A month after childbirth, mucous discharge. How long does discharge last after childbirth? What color should they be? What is postpartum discharge
Every new mother is always worried about what should be discharge after childbirth whether this process is normal for her. Pay special attention to the nature of the discharge and doctors who observe patients after the birth of babies. In the context of the normal development of the postpartum process, the question of how long such discharges last is very important. It is equally important to control their smell, quantity and other features. About how many days it bleeds after and other features of such secretions will be discussed in this article.
How is the postpartum period
So, the postpartum period begins at the moment when the birth occurs. placenta . In medicine, it is customary to distinguish between two stages after childbirth:
- stage early lasting for two hours;
- late stage lasting from 6 to 8 weeks.
In the postpartum period, the placenta is released outward, which has separated from the wall of the uterus. In the place where he separated, in the mucous membrane of the uterus, a wound surface is formed with gaping vessels, from which blood is released.
How long does it take for the uterus to contract after childbirth? This process begins immediately, and as long as the uterus contracts, its walls tighten, and the torn vessels shrink. During the first 2 hours after childbirth, moderate discharge of a bright red hue, bloody, appears. The discharge rate after childbirth at the first stage is no more than 0.4 liters.
If blood loss increases, then it is necessary to exclude hypotonic bleeding . Next, the doctor must make sure that there is no unnoticed rupture of the perineum, cervix, vaginal walls of the woman in labor.
After childbirth and the birth of the placenta, the mass of the uterus is about 1 kg. But after a certain number of days, when the postpartum period is over, it returns to the size that is considered normal, and weighs about 70 g. To achieve this state, the uterus contracts, but these seductions are not as intense and painful as in contractions . How long the uterus contracts after childbirth also depends on the characteristics of the body. At the same time, the woman feels only mild spasms, which appear mainly when the newborn sucks at the breast. The fact is that when nipples are stimulated, hormone production is activated, which stimulates uterine contractions.
Postpartum involution of the uterus - a process that gradually occurs, 6-8 weeks. after childbirth. During this time, the wound surface heals, the size of the uterus returns to its original size. On the first day after the baby was born, the edge of the woman's uterus is palpated approximately at the level of the navel. Already on the fourth day, its bottom is located in the middle between the navel and the womb. On day 9, the bottom of the uterus is located 1-2 cm above the womb. That is, every day after the birth of a child, the uterus decreases by about 1 cm.
How the bleeding proceeds after childbirth, how long this process lasts, the doctor will tell in detail before the woman is discharged from the maternity hospital. Depending on how much bleeding occurs after childbirth, what the smell, amount and color of the discharge are, the doctor can determine whether the postpartum period is normal.
Such selections are called lochia ". At its core, lochia is the secret of a birth wound, which contains blood cells, mucus, decidua, plasma, and lymph. It is very important for expectant mothers to know exactly how long lochia lasts after childbirth. What are lochia and what do lochia look like, as a rule, the doctor explains before discharge from the hospital. Women should definitely note how many lochias go after childbirth, because this is an indicator of whether the process of restoring the body of a young mother is developing normally.
The nature of the discharge at different times is as follows:
- When the first two hours after childbirth are completed, there is a reddish or brownish discharge, their character is moderate. The duration of such discharges is from 5 to 7 days.
- In the first 3 days, the volume of discharge is approximately 300 ml, so the diaper should be changed approximately every 2 hours. The appearance of blood clots in the lochia is likely, which is a variant of the norm.
- From about 6-7 days, the color of lochia changes - they become yellowish or with a whitish tint. Their color depends on the amount involved in the healing of postpartum wounds.
- On the 9-10th day, watery lochia begins to stand out, in which a lot of mucus is visible. They have a light shade, gradually become more scarce, and by 3-4 weeks. disappear completely. That is, after a month, lochia, as a rule, stops.
Despite the fact that the exact answer, how much spotting goes after childbirth, is always individual, normally they go on average from 6 to 8 weeks. Regardless of how many days after childbirth there is a discharge, it is important that over time they become more and more scarce.
How long the discharge after childbirth lasts depends on many things, so not everyone has the same time. How long the discharge continues depends on the physiology of the body, the intensity of uterine contraction, the characteristics of delivery, and a number of other points. Also, how long postpartum discharge lasts depends on whether the woman practices. At the same time, how long the discharge after childbirth with blood interspersed is an indicator of whether the body of a young mother is recovering normally.
