How long does postpartum discharge of lochia last? Postpartum discharge: norm or pathology

The birth of the afterbirth occurs, which means the completion of the birth process. This is accompanied by the release of a large amount of blood and mucus: since the surface of the uterus is damaged, a wound from the former attachment of the placenta remains on it. Until the surface of the uterus heals and the mucosa does not recover, the wound contents will be released from the vagina of the puerperal, gradually changing in color (blood impurities will be less and less) and decreasing in number. These are called lochia.

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

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

If the discharge during these two hours does not exceed half a liter and the condition of the puerperal is satisfactory, then she is transferred to the postpartum ward. Now you must monitor your secretions, and for this you need to know what they are and how long they last. Do not be afraid: of course, the nurse will control everything. Yes, and the doctor will certainly come in, including to assess the nature and amount of discharge. But in order to be confident and calm, it is better to know in advance what will happen to you in the first time after childbirth, and what character normal postpartum discharge should have.

What is the discharge after childbirth?

Lochia are made up of blood cells, ichorus, plasma, scraps of the lining of the uterine cavity (dying epithelium) and mucus from the cervical canal, so you will notice mucus and clots in them, especially in the first days after childbirth. With pressure on the abdomen, as well as during movement, the discharge of wound contents may increase. Keep this in mind if you want to get out of bed - you immediately gush. Therefore, we recommend that you first put a diaper under your feet.

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

To avoid bleeding?

Even after the transfer of the puerperal to the postpartum ward, the likelihood of opening bleeding is still high. If the amount of discharge has increased sharply, call your doctor immediately. And to prevent bleeding, do the following:

Roll over on your stomach regularly: this will help empty the uterine cavity from wound contents. Better yet, lie more on your stomach than on your back or side.
Go to the bathroom as often as possible, even if you don't feel the urge. Ideally every 2-3 hours as a full bladder puts pressure on the uterus and prevents it from contracting.
Several times a day, put a heating pad with ice on the lower abdomen: the vessels will contract, which also prevents bleeding.
Do not lift anything heavy - with physical exertion, the amount of discharge may increase.

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

To prevent infection?

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

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

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

How much is the discharge after childbirth?

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

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

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

When to see a doctor?

As soon as the discharge becomes natural, you should visit a gynecologist. But there are situations when a doctor's examination is needed much earlier. If the lochia stopped abruptly (much earlier than they should have) or in the first days after childbirth their number is very small, you should see a gynecologist. The development of lochiometers (delay of wound contents in the uterine cavity) can lead to the appearance of endometritis (inflammation of the uterine mucosa). In this case, the wound contents accumulate inside and create a favorable environment for bacteria to live, which is fraught with the development of infections. Therefore, contraction is caused by medication.

However, the opposite option is also possible: when, after a stable decrease in the amount and volume of the discharge, they sharply became abundant, bleeding began. If you are still in the hospital, call a doctor immediately, and if you are already at home, call an ambulance.

A cause for concern is a yellow-green discharge with a sharp unpleasant putrefactive odor, as well as the appearance of pain in the abdomen, combined with fever. This indicates the development of endometritis. The appearance of curdled discharge and itching indicates the development of yeast colpitis (thrush).

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

Specially for- Elena Kichak

Often a woman after childbirth is so passionate about the child that she does not notice any serious changes in her own body.

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

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

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

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

The nature of the discharge is bloody, may be with clots. This is primarily due to the fact that the placental site is a large area of the wound surface in the inner lining of the uterus. As the healing (epithelization) of the mucosa changes, the nature of the lochia changes.

From 4 to 10 days, the discharge becomes lighter, they are called sanious, since they contain both red blood cells and mucus elements.
In the period from 10 to 21 days, the lochia acquires a mucous character, there are practically no erythrocytes in them (with the exception of a few), the discharge is light in color, with slight reddish-brown streaks.
3 weeks after delivery, the discharge should only be mucous, light, transparent, odorless.

How long to wait or how long is the discharge after childbirth?

