3 weeks after birth, the discharge ended. How long does it take for bleeding after childbirth?

It is known that for 9 months of pregnancy the uterus increases in size by more than 500 times. However, after the birth of the child and the release of the placenta (placenta), she does not need such dimensions. The body independently seeks to bring the uterus to its original form, in order to subsequently be ready for a new pregnancy. The recovery process is accompanied by a kind of side effects in the form of secretions from the genital tract - lochia.

What are postpartum discharge and which are considered normal

During pregnancy, the fetus is connected to the wall of the uterus through the placenta (baby place). In childbirth, it is rejected, and a large bleeding wound remains at the former site of attachment. Immediately after the birth of a child, the uterus begins to contract rapidly, pushing out unnecessary tissue remnants, blood clots, drops of amniotic fluid and everything that prevents it from becoming the same size as before pregnancy. These secretions are called lochia.

Lochia should be present in any young mother, regardless of whether the birth was natural or a caesarean section was performed. Every woman is obliged to monitor the nature of the discharge: color, smell, degree of abundance.

The postpartum period lasts 6–8 weeks (42–56 days). It is believed that this time is enough for the female body to fully recover.

Normally, changes occur in approximately the following order:

For the first 5 days, the uterus contracts most intensively, the lochia is bright scarlet due to blood clots (hence the smell of iron), abundant - a woman can change pads every hour.
On days 6-10, the discharge becomes dark brown, brown or pink-brown, without clots, not as plentiful as on previous days.
By the end of the second week, the lochia acquire a yellowish tint, their number decreases.
After the 15th day, the discharge becomes smearing, mucous, almost transparent, without a strong odor and continues until the end of the postpartum period.

The decrease in the amount of discharge after childbirth occurs gradually

Separate conditions related to the norm

During breastfeeding, a reflex release of oxytocin, a hormone that enhances uterine contractions, occurs. Therefore, when breastfeeding, especially in the first week, a woman will feel discomfort in the lower abdomen, and there will be more lochia. However, at the same time, the uterus empties faster, which means that the period of discharge from a nursing mother will end sooner (by about the 6th week).

Multiple pregnancy predisposes to slow contraction of the uterus after childbirth. Therefore, lochia in this case can go from 6 to 8 weeks, which is also a variant of the norm. After physical exertion, heavy lifting (things that significantly exceed the weight of the child), the discharge may increase. But such situations without other complaints about the color and smell of lochia are not a reason to panic.

Any intervention in natural childbirth in the form of so-called cleansing, examination of the uterus for the presence of remnants of the placenta or fetal membranes “blunts” uterine contractions, therefore, it can increase the period of lochia. Such things are carried out strictly according to indications, and the postpartum period in such cases also lasts 6-8 weeks.

Under conditions of operative delivery, a suture remains on the uterus, which prevents it from contracting at full strength. Therefore, in women who have undergone a caesarean section, the discharge may initially be less abundant, but longer. Most often, hospitals use synthetic uterotonics (uterine contractions) to help a weakened body cleanse the uterus after surgery. Such lochia should also end by the 8th week after birth.

Read more about discharge after cesarean in the article -.

Video: doctor about discharge after childbirth

What do abnormalities look like?

Not always the postpartum period proceeds favorably. This can be caused by both external and internal factors. The state of the uterus in this case will be characterized by changes in postpartum discharge: color, smell, volume, etc. Let's analyze them in more detail.

Too short a period of discharge from the genital tract (up to 6 weeks) should alert the woman, especially if the lochia ended abruptly. There are many reasons for this situation:

blockage of the cervical canal (exit from the uterus) with blood clots, mucus and tissue debris;
excessive tilt of the uterus forward, which creates a mechanical obstacle to the outflow of lochia (anatomical feature);
spasm of the internal pharynx (this, in fact, is the exit from the uterus);
weak contractility of the uterus due to overstretching (noted with polyhydramnios and multiple pregnancies) or complicated childbirth (prolonged labor, caesarean section, etc.).