The question is how much the discharge goes after. It should be understood that this is a surgical operation, and the recovery of the body after it lasts a longer period. Accordingly, the duration of lochia after cesarean may be longer. However, how long the discharge after a cesarean section lasts largely depends on how successfully the operation went, whether complications develop after it. As a rule, such discharge should take about 8 weeks.
A woman should be alerted to discharge with a smell after a cesarean section, as this may indicate the development of an inflammatory process. You also need to track how much the discharge goes, so as not to miss the symptoms of the pathology. If you have any doubts, it is best to consult a doctor.
Subinvolution of the uterus after childbirth
How exactly the period after childbirth proceeds from a physiological point of view is determined by the process of uterine contraction. The correct process of separation of the mucosa and the release of blood clots from the uterine cavity is important.
The involution of the uterus, that is, its reverse development, is a very important physiological process for a woman, as her reproductive and menstrual functions are restored. If the uterus contracts poorly, then there is a threat of the development of purulent-septic complications.
Therefore, a woman should visit a doctor 10 days after she was discharged from the maternity hospital. The specialist conducts a general examination, as well as a gynecological examination.
Can sometimes be diagnosed subinvolution of the uterus when the return to the previous parameters is very slow. The doctor makes this diagnosis if a very soft and loose uterus is palpated during this period, which is large, and at the same time its contraction does not occur at hand.
To confirm postpartum subinvolution, the specialist necessarily prescribes an ultrasound examination of the small pelvis. Such a study will make it possible to find the cause, which is an obstacle to uterine contraction. As a rule, we are talking about the remains of the fetal membranes or the placenta.
Factors that predispose to the manifestation of subinvolution of the uterus:
- multiple pregnancy ;
- polyhydramnios ;
- rapid childbirth or protracted ;
Whether there is a need to hospitalize a woman, the doctor decides individually. If a young mother does not complain about her health, her condition is generally satisfactory, and there are no remnants of membranes or placenta in the uterus, the doctor prescribes the use of uterotonic drugs. As a rule, this oxytocin , water pepper tincture, methylergometrine .
If foreign content is determined in the uterus, it is removed using vacuum suction. Diffuse washing of the uterus is also sometimes practiced, for which solutions or antiseptics are used.
For prevention, the patient is also prescribed a short-term intake - they must be applied within 2-3 days.
Lochiometer
This condition is also a complication after childbirth. With the development lochiometers lochia linger in the uterus. In most cases, this condition manifests itself on the 7-9th day after the birth of the baby. This complication can be caused by the following reasons:
- blockage of the cervical canal of a mechanical nature;
- insufficiently active contraction of the uterus;
- the presence of a mechanical obstruction in the cervical canal (blood clots, remnants of the membranes, decidua);
- too much forward bending of the uterus.
If during pregnancy there is an overstretching of the fetus, and this occurs with multiple pregnancies, large fetal sizes, polyhydramnios, the ability of the uterus to contract is weakened. This also happens with prolonged or rapid labor, discoordination of labor, cervical spasm, caesarean section.
If the lochiometer is diagnosed on time, then the woman's general well-being does not have time to deteriorate, her pulse and body temperature do not change. In this case, the only sign of a pathological condition is a very meager discharge during the period when they should be plentiful, or they completely stop.
In this case, lochiometers are treated after childbirth, and the woman's condition gradually improves.
With a missed lochiometer, if the doctor palpates the uterus, pain is noted, and he also fixes that the size of the uterus has increased compared to the previous day. If the lochiometer was missed, the woman may subsequently develop.
Therefore, it is important to know what the discharge rate should be after childbirth, and consult a doctor in a timely manner if certain violations occur. Therapy is, first of all, to ensure the outflow of lochia from the uterus. Initially, the doctor prescribes conservative treatment:
- parenteral administration or ;
- uterotonics ( oxytocin ), application of cold to the lower abdomen.
If a woman is diagnosed with an inflection of the uterus, the specialist performs bimanual palpation to return it to its normal position.
If the cervical canal is clogged, the specialist carefully dilates it with a finger. Sometimes special devices are used for this purpose - Hegar expanders.
Provided that all the measures described above did not lead to the elimination of the pathological condition in 2-3 days, curettage is carried out - emptying the uterine cavity with the help of instruments. Vacuum aspiration may also be used. To prevent inflammatory processes, a woman is prescribed the use of antibiotics.
