, the color should turn brownish-brown, and then gray-yellow.

Number of selections

Features of the course of the recovery period can also be determined by the number of discharges. About the normal course of the process says the following:

The presence of abundant lochia during the first postpartum week. At this time, there is a removal of unnecessary body residues.
The more time passes, the less the discharge should become. A small amount of them at 2-3 weeks is normal.

A young mother should inform the doctor if there is too little discharge in the first days after the birth of the baby. This happens when pipes and ducts are clogged, which interferes with the cleansing of the body.

If the amount of discharge does not decrease within 2-3 weeks, then this indicates an incorrect course of healing of the uterus. For some reason, this process is delayed, so you need to undergo an examination.

The smell of secretions

After childbirth, by the smell of lochia, one can also judge how the process of restoring the uterus is normal.

For the first days, a combination of smells of fresh blood and dampness is considered normal. Then it should be replaced by such features as charm or mustiness.

The sharpness of the smell, sour notes or a shade of rot are considered abnormal. If deviations associated with the color, composition or number of lochia join the smell, you should immediately contact a gynecologist. Waiting for everything to go away on its own is unacceptable.

Selections with a break

Women who have given birth are very worried about the situation when the lochia stopped, and after a week or a few weeks they started again. Such an incident is a reason to contact a specialist - to find out the reasons. They may be different.

The appearance of scarlet discharge after 2 months is sometimes the beginning of menstruation. In some young mothers, the body recovers very quickly. If a woman at the same time does not feed the baby with breast milk, then her menstruation resumes in a short time. Another reason for this phenomenon is the rupture of the seams. It can be caused by problems (for example, overload of a physical or emotional nature). Examination is needed to establish the exact causes.
The return of lochia after 2-3 months requires a thorough analysis of all other features. It happens that for some reason, postpartum debris partially remains in the body and comes out after a decent period. This may be normal if the discharge is dark in color and smells normal without purulent inclusions (mucus and clots may be present). If these symptoms are still observed, it is impossible without an examination. Probably, the woman has developed an inflammatory process, which can only be eliminated with the help of antibiotics or surgery.

Having such a break is not always dangerous. But if a young mother doubts the state of her body, she should talk to a gynecologist. This will help to calm down and notice deviations in time.

Discharge after caesarean section

Artificial childbirth somewhat changes the duration and composition of lochia. Their main features:

Recovery after a caesarean section is similar to that after a normal birth. Lochia is a mixture of blood and dead endometrium.
In this case, hygiene must be especially carefully monitored, since the risk of infection is higher.
The first week is characterized by the presence of clots and mucus. Allocations at this time are plentiful.
The color of lochia should be red at first, and after a few days they turn brown.
The uterus shrinks and heals more slowly after a caesarean section, which leads to a longer presence of bleeding. But this period should not exceed 2 weeks.

There are few differences in this case, but they also need to be known and taken into account.

Hygiene during discharge

To avoid infection and inflammation, you need to follow the rules of hygiene. Basic Rules:

Washing the genitals after every visit to the toilet. You need to wash only the outside, the correct direction is from front to back.
Daily shower. A bath during this period is contraindicated, as is douching.
From the use of pads on the first day you need to refrain, replacing them with sterile diapers.
Change pads - at least 8 times a day. Tampons are not allowed.

According to the characteristics of postpartum discharge, one can judge how well healing is going on. A woman who has given birth should carefully monitor their compliance with the norm and consult a doctor for any deviations.

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 was performed.

Why is there bleeding after childbirth? After the baby leaves the womb, the placenta begins to separate from the uterus. This causes a rupture of numerous blood vessels that connected these two parts. Bleeding begins, which performs an important postpartum function: it brings out the remnants of the placenta, dead parts of the endometrium and other products of intrauterine vital activity of the fetus, which after childbirth turn into ballast for the body.