In any of the cases described, lochia accumulates in the uterine cavity. A condition occurs, which in medicine is called a lochiometer. To the absence of secretions are added pain in the lower abdomen, fever. At this stage, it is better to immediately consult a doctor to find out the cause of the disappearance of discharge and eliminate it.

There are no minor complications in obstetrics. Therefore, a woman is obliged to tell the doctor about any problems.

When the discharge goes on for more than 8 weeks, their number does not decrease, but only grows - this is also a reason for urgently seeking help. Most likely, something prevents the uterus from contracting normally (blood clots, remains of the afterbirth, pieces of membranes). It can also be a symptom of an inflammatory process in the uterus - endometritis.

Excessively abundant lochia (in the first 4–5 days, more than one obstetric pad per hour is taken) or their sharp increase indicates bleeding. The same reason in the case of the return of brown, and then scarlet discharge 2-3 weeks after birth. This is a direct indication for urgent hospitalization.

Unpleasant odor of discharge: usually lochia has a neutral odor (in the first days after childbirth, rotten is allowed). Therefore, when sharp putrefactive, sour notes appear, we can talk about the attachment of an infectious process in one or more sections of the woman's reproductive system.

Bright yellow and green discharge is a sign of inflammation, and the process can only concern the uterus or affect the fallopian tubes and ovaries. A putrefactive smell, fever (up to fever), constant aching pains in the lower abdomen and general weakness will be added to the changed color of lochia.

White color and curdled texture with a sour smell are a sign of candidiasis (thrush) of the vagina. At this stage, you should seriously approach treatment (taking antifungal drugs) in order to protect yourself from ascending infection (the transition of inflammation to the cervix, into the uterine cavity and above).

Transparent as water, lochia can talk about gardnerellosis (bacterial vaginosis), which is most often followed by thrush. Such secretions are often accompanied by the smell of rotten fish.

Black color without any other symptoms is scary only in appearance. This variant of the norm occurs due to changes in the hormonal background in the process of restoring the body. Due to a change in the composition of cervical mucus.

Photo gallery: pathological lochia

Purulent discharge is a clear sign of the addition of a bacterial infection Bright yellow lochia indicates an inflammatory process in the genital area With lochia, the curdled discharge of thrush is mixed with mucus Bacterial vaginosis is accompanied by the smell of rotten fish

What to do in the event of pathological lochia

In case of pathological discharge, it is necessary to consult a doctor, because each case is unique. Most often, additional procedures are performed (ultrasound of the small pelvis, examination of secretions). In conditions of detection of remains of the placenta or membranes, instrumental methods of treatment will be needed. The lochiometer is amenable to conservative therapy.

Any inflammatory process is a rather dangerous complication in the postpartum period, requiring the appointment of anti-inflammatory drugs and antibiotics. To reduce the risk of adverse reactions to drugs in a child, drugs are selected that treat newborns in maternity hospitals. It is also possible to express the breast approximately 15–30 minutes after the administration of intravenous and intramuscular drugs and 1–1.5 hours after taking drugs by the enteral route.

A nursing mother should not be afraid to take antibiotics and antifungal drugs, as her further condition depends on this. Indeed, after childbirth, the woman's body is so weak that it is often unable to cope with the infection on its own.

Prevention of pathological postpartum discharge

To avoid complications after childbirth, a young mother must follow the following rules:

monitor the hygiene regime: change the pad every 3-4 hours, take a shower every day, wash yourself in the morning, evening and after each visit to the toilet;
exclude taking a bath for the entire postpartum period in order to prevent bleeding;
the first 2-3 days to urinate every 3 hours;
if there are stitches on the abdomen (after caesarean section) or perineum (after ruptures during natural childbirth), treat them 2 times a day;
lie on your stomach for at least 20 minutes a day;
wear a bandage;
follow doctor's orders.

Lochia is only an indicator of changes in the reproductive system, reflecting the state of a woman's health. Normal postpartum discharge lasts 6-8 weeks, does not have a strong odor, gradually decreases in quantity, changes color from bright scarlet to almost transparent pale yellow. Any deviation from this norm speaks of the pathological course of the postpartum period and requires a more in-depth study. A woman at this time should be especially attentive to herself, since now she is responsible for two lives.

