It's been two weeks since the delivery. By controlling the nature of the discharge after childbirth, a woman can identify the onset of the disease in the early stages

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

• restoration of the uterine cavity;
• cleansing of the membranes.

The uterus shrinks and throws out unnecessary tissues that have become toxic. The discharge is similar to menstrual flow, but is made up of other substances. These are scraps of the lining of the uterine cavity, ichorus, the remains of the placenta, mucus from the cervical canal, and blood.

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

Immediately after delivery, the entire surface of the uterus is covered with a large wound. Therefore, blood clots and blood can be released. You should not worry, because in this way the body is cleansed and restored on its own.

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

Normally, postpartum lochia is observed for 6-8 weeks. Tolerances– 5-9 weeks. Otherwise, you need to consult a doctor. You can see photos of lochia to know how they look after childbirth.

Duration of uterine recovery

We found out how long lochia takes on average after a past birth, but they come in several varieties. It also depends on their duration.

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

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

1. Red. It takes about 3-4 days after the baby is born. They cause discomfort to a woman, because they are very plentiful. The color of the discharge is bright scarlet, since a large number of erythrocytes - red blood cells - are present in the remnants of non-viable tissues. Brown blood clots may also be released. Allocations should end on day 4. At the same time, a woman changes one pad per hour. If you have to change more often, you need to call a doctor. After childbirth, a gynecologist usually advises a woman about how long lochia goes, therefore expectant mother not hard to navigate.
2. Serous. They last from 4 to 10 days and are not as plentiful as red ones. The color of the secretions is pinkish-brown or brown, since a large number of leukocytes are present in the excreted substances. Usually, red clots no longer appear, but only sanious-serous discharge is observed.
3. White. They do not cause discomfort to the woman and last for 20 days. Normally, the discharge should be without blood clots, pungent odor. They are yellowish or whitish in color, almost transparent, smearing character.

If after childbirth you know how long lochia will come out, then you will immediately understand when you need to contact a specialist for help. The volume of secretions begins to decrease over time, and already at 3 weeks they do not cause discomfort, therefore they are almost imperceptible and very small in volume. Usually, by the 6th week, vitreous mucus with bloody patches is released from the cervix, at which the body finishes its restoration. In this case, the duration of the discharge does not depend on whether your first pregnancy or the second.

In case of complications, you should consult a doctor

When to see a doctor

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

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

Endometritis develops if, after childbirth, lochia are excreted with pus, and have an unpleasant, Strong smell. A woman notices a deterioration in well-being:

• pain in the lower abdomen;
• the temperature rises.

In this case, you need to urgently call a specialist or call ambulance. Sometimes a curdled discharge appears from the vagina. This may indicate the appearance of candidiasis. If it is not healed, there is a risk of developing a severe infection.

It does not matter how long lochia has been going on after the first or second birth. If there is heavy bleeding, you should immediately call an ambulance. In this case, the woman is hospitalized.

Only an attentive attitude to your health, monitoring the secretions and timely response to their changes will help to avoid serious complications. It is better to play it safe and once again consult a doctor than to subsequently be treated for unpleasant sores.

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

If there is a relapse

Sometimes it also happens that after giving birth, lochia first ended, and then started again. If after 2 months there is a scarlet discharge from the vagina, the cause may be:

• restoration of the menstrual cycle;
• rupture of seams after strong emotional or physical exertion.

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

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

Duration of discharge Composition of lochia Color of postpartum menstruation Number of discharge Odor of lochia Interruption in discharge Lochia after caesarean section

After the baby is born, the placenta separates from the uterus, which provokes the rupture of numerous vessels that connected them together. This is how bleeding is formed, along with which the remnants of the placenta, already dead particles of the endometrium and some other traces of the intrauterine life of the fetus come out.

Such discharge after childbirth in medicine is called lochia. None of the newly-made mothers will be able to avoid them. However, there are a number of questions they raise. How more woman will be aware of their duration and nature, the less risk of avoiding complications that often occur against the background of such postpartum "menstruation".

Particular attention during this period should be paid to personal hygiene. To avoid possible infections and an unpleasant smell, because a girl always wants to remain attractive, she should be very careful and attentive to the washing cosmetics that you use.

The choice of hygiene products should always be treated more carefully and do not neglect reading the composition. After giving birth, your body goes through a period of adaptation and recovery, and therefore many chemical substances can only aggravate the condition and prolong recovery period. Avoid cosmetics that contain silicones and parabens, as well as sodium laureth sulfate. Such components clog the body, penetrating into the blood through the pores. It is especially dangerous to use such products during breastfeeding.

To be calm about your own health and the health of your child, as well as to always remain beautiful and attractive, use washing cosmetics only from natural natural ingredients without dyes and harmful additives. Leader in natural detergents cosmetics remains Mulsan Cosmetic. abundance natural ingredients, a formulation based on plant extracts and vitamins, without the addition of dyes and sodium sulfate - makes this cosmetic brand the most suitable for the period of breastfeeding and postpartum adaptation. You can find out more on the website mulsan.ru

The duration of the discharge

Each female body is very individual, and the timing of its recovery after the birth of a child is also different for everyone. Therefore, there can be no unambiguous answer to the question of how long the discharge after childbirth lasts. However, there are limits that are considered the norm, and everything that goes beyond them is a deviation. It is on them that every young mother should be guided.

Norm

The norm of postpartum discharge established in gynecology is from 6 to 8 weeks.

Tolerances

They range from 5 to 9 weeks. But such a duration of discharge after childbirth should not be reassuring: despite the fact that doctors consider this a slight deviation from the norm, it is necessary to pay attention to their nature (quantity, color, density, smell, composition). These descriptions will tell you exactly whether everything is in order with the body, or is it better to apply for medical care.

Dangerous deviations

Lochia should be alert, the duration of which is less than 5 weeks or longer than 9. You have to know when it ends postpartum discharge. It is equally bad when it happens too early or too late. The times indicated indicate serious violations in the body of a young woman that require immediate laboratory testing and treatment. The sooner you see a doctor, the less dangerous will be the consequences of such prolonged or, conversely, short-term discharge.

You need to know! Many young mothers are happy when their postpartum discharge is over within a month. They feel like they've gotten away little blood and can enter into the usual rhythm of life. According to statistics, in 98% of such cases, after some time, everything ends with hospitalization, because the body could not be completely cleansed, and the remnants of postpartum activity caused an inflammatory process.

Deviations from the norm can be acceptable and dangerous. But anyway they can have serious consequences for the health of the young mother in the future. Therefore, every woman should monitor how long the discharge after childbirth lasts, comparing their duration with the norm established in gynecology. If in doubt, it is better to consult a doctor in a timely manner. Much depends not only on how many days they last, but also on other, already qualitative characteristics.

Lochia composition

To understand whether everything is in order with the recovery of the body after childbirth, a woman should pay attention not only to the duration of lochia. Sometimes it fits into the norm, but their composition leaves much to be desired and may indicate serious problems.

Fine:

the first 2-3 days after childbirth there are spotting due to bursting blood vessels; then the uterus will begin to heal, and open bleeding will no longer be; usually in the first week you can observe discharge with clots - this is how the dead endometrium and the remnants of the placenta come out; after a week there will be no more clots, the lochia will become more liquid; no need to be scared if you observe mucous discharge after childbirth - these are the products of intrauterine vital activity of the fetus; mucus should also disappear within a week; 5-6 weeks after the birth of the baby, the lochia become similar to the usual smears that occur during menstruation, but already with coagulated blood.