How long lochia lasts after scraping depends on the period when the procedure was performed.
Postpartum endometritis
Another complication that is more dangerous to health compared to the lochiometer is endometritis, or inflammation of the uterus. Pregnant woman weakened, as it is necessary to prevent the rejection of the fetal egg, which the body considers a foreign body. Restoration of immunological protection occurs approximately 5-6 days after the birth of a child or 10 days after abdominal delivery . That is why all young mothers have an increased risk of developing inflammatory diseases of the reproductive organs.
Currently, certain factors are identified that predispose to the development of endometritis after childbirth. They are indicated in the table below.
| During pregnancy |
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| During childbirth |
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| Are common |
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Signs of endometritis in acute form
- The onset of endometritis is acute, it develops from 3-4 days after birth.
- The discharge becomes brown, cloudy.
- A little later, purulent discharge is noted, which has a greenish tint.
- A characteristic symptom is that discharge with a smell appears after childbirth, while the unpleasant odor in postpartum discharge, as a rule, resembles rotten meat.
- The general condition worsens - the temperature rises to 38-39 degrees, weakness, increased heartbeat, and malaise are noted.
- The results of peripheral blood tests indicate an inflammatory process (leukocytes increase, ).
Signs of endometritis in subacute form
This condition, as a rule, manifests itself after the woman has been discharged from the maternity hospital.
- In this case, it is important to note how much bleeding after childbirth - bloody discharge remains up to 10-12 days.
- The temperature rises - sometimes to febrile indicators, sometimes slightly.
- If a woman ignores the warning signs, the discharge becomes purulent and smells bad.
Postpartum in any form is a reason for hospitalization. In a hospital, the patient undergoes hysteroscopy to exclude the presence of remnants of the membranes, placenta, and blood clots or to identify their presence. If any are found, they are removed by vacuum aspiration or scraping.
Diffuse washing of the uterine cavity is also carried out, for which antibiotics and antiseptics are used. At least three such procedures are carried out.
What should you pay attention to?
Thus, it is important to pay attention to what kind of bleeding after childbirth is, how long this phenomenon lasts. If we talk about the norms of how much bleeding after childbirth, then the lochia should stop after about 3-4 weeks.
If a woman does not practice natural feeding, then her monthly cycle is restored - this becomes noticeable by the nature of the discharge. If after about 1-2 months. after childbirth, whites become plentiful, resembling egg white, which means what is happening ovulation . Sometimes a woman notices that after childbirth, her periods last a little longer than before. How long menstruation lasts depends on the characteristics of the body, but such changes are normal.
At this time, it is very important to take care of providing postpartum contraception something you should definitely talk to your doctor about. In this case, advice from friends or a forum should not be a guide to action - a specialist will help you make the best choice of contraceptives.
If breastfeeding is practiced, then when the baby is one month old, the discharge takes on the character of mucus and does not have an unpleasant odor. And during the entire period of natural feeding, they do not change their character.
However, a woman should be alerted if yellow discharge suddenly appears 2 months after childbirth, when lochia has long ended. Particular attention should be paid if the whites have a bad smell, and discomfort and itching are felt in the genitals. In this case, you should immediately go to the doctor.
The doctor will help you find out why pathological discharges appear, for which he will take a smear for determination vaginal microflora and then prescribe treatment.
If there is no elevated temperature, this most likely means that the discharge is a sign. But if a woman is also worried about temperature, pain in the lower abdomen, then this may be a sign of inflammation in the appendages or uterus. Therefore, it is impossible to delay in contacting a specialist in this case.
Hygiene in the postpartum period
In order for the uterus to contract actively and return to normal size, postpartum hygiene is very important:
- It is recommended to sleep on your stomach so that the pressure on the uterus contributes to its active contraction and stimulation of the outflow of lochia.
- You should immediately visit the toilet as soon as a woman feels the first urge, as a full bladder and a full rectum worsen uterine contractions.
- It is important to change the pad every two hours, as lochia is a suitable breeding ground for pathogenic bacteria, which subsequently leads to infection.
- You can not categorically use tampons at this time.
- Every day you need to wash yourself at least twice, using boiled water or a weak solution. potassium permanganate .
- It is worth practicing free feeding, applying the baby to the breast on demand, since synthesis occurs when the nipples are stimulated. oxytocin .