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

If after this time the woman continues postpartum discharge, then you should consult a doctor.

Allocations after natural childbirth usually end a little earlier than. This is usually due to the fact that it contracts somewhat worse, so lochia can go a little longer.

When is it necessary to see a doctor?

All women need to carefully monitor the discharge from the genital tract after childbirth in order to recognize the impending danger in time.

Rapidly stopping bleeding

Many mistakenly assume that the sooner the lochia ended, the faster the body recovered from the field of childbirth. However, the discharge that stopped during the first week may indicate occlusion (closure) of the cervical canal. This condition is possible if the cervix quickly closed after childbirth.

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

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

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

If the discharge has stopped too quickly, then you need to see a doctor to make sure that there are no blood clots in the uterine cavity, and the outflow of lochia is not disturbed.

Prolonged or persistent bleeding

Things don't always go smoothly after childbirth. It happens that spotting after childbirth goes for a long time. This pathological condition can be caused by the following reasons:

Placental tissue remained in the uterine cavity.

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

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

Violation of the blood coagulation system.

In some diseases, the ability of blood to clot decreases, for example, in hemophilia, thrombocytopenic purpura, thrombocytopathy, some malignant blood diseases with hemorrhagic syndrome (leukemia).

Decreased ability of the uterus to contract.

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

Discharge with an unpleasant odor

Abundant discharge with clots and an unpleasant odor may indicate inflammatory diseases of the uterus (endometritis, metroendometritis). Usually a woman has chills, the temperature rises.

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

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

In this situation, broad-spectrum antibiotics (Amoxiclav, Flemoklav, Cefotaxime, Ceftriaxone, Moxifloxacin) are usually very effective. With inflammation of the uterus that caused sepsis, with resistant microflora, reserve preparations (Tienam, Meronem, Cilastatin) can be used for many antibiotics.

What should be the hygiene in the postpartum period?

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

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

Special attention should be paid to the features of postpartum discharge. Any violations during this period can lead to serious complications. Therefore, in case of any deviations from the norm, it is imperative to consult a doctor in order to start treatment as soon as possible.

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 recovery 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 has 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, outward bleeding is a favorable 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.

Childbirth is the natural end of pregnancy.

Regardless of which way they went - naturally or through a caesarean section - spotting appears from the woman's vagina almost immediately after the end of childbirth.

According to their consistency, smell, color, intensity, doctors determine whether the recovery process of a young mother after delivery is normal.

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

The discharge of bloody fluid from the vagina (lochia) after childbirth is a completely normal, physiologically determined process. The reason for this is the rejection of the inner layer of the uterus (endometrium) after the separation of the membranes and the release of the fetus with the placenta. In other words, the uterus from the inside during this period is almost completely represented by the wound surface, which bleeds. Naturally, this blood must go outside, and this happens through the genitals of a woman. It should be noted that lochia is only 80% blood, and the remaining 20% is the secret of the uterine glands. The latter activate their work due to the need to restore the mucous membranes of the vagina and the uterus itself.

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

Normal discharge after childbirth: the main criteria

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

As for the consistency of lochia, it can be different. Both watery discharges and those with an admixture of clots or mucus are considered normal. Another criterion for evaluating normal secretions is their color. Normally, it should be bright red, scarlet in the first days, and gradually “darken” after one to two weeks (this is a mandatory sign that everything is fine with the woman’s body). After a while, the lochia brighten and become slimy. And finally, about the smell: discharge after childbirth normally has a sweetish or rotten smell, without putrefactive or any other unpleasant impurities.

Discharge after childbirth: the normal duration of the "cleansing of the uterus"

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

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

Pathological discharge after childbirth: how to recognize them

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

Absence of discharge after childbirth (lochiometer)

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

In any case, with a premature cessation of discharge after childbirth, normally a woman should seek medical help in order to avoid the development of complications.

postpartum hemorrhage

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

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

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

Apply an ice pack to your lower abdomen.

Changes in the smell and color of postpartum discharge

The normal smell and color of lochia is described above. But what does changing these "parameters" mean?