So bleeding after childbirth, which frighten many young mothers, are the norm and should not be a cause for alarm. It is much worse if pus begins to mix with them, which is a serious deviation. You should consult a doctor if the composition of lochia differs in the following characteristics:

purulent discharge after childbirth indicates the onset of inflammation (endometrium), requiring immediate treatment, its cause is infectious complications, which are most often accompanied by fever, pain in the lower abdomen, and lochia at the same time have an unpleasant odor and a greenish-yellow color; if the mucus and clots keep going longer than a week after childbirth; watery, transparent lochia is also not considered the norm, because it can be a symptom of several diseases at once: it is a fluid from the blood and lymphatic vessels, which seeps through the mucous membrane of the vagina (it is called a transudate), or is it gardnerellosis - vaginal dysbacteriosis, which is characterized by an abundance of secretions with an unpleasant fishy odor.

If a woman knows which discharges after childbirth are considered normal, depending on their composition, and which ones indicate abnormalities, she will be able to seek advice and medical help from a gynecologist in a timely manner. After passing tests (usually a smear, blood and urine), a diagnosis is made and appropriate treatment is prescribed. To understand that not everything is in order with the body will also help the color of lochia.

The color of postpartum menstruation

In addition to the composition of lochia, it is imperative to pay attention to what color they are. Their shade can tell a lot:

the first 2-3 days, normal discharge after childbirth is usually bright red (blood has not yet clotting); after that within 1-2 weeks go brown discharge, which indicate that postpartum recovery uterus occurs without deviations; the last weeks of the lochia should be transparent, slight turbidity with a slight yellowish tint is allowed.

Other color schemes lochia are deviations from the norm and may indicate various complications and diseases.

yellow lochia

Depending on the shade, yellow discharge can indicate the following processes taking place in the body:

pale yellow, not very abundant lochia may begin by the end of the second week after childbirth - this is the norm and should not cause concern for a young mother; if bright yellow discharge mixed with greenery and putrid smell went already 4 or 5 days after the birth of the baby, this may indicate the onset of inflammation of the uterine mucosa, which is called endometritis; if after 2 weeks there is a yellow discharge, a fairly bright shade and with mucus, this is also most likely a symptom of endometritis, but it is not so obvious, but hidden.

It is useless to treat endometritis on your own, at home: it requires serious antibiotic treatment, and in severe cases it is carried out surgical removal damaged inflamed uterine epithelium to cleanse the mucosa in order to give the upper layer of the membrane the opportunity to recover faster.

green slime

Endometritis may also indicate green discharge, which are much worse than yellow ones, because they mean an already launched inflammatory process - endometritis. As soon as the first droplets of pus appear, even if only slightly greenish, you should immediately consult a doctor.

White discharge

It is worth starting to worry if white lochia has gone after childbirth, accompanied by symptoms such as:

bad smell with sourness; curdled consistency; itching in the perineum; redness of the external genitalia.

All this indicates genital and genitourinary infections, yeast colpitis or vaginal candidiasis (thrush). In the presence of such suspicious symptoms, it is imperative to contact a gynecologist so that he takes a swab from the vagina or bacterial culture. Once the diagnosis is confirmed, appropriate treatment will be prescribed.

black bleeding

If black discharge occurs in the postpartum or lactation period, but without any additional symptoms in the form of an unpleasant, pungent odor or pain, they are considered the norm and are dictated by changes in the composition of the blood due to the restructuring of the hormonal background of a woman or a hormonal failure.

Helpful information. According to statistics, women mostly turn to gynecologists after childbirth with complaints about black discharge, which scares them the most. Although in fact the most serious danger represents the green color lochia.

Red color

Lochia should normally be red only on initial stage in the first few days after the baby is born. The uterus during this period is open wound, the blood does not have time to clot, and the discharge acquires a blood-red, rather bright shade. However, after a week it will change to a brownish-brown color, which will also indicate that healing occurs without deviations. Usually, the discharge becomes cloudy gray-yellow, closer to transparent, a month after childbirth.

Every young woman who has become a mother should clearly and clearly understand what color the discharge after childbirth should be normal, and what shade of lochia will give her a signal that she needs to see a doctor. This knowledge will help to avoid many dangerous complications. Another characteristic of postpartum menstruation may alert during this period - their abundance or scarcity.

Number of selections

The quantitative nature of the discharge after childbirth can also be different and indicate either a normal recovery of the uterus, or some deviation from the norm. From this point of view, there are no problems if:

go in the first week copious discharge after childbirth: the body is thus cleansed of everything unnecessary: ​​both blood vessels that have done their job, and obsolete endometrial cells, and the remains of the placenta, and products of intrauterine vital activity of the fetus; As time goes by, they become less and less. meager discharge, starting from 2-3 weeks after childbirth, are also considered the norm.

A woman should be alerted if too little discharge is observed immediately after childbirth: in this case, the ducts and pipes could become clogged, some kind of blood clot could form, which prevents the body from getting rid of postpartum debris. In this case, you should definitely consult a doctor and undergo an appropriate examination.

Even worse, if abundant lochia does not end for too long and go for 2-3 weeks, or even more. This suggests that the healing process is delayed and the uterus cannot fully recover for some reason. They can only be discovered during medical examination and then eliminated through treatment.

Smell lochia

Women know that any discharge from the body has a specific odor that can only be eliminated through good hygiene. In the postpartum period, this characteristic of lochia can do a good job and report problems in the body in time. Pay attention to how the discharge smells after childbirth.

In the first days they should come with the smell of fresh blood and dampness, after this time a shade of mustiness and charm can be observed - in this case this is considered the norm. If there is postpartum discharge with an unpleasant odor (it can be putrid, sour, pungent), this should alert. Together with other abnormalities (color, profusion), this symptom may indicate inflammation or infection of the uterus.

If you think that postpartum discharge smells very bad, do not hope that this is temporary, will pass soon, or is the norm. In order to avoid complications, the most correct decision in this case would be to consult a doctor at least for a consultation.

Break in secretions

It often happens that the discharge after childbirth ended and started again after a week or even a month. In most cases, this causes panic in young mothers. However, such a break does not always indicate deviations from the norm. What could it be?

If scarlet, fresh spotting has gone 2 months after childbirth, it can either be the restoration of the menstrual cycle (in some women, the body is capable of this fast recovery, especially in the absence of lactation), or rupture of the sutures after severe physical or emotional stress, or some other problems that only a doctor can identify and eliminate. If the lochia has already stopped, and then suddenly returned after 2 months (for some, this is possible even after 3 months), you need to look at quality characteristics secretions to understand what is happening with the body. Most often, this is how the remnants of the endometrium or placenta come out, which something prevented from leaving immediately after childbirth. If the lochia is dark, with mucus and clots, but without a characteristic putrid, pungent odor and in the absence of pus, most likely, everything will end without any complications. However, in the presence of these symptoms, we can talk about an inflammatory process, which is treated either with antibiotics or through curettage.

Since a break in postpartum discharge may indicate the presence of an inflammatory process in the uterus, do not delay visiting a doctor. After the examination, he will accurately establish whether this is a new menstrual cycle or a deviation from the norm, requiring medical intervention. Separately, it is worth paying attention to lochia after artificial childbirth.

Lochia after caesarean section

Those who have had a caesarean section should understand that the nature of the discharge after an artificial birth will be somewhat different. Although this will concern only their duration and composition. Here are their features:

the body recovers after a caesarean section in the same way as after a natural birth: blood and dead endometrium come out with secretions; in this case there is more risk catch an infection or inflammatory process, so you need to special attention regularly carry out hygiene procedures; in the first week after artificial birth, bloody discharge is abundant, with the content of mucous clots; normally, the color of lochia in the first days should be scarlet, bright red, and then change to brown; the duration of discharge after artificial childbirth is usually delayed, since the uterus in this case does not contract so quickly and the healing process takes a long time; it should be borne in mind that blood after a cesarean section should go no more than 2 weeks.