Discharge in women after childbirth is a normal process of healing and restoration of the endometrium of the uterus after separation and delivery of the placenta. The birth of a child leads to the fact that a bleeding wound forms in the uterine cavity, which provokes a long period of vaginal discharge. Dying epithelium, mucus and plasma come out with blood, and all together this is called lochia.
Gradually, the woman's body is cleansed and the nature of the discharge after childbirth changes, as the wound heals and the mucosa is restored. It is very important to be attentive to your health in the postpartum period, since any drastic change in the process of cleansing the uterus can mean complications in the form of inflammation, infection, etc. It is very important to know how the type and composition of discharge after childbirth changes over time in order to control this process.
Discharge one week after childbirth
7 days after giving birth, the woman is already at home, so the doctor should explain to her how to care for the intimate area and in what cases it is worth worrying about your health. The first days after the appearance of the baby, the discharge should be red and plentiful. They may be accompanied by spasms as the uterus actively contracts to return to prenatal size.
To discharge after childbirth the gynecologist intensified palpation of the abdomen, massaging the female organs, and also calls for active breastfeeding. Thanks to this, after a week, the uterus is actively cleansed and heals. If a caesarean section was performed, then recovery takes longer and the first weeks may be accompanied by heavy bleeding after childbirth.
It is important to do an ultrasound while still in the hospital to exclude the possibility of placental remains in the uterine cavity, which can lead to stagnation of exfoliated endometrium and inflammation. Often this is what causes heavy bleeding, severe pain and fever in a newly-made mother some time after returning home.
During the first month, a woman should use diapers instead of pads to detect clotted discharge after childbirth. This is normal, but it is important to monitor the change in color and consistency of everything that is found on a changeable diaper. In the postpartum period, it is very important to observe the strictest intimate hygiene and maximize the release of the uterus from lochia. For this you should:
- Breastfeed your baby. During this process, hormones are produced that stimulate uterine contractions, which leads to an increase and acceleration of the release of secretions;
- Lie on your stomach occasionally. When you lie on your back, the uterus sinks back and the lochia cannot flow out freely, so it is very useful to take time every day to lie on your stomach. It is also better to do this without underwear, putting a diaper under you;
- Refuse sex. The first 2 months after childbirth, you should refrain from intimate relationships with your husband in order to avoid infection, because the uterus is open, and the outgoing blood will only contribute to the growth of bacteria;
- Regular intimate hygiene. This must also be done in order to avoid infectious complications. Every 2-3 hours it is necessary to change the diaper and thoroughly wash the genitals. Even if you have normal discharge after childbirth, douching is strictly contraindicated - the uterus will clean itself. Tampons are also contraindicated, even when lochia becomes scarce. A hygiene product must be chosen carefully, preferably on the advice of an obstetrician-gynecologist, since even a simply flavored intimate gel can lead to irritation of the genitals. In the first 2 months after childbirth, you can not take a bath, only a shower.
Discharge after childbirth lasts at least 1 month, after which it becomes very thin and mucous, which means complete healing of the uterus and reproduction of the mucosa.
Discharge after childbirth in a month
A month after the birth of your baby, red discharge after childbirth is already replaced by smearing brown. This means that the uterus has almost recovered - fresh blood does not flow, but only old blood comes out. Also, dark brown discharge after childbirth can be supplemented by white-yellow, which are similar in consistency to mucus. This is another proof that the endometrium in the uterine cavity is completing its recovery.
In terms of quantity, these discharges are insignificant and no longer cause the discomfort that was in the first days of the postpartum period. Before the exit of the lochia is completed, the uterus must reach its normal size, and its inner layer must be completely covered with mucous. It is quite normal if, a month after the birth, the discharge will still contain blood impurities, the main thing is that there should be little of it and this is not accompanied by any symptoms of ill health.
Discharge after childbirth 2 months
If there is a long discharge after childbirth, then this may mean that the uterus is weakly contracting and healing is rather slow. In any case, blood impurities should have already disappeared. White-yellow discharge means the final stage of uterine healing, so you should not worry. If lochia has replaced clear mucous discharge, then this is normal 2 months after birth.
In any case, the obstetrician-gynecologist strongly recommends that you contact the maternity hospital with any questions within 8 weeks of the postpartum period, since it is he who is responsible for how the placenta was separated and the uterus was cleansed. If nothing bothered you during this period, then a scheduled examination by a gynecologist should be done in 2 months and already in the clinic.