Such selections are usually called the term "". Bloody discharge within a month after childbirth occurs in all women. But their character can be both absolutely normal and pathological. Therefore, every woman needs to know all the features of this process. First of all, you need to know how long the discharge after childbirth lasts, how much blood flows.

Each new mother has her own individual characteristics. The terms of recovery and healing of all damaged tissues and organs in women are always different. Therefore, it is impossible to give an accurate and exhaustive answer to the question "how much is the discharge after childbirth." There are some average frames that can be conditionally considered the norm. Anything that does not fit into this framework can be considered a deviation. And deviations, in turn, can be both not very disturbing and very dangerous.

Normal discharge

How long does bleeding last after childbirth? Most often, the duration of postpartum bleeding, equal to 1.5-2 months, is considered the norm. That is, if 5 weeks after the birth, the discharge has stopped, then this is normal. If the discharge after childbirth has not stopped after 2 months, then treatment is indispensable.

Non-dangerous deviations

If the discharge continues for more than two months, then you should not immediately panic, but you should definitely pay attention to the nature of the discharge - color, smell, composition, density (consistency - after childbirth, blood clots can be in the lochia). For all these parameters, you can make an approximate picture of what is happening inside the female body, and draw preliminary conclusions. In any case, you need to see 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 ended after a week, or after 2 weeks, or 3 weeks after childbirth (before 5 weeks have passed), or if they continue for more than 9 weeks, then this is already a cause for serious concern. Be sure to fix the moment when they ended, if they ended ahead of time. All this may indicate malfunctions in the internal systems and organs. In such cases, examination and possibly treatment is required. It is not worth delaying a visit to the doctor, this is fraught with serious consequences. The longer you pull, the more likely you are to develop postpartum complications.

It often happens that young inexperienced mothers are happy if their discharge is over 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 that are 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 more and more scarce. If, after 6-6 weeks after the birth, the bloody discharge first ended, and then started again (the blood went again), then this is also a reason for a visit to the doctor. Blood clots in the period of the second to fourth week after childbirth should disappear, or their number should be minimized. Normal periods can begin two months after birth.

Features of uterine contraction

Contractions of the uterus, which provoke the discharge of blood from its cavity, often cause pain in the lower abdomen. The pain itself is like contractions. Moreover, it often happens that after the second and subsequent births, pain during lochia is stronger than after the first birth.

It happens that black lochia appears during the first few weeks after childbirth. 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.

This character of postpartum discharge can be obtained due to the activation of the processes of restoring the hormonal background and restoring the mucous membranes.

During the first two hours after childbirth, there is a risk of severe uterine bleeding, which can then cause inflammation of the uterine mucosa. To avoid it, a woman is given drugs to increase uterine contractility. In addition, the bladder is emptied through the catheter. When the uterus contracts, 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, 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, how many days the postpartum discharge will go. The time period may be within the normal range, but the nature of the bleeding, the composition and other characteristics of the secretions themselves may show signs of serious deviations.

What discharge after childbirth is normal? When does the discharge end, how much and how many days after childbirth do they 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 selection should be at this time? During the first 7 days, the discharge can be not only in the form of liquid blood. Most often you can see clots that stand out. 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 more clots, the discharge becomes more liquid. If mucous secretions are observed in the lochia along with the 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. Mucus should also be released for a week, and then it should end.

How long is discharge after childbirth copious? Usually about a month. 30-35 days after birth, lochia takes the form of ordinary smears, like those that occur during menstruation, only the blood has already clotted.

But if they are accompanied by a sharply unpleasant odor, if abundant discharge continues for several weeks (and at the same time they not only do not stop, but 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, the first 2-3 days of discharge have a scarlet (bright red) color, since the blood has not yet coagulated. After that, within 7-15 days, the discharge has a rather brown 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 talk about 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 may be different. They are also yellow, and may have other shades.

Pathological changes

Depending on the specific shade of yellow, doctors distinguish several conditional types of lochia.