Every young mother should understand how important the full recovery of the uterus after childbirth plays in her health. How it passes can be understood by lochia. It is necessary to track their duration, the timing when the discharge stops and starts again, their qualitative characteristics. There can be no accidents here: color, smell, quantity - each symptom can be a timely signal for visiting a doctor, identifying a problem and undergoing appropriate treatment.

WHAT AND HOW MANY DAYS DISCHARGE GOES AFTER BIRTH

Serious changes in a woman's body begin immediately after childbirth. In large quantities, the hormones necessary for lactation - prolactin and oxytocin - begin to be produced. With the release of the placenta, the level of estrogen and progesterone hormones decreases. In the first hours postpartum discharge are bloody. Doctors are faced with the task of preventing the onset of bleeding. Often, at this moment, a heating pad with ice is placed on the woman’s stomach, and urine is excreted by a catheter. Intravenous drugs are given that cause uterine contractions. The volume of secretions cannot be more than 0.5 liters of blood. Sometimes bleeding increases if the muscles do not contract well, and also when serious break birth canal. Discharge from a woman after a past birth,

which are called lochia, last another 5-6 weeks. They will end after the uterus returns to its usual size before the start of pregnancy. The wounds that formed at the site of the placenta should also heal. What discharge after childbirth occurs in women? At first, they are bloody in nature, this happens in the first 2-3 days. The cause of discharge after childbirth is called the healing process of the inner surface of the womb. In particular, in the place where the placenta was attached to the wall of the uterus.

How long the uterus shrinks in women to its previous size before pregnancy depends on the woman's body, in which the self-purification process begins (it is freed from the remnants of the amniotic membrane, blood clots, mucus and other excess tissue elements). The process of reducing the womb is called by specialists the involution of the uterus, or its restoration. The release of the uterus in due time from rejected tissues means that there are no complications in the woman who has given birth. It is very important to pay serious attention after childbirth, how long do lochia go, and on their color.

Allocations are constantly changing their character. At first, lochia is similar to the discharge during menstruation, but it is much more abundant. At this stage, this is a good sign, since the cavity of the womb is cleared of wound content. How many days do white lochia last for women? They begin to stand out approximately from the tenth day after childbirth and last about 21 days. The discharge becomes white or yellowish-white, liquid, smearing, without admixture of blood and odorless. How long is the discharge after childbirth in the form of serous lochia? This process is very individual, and is associated with the characteristics of the woman's body. They begin after childbirth on the fourth day. The discharge turns pale, becomes serous-sanitized or pinkish-brown in color and contains great amount leukocytes. blood clots or bright red discharge during this period should not be. If suddenly they are available, this should seriously alert the woman to consult a doctor for advice. Timely contacting specialists will help resolve the problem found faster. Newly born mothers are often concerned about the question how long does discharge last after childbirth. The normal discharge is their duration of approximately 1.5 months. During this period, the mucous membrane is restored in the uterine cavity. After a caesarean section, the discharge lasts longer, because the uterus, which was injured, decreases more slowly. So, at the end of the first week, the lochia will already be lighter, and the second week is characterized by their transformation into mucous membranes. Until the end of the first month after birth, lochia may contain a small amount of blood. How long the allocation will go depends on a large number of reasons: the course of your pregnancy; the course of childbirth; the method of delivery, in particular caesarean section, after which lochia lasts longer; the intensity of uterine contraction; all kinds of postpartum complications, including infectious inflammation; the physiological characteristics of the woman’s body and its ability to postpartum recovery; breastfeeding: with frequent attachment the baby to the chest decreases more intensively and the uterus is cleared. CHARACTERISTICS OF DISCHARGE AFTER CHILD (AFTER A WEEK, IN A MONTH)Several weeks after giving birth there is a process of restoration of the endometrium, the mucous membrane of the uterus. At this time, the woman who has given birth has discharge. To prevent postpartum hemorrhage, for prevention, the bladder is emptied immediately after childbirth with a catheter and ice is placed on the lower abdomen. At the same time, intravenous injections of drugs, methylegrometril or oxytocin, are administered to the woman, which effectively contribute to uterine contraction. After childbirth, the discharge should be profuse, bloody and amount to 0.5% of body weight. However, they must not exceed 400 ml and must not violate general condition women.Discharge in one week after childbirth is usually compared with ordinary menstruation. Sometimes women even mistake the discharge for menstruation. It must be well remembered that the difference is that the discharge after childbirth is much more abundant than the discharge during menstruation, with blood clots. However, the volume of allocations will decrease every day. After 2 weeks they will be reduced. The discharge acquires a yellowish-white color a week after birth, but may still be mixed with blood. It will take 3 weeks, and the discharge will become more scarce, but spotting. As before pregnancy, discharge becomes 2 months after childbirth. The cessation of discharge for each woman in labor is an individual process. In general, the discharge of discharge is a month after childbirth. Discharge after a woman's childbirth a month later become slimy. This is a sign that gradually the surface of the uterus acquires its normal structure, and the wounds heal. It should be noted that with a sharp increase in the volume of discharge, an urgent need to consult a doctor. Exists potential danger late bleeding after childbirth, which include bleeding that occurs two hours or more after childbirth. It is bad if the discharge goes on for a long time. Postpartum discharge should last 6-8 weeks. This amount of time will be required to restore the uterus after childbirth. The total volume of secretions for this period will be 500-1500 ml. Serious attention in the discharge after childbirth should be paid to the following points:- there should not be an increase in the woman's temperature; - there should not be a specific and pungent purulent smell from the discharge; - the volume of discharge should gradually decrease. Of course, the discharge has some kind of smell, but rather it is rotten. This is due to the fact that the discharge of blood is delayed for some time in birth canal and mother. Follow the rules of personal hygiene, and such a smell will not bother you. When there is an urgent need to see a doctor:- if the discharge is excessively long, or, conversely, ended very early after childbirth; - if the discharge is yellow and with an unpleasant odor; - if the duration of heavy discharge is more than two months after childbirth. Perhaps this is bleeding or some problems in the uterus; - yellowish-green lochia characterize the inflammatory process; - if 3-4 months have passed, and dark and purulent discharge continues.
VARIOUS DISCHARGE (BLOODY, MUCOUS, PURULENT WITH ODOUR) AFTER BIRTH Pregnancy is characterized by the absence of menstruation. However, after the birth of a child, lochia begins, bloody prolonged discharge after a past birth. They are bright red for the first 2-3 days. Bloody discharge in a woman who has given birth occur due to the fact that blood clotting has not yet begun. Ordinary pads can't cope with them, so diapers or special postpartum pads are issued in the maternity hospital. Bloody issues in breastfeeding mothers after childbirth, they end much faster than in non-nursing mothers. Experts and doctors explain this situation by the fact that during feeding, the uterus contracts faster (involution). After childbirth, the uterus with an internal surface weighs about 1 kilogram. In the future, it will gradually decrease in size. Bloody discharge, just, and out of the uterus, cleansing it. After childbirth, for 1.5 months, women experience mucous discharge until inner surface the uterus will not recover.Very dangerous complication in the first week after childbirth is bleeding. It can occur if remnants of the placenta remain in the uterine cavity, attached to the endometrium. In this case, the myometrium does not have the ability to fully contract. This leads to heavy bleeding. The doctor should carefully examine the placenta after its separation from both sides. This allows you to identify the problem before the onset of symptoms. Many symptoms indicate that there are some disorders in the woman's body. It is especially necessary to be wary if the discharge unexpectedly began to intensify, there was heavy bleeding, or the discharge began to have a sharp unpleasant odor, and also if the woman found curdled and purulent discharge. Sometimes, against the background of prolonged discharge, inflammation may begin after childbirth. Mucus and blood are for pathogenic bacteria beneficial environment. In the absence of personal hygiene and the early onset of sexual activity after childbirth, a woman may be disturbed by odorous discharge. Dark discharge, brown in color, is considered normal, however, if there are bacteria, they will become yellowish or greenish. In addition, they will be more plentiful and liquid, and pain, chills and fever may appear in parallel in the lower abdomen. Such cases require emergency treatment, since endometritis leads to infertility in the future. Personal hygiene serves as a preventive measure for inflammation - it is necessary to wash more often using infusions of string and chamomile. Douching in this case is strictly prohibited. Potassium permanganate should also be excluded, since it has an irritating effect on the mucous membrane in a strong concentration. Pungent and purulent smell indicates the presence of an infection, and maybe even endometritis. Very often this process can be accompanied sharp pains and high temperature. Yeast colpitis is also at risk of discharge after childbirth. It can be identified by the characteristic cheesy discharge. Usually, the uterus reaches its normal size by 7-8 weeks. The inner layer of the uterus will look like a mucous lining. If a woman does not breastfeed after childbirth, ovarian function improves, and menstruation appears. COLOR OF DISCHARGE IN A WOMAN After childbirth, the uterus begins to regenerative process, which may be accompanied by blood discharge - lochia. The process is completed when the uterus is covered with completely new epithelium. The color of the discharge in the first 3-6 days is very bright, red. At this time, blood clots and the remains of the placenta may also be rejected. The nature and amount of discharge after childbirth indicate the degree of purification of the uterus and its healing. pink discharge are the result of small detachments of the placenta. After all, blood accumulates under them, then released to the outside. Sometimes such discharge can be accompanied by pulling pains in the lower abdomen, it can also hurt in the lumbar region. The inflammatory process is characterized yellow discharge after childbirth. Purulent discharge talk about the possible development of endometritis, an infectious disease of the uterine cavity. The reason for contacting a gynecologist for advice should be a sharp-smelling, unpleasant green discharge, yellow discharge, yellow-green, greenish discharge . The disease is accompanied by an increase in body temperature, as well as unpleasant pain in the abdomen. Increased secretions after a reduction in their volume or bloody prolonged discharge can be caused by a retention of the placenta in the uterus. This does not allow her to contract normally.