After 8 weeks of uterine recovery, the color of the discharge after childbirth should become transparent, and the amount should be minimal. They should not bring any discomfort. This means that the uterus has recovered, returned to its normal size, and the cervix has closed. A young mother can again visit public places for bathing, taking a bath and enjoying an intimate life.
Discharge 3 months postpartum
The duration of discharge after childbirth should not exceed 8 weeks. If, after 3 months after the birth of the baby, vaginal discharge occurs, then this can be either menstruation, or a manifestation of the inflammatory process. It is important to pay attention to the nature of the discharge and the accompanying symptoms.
White mucous discharge after childbirth may be due to thrush. If they are insignificant and transparent, then there is nothing to worry about - a natural liquid, like saliva or sweat. Stretching discharge after childbirth, which is colorless and odorless, is also the norm and often accompanies ovulation.
If a woman is not breastfeeding, then it is quite possible that 3 months after giving birth, her menstrual cycle will be restored. This will lead to the arrival of menstruation with all the accompanying symptoms, such as pain in the lower back and lower abdomen, increased sensitivity of the chest. If this is profuse blood discharge after childbirth, accompanied by high body temperature and general malaise, then you need to call an ambulance, since only a doctor can make a diagnosis in this case.
3 months after childbirth, only colorless discharges that are odorless and do not bring discomfort are considered the norm. In all other cases, it is better to take tests, do an ultrasound scan and be aware of the state of your body.
When does discharge end after childbirth?
With the normal recovery of the female body, discharge after childbirth lasts no more than 8 weeks. This period is enough for the uterine cavity to decrease, and the site of attachment of the placenta to be covered with healthy endometrium. After the menstrual cycle begins to recover, which resumes depending on the regularity of breastfeeding.
If a woman is breastfeeding, then this leads to rapid uterine contractions, which speeds up the process of lochia exit. Also, the production of prolactin delays the work of the ovaries, which stops the resumption of menstruation. So the cycle can be restored six months after childbirth or more. However, for all women, this process is individual.
In the case when, after childbirth, the discharge has abruptly stopped, you should immediately consult a doctor, as this can have very adverse consequences. The accumulation of lochia in the uterine cavity occurs for various reasons:
- Overstretching of the uterine cavity, which leads to its bending back. To prevent this, you need to lie on your stomach more often and massage it. It is also important to maintain the water balance in the body and breastfeeding;
- Untimely emptying of the intestines and bladder, which begin to put pressure on the uterus. At the first urge, you need to go to the toilet to prevent complications.
If you do not respond in time to stopping the exit of lochia in the postpartum period, then after that you will have to treat endometritis - inflammation of the uterine mucosa. Blood is an excellent breeding ground for bacteria, so to avoid infection, it must be released in a timely manner.
If you know how much discharge after childbirth goes, and they suddenly stop, then call the doctor. Treatment consists in eliminating spasm of the cervix by taking No-shpa, after which Oxytocin is prescribed, which promotes uterine contractions.
Bloody discharge after childbirth
Bloody and pink discharge after childbirth is the norm, since the uterus is intensively cleansed for the first time. However, you should be wary if the number of lochia has increased dramatically. It is possible that parts of the placenta remained in the uterus, which led to severe bleeding. Also, the cause may be violations in the blood coagulation system.
If parts of the placenta remain in the uterine cavity, then this can be diagnosed by ultrasound or during a gynecological examination. They are removed under general anesthesia, after which intravenous antibiotic therapy is performed to eliminate the risk of infectious complications. If the uterine cavity is not cleaned in a timely manner, then this will certainly lead to severe inflammation and life-threatening consequences.
If a sharp copious discharge after childbirth provoked blood clotting disorders, then appropriate treatment is carried out. A woman who is pregnant should tell her doctor about such health problems so that postpartum hemorrhage can be prevented.
Often, an increase in discharge is due to the fact that the uterus is not contracting enough. Such bleeding is called hypotonic. They are quite plentiful, but nothing hurts and there are no other danger symptoms. However, it is worth considering that any bleeding, if not stopped in a timely manner, can lead to critical consequences.