Pale yellow. These are not very thick and not very profuse lochia, which can start towards 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 on the 4-5th day. Such lochia is already an alarming signal. The reason, most likely, is inflammation of the lining of the uterus, which is called endometritis.
If yellow blood clots after childbirth began after 2 weeks, then such clots in the uterus after childbirth are most likely symptoms of endometritis.

Lochiometer

One of the most common postpartum complications is lochiometer disease. It lies in the fact that the discharge suddenly stops, i.e. blood in the uterus after childbirth begins to accumulate. Most often this occurs 7-9 days after birth.

endometritis

Green discharge after childbirth is much worse than yellow, because. may be a symptom of endometritis. As soon as a woman notices the first, even the most insignificant green blotches in the discharge, she should immediately consult a doctor. Some deviations in the health of the mother and other factors can 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 birth of the baby. The uterus of a woman at this time 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 removed, and their presence in the general flow of uterine secretions is the norm.

brown discharge

Brown discharge after childbirth begins after about 2 weeks, and indicates the normal course of the recovery process.

Green discharge

Green discharge after childbirth is a clear sign of the onset of the process of decay, which is very dangerous. Even if the greenish discharge is odorless, anyway, in this state, the body cannot be considered safe.

Bloody issues

Bloody discharge after childbirth is generally normal. Spotting a month after giving birth resembles the usual small smears that all women have at the end of their period.

Features of lochia after caesarean section

Allocations after childbirth, carried out by caesarean section, have a slightly different character, but in general the same. Only in this case it is more likely to catch an infection or provoke another inflammatory process, so there should be more attention to hygiene after a cesarean section. In the first week after childbirth, the discharge is very plentiful. The total duration of lochia is longer, because. the uterus does not contract as quickly, and the healing of damaged tissues is slower.

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 enhances uterine contractions. When feeding, pain in the lower abdomen may appear (or intensify), but this is normal. More severe pain in this case is experienced by women who have already given birth before.

Pay close attention to hygiene.

Hygiene in the postpartum period is the basis for the successful recovery of the female body. There are several main recommendations:

carefully select pads, change them at least every 3-4 hours;
do not use tampons;
flush the genitals as often as possible;
when processing seams, use antiseptics.

For several weeks after childbirth, while the uterine mucosa (endometrium) is being restored, the young mother retains discharge from the genital tract. What are these secretions and in what case can they become a sign of trouble?

Discharge from the genital tract of a woman after childbirth is called lochia. Their number decreases over time, which is explained by the gradual healing of the wound surface, which is formed on the endometrium after the separation of the placenta.

Lochia are composed of blood cells (leukocytes, erythrocytes, platelets), plasma, sweating from the wound surface of the uterus, dying epithelium lining the uterus, and mucus from the cervical canal. Over time, the composition of lochia changes, so their color also changes. The nature of the lochia should correspond to the days of the postpartum period. In the first days after childbirth (4-5 days after vaginal delivery and 7-8 days after caesarean section), the woman is in the maternity hospital in the postpartum department under the supervision of medical personnel. But after a woman is discharged home, she controls her condition herself, and her task is to see a doctor if necessary. The amount and nature of discharge can say a lot, and it is important to notice alarming symptoms in time.

Allocations after childbirth in the rodblok

The first 2 hours after the birth, the woman is in the maternity unit - in the same box where the birth took place, or on a gurney in the corridor.

It is good if the discharge immediately after childbirth is bloody, quite plentiful, constitutes 0.5% of body weight, but not more than 400 ml, does not lead to a violation of the general condition.

To prevent postpartum hemorrhage, immediately after childbirth, the bladder is emptied (urine is removed through the catheter), ice is placed on the lower abdomen. At the same time, drugs are administered intravenously that reduce the muscles of the uterus (Oxytocin or Metilegrometril). By contracting, the uterus closes off the open blood vessels at the site of the placenta, preventing blood loss.