White discharge curdled nature, redness of the genital organs and itching in the vagina are signs of yeast colpitis and thrush. Often, thrush can develop while taking antibiotics. Young mothers are often scared after childbirth brown discharge. Sometimes they come out with an unpleasant smell of blood clots. In conditions of normal recovery after childbirth, which took place without complications, the discharge stops in 4 weeks. By the fourth week, they are already insignificant, spotting. However, they can take up to 6 weeks. Note that breastfeeding women recover faster after childbirth. Their brown discharge ends earlier than non-nursing mothers. Some women are unable to distinguish regular discharge from the womb from pathological leucorrhoea. Transparent highlights and are normal. However, they are also characteristic of a number of certain diseases. The main source of secretions is fluid seeping through the mucous membrane of the vagina from the lymphatic and blood vessels. This fluid is clear and is called a transudate. The glands of the mucous membrane of the uterine cavity are another source of vaginal discharge. They actively secrete in the second phase of menstruation and secrete mucus. Discharge during gardnerellosis can also be transparent. They are watery, profuse, with a fishy odor. Pathological white discharge is a symptom of an infectious disease. Their consequence is burning, itching, increased moisture in the genital area. As a rule, pathological leucorrhoea caused in women by an inflamed vaginal mucosa. Such infections are called colpitis, vaginitis. The threat is that these diseases are sometimes combined with cervicitis. Cervicitis is an inflammation of the mucous membrane of the cervix. The main sign of inflammation fallopian tubes are tubal leucorrhea in women. The cause of its occurrence is a purulent substance that accumulates in the fallopian tube. Cervical leucorrhoea appears when the secretion of the glands of the cervix is ​​disturbed. As a result, mucus secretion increases. Similar white discharge can be in women with general diseases (disruption of work endocrine system, tuberculosis) and gynecological (polyps, cervicitis, cicatricial changes due to uterine rupture). Uterine leucorrhea are the result of pathologies of the uterus. They are also caused by neoplasms - fibroids, polyps, cancer. Do not think that similar complications in a woman who has given birth, they can pass by themselves. You should seek medical attention as soon as possible. Sometimes even hospitalization is required. Women can contact the antenatal clinic or the maternity hospital, where you can come at any time of the day or night within 40 days from the date of birth. WHEN NORMAL DISCHARGE IS ENDED AFTER BIRTH IN A WOMAN Normal discharge after childbirth can be bloody and profuse. Don't worry, after a few weeks everything will be back to normal. There may be further discomfort in the genitals. This process is natural, since the genitals during childbirth are significantly stretched. Buy your normal form they will be able only after some time. When stitches are applied after childbirth, experts are not recommended to make sudden movements in the first days. Thus, you injure the sutured muscle tissue. After childbirth, the placenta also departs, which indicates when the childbirth process ends. After the birth of a child, a woman is given a drug to stimulate the release of the placenta. After that, abundant discharge is possible. There is no pain, but bleeding can lead to dizziness. Be sure to call your doctor if you experience heavy bleeding. Two hours after birth, no more than 0.5 liters of blood should come out. In this case, the child and mother are transferred to the ward. Norm Tips various secretions after childbirth:- Discharge after childbirth includes the dying epithelium of the uterus, blood, plasma, ichor and mucus. They are aggravated, as a rule, with pressure on the abdomen or movement. Allocations last an average of a month, and with a caesarean section, this process takes a little longer. At the very beginning, they are similar to menstruation, however, over time, the discharge will brighten and end. This is the norm of such discharge after childbirth; - after a few days, the discharge will acquire dark color, and they will become less; - after the completion of the second week, the discharge will become brown-yellow and will come to a more mucous state.

It is necessary to follow some recommendations for the prevention of emerging postpartum hemorrhage:- breastfeeding the baby on demand. When breastfeeding, uterine contraction occurs because irritation of the nipples of the breast leads to the release of oxytocin. It is a hormone produced in the pituitary gland internal secretion which is located in the brain. Oxytocin causes the uterus to contract. At this time, cramping pains in the lower abdomen of a woman may be felt. Moreover, in those who gave birth again, they are much stronger. When feeding, the discharge is also stronger; - timely emptying of the bladder. Immediately after childbirth, on the first day, you need to go to the toilet every three hours, even though there is no urge to urinate. If the bladder is full, then this will be an obstacle to the normal contraction of the uterus; - lying on the stomach. This position will prevent bleeding and delay the discharge in the uterus. The tone of the uterus after childbirth is weakened. The uterus sometimes deviates backward, causing the outflow of secretions. Lying on your stomach, you bring the uterus closer to the front abdominal wall. At the same time, the angle between the cervix and its body is leveled, as a result of which the outflow of secretions improves; - an ice pack on lower part stomach 3-4 times a day. This method will improve the contraction of the uterine vessels and muscles of the uterus.
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INTERESTING FOR WOMEN:

First week after delivery Second week after delivery Third week after delivery

Typically, baby care books are very detailed on how to handle a newborn and give little or no advice to moms about postpartum recovery. New guidance on babies from birth to 6 months fills this gap. We talk about the sensations that a woman can experience in the first three weeks after childbirth, and answer popular questions: after how many days after childbirth will the discharge stop, the stitches will heal, the stomach will tighten and it will be possible to do simple gymnastics.