Abundant discharge after childbirth is the norm only if they occur in the first week and the doctor is notified of them. Otherwise, you need to call an ambulance. Reducing drugs will be administered to stop bleeding and infusor therapy will be performed to replenish blood loss. In some cases, you can not do without surgical intervention, so it is very important to seek help in a timely manner.
Brown discharge after childbirth
2-3 weeks after delivery, the discharge becomes darker than initially, as the wound in the uterus heals and almost does not bleed. However, the old blood is still in its cavity, it gradually becomes brown and also comes out as part of the lochia. Dark discharge after childbirth is nothing more than old blood that did not release the uterus in a timely manner.
The appearance of dark lochia begins in the middle of the first meat after childbirth and can last 4-6 weeks. It is important that the discharge is not plentiful and does not increase dramatically. If this happens, then you should definitely consult a doctor, since timely and complete cleansing of the uterus is the key to your women's health.
yellow discharge after childbirth
Such secretions are the norm at the final stage of lochia exit. They can also signal the resumption of the menstrual cycle. If, 4 months after the birth, the discharge from the colorless ones became yellow, without a pronounced odor, then this indicates ovulation.
It is worth considering situations in which it will be necessary to consult a doctor:
- Yellow discharge after childbirth is accompanied by an unpleasant odor. A sharp putrid odor is especially dangerous, which indicates the reproduction of the infection;
- In addition to the discharge, itching, burning of the genital organs are disturbing. It is also a sign of an infection that can enter the uterus and cause inflammation;
- Thick discharge after childbirth, accompanied by pain in the lower abdomen. It is especially dangerous if they give to the lower parts of the spine;
- Bright yellow or greenish lochia is a sign of infection of the genital tract or even the uterus. In order to avoid serious consequences, it is important to consult a doctor in a timely manner;
- Purulent discharge after childbirth is especially dangerous, since this is a sign not only of an infection, but also of the presence of a focus of inflammation, which must be immediately eliminated in order to prevent a threat to a woman's life;
- An increase in body temperature, along with copious bright yellow discharge, indicates an active process of inflammation in the uterus, the causes of which must be determined by the doctor
Most of these situations occur with endometritis - inflammation of the uterine lining. It is provoked by a weak cleansing of its cavity, which leads to the accumulation of lochia. If discharge smells after childbirth, then you must definitely see an obstetrician-gynecologist.
Mucous discharge after childbirth
Transparent discharge after childbirth appears after the complete exit of lochia from the uterine cavity. In most cases, this is nothing more than the secret of the pelvic organs. They can also precede and accompany ovulation or be released after sex. This is also how hormonal changes occur in the body, which occurs after childbirth.
If you are worried about discharge after childbirth, looking like clots of clear mucus, then get tested to make sure that they are the norm. You should be alerted if there are any other symptoms, such as fever, itching, smell. Such discharge may be a manifestation of cervical erosion, so it may be worth undergoing a colposcopy.
Green discharge after childbirth
Green lochia are a clear sign of inflammation in the uterine cavity. As a rule, they are accompanied by fever, pain in the lower abdomen. Bleeding may also suddenly begin, as green discharge can be triggered by parts of the placenta remaining in the uterus. Another reason may be a delay in lochia or poorly healing tears and cracks in the birth canal.
In addition, green discharge after childbirth with a smell is often caused by infections, so you must follow special rules for intimate hygiene during this period and refrain from sex. Also, to prevent such complications after childbirth, it is necessary to avoid abortions, STDs and strengthen the immune system.
If you have green discharge, then you need to see a doctor, take a swab for the flora and undergo an ultrasound scan. In such cases, they are treated with antibiotics and physiotherapy. Sometimes it is necessary to scrape out the scar-modified endometrium. It is also very important to strengthen your body as a whole.
white discharge after childbirth
White discharge is not always thrush, as many women think. Thrush is easy to diagnose by the curdled consistency of these secretions, sour smell, dryness and itching in the vagina. Also, a regular smear will help to make a diagnosis, and it is not difficult to cure colpitis.
However, white discharge may be the natural secret of your reproductive system. If some have a homogeneous consistency and there are no other unpleasant symptoms, then you should not worry. However, it is worth knowing that white discharge can signal:
- Inflammation of the fallopian tubes;
- Pathologies of the uterus;
- Inflammation of the vaginal mucosa;
- Violation of the secretion of the glands of the cervix.