Note! In the first two hours after childbirth, the woman is in the maternity ward under the supervision of medical personnel, because this period is dangerous for the occurrence of the so-called hypotonic uterine bleeding, which is caused by a violation of the contractile function of the uterus and relaxation of its muscles. If you feel that the bleeding is too heavy (the diaper is wet, the sheet is wet), you should immediately tell one of the medical staff about this. It is important to know that while the woman does not experience any pain, however, bleeding quickly leads to weakness, dizziness.

Also, in the first 2 hours, bleeding from tissue ruptures in the birth canal may occur if they have not been sutured, so it is important that the doctor carefully examine the vagina and cervix after childbirth. If some gap was not completely sutured, a hematoma (limited accumulation of liquid blood in the tissues) of the perineum or vagina may occur. At the same time, a woman may experience a feeling of fullness in the perineum. In this case, it is necessary to open the hematoma and re-suturing the gap. This operation is performed under intravenous anesthesia.

If the first 2 hours after childbirth (early postpartum period) have passed safely, the woman is transferred to the postpartum ward.

Discharge in the postpartum ward

Well, if in the first 2-3 days the lochia are bloody, they are quite plentiful (about 300 ml in the first 3 days): the pad or diaper is completely filled within 1-2 hours, the lochia can be with clots, have a rotten smell like menstrual flow. Then the number of lochia decreases, they become dark red with a brown tint. Increased discharge during movement is normal. In the postpartum department, the doctor makes a daily round, where, among other indicators of the woman's condition, he assesses the nature and amount of discharge - for this, he looks at the discharge on a diaper or pad. In a number of maternity hospitals, they insist on the use of diapers, since it is easier for the doctor to assess the nature of the discharge. Usually, the doctor asks the woman the amount of discharge during the day. In addition, in the first 2-3 days, discharge may appear on palpation by the doctor of the abdomen.

To prevent postpartum hemorrhage, it is important to follow the following recommendations:

Empty your bladder promptly. On the first day, you must go to the toilet at least every 3 hours, even if you do not feel the urge to urinate. A full bladder prevents the uterus from contracting normally.
Breastfeed your baby on demand. During breastfeeding, the uterus contracts as irritation of the nipples triggers the release of oxytocin, a hormone produced by the pituitary gland, an endocrine gland located in the brain. Oxytocin has a contracting effect on the uterus. In this case, a woman may feel cramping pains in the lower abdomen (in multiparous they are stronger). Allocations during feeding intensify.
Lie on your stomach. This is not only the prevention of bleeding, but also prevents the retention of secretions in the uterine cavity. After pregnancy and childbirth, the tone of the abdominal wall is weakened, so the uterus can deviate backward, which disrupts the outflow of secretions, and in the position on the abdomen, the uterus approaches the anterior abdominal wall, the angle between the body of the uterus and the cervix is eliminated, the outflow of secretions improves.
Put an ice pack on the lower abdomen 3-4 times a day - this measure helps to improve the contraction of the muscles of the uterus, uterine vessels.

Women whose uterus was overstretched during pregnancy (in pregnant women with a large fetus, in multiple pregnancies, in multiparous women), as well as those who had complications (weak labor, manual separation of the placenta, early hypotonic bleeding) in the postpartum period, the drug Oxytocin is prescribed intramuscularly for 2-3 days, so that the uterus contracts well.

If the amount of discharge has increased dramatically, you should definitely consult a doctor.

Note! If the amount of discharge has increased dramatically, you should definitely consult a doctor, as there is a risk of late postpartum hemorrhage (late postpartum hemorrhage includes those bleeding that occurs 2 or more hours after the end of childbirth). Their reasons may be different.

Bleeding may be due to retention of parts of the placenta if it was not diagnosed in time (in the first 2 hours after birth). Such bleeding can occur in the first days or even weeks after childbirth. The share of the placenta in the uterus can be detected by vaginal examination (if it is located close to the internal os and the cervical canal is passable) or by ultrasound. In this case, the share of the placenta from the uterus is removed under intravenous anesthesia. In parallel, infusion therapy (intravenous drip of liquids) is carried out, the volume of which depends on the degree of blood loss, and antibiotic therapy to prevent infectious complications.