First week after childbirth

Bleeding after childbirth - this is normal, and it will be more abundant than during normal periods. Use sanitary pads rather than tampons to minimize the risk of infection. If you notice a clot larger than 3 cm in diameter on the pad, tell the nurse about it - this may mean that part of the placenta remains in the uterus.

The so-called postpartum blues (mild manifestations postpartum depression ) affects about 80% of women, so be prepared to burst into tears around the fifth day. This should pass when the sharp jumps in hormones stop. Lack of sleep can exacerbate this condition, so if you find the opportunity to even take a short nap during the day, this will already noticeably help.

A temperature above 38°C may indicate an infection, although some women feel chills and fever when milk replaces colostrum around the third day. If you have a high fever, talk to your nurse to see if you're okay.

When the milk comes(usually between the third and fifth day), your breasts may become hard. Relief will bring frequent attachment of the baby to the breast. A warm cloth wrap and a warm bath will also help the milk flow freely and make the breasts softer.

You may also feel painful spontaneous milk flow when, for example, the baby is crying. For some women, this causes a sharp burning sensation in the chest, but it quickly passes, and after the fifth week it will no longer appear at all.

If you had C-section, a small amount of liquid may come out of the seam. This is not something to worry about, but if the discharge continues for more than one day, tell your nurse, because sometimes the stitches can come apart.

If you were made episiotomy(surgical incision to enlarge the vagina for childbirth) or you have had a tissue tear, your stitches will probably hurt all week and you may need pain medication. Paracetamol is safe for nursing mothers. If you need something stronger, try paracetamol with codeine (which is also safe), although it can cause constipation. Pain can be relieved by sitting on an ice pack, or by trying special rubber rings made for women in labor. Such rings can be bought in pharmacies.

Hemorrhoids that appeared during childbirth can also be very painful, and if a woman has had a emorroy and before childbirth, then from attempts he only increased. The good news is that even large knots will disappear on their own within a few months after giving birth. In the meantime, avoid constipation and do not stand for too long, as all this will only aggravate your condition. Ask the pharmacy for some cream that will help reduce bleeding and relieve pain. Sometimes stitches can make it difficult for blood to flow freely, which will increase your discomfort. Try doing muscle exercises pelvic floor and tighten the anus. And be sure to see a doctor if you really feel unwell.

You may feel cramps in the uterus during breastfeeding because hormones stimulate it to contract so that it returns to its normal position. normal size. If the pain is very severe, you can also take paracetamol.

Urination will probably sting for a couple of days. Try pouring warm water on yourself while you pee, or you can try peeing while sitting in a warm bath. If the discomfort continues for more than two days, talk to your nurse to rule out a urinary tract infection.

First bowel movement may be painful after childbirth, especially if you have stitches. But best advice- just deal with it: in fact, everything is not as bad as you think, and the seams will not open. If you have not gone to the toilet for four days after giving birth, drink plenty of water and prune broth.

Second week after birth

There is a possibility that you may unexpectedly urinate. Don't worry, this happens to many women and should be gone by the sixth week. Urinary incontinence when coughing or laughing is also common, but can last up to a year.

Childbirth weakens the pelvic floor muscles that control the bladder, so it's important to do specific exercises. Squeeze the muscles as if you are trying to stop urination, hold them for a few seconds and do 10 repetitions. Do this every time you breastfeed your baby to make sure you get exercise throughout the day. You won't feel any change at first, but keep going anyway and your muscles will soon get stronger.

If you've had a caesarean section, you still need to do these exercises because your muscles have stretched and weakened while carrying the baby, supporting the baby's weight, and also under the influence of pregnancy hormones.

you still have a big stomach, but now it does not look tight, as if it is about to burst. Rather, it looks like jelly, which probably makes you feel unattractive. But you shouldn’t get too upset - remember that your waist is getting thinner day by day, because excess fluid comes out of the body (after pregnancy, you can lose up to eight liters of fluid).

This week the stitches will heal and you won't need to remove them because they will dissolve on their own.

If you are breastfeeding, you may have leaking milk. This will stop within the next few weeks, but for now it may cause some trouble. Use bra pads, and since milk can leak at night, you will have to sleep in it too. To stop untimely release of milk, press the nipples with your palms, but do not do this too often, because this can reduce its production.

Third week after childbirth

If you still have allocation, then this week they should be already insignificant. If this is not the case, talk to your doctor.

You may have had pain in your pelvic region because the distance between your joints widened during pregnancy and childbirth. If the pain persists and is bothering you, then talk to your doctor or midwife - they can refer you to a physical therapist.

If you are breastfeeding, you may clog up milk duct . It will look like a red spot on the chest. Check to see if your bra is too tight and make sure your baby completely empties the problem breast before you give him another one. A warm bath, wrapping in a flannel cloth and massaging the painful area will help to cope with the problem.

Sucking on your baby will also help, so keep him close to your breast even if it's uncomfortable. Pumping is helpful too. You can try another position during feeding, for example "from the armpit": put the baby under your arm so that his head peeks out from under your armpit just at the chest.

Oh, how I do not like to remember the first month after cesarean. If it weren’t for the doctor, who, after the examination, advised me to wear corrective underwear instead of a bandage, then I probably would have suffered like that. Of course, I had to look for the right one, even look in Switzerland) I found, of course, smart corrective underwear with bamboo fibers) But in general, the main thing that I learned from the situation with caesarean is that you never have to sit and say “oh, maybe it will become easier”. You should always go to the doctor and ask if everything is fine.

Within a few weeks after the birth of a child, the normal state of the uterus is restored in a woman, the remains of the dying endometrium are removed, and the surface of the wound heals at the location of the placenta. The successful recovery of a woman or the appearance of some complications can be judged by the nature of the discharge from the genitals. It is important to know what they should be in the norm. In this case, the duration and abundance of secretions, as well as their color, smell and consistency, are important. In case of trouble, you should consult a doctor as soon as possible.

Content:

What should be lochia

The discharge that occurs in a woman after the birth of a child is called lochia. Their appearance is caused by the fact that during childbirth damage occurs to the mucous membrane and vessels of the uterus, especially at the site of attachment of the placenta. Allocations after childbirth are associated with the cleansing of the uterus from the remnants of the fetal bladder, exfoliated epithelium, blood clots. They also contain mucus produced in the cervical canal.

Lochia exist until the wound in the uterine cavity heals and it returns to its normal state (the size is restored, the epithelium is renewed). If the process of cleansing the uterine cavity passes without complications, then the lochia stops after about 5-8 weeks.

How long the cleansing of the uterus continues and the formation of lochia depends on the following factors:

• the ability of the uterus to contract (individual for each woman);
• the age of the woman, the condition of the tissues of the uterus;
• blood clotting, the state of the hematopoietic system;
• physical activity of a woman;
• lactation.

In appearance, lochia in the first 3 days resembles menstruation. Their volume gradually decreases from 500 ml to 100 ml per day.

Video: What are the discharge in the postpartum period

Types of normal postpartum discharge

Bloody lochia. The first postpartum discharge is bright red and has the smell of fresh blood. Consist of blood clots and particles of dead tissue. Color is due high content erythrocytes.

Serous lochia. A lighter brownish-pink discharge appears around day 4. The content of erythrocytes falls, but the number of leukocytes increases. The discharge has a musty odor.

White lochia. The discharge becomes yellowish-white on the 10th day from the moment of delivery. They have a more liquid consistency. There is no smell. Gradually they become more and more scarce, smearing. After 5-6 weeks, they already contain only mucus from the cervical canal of the cervix.