The appearance of poisonous yellow or yellow-green discharge most likely indicates a bacterial infection in the female genital tract. Most often, staphylococci, streptococci are attached, provoking pathologies such as endometritis (inflammation of the uterus), parametritis (inflammation of periuterine tissues), etc. Not infrequently, a change in the nature of the discharge in this case is accompanied by pain in the lower abdomen, as well as an increase in body temperature, up to 41 degrees. In addition, suckers in this case acquire an unpleasant smell (rotten fish, rot or pus);

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

A change in the smell of secretions of bases of color change should also alert a woman.

Break in discharge after childbirth: normal or pathological?

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

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

2. If the lochia stopped and then resumed again, this may indicate stagnation of clots in the uterus. If, apart from this, the woman is not bothered by anything (the body temperature is not elevated, there are no pains), then the process of restoring the body is proceeding normally.

Hygiene after childbirth

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

2. Hygiene products are selected in accordance with the abundance of lochia. In the maternity hospital, you can use special postpartum pads, and upon returning home - the usual "menstrual" pads with the highest absorbency (the "night" ones will do). These hygiene products should be changed as they are filled, but at least once every 6 hours;

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

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

Let's figure out what normal postpartum discharge should be, and what may indicate pathology. And also answer the question: how much is the discharge after childbirth.

The fact is that at the place of attachment of the placenta to the uterus, after the release of the placenta, an open wound is formed. The blood vessels that connected the uterus and the placenta are rejected and, under the influence of uterine contractions, go outside. Postpartum discharge consists of blood, blood clots, plasma and cervical mucus.

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

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

Postpartum bleeding doesn't have to be painful.

What does normal postpartum discharge look like?

Lochia is an important stage of the postpartum period. Depending on their condition, it is determined how the recovery process of the puerperal goes.

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

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

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

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

In the event that the mother is breastfeeding, menstruation does not occur during the entire lactation period, until the end of breastfeeding.

Duration of postpartum discharge

A particularly relevant issue for young mothers: how long does the discharge last after childbirth. The average duration is 30-40 days. This time is enough to restore the epithelium of the uterus. However, timing is highly individual.

It depends on several factors:

how was the pregnancy
how was the birth
how actively the uterus is contracting
mode of delivery: caesarean section or natural childbirth
is mom breastfeeding

In nursing mothers, postpartum lochia ends faster than those who refused breastfeeding. During breast sucking, a large amount of the hormone oxytocin is released, which contributes to the active contraction of the uterus.

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

If the blood discharge goes on for more than two months or less than two weeks, then this is an occasion to pay attention to the nature of the discharge: their color, smell and composition. The development of a pathological process is possible.

When to See a Doctor

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

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

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

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

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

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

After the cessation of discharge, a scheduled examination by a gynecologist is necessary

Features of postpartum hygiene

Postpartum discharge is a favorable environment for the development of pathogenic bacteria. Therefore, it is important for a young mother to know some of the features of personal hygiene after childbirth. Then the uterine cavity will be safely cleansed of lochia, and the woman will avoid complications.
After each visit to the toilet, you need to wash yourself, and it is advisable to do this without the use of perfumed cosmetics. Good for baby soap. Movement should be directed from front to back.
In the first days after childbirth, it is better to use sterile diapers instead of pads.
Pads need to be changed every 2 hours. In this case, you can use not special postpartum pads of huge sizes, but those that you are used to using during menstruation, only a couple of drops larger. Special mesh panties hold the pad well and provide good air circulation.
You can not douche and take a bath. Use showers exclusively for at least the first weeks after giving birth.
Under no circumstances should tampons be used. The secretions must come out.
In the first days after giving birth, sleep on your stomach more often. This contributes to the active contraction of the uterus, and the discharge of lochia.
Empty your bladder and bowels more often. Otherwise, the organs put pressure on the uterus and interfere with normal contraction.
You can start sexual activity only after the cessation of discharge.

The use of tampons increases the risk of infection in the birth canal

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