In 0.2-0.3% of cases, bleeding is due to disorders in the blood coagulation system. The causes of these disorders can be various blood diseases. Such bleeding is the most difficult to correct, therefore, preventive therapy, begun even before childbirth, is very important. Usually, a woman is aware of the presence of these disorders even before pregnancy.

Most often, hypotonic bleeding occurs due to insufficient contraction of the muscles of the uterus. In this case, the bleeding is quite plentiful, painless. To eliminate hypotonic bleeding, reducing drugs are administered, blood loss is replenished with the help of intravenous fluid, in case of severe bleeding - blood products (plasma, erythrocyte mass). If necessary, surgical intervention is possible.

When you stop the discharge, you should also consult a doctor. A complication of the postpartum period, characterized by the accumulation of lochia in the uterine cavity, is called a lochiometer. This complication occurs due to overstretching of the uterus and its bending backwards. If the lochiometer is not removed in time, endometritis (inflammation of the uterine mucosa) may occur, because postpartum discharge is a breeding ground for pathogens. Treatment consists in prescribing drugs that reduce the uterus (Oxytocin). In this case, it is necessary to eliminate the spasm of the cervix, for which No-shpu is administered 20 minutes before Oxytocin.

postpartum discharge at home

It is good if the postpartum discharge lasts 6-8 weeks (this is how long it takes for the reverse development of the uterus after pregnancy and childbirth). Their total amount during this time is 500-1500 ml.

In the first week after childbirth, the discharge is comparable to normal menstruation, only they are more abundant and may contain clots. Every day the number of discharges decreases. Gradually, they acquire a yellowish-white color due to the large amount of mucus, may be mixed with blood. Approximately by the 4th week, scanty, "smearing" discharges are observed, and by the end of the 6-8th week they are already the same as before pregnancy.

In women who are breastfeeding, postpartum discharge stops faster, as the entire process of reverse development of the uterus passes faster. At first, there may be cramping pains in the lower abdomen during feeding, but within a few days they pass.

In women who have undergone a cesarean section, everything happens more slowly, because, due to the presence of a suture on the uterus, it contracts worse.

Hygiene rules in the postpartum period. Compliance with simple rules of hygiene will help to avoid infectious complications. From the very first days of the postpartum period, a diverse microbial flora is found in the lochia, which, multiplying, can cause an inflammatory process. Therefore, it is important that lochia does not linger in the uterine cavity and in the vagina.

During the entire period while the discharge continues, you need to use pads or liners. Gaskets must be changed at least every 3 hours. It is better to use pads with a soft surface than with a "mesh" surface, because they better show the nature of the discharge. Pads with fragrances are not recommended - their use increases the risk of allergic reactions. While you are lying down, it is better to use diaper pads so as not to interfere with the release of lochia. You can put a diaper on so that the discharge comes out freely, but does not stain the laundry. Tampons should not be used, as they prevent the removal of vaginal discharge, instead absorbing it, which can lead to the growth of microorganisms and provoke the development of an inflammatory process.

You need to wash yourself several times a day (after each visit to the toilet), you need to take a shower every day. The genitals should be washed from the outside, but not inside, in the direction from front to back. You can not douche, because this way you can bring the infection. For the same reasons, it is not recommended to take a bath.

With heavy physical exertion, the amount of discharge may increase, so do not lift anything heavy.

You should seek medical help in the following cases:

The discharge acquired an unpleasant, pungent odor, purulent character. All this indicates the development of an infectious process in the uterus - endometritis. Most often, endometritis is also accompanied by pain in the lower abdomen and fever,
Abundant bleeding appeared after their number had already begun to decrease or bleeding does not stop for a long time. This may be a symptom that parts of the placenta that have not been removed have remained in the uterus, which interfere with its normal contraction,
The appearance of curdled discharge indicates the development of yeast colpitis (thrush), while it may also appear in the vagina, redness sometimes occurs on the external genitalia. The risk of this complication is increased when taking antibiotics,
Postpartum discharge abruptly stopped. After a caesarean section, complications are more common than after a natural birth.
For heavy bleeding(several pads per hour) you need to call an ambulance, and not go to the doctor yourself.