Contractions of the uterus, causing the removal of lochia from its cavity, lead to the appearance of pain in the lower abdomen in women in the first days after childbirth. The pain is like contractions. Moreover, pain is more severe after repeated births.

Sometimes women develop black lochia after the 3rd week. If missing painful symptoms and an unpleasant odor, then such discharge is not considered a pathology. They can appear as a result of what is happening in the body hormonal processes and changes in the composition of the mucus secreted by the glands of the cervical canal of the cervix.

Postpartum uterine bleeding and its causes

In the first 2 hours after childbirth, there is a risk of severe uterine bleeding (hypotonic), which can be caused by poor contraction of the muscles of the uterus after it relaxes during pregnancy. To prevent this from happening, a woman is given a drug to increase uterine contractility (oxytocin). In addition, the bladder is emptied through the catheter, a heating pad with ice is placed on the lower abdomen. During uterine contraction, damaged blood vessels, dangerous blood loss is prevented, the signs of which are increasing weakness, dizziness, headache.

The cause of incessant bleeding in the first hours after the birth of a child can also be ruptures of the cervix, if they went unnoticed or were poorly sewn up. In this case, local hemorrhages occur in the tissues of the vagina and perineum. In the presence of bleeding, the doctor, after a careful examination, detects and opens these hematomas, sews up the gaps again.

The consequence of uterine bleeding is anemia - a lack of hemoglobin, a violation of the supply of body tissues with oxygen. If a woman in this state breastfeeds a child, then anemia will also appear in him.

Prevention of postpartum hemorrhage

The reduction of the uterus and the reduction of blood secretions after childbirth contributes to the frequent emptying of the bladder.

It is important to breastfeed your baby. When the nipples are irritated, oxytocin is produced - a pituitary hormone that enhances uterine contractions. During feeding, because of this, a woman has pains in the lower abdomen, resembling contractions. Moreover, the pain is stronger in those women who have already given birth before.

With incessant bleeding, the lower abdomen is cooled with ice.

Danger of stagnant secretions in the uterus

Medical help must be sought urgently, not only if the woman's bleeding is too strong, but also in the case when the bleeding suddenly stops completely after a few days.

Stagnation of lochia in the uterus is called a lochiometer. If it is not eliminated, inflammation of the endometrium (endometritis) may occur. The absence of lochia is a symptom of a serious postpartum complication. To achieve the restoration of bleeding, a woman is injected with oxytocin, which enhances contractions, and no-shpu is administered to relieve spasm of the cervix.

In order to avoid stagnation of secretions in the uterus, it is useful for a woman to lie on her stomach. Due to the weakening of the tone of the abdominal muscles after pregnancy and childbirth, the uterus deviates back, while the outflow of blood is disturbed. When a woman lies on her stomach, the uterus assumes a position in which the outflow improves.

Pathological discharge in postpartum complications

Signs of complications during this period are:

1. Yellow color and a sharp unpleasant odor of discharge. They indicate either stagnation of lochia in the uterus and their suppuration, or infection women during childbirth. An inflammatory process in the lining of the uterus (endometritis) is usually accompanied by fever and pain in the lower abdomen. If the visit to the doctor is postponed for a long time, then due to the appearance of pus in the discharge, they become green.
2. The discharge of blood after childbirth intensifies instead of weakening. Sometimes they reappear. This happens even 2 months after the birth of the child. It is possible that this is the first menstruation (the likelihood of early menstruation is high in women who are not breastfeeding). However, often such discharge indicates incomplete removal of the placenta from the uterus, due to which its contractions are difficult.
3. White curdled discharge can appear if a woman takes antibiotics for health reasons, which provoke a deficiency of lactobacilli in the vagina and the appearance of thrush. A woman is concerned about itching and burning in the external genital organs and in the vagina.

Video: Thrush, treatment methods

Factors contributing to the occurrence of endometritis

During pregnancy and childbirth, a woman's immunity decreases sharply. This provokes the occurrence of an inflammatory process in the endometrium of the uterus after childbirth. The body's resistance to infections begins to increase by the end of the first week in women who have given birth natural way and 10 days after caesarean section.

The likelihood of endometritis increases if a woman has other serious illness (endocrine glands, kidney, respiratory tract). Obesity, anemia, beriberi, smoking contribute to the occurrence of endometritis. In addition, inflammation often occurs in women who have had many abortions or have undergone curettage for medical reasons.

Sometimes the cause of stagnation of lochia and the occurrence of an inflammatory process is the low location of the placenta in the uterus, when the exit to the cervical canal is blocked. If childbirth lasts too long, despite the fact that the water has already broken, there is also increased risk occurrence of endometritis.

Treatment of this disease is carried out only in a hospital. Antibiotics, enhancers of uterine contractions are used. Disinfectant solutions are introduced into the cavity. In some cases, there is vacuum aspiration or curettage of the uterus to complete removal endometrium.

Discharge after caesarean section

Bleeding lasts longer and complications occur more often if a woman gave birth by caesarean section. The contractility of the uterus is difficult due to the imposed seam, swelling of the tissues surrounding it. The risk of infection during childbirth and the occurrence of inflammation of the mucous membrane of the uterine cavity increases.

However, despite the peculiarities of this method of delivery, spotting after childbirth should appear within 2 weeks, but no more. Just like with normal childbirth, the color of the discharge gradually changes from bright red to pale brown, and then turns white.

Normal menstruation after a caesarean section occurs at about the same time as after the birth of a child in a natural way. They occur later if the woman had postpartum complications (uterine bleeding, endometritis, blood poisoning) or has diseases thyroid gland, liver.

Video: Features of discharge after cesarean section

Prevention of complications

In order to reduce the risk of complications after childbirth, a doctor should monitor the woman's condition from the very beginning of pregnancy. Regular examination allows you to monitor the composition of the blood, detect and treat gynecological and other diseases, strengthen the immune system.

If, after the onset of labor, it turns out that the contractility of the uterus is insufficient, then drugs are used that enhance tribal activity. They also help to accelerate the cleansing of the uterine cavity after the birth of a child.

In order to avoid stagnation of secretions in the uterus, a woman is recommended to start already 4-5 hours after normal childbirth get out of bed, walk. After a caesarean section, this can be done after 10 hours.

Before discharge from the hospital, an ultrasound is done to study the condition of the uterine cavity and assess its size in order to follow the recovery process. Within a few weeks, a woman is advised to rest more, avoid activities associated with abdominal tension, lifting weights.

It is important to follow the rules hygiene care behind the body and genitals (frequent washing with warm water, daily bathing in the shower).

Warning: For several weeks, a woman should not take a bath. Warming up the body, firstly, increases blood flow, and secondly, with such bathing, the likelihood of infection in the internal genital organs increases.

Douching during this period can bring great harm. It also contributes to the rapid spread of infection and the occurrence of endometritis.

On the first day, instead of sanitary pads, it is recommended to use diapers to avoid leakage. In addition, it is easier to follow the nature and volume of secretions. In the future, gaskets should be changed at least every 2 hours.

It is strictly forbidden to use tampons during the entire period of existence of lochia. Blocking the exit from the uterus, they delay the outflow of secretions and the recovery process, creating a great threat of an inflammatory process.

With a sharp change in the nature of the discharge, increased pain in the lower abdomen, fever, dizziness, a woman needs urgent medical care.

During childbirth and childbirth, numerous changes occur in the body. After the baby is born, the body gradually returns to its previous state, but rehabilitation takes certain time. Postpartum discharge is evidence that the uterus is recovering from a difficult load.

Many young mothers are interested in what should be the discharge after childbirth. What is considered the norm, and what signs require urgent appeal to the experts? This article is devoted to the answers to these questions.

Why does postpartum discharge occur?