Pregnancy is a wonderful period in the life of every woman. And ends with the birth of a newborn baby, which requires a lot of attention. However, a woman should not forget about herself, because the recovery period can present many unexpected “surprises”. After delivery, the female body begins to recover and, unfortunately, this process does not always occur safely, as vaginal discharge can suggest. Particular attention should be paid to this, since a change in their nature is the first signal of the occurrence of postpartum complications that require an immediate visit to the doctor.

Why does bleeding occur after childbirth?

Bloody discharge that appears in women at the end of delivery is called lochia. Their occurrence is due to the fact that after the birth of a child, the placenta separates from the uterus, as a result of which a huge number of vessels that connected the organ with the child's place are damaged. Against this background, the uterus begins to actively contract in order to completely remove placental particles, dead epithelium and other traces of intrauterine life of the fetus.

It is for this reason that during the first few days, women often notice various clots and inclusions in their postpartum discharge, which is absolutely normal. However, in certain cases, the purification process is delayed, and some complications arise, they cannot be ignored.

What should be the allocation?

The appearance of heavy periods after childbirth is normal. In their composition, they may contain blood clots and mucus, which also does not apply to deviations. Depending on how the delivery took place (natural or artificial), the blood released from the vagina has a bright scarlet or rich red hue.

As a rule, the first few days, the blood is released in the amount of 250 - 300 ml per day, which requires frequent replacement of sanitary pads (more than 1 time in 3 hours). Then the amount of secretions decreases, and they acquire a uniform consistency, as during normal menstruation.

At the same time, the process of cleansing the uterus is often accompanied by mild cramping pains in the abdomen, which is caused by the occurrence of uterine cramps. And the general clinical picture is supplemented by an increase in temperature to 37.4 degrees, but such a phenomenon after natural childbirth should not be observed for more than 2 days, and with artificial delivery - 4 days (cesarean section is traumatic for the female body, and therefore, after it is carried out, the fever persists much longer).

After some time, spasms in the uterus stop, and the volume of bleeding decreases significantly. They are replaced by brown secretions, which signal the successful course of recovery processes in the organs of the reproductive system. In this case, the brown daub may be liquid at first, and then become thick.

But! There are certain frameworks that indicate the normal course of the postpartum period:

The discharge should not smell like rotten or rotten.
After 3-5 days, the pain in the abdomen completely disappears (an exception is artificial childbirth, in which a suture is applied to the uterus and abdomen).
Elevated temperature should not be observed for more than 2 - 4 days.
The last mucous clot leaves the vagina on the 5th - 6th day, no later.

If the woman's condition meets all these parameters, she is discharged from the hospital, and she goes home. But vaginal discharge does not end there. And given that complications can develop even a month after delivery, every woman should know exactly how much the discharge is, when it ends, and what characteristics should be paid the most attention to.

How many go?

It is difficult to accurately answer the question of how much abundant blood is observed after childbirth, because it all depends on:

The rate of recovery of the body.
Method of delivery.

After artificial birth

During a caesarean section, the integrity of the uterus is violated - it is dissected and then sewn together, as a result of which a wound appears on it, due to which the uterus begins to bleed heavily. The duration of heavy bleeding in this case is from 2 to 3 weeks. Then the volume of released blood decreases, but brown discharge, indicating successful healing of the uterus, occurs only 8-9 weeks after the operation.

After natural childbirth

During natural delivery, the mucous membranes of the uterus are also damaged, but not as much as during a caesarean section. Therefore, the discharge is observed for about 6 - 7 weeks.

At the same time, blood can come out abundantly only for the first 6 to 10 days, then its amount decreases. At about 5-6 weeks, the woman begins to smear with brown, and then white discharge (leucorrhoea) appears, which indicates the end of the recovery period.

When should you see a doctor?

In gynecology and obstetrics, postpartum complications are not uncommon. Moreover, in this case it does not matter at all how the woman gave birth - on her own or with the help of surgeons. The only thing is that in the latter case there are high risks of rupture of the internal suture, which often causes the opening of uterine bleeding.