To prevent these problems, you need to undergo a timely examination by a gynecologist and take tests. It is also important to avoid douching, chemical contraceptives, violations of the rules of intimate hygiene and a sedentary lifestyle. This is especially important in the postpartum period.
A woman after childbirth must be very attentive to her health and fully control the process of cleansing the uterus. She also needs to be able to distinguish dangerous situations from normal ones, for which she should discuss all this with a doctor in advance. Normal discharge after childbirth last about 2 months, gradually decreasing and not accompanied by pain.
Discharge after childbirth occurs in all women and in any case, regardless of whether the birth was natural (on time), premature, or a caesarean section 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 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, 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 interval may be within the normal range, but the nature of bleeding, the composition and other characteristics of the discharge itself 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.
After giving birth, a young mother has a lot of questions: is everything okay with the baby? How to apply the baby to the breast? What to do with an umbilical wound? How long does it take and when does the discharge stop after childbirth?
When does discharge end after childbirth?
Often, after giving birth, a woman does not pay any attention to herself - all of it goes to the newborn. Meanwhile, the postpartum period is fraught with many dangers for the puerperal. Immediately after the placenta leaves, the woman begins to have very strong spotting - lochia. Blood oozes from the wound at the site of attachment to the uterus of the placenta, the epithelium that lined the uterus during pregnancy begins to be rejected - all this, mixing with mucus from the cervical canal, pours out of the genital tract.
When does the discharge after childbirth pass? Normally, the duration of discharge after childbirth should not be more than 6-8 weeks.
In the first two hours after childbirth, while the woman is still in the maternity block or on a gurney in the corridor, doctors observe the nature of the discharge. This period is especially dangerous for the development of hypotonic bleeding, when the uterus stops contracting. To avoid complications, a woman is placed on the lower abdomen with an ice pack and intravenously administered drugs that improve uterine contraction. If blood loss does not exceed half a liter and their intensity gradually decreases, then everything is in order, the puerperal is transferred to the postpartum ward.
Within 2-3 days after childbirth, the discharge in women has a bright red color and a rotten smell. Bleeding is quite strong - a pad or a diaper has to be changed every 1-2 hours. In addition to blood, small clots may be released from the genital tract. This is normal - the uterus is gradually cleared of everything unnecessary and is reduced in size.
In the following days, the lochia gradually darkens, becomes brown, and then yellowish (due to the large number of leukocytes). A month later, the discharge after childbirth is more like mucus, and in some women it may stop altogether. On average, after 1-2 months, the uterus returns to pre-pregnancy size. 5 months after the birth, the discharge may already be menstrual in nature, since usually the monthly cycle is restored by this time.
In 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 part of the holistic rehabilitation process. Basic knowledge of how to self-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 relate to internal organs and hormonal levels. The uterus of a woman who has just given birth is reduced in volume, and vaginal flows occur. Together with blood secretions, the remains of intrauterine fluids accompanying pregnancy also come out. Such currents 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.
Bleeding duration
Every body is different, and every postpartum recovery story is special. Doctors are guided by the general scheme within which the rehabilitation process takes place in most young mothers. Many are concerned about the question of how much discharge goes after childbirth, since they cause a certain discomfort. How long do currents last and why are they the main indicator of women's health?
The minimum normal period for postpartum hemorrhage is 5 weeks. If they stopped earlier, you should be wary, because there is a risk of insufficient “cleansing” of the body;
The maximum period is 9 weeks when the course ends. In this case, a long course is a signal of insufficient blood clotting;
Duration evaluation is not separate from other indicators. With intense discharge, a short cycle of bleeding is expected;
Mothers after caesarean section have other standard terms. In their case, the restoration of uterine tone is slower than in those who gave birth naturally, and the upper limit of the duration of the currents 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 shorten 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 increases by 1.5 - 2 liters per day. With the right water balance, the discharge after childbirth is intense, and cleansing is fast.
Kegel exercises. Many women are familiar with special movements in the vaginal area even before pregnancy - they are designed to maintain the tone of internal organs. As soon as after the birth of the baby, the young mother will not be uncomfortable with tension and relaxation of the internal muscles, 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 course of recovery of the internal organs of a woman, doctors use a number of characteristics of postpartum flows. Keeping track of how long the discharge lasts after childbirth is just one of the indicators. Others include the appearance of bleeding and their smell. Together, they allow you to determine the rate of discharge after childbirth and possible deviations.