During pregnancy, it forms new organ- placenta. The placenta is attached to the wall of the uterus, forming common vessels with it. Due to these vessels, the child receives the nutrients he needs throughout the entire period of intrauterine development.

After the baby is born, the placenta detaches from the uterine wall. As a result, rather large vessels remain open. There is severe bleeding that will last two or three days. This type discharge is called lochia. The uterus contracts rapidly after childbirth, so the vessels are gradually compressed by muscle fibers, and the discharge disappears.

Lochia are made up of blood cells, as well as plasma, mucus, and epithelial cells that line the uterus.

Lochia after childbirth have their own characteristics at every stage of rehabilitation. If the discharge does not correspond to the norm, doctors should be alert and conduct additional examinations.

The first postpartum discharge is called pure blood, because outwardly they look that way. And this is quite normal. Their duration is approximately 2-3 days. Subsequent discharges are far from the classical understanding of bleeding.

What should be the discharge after childbirth

• 2-3 days after birth. Discharge after childbirth has a bright red color, abundant, regular gasket will not be enough.
• During the first week after childbirth. They are dark reddish brown
• From 1-6 weeks after birth. Brown discharge changes its color to yellow-brown.
• 6-8 weeks postpartum. The color of the discharge becomes beige, white-yellow, yellowish or light

Early postpartum period

In the first two to four hours after childbirth, a woman should be under the supervision of doctors and nurses. This is due to the fact that as a result of violation contractility uterine muscles, serious bleeding may occur, threatening the life of a young mother. Such bleeding is called hypotonic, they develop due to the relaxation of the muscles of the uterus. That is why, immediately after childbirth, women remain in the birth unit for some time.

After childbirth, blood is normally secreted very intensively, while the total volume of secretions should not exceed 400 ml. Despite the rather impressive amount of blood released, women feel fine. True, severe weakness and dizziness can be observed, which is considered the norm.

To avoid increased bleeding, life-threatening, women who have recently given birth in the department undergo the following procedures:

1. A special catheter is placed complete emptying Bladder.
2. Put an ice compress on the stomach.
3. Drugs are administered intravenously to increase the contractile activity of the uterus.

A woman should pay great attention to her condition: the first hours after childbirth are especially dangerous, quite massive bleeding can develop. If you feel that the diaper is completely soaked with blood, feel pain or severe weakness, immediately notify the staff of the department.

The doctor after childbirth should examine the external genitalia. If a woman has had tears that are not sewn up carefully enough, blood will accumulate in the tissues. In such cases, it is urgent to open the hematoma, empty it and re-sew up the damaged tissue.

Discharge a few days after childbirth

In the first three days after childbirth, lochia should be allocated quite abundantly, although in a smaller volume than in the delivery room: as a rule, the pad is completely soaked in two hours.

Discharge during this period resembles menstrual flow: they contain clots, they have a characteristic smell. During movements, such as walking, the discharge becomes more intense.

However, do not think that the danger has passed: sometimes bleeding can begin a few days after childbirth. To avoid this, you should follow simple recommendations:

• empty your bladder on time. A woman needs to go to the bathroom at least once every three hours. A full bladder prevents the uterus from contracting properly;
• feed the baby on demand. When feeding, a woman may feel quite intense pain in the lower abdomen. You should not be afraid of this: this phenomenon is completely normal. Discomfort is associated with increased uterine contractions;
• Rest as often as possible while lying on your stomach. After childbirth, the tone of the abdominal muscles is weakened, as a result of which the uterus deviates back and the outflow of lochia is disturbed;
• apply an ice pack to the abdomen several times a day.

If the birth was difficult or the uterus was stretched too much, the doctor may prescribe intramuscular injections oxytocin.

Bleeding in the postpartum period

The so-called late postpartum hemorrhage can occur for a variety of reasons. For example, if the placenta is not completely expelled, bleeding may begin two or three days after the baby is born. The doctor can determine whether the placenta remains in the uterus during an ultrasound scan. This will require surgery under general anesthesia: doctors will need to clean the uterus and cauterize the blood vessels.

Sometimes bleeding can be caused by a bleeding disorder. It is not easy to stop such bleeding, so it is important to avoid their development. As a rule, women are aware of the presence of diseases that lead to blood clotting disorders, and inform the doctor about them in advance.

Most often, bleeding is due to the fact that the muscles of the uterus do not contract sufficiently intensively. The main danger is that a woman loses a large amount of blood without experiencing pain. To eliminate such bleeding, special drugs are introduced that cause the uterus to contract more intensively. With severe blood loss, blood transfusion and its preparations are recommended.

The complete cessation of discharge threatens health no less than intense bleeding. If for some reason the outflow of secretions is disturbed, the lochia remains in the uterine cavity. The accumulation of lochia must be eliminated in time, otherwise serious inflammatory processes can begin in the uterus that can lead to infertility.

Postpartum discharge after discharge from the hospital

For at least two months after delivery, the discharge will continue. Of course, their volume is gradually decreasing. For example, a week after giving birth, the discharge resembles the usual menstruation. At the same time, their volume is decreasing every day. In addition, the discharge changes color: if at first they are red or brownish, then a couple of weeks after the birth they brighten, acquire a yellowish tint.

Women who are breastfeeding breast milk, the secretions stop at more short time than mothers who prefer artificial feeding. Due to the release of oxytocin during feeding, paroxysmal pains in the lower abdomen can be felt, which disappear without a trace a few days after discharge from the hospital.

When heavy bleeding a doctor should be called immediately.

Symptoms of inflammatory processes

If a woman, after discharge from the hospital, does not carefully monitor her hygiene or starts too early sexual life she may develop inflammation. An inflammatory process should be suspected if:

1. The discharge has a greenish tint.
2. They became more liquid and plentiful.
3. The discharge has an unpleasant odor.
4. A woman is worried about discomfort in the lower abdomen, fever, weakness and chills.

If you notice similar symptoms, you need to see a doctor urgently: inflammation of the uterus can lead to difficulties in carrying subsequent pregnancies and even infertility.

To avoid the development of the inflammatory process, after returning from the hospital, a woman should follow these recommendations:

• carefully monitor hygiene: wash daily and change pads as often as possible (every 2-3 hours);
• do not overheat the stomach, that is, do not take a bath;
• live sexually only after the complete cessation of secretions;
• it is forbidden to douche: this way you can bring pathogens into the vagina;
• do not use tampons that interfere with the process normal discharge. In addition, tampons, saturated with secretions, become an excellent environment for the development of pathogens, which can provoke inflammation.

Discharge after childbirth with an unpleasant odor

One of the characteristics of such secretions is the smell. Normal postpartum discharge smells like blood. This is not surprising, since their main component is blood. 7 days after the end of the discharge of scarlet and Brown the smell acquires notes of charm.

An unpleasant smell should be alarming, as this is a consequence of the presence of health problems. Women, on the other hand, characterize it in different ways: “Fish smell”, “Smell of rot”, “Stink”. It's pretty alarm symptom. Even if the discharge has a light shade, but smells bad, you should go to see a doctor.

Green discharge after childbirth

If the discharge 2 months after childbirth becomes green, then the body's work is clearly disrupted. Green discharge after childbirth is far from normal. Green indicates presence in the uterus or vagina bacterial infection. It is very important to start treatment right away. Otherwise, there is a possibility of developing endometritis. As a result of the course of this disease, the inner lining of the uterus becomes inflamed.

Green postpartum discharge is characteristic of the following diseases:

1. Gonorrhea.
2. Chlamydia.
3. Gardnelles.

Also, discharge after childbirth becomes green with trichomoniasis. Trichomonas settles in the vagina. If the disease is not treated, then the infection will rise higher and higher over time.