However, the secretion of blood can also increase in a woman who has given birth naturally. In this case, bleeding occurs for the following reasons:

Inflammation of the uterus.
Incomplete cleansing of the organ cavity from placental elements.
Infections.
Weight lifting.

Important! Uterine bleeding is very dangerous and requires emergency medical care, which involves intravenous administration of a hemostatic drug. If you do not stop it in a timely manner, it can be fatal. With extensive blood loss in the body, the level of hemoglobin responsible for transporting oxygen to the cells decreases. As a result of its deficiency, the cells begin to starve, which provokes their death. And this can lead to various deviations in the work of internal organs, including the brain.

Early cessation of copious bleeding is also a reason to go to the doctor. This may be due to several reasons:

Cervical stenosis.
Polyp formation.
The appearance of a plug in the cervical canal (blood clot).

All these conditions cause the passage of the cervix to narrow significantly and blood cannot flow normally through it, which provokes the occurrence of congestion in the uterus, which is fraught with the development of severe inflammation and purulent processes.

And this, too, can lead to serious consequences. Therefore, if a woman notices a meager discharge of a bloody nature or a brown daub ahead of time, this should alert her and force her to go to the doctor. In most cases, all these pathologies are treated surgically.

An equally dangerous condition is the occurrence of discharge with an unpleasant odor, which may be yellowish or green. Their occurrence indicates the development of a bacterial infection, which must also be urgently treated.

Therapy for a bacterial infection involves taking antibiotics. And during this period, it is highly recommended not to continue breastfeeding, since all the active components of the drugs penetrate into the milk and can provoke various serious conditions in the child.

Signs of the development of a bacterial infection are not only discharge that smells bad, but also:

Temperature increase.
Pain in the abdomen.
Weakness.

In addition, if a woman begins to strongly pull the lower abdomen during the recovery period, while blood clots and pus are noted in the discharge, this may signal an incomplete cleansing of the uterus from placental particles and umbilical cord elements (the organ begins to fester). Such a pathology, as a rule, is detected even in the maternity hospital, and in order to get rid of it, curettage of the uterine cavity (obstetric abrasion) is performed, after which the woman in labor must remain under the supervision of doctors for several days.

If a woman should already stop spotting, but instead she notices a slight discharge of blood from the vagina, then she will also need to be examined by a gynecologist. The reasons for this phenomenon are:

Erosion formed on the cervical canal.
Hematoma in the uterine cavity.
Myoma.

With the development of these pathological conditions, women may also experience symptoms such as:

Aching pain in the abdomen.
Periodic increase and decrease in the volume of blood released from the vagina.
Weakness.

It is imperative to treat these diseases. Hematoma and uterine fibroids are removed only by surgery, and erosion - by cauterization. The danger of these conditions is that the hematoma can burst at any time and provoke internal hemorrhage, and fibroids and erosion cause cancer. These conditions pose a serious threat to a woman's life. And if past births were successful, then subsequent ones may be accompanied by severe complications.

The appearance of smelly watery or foamy secretions also indicates the development of pathological conditions. Only in this case we are talking about STDs. The main reason for their development is infection of the uterine cavity and vagina. In this case, the culprits may be the doctors themselves, who used poorly sterilized instruments during childbirth, and the woman who prematurely began to lead an intimate life. Infection, which occurs due to the negligence of doctors, manifests itself already two to three days after delivery, and due to the fault of the mother, after several weeks and even a month.

The main signs of the development of STDs are:

Itching and burning in the intimate area.
The appearance of a light pink or clear foamy discharge that exhausts an unpleasant odor.
Psychological disorders (due to constant discomfort in the intimate area, a woman’s sleep is disturbed, she becomes irritable and quick-tempered).

No less dangerous is the appearance of dark brown (almost black) or burgundy discharge, indicating the development of cancer in the uterine cavity or in the cervical canal. After childbirth, its occurrence may be due to the presence of erosion, polyps and fibroids in a woman before pregnancy.

Important! With the development of this disease, the patient may periodically feel sick, she has a sharp decrease in body weight, there is no appetite at all, the stomach begins to hurt badly, urine is stained in a dark color and the appearance deteriorates. Remember, cancer can lead to the death of a woman in a matter of months, and therefore, when its primary signs appear, you should immediately go to the doctor!