The above complications do not go away on their own. Adequate therapy is needed, which should be started as early as possible. In some cases, hospital treatment is required.
If complications arise after childbirth, a woman can apply not only to the antenatal clinic, but also (in any case, at any time of the day) to the maternity hospital where the birth took place. This rule is valid for 40 days after delivery.

Restoration of the menstrual cycle after childbirth

The timing of the restoration of the menstrual cycle for each woman is individual. After childbirth, a woman's body produces the hormone prolactin, which stimulates the production of milk in the female body. It suppresses the formation of hormones in the ovaries, and therefore prevents ovulation.

Every woman looks forward to the birth of her baby. In each case, the process of childbirth takes place in different ways: the natural passage of the fetus through the birth canal (with or without ruptures) or the child can be born with the help of doctors performing a caesarean section. But regardless of the course and result of the process, the representatives of the weaker sex have discharge after color, smell - the article will tell about everything. You will learn about the signs of pathologies that occur in women after the birth of a child.

What is postpartum discharge?

The final stage of the birth process is the separation of the placenta or baby's place. This happens almost immediately after removing the baby and cutting the umbilical cord. The place from which the placenta separated remains a wound surface, which, accordingly, begins to bleed.

Postpartum discharge is called lochia. They have a slightly different nature of origin than ordinary menstruation. The duration of lochia also differs from menstruation. During the period of stay in the maternity hospital, specialists examine women daily. Attention is drawn to the color and consistency of the discharge, as well as the presence or absence of an unpleasant odor.

Immediately after childbirth

What discharge should be after childbirth in the first hours? Immediately after the removal of the placenta, the woman begins an active contraction of the uterus. To enhance the effect, obstetricians put the baby to the chest. Sucking movements and stimulation of the nipples contribute to the contraction of the organ.

After giving birth, the woman is in the maternity ward for several hours. A heating pad with ice and a press are placed on her stomach. This is necessary to prevent severe bleeding. The volume of outgoing blood should not exceed 500 milliliters. Allocations during this period of time have a pronounced bloody character with an admixture of mucus and clots. This is how the remnants of the placenta and membranes that have not been removed come out.

The smell of secretions in the first hours

What should be the discharge after childbirth by smell? In the first hours, a woman may feel a stench. In many ways, this is facilitated by the influence of the hormonal background, because after the removal of the baby, the active production of oxytocin and prolactin begins. Therefore, the newly-made mommy becomes more sensitive.

You don't have to worry about these sorts of things. Until you are transferred to the postpartum ward, the doctors keep a close watch on you. If something goes wrong, the doctors will definitely take action. But in most cases, the discharge is normal, and the woman is in her room 2-3 hours after natural childbirth without complications.

First few days

Many women ask themselves: after pregnancy, what should they be like? During the first few days after the birth of the child, there is an intensive discharge of lochia. During this period, the birth canal of a woman is open, so regular hygiene procedures must be carried out to avoid infection. If the infection has occurred, then the woman will definitely notice it. What discharge after childbirth is abnormal, you can find out further.

Lochia in the first 5-7 days have a rich red or burgundy hue. They are quite thick and there is an admixture of mucus. Some women find pieces or clots. This is also the norm. During the first week of putting the baby to the breast, the mother may feel a slight pain in the lower abdomen. These sensations are vaguely reminiscent of contractions. Thus, the contraction of the uterus occurs - this is the norm.

After Discharge: First Days at Home

What color should be the discharge after childbirth in a week? Immediately upon arrival home, a woman may notice a change in the nature of the discharge. One week has passed since the birth. The bleeding wound, which was in place of the placenta, gradually heals. The uterus returns to normal size, but still extends beyond the small pelvis.