Primary symptoms of trichomoniasis:

• Foamy discharge
• Green color
• Irritation
• Burning

In some cases, redness of the mucous membranes is observed. With immediate treatment, the disease can be dealt with quite quickly and prevent the infection from spreading further.

Brown and bloody discharge after childbirth

Bloody discharge after childbirth proceeds quite quickly. They usually end a few days after birth.

If brown discharge after childbirth is observed after 2 months, then this should be regarded as a pathological reaction of the body. Coagulated blood is brown. There are enough reasons for such allocations ( hormonal disbalance, menstrual recovery, etc.). Their character may seem unusual, as it changed hormonal background. Other causes include uterine fibroids and endometriosis.

If spotting is observed or begins 2 months after childbirth, even in the case of breastfeeding, you should seek help from specialists. There can be two explanations for this phenomenon: the onset of the menstrual cycle or inflammation. However, selections are not always accompanied by unpleasant sensations. Bleeding may be due to the presence of polyps or tumors. They can stop for a while, and after a certain period start again. In this case, you should definitely undergo a medical examination. If it turns out that these discharges are menstrual, then it should be protected. The restoration of the cycle is accompanied by the formation of lactation crises. During the period of menstruation, the amount of milk decreases, this is a natural process. Young mothers should be patient and continue to breastfeed.

Mucous postpartum discharge

A week later, a small amount of mucous discharge after childbirth is normal. At this stage, the uterus continues the cleaning process, the mucous membranes responsible for the formation of mucus restore their work. Over time, the number of allocations will decrease.

In the future, lochia should almost completely disappear. If the formation of mucous secretions continues, then this is a sign of ovulation. Outwardly, they look like a thick mass, somewhat reminiscent of egg white. Ovulation can begin after 2-3 months in the case of the introduction of complementary foods while breastfeeding. Eggs in non-nursing women mature after the second month. In some cases, this process may begin earlier. Getting pregnant at this point is highly discouraged, as the body has not yet had time to recover. Should be carefully protected.

Smirnova Olga (gynecologist, GSMU, 2010)

Each woman has a certain amount of discharge after childbirth, which can signal a normal course recovery process or indicate the development of pathology. To assess the situation, it is necessary to know their allowable duration, the maximum amount, as well as the color and smell.

Causes of discharge after childbirth

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

Lochia are called uterine secretions that follow after the birth of the baby. This is the result of the resurfacing of the uterus. Rejection of the endometrium occurs, which goes out through the genitals. It is noteworthy, but only 80% of blood is contained in the lochia, and everything else is represented by the usual secret of the uterine glands.

The secreted fluid contains:

• dead cells of the epithelium;
• blood;
• plasma;
• ichor;
• remnants of the placenta;
• traces of fetal life;
• the secret of the reproductive system.

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

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

How long is postpartum discharge

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

Five to nine weeks

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

Less than a month and more than nine weeks

This fact indicates existing failures in the body that require immediate examination. The doctor will diagnose, examine the results of the tests, determine the presence or absence of serious inflammatory processes and decide on the advisability of hospitalization.

On average, vaginal discharge ends 42 days after birth. For more short span time the endometrium cannot recover. Lochia will come out until the surface of the uterus is completely healed.

What affects the duration of discharge after delivery

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

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

A patient who safely endured and gave birth without complications, according to calculations, under the condition of breastfeeding, observes a more rapid contraction of the uterus and the process of recovery and cleansing of the body is more intense.

Duration of lochia discharge after repeated births

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

However, it is necessary to take into account the reaction of the body of a particular woman to the birth of a second or third child. It is possible that for the first time the body endured this process more easily, therefore, the recovery was faster, and the next time, a failure is not ruled out.

Amount of allocated secret

This indicator and its norm depend on a certain time:

1. The first few hours. Abundant, which should be 0.5% of the weight of the woman in labor, but not more than 400 ml.
2. Second and third day. For 3 days, an average of about 300 ml is released, and a special pad is filled in a couple of hours.
3. Home restoration. Over the following weeks, about 500-1500 ml is released, with high intensity falling on the first 7-14 days.

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

If the discharge is scanty or does not last long

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

There is a significant likelihood of endometrial remnants inside the uterus and then an inflammatory process occurs. In the future, an increase in temperature is possible, and the resumption of bloody discharge, but already with the presence of clots, pus and an unpleasant odor.

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

Bloody discharge in women after the birth of a baby

Bloody intense discharge is noted immediately after the birth of the baby. They are caused by damage to the surface of the uterus, where the placenta was attached. This situation can persist for several days, and if the scarlet color of the discharge does not disappear by the end of the first and second weeks, you should consult a doctor for advice. It is important not to confuse lochia with bleeding, the appearance of which is easy to track: the sheet or diaper instantly gets wet, and the secreted fluid is accompanied by uterine tremors in the rhythm of the heartbeat. The most common cause is ruptured sutures.

How the color of secretion changes (photo)

An indicator such as the color of discharge after the birth of a child can also help a woman evaluate the course of the postpartum period (see photos selected according to the principle of similarity).

First days. There is a release of a large amount of blood due to damage to the vessels. The woman observes red, scarlet marks on the pad.

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

Second week. Clots are practically absent, and the consistency of the secretion becomes more liquid. Some patients have pink after childbirth during this period. The appearance of mucous membranes is not excluded. But they should disappear on the 14th or 21st day.

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

Brown postpartum discharge

Appearance at the end of the first week is clear sign no complications. The secretion darkens faster in those women in labor who are breastfeeding, and the reason lies in the hormone prolactin. They can continue for each woman for a different period of time, but obstetricians note that brown lochia is observed for the longest time in women in labor who have undergone a caesarean section.

An unpleasant smelly discharge, reminiscent of a pungent odor of pus, should alert, which may indicate the development of an infection. In this case, the body temperature rises sharply, and the patient suffers from pain in the abdomen. Correct solution- Immediate visit to the hospital.

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

Brown secretion can turn into serous suckers caused by a drop in erythrocytes against a background of an increase in leukocytes.

yellow discharge after childbirth

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

Black secretion

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

green lochia

With a fishy smell and pus, they indicate the development of endometritis, which occurs against the background of inflammatory processes in the uterus. It is dangerous that the uterine muscles contract poorly, the secret does not come out, and this further aggravates the situation. A woman should go for an ultrasound scan, take tests, consult a gynecologist.

Discharge after childbirth with an unpleasant odor

Remember that the discharge in the norm practically does not smell, a sweetish aroma or slightly musty is allowed, but no more. A rotten odor indicates a problem.

Reasons for the appearance of foreign odors:

• violation of the microflora of the vagina;
• colpitis;
• vaginosis;
• candidiasis;
• peritonitis;
• ulcer;
• endometritis;
• parametritis.

Lochia intermittently

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

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

Prevention of bleeding and stimulation of lochia discharge

1. Visit the toilet frequently. A large number of urine in the bladder presses on the uterus, preventing it from contracting.
2. Avoid intense physical activity. This is especially true for women after a caesarean section. Read about in the article at the link.
3. Lie on your stomach. In this position, the uterine cavity is quickly freed from the remnants of the wound.
4. Ice pack. A similar technique is used in the delivery room immediately after the baby is born. At home, the procedure is not necessary, as there is a possibility of hypothermia of the genitals.

Postpartum discharge is a mandatory physiological process for a new mother. There is no need to fear their appearance. To be sure that there are no pathologies, a woman in labor can keep a kind of diary, noting the approximate amount, color and smell of vaginal secretions. This approach will help to instantly respond to the slightest changes, go to the hospital in time and explain the situation to the attending physician without any problems.