If the duration of postpartum bleeding exceeds the established limits, then this is also a bad signal. And in this case, hormonal disorders that lead to disruption of the menstrual cycle and ovulation, or pathologies of the reproductive organs that have arisen after delivery (for example, cervicitis, endometritis, etc.) can play a role.

There are many reasons why women can bleed profusely after childbirth or stop abruptly earlier than expected. And often in their role are serious pathologies, the non-treatment of which leads to various irreversible consequences. And in order to prevent their occurrence, a woman needs to carry out prevention, which includes:

No intense workload.
Refusal of sexual activity until full recovery.
Gynecological examinations every 2 weeks.
Balanced diet.

If a woman follows these simple rules, she has every chance of avoiding serious postpartum complications. Well, if they nevertheless arose, it is by no means possible to delay their treatment, as this will lead to sad consequences.

They appear regardless of how the woman gave birth to the child - on her own or with the help of a caesarean section. Discharge begins after the release of the placenta, which was firmly fixed in the uterus by blood vessels. Common vessels connecting the placenta and the surface of the uterus form a wound surface from which blood oozes. Uterine contractions pinch the torn vessels and the gap closes over time. But this does not happen immediately, and sometimes there are problems with wound healing. That is why you should listen to your feelings and consult a doctor in time.

To determine the condition of a woman in labor after childbirth, the main diagnostic criterion for the attending physician is the smell and duration of postpartum discharge. Their consistency and density, nature and time when they become scarce and transparent are also evaluated.

The postpartum period does not occur after the birth of the child, but after the placenta separates. In obstetrics, a distinction is made between the early postpartum period, which lasts 2 hours, and the late period, which is individual in nature, the duration of which can be from 6 to 8 weeks.

How long the late postpartum period will last depends on several interacting factors, and the time required for this can only be predicted approximately. The norm in medicine is a relative concept derived from average statistics, and each patient can go through it in different ways, and not only in relation to others. Even in one woman after each pregnancy and childbirth, postpartum discharge can be different.

postpartum body recovery

The first two hours, in the early postpartum period, which occurred immediately after the separation of the placenta, a bright scarlet, moderately abundant substance will stand out. Normally, this can last about 2 hours, and the bloody nature of the discharge is explained by the outflow of blood from the uterine vessels, on which the wound surface has formed. The uterus, the vessels of which are damaged by the separation of the placenta, begins to contract naturally so that the vessels stop bleeding.

It is believed that the normal level of blood loss is half a percent of the total weight of the puerperal. In some midwifery schools, a figure not exceeding a quarter of a liter will be considered normal.

The difference in the duration of the late postpartum period is due to several factors, the main ones are:

contraction of the uterus and its speed;
no complications;
normal state of the blood coagulation system;
physiological birth process;
natural postpartum restoration of the female reproductive system.

Under all these conditions, postpartum discharge usually tends to end one and a half months (6 weeks) after the baby is born. If they continue to go much longer than the prescribed period or have stopped earlier, it is necessary to consult with the local gynecologist, be sure to go to see him, even if there are no external signs of complications. Prolonged release of an outwardly harmless substance that has a watery character may indicate an incomplete process of uterine recovery, bloody - lead to the development of anemia, especially detrimental to a woman during breastfeeding, purulent - signal an inflammatory process that has begun.

Normal discharge after childbirth

In the maternity hospital, the patient is under the vigilant attention of doctors. With a favorable set of circumstances, already on the 5-6th day she is discharged home. A copious flow of secretions can normally last 2-3 days, and all this time the state of the body is carefully monitored. Proper supervision is due to the enormous burden that a woman endures during childbirth.

The process, which lasts the first 2-3 days, is due to the presence of a wound surface on the walls of the uterus, and its intensity may increase or decrease under the influence of physical activity or breastfeeding. The fluids released at this time are called lochia by gynecologists, and their normal discharge is considered:

bloody color in the first 2-3 days;
lower intensity and brown or meaty, not so bright color for 5-6 days;
starting from 6-7 days - a white or yellow tint, normally quite light;
from 9-10 days should look like an almost transparent substrate, of a meager nature.