In the second week, lochia becomes smaller. They gradually lighten, and there is no longer that intense red color. There is also a gradual thinning of the mucus. If in the maternity hospital a newly-made mother had to change the pad every 2 hours, now a disposable hygiene product is enough for 4-5 hours. Subject to personal hygiene, there is no unpleasant odor in the discharge.

By the end of the month

Many are interested: by the end of the fourth week, what should be the discharge? go on for quite some time. It would seem that a whole month has already passed, and the discharge does not end. This is fine. Worse, if the lochia stopped after two weeks or even earlier.

During this period, a woman can use thin sanitary pads. The volume of allocations continues to decrease. They brighten, approaching the sucrose color. The uterus has almost completely returned to normal size. The woman does not feel pronounced contractions and pain. Allocations by the end of the first month have no smell. The birth canal is completely closed, but, as before, regular personal hygiene must be observed.

End of period

And what allocation should be? It is rather difficult to answer this question directly and unambiguously. Much depends on the woman herself: her individual characteristics, the course of childbirth, physical and emotional state.

Lochia usually lasts for 6-8 weeks. But normally, they can be completed within 4-5 weeks after the birth of the child. In the last 7-10 days, the discharge becomes brown or yellowish and has a slimy consistency. They do not have any smell with the timely change of hygiene products. Already after a few days, lochia completely takes on the form of transparent mucus, which turns into normal, natural secretions corresponding to the day of the menstrual cycle.

Caesarean section: features of postpartum discharge

What discharge should be after childbirth, carried out by caesarean section? Doctors say that the way the baby appears does not affect the character of lochia. But after a cesarean section, the volume of blood can be increased, as the vessels of the uterus are injured. That is why after such an operation a woman with a baby is discharged only for 7-10 days.

After a caesarean section, a newly-made mother needs to carefully monitor her well-being and discharge. This group of women is more likely to develop complications and pathologies. If you're worried about the color or texture of lochia, or about how big it is, talk to your doctor during your daily checkup.

Pathological process

What should be the discharge after childbirth, you already know, but it will not be superfluous to find out everything about the pathological processes of this period.

If there is a premature cessation of lochia, then this indicates the presence of interference. Perhaps there is a large clot in the uterus that blocks the exit of mucus. An inflection of the uterus may also occur, as a result of which blood accumulates in the region of its bottom. In the presence of a septum, adhesions or neoplasms, such cases are more common.
mucous secretion may indicate uterine perforation or poor blood clotting. This phenomenon can be life-threatening, therefore, it requires timely intervention. Any damage and rupture of the birth canal should be repaired immediately.
The appearance of curdled clots and a sour smell indicates thrush. This phenomenon is often encountered by women who have recently given birth. Candidiasis is not particularly dangerous, but brings a lot of discomfort. Therefore, it is necessary to carry out appropriate therapy.
Inflammatory processes often occur in parturient women. What discharge should be after childbirth in such a situation? Mucus becomes cloudy. At the final stages, purulent inclusions can be detected. Also, the woman notes the presence of an unpleasant odor, itching or pain.

All pathological processes should be immediately eliminated. Some require medical treatment, while others require surgery. If you are concerned about unusual discharge: very scanty or, on the contrary, abundant, having an unpleasant odor and color, consult a gynecologist. It is necessary to call a doctor immediately in case of weakness, fainting, fever, pressure drop.

Drawing conclusions

Every woman has discharge after childbirth. How many go, types, norm and pathology are described for you in the article. Doctors recommend using special sterile pads for women in labor in the early days. Throughout the entire period of the presence of lochia, it is forbidden to use tampons, since these hygiene products can cause infection. Observe hygiene conditions after childbirth, monitor your well-being and the amount of discharge.

After the end of the lochia, the discharge becomes habitual. Subsequent menstruation can begin both a month later and after the cessation of lactation. Be sure to check what discharge should be after childbirth with your gynecologist even before the baby appears. Good luck and easy delivery!