Compound
The recovery period determines the normal composition of the secretion:
- 1-3 day: blood;
- 2 weeks: blood clots, mucus is allowed;
- end of 1 month - blood smears.
Purulent fluids at any time speak of 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 day: currents of scarlet color;
- after 3 weeks, brown currents begin (blood coagulates, the wound heals);
- by the end of the restoration of the uterus, the secretion fluids become transparent, light pink or with a yellowish tinge.
The bright yellow and greenish color of the currents signals inflammation. An obvious green color indicates an advanced form of endometritis disease and suggests immediate medical attention.
Smell
The smell of blood in the initial stage of secretion is the norm. After the third week, it becomes slightly musty, which, again, is in order.
Discharge after childbirth with an unpleasant odor - 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 color deviations, a gynecological examination is mandatory.
It is important to remember several subtleties of the diagnosis of 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 secretions such as "cottage cheese" speak of thrush. This is not uncommon when recovering from childbirth, and it is still better to see a doctor for treatment.
- Dark secretions look scarier than they really are. At the end of 3-4 months, black-brown or black currents are normal.
Number of selections
By the amount of bleeding after childbirth, one can also judge women's health. What should be the discharge after childbirth - intense or weak? The strength of the secretion varies depending on the period. So, in the first few weeks, the normal intensity is one, and over time, another. The amount of liquid released is indicated by the fullness of special sanitary pads for young mothers.
Normal force of secretion:
- in the first two weeks after childbirth, the course is very abundant;
- the course becomes more meager after 2-3 weeks;
- at the end of the recovery process (weeks 8-9), the discharges are only smears. For hygiene, special postpartum pads with maximum absorbency are no longer needed.
Deviation from the above scheme is a signal of the disease. If the bleeding in the first days is not intense, the cause may be congestion or a blood clot that prevents the release of pollution.
The reverse situation is also dangerous: heavy bleeding ends by the end of 2 weeks. If this does not happen and a large amount of fluid continues to flow out by the third week, the patient may have poor blood clotting.
In both extreme cases, an urgent visit to the doctor is necessary.
Resumption of discharge
How many times do you have spotting after childbirth? Nature provides for the cleansing of a woman's body only once. However, sometimes women register the resumption of bleeding. Should I be worried?
The most obvious option is to quickly restore the cycle. Menstruation comes for each woman individually, at the moment when she completely restored the function of childbearing again. Since postpartum bleeding and menstruation have similar characteristics in appearance, it is easy to confuse them. With the help of ultrasound, the gynecologist determines whether the cycle has come to the young mother or whether the cleansing of the body continues.
The exit of the remaining endometrium and particles of the placenta. In rare cases, the cleansing of the internal organs from the remaining elements that accompanied the pregnancy falls 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 belated discharges do not last long.
All repeated flows of yellow, green color that smell unpleasant are a signal of an inflammatory process. To avoid the risk of pathology of the female organs, it is important to consult a doctor as soon as possible.
How to maintain hygiene during postpartum discharge
Unfortunately, bleeding that goes outside is a beneficial environment for the growth of dangerous bacteria. In order to prevent their development, hygiene measures must be strictly observed.
To collect secretions, doctors recommend using special pads with enhanced absorbency. During the first days, a special product is used, which is sold in a pharmacy. Then regular night pads marked “5 drops” will do.
The use of tampons is strictly prohibited. In order to ensure the free exit of the liquid, nothing should stop its movement. In addition, tampons cannot absorb blood clots, which inevitably come out after the first week.
The sanitary napkin is changed every 2 hours, regardless of the intensity of the currents. It is accompanied by the washing of the external genital organs (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, use a mild cleanser labeled "intimate hygiene".
In the event that natural childbirth has passed with complications, and there are ruptures of the birth canal, it is necessary to continue to take care of the injured areas of the skin at home. At discharge, the doctor gives detailed instructions about hygiene in this case. Most often, liquid antiseptics such as a solution of potassium permanganate or furacilin are used.
For young mothers who have had an operative delivery, 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 rule of "change of two hours" must be followed exactly.
Maintaining women's health is not the last task of a young mother. Observing how long the discharge lasts after childbirth, and what are their characteristics, allows women to avoid the risks of the recovery period and ensure their well-being. Despite the fact that new mothers have many concerns associated with a newborn, it is important to follow the doctor's recommendations for diagnosing currents and maintaining hygiene during this special period.