Normally, the indicators, intensity and color of the discharge may take on a liquid form, but it is possible that they will stretch slightly. The appearance of blood clots, pain, a longer period of uterine contraction is acceptable. These are the main diagnostic indicators by which one can judge how successfully the process of involution or reverse development of the uterus is going on. The restoration of the physiological state of the puerperal takes longer if the contractility of this organ is weakened, but it can also pass quickly enough if the woman's body is healthy and the birth went without complications.

Pathological postpartum discharge

Subinvolution, or delayed return of the uterus to its normal state, is an indicator that occurs under the influence of certain factors, not always pathological. It is dangerous if the process of uterine contraction lasts longer than normal. Normally, the uterus is a small volume, and its non-contraction can lead to the development of purulent-inflammatory processes.

First, the doctor palpates and palpates the uterus and evaluates the rate of its contraction. If its size has changed little, although it should be small in terms of time, he will insist on a hardware and laboratory examination. Otherwise, slowed down recovery can lead to pathological consequences.

The causes of subinvolution can be called natural processes, and surgery, and pathological complications:

multiple pregnancy;
rapid childbirth;
oncological neoplasms (uterine fibroids);
polyhydramnios;
preeclampsia;
prolonged childbirth;
remnants of the membranes or placenta.

A rotten smell of discharge, lasting more than a week beyond the prescribed period, may indicate a pathological condition. Bloody or white discharge, in which the uterus continues to hurt, as well as normal in appearance, but flowing for a month or more, should also cause concern. The main indicator to immediately send for research is palpation and the nature of the discharge.

With regard to caesarean section, the uterus after it is reduced more slowly and weaker. The caesarean method involves a longer healing and lochia after it is observed longer and more intense than after physiological childbirth.

Causes of pathological discharge

If deviations from the relative norm are accompanied by alarming symptoms (fever, general malaise, prolonged or early cessation of lochia, sharp or dull pain), then there is a reason for immediate medical attention.

Mucus, curdled clots and a sour smell indicate a developed thrush.

Profuse bleeding and clots resembling meat, an unpleasant odor, a gradual transition from the meat color stage to discharge resembling slop, may indicate acute endometritis. This is an inflammation caused by the remnants of the membranes or blood clots, in which the mucosa needs to be scraped, the removal of pathological residues and disinfection. Otherwise, the most unpredictable consequences are possible.

Things to remember after giving birth

There is no absolute norm in medicine, and how many women had to be convinced of this by their own example when they gave birth for the second and third time. After all, each recovery period proceeds in its own way, with different duration and abundance. Therefore, it is worth focusing on the approximate range of the norm.

The mucous nature of the discharge can be both with a normal and with a pathological change in the process of restoring the uterus to its previous state. White substance - will appear after breastfeeding, or as a result of poor hygiene. Normal lochia can be shorter or longer, depending on the state of the body, ongoing childbirth, uterine contractility.

Any actions should be started only after a medical examination, specialist advice, laboratory tests, any medications should be taken with the knowledge and approval of the doctor. This will help speed up recovery after childbirth.

Lochia are physiological secretions of the postpartum uterus and consist mainly of blood and necrotic tissue. How long does lochia last after childbirth? This question interests many women who have given birth to their first child.

Lochia composition

How many lochias go after childbirth, what is their composition, why do they have such a color? Lochia is made up of blood that oozes from the area on the uterine wall where the placenta was attached during pregnancy, areas of the endometrium that changed and thickened during pregnancy, blood, mucus from the cervix, and dead tissue.

The blood in the lochia comes mainly from a large area of the altered area, which remained after the separation of the placenta. Bleeding from this area is controlled by uterine muscle contractions. The process of healing and restoration of the endometrium takes about 2 weeks.

This is why the bleeding is maximum at the beginning and then gradually decreases. All postpartum discharge occurs within 1.5 months after delivery.

Lochia are sterile for 2-3 days, but after that they are colonized by bacteria, exuding a typical smell, which is normal. The smell of normal lochia should not be confused with the smell of discharge if there is a postpartum infection.

How long does lochia last after childbirth, especially premature? The amount of discharge may be scanty after such a birth, but more than usual after a twin pregnancy or under other conditions in which the uterus enlarges more than in a normal pregnancy.

Lochia species

Depending on the color, lochia can be of three types:

1. Red lochia after childbirth. How long do these withdrawals last? They last the first 4-5 days after birth and are red in color - hence the term. They consist mainly of blood, pieces of membranes, decidua, meconium, and cervical mucosa.

2. After red lochia, serous ones appear. The initial discharge gradually changes color to brown and then turns yellow over the course of about a week. Serous lochia contains fewer red blood cells, but more leukocytes separated from the emerging endometrium, mucus from the cervix.

3. Lochia alba, or white lochia, is a whitish, cloudy liquid that is released from the vagina for about 1-2 weeks. These secretions mainly consist of decidual cells, mucus, leukocytes and epithelial cells, cholesterol, and fat.

How long do lochia go after childbirth? The duration of this period can be from 4 to 8 weeks, but on average most often 42 days.

The number of lochia may vary. In some women, painful uterine contractions can lead to heavy bleeding with clots, which slows down the healing process.

Breastfeeding stimulates the contraction of the uterus, which leads to an increase in the amount of excreted lochia. It is the irritation of the nipples and areolas that contributes to the release of internal oxytocin, which is necessary for the contraction of the myometrium and the involution of the uterus (restoring its prenatal size).

Sometimes a sudden change in the position of a woman, for example, when standing up or bending over, can lead to the release of a large amount of blood from the genital tract - this is simply the drainage of collected blood into the vagina, and should not be a cause for concern.

However, it should be remembered that the endometrium, to which the placental tissue was attached, as well as some areas of the uterine mucosa, are open for a long time, and bacteria can easily get to this wound surface from the vagina. Therefore, the use of tampons should be avoided. Sanitary pads are the best option for women after childbirth.

For the same reason, you should not have sex in the postpartum period in order to avoid infection, which is very dangerous for both mother and child.

Swimming in public pools is also best avoided until lochia excretion has completely stopped.

In the postpartum period, the use of a shower is recommended. This will prevent infection from entering the uterus from the vagina, and will also promote better healing of stitches after an episiotomy, if any.

Pathological lochia

How long does lochia last after childbirth? What should be their intensity? What are the symptoms of the pathological process? Lochia may be abnormal if infection occurs at this time. An infection may be suspected if:

Lochia continues to be bright red even after a week;

The discharge suddenly turns bright red. This happens while they have already become pale;

There is an unpleasant odor;

All this is accompanied by fever with chills;

Pain in the lower abdomen increases significantly over time.

There is abnormally heavy bleeding due to which the pad gets wet for 1 hour or less or there are a large number of clots. This is a sign of secondary postpartum hemorrhage and needs emergency care.

Lochia after operative delivery

Many women find that the flow of lochia is significantly less after the woman has had a caesarean section, as the uterine cavity is cleaned during the operation by the doctor after the baby is removed. It is not true. The flow of lochia does not depend on the type of birth - normal physiological or caesarean section. The number and duration of discharges are the same in both cases.

In the postpartum period, the following rules should be followed:

1. Rest as much as possible.

2. Avoid excessive walking or standing for a long time, as this increases blood flow.

3. Do not use vaginal tampons after childbirth, because they can promote the reproduction and penetration of bacteria and infection on the wound surface of the uterine cavity.

4. Avoid sexual intercourse for 42 days.

How long does lochia last after childbirth

The most abundant discharge - in the first day. Try not to panic if the bleeding seems to increase as you go home. Just a long walk or run can increase the outflow of blood. If the gasket is completely wet within an hour, you need to lie down and rest. If the bleeding continues at the same rate for an hour or more, or if you observe larger clots, then it is extremely important to immediately consult a gynecologist, and in case of heavy bleeding, call an ambulance.

How long do lochia last after the second birth, should they really be less? Based on the observations and reviews of mothers, after the second or subsequent births, the amount and duration of discharge do not change.

Other signs requiring medical attention:

The discharge remains red for more than 7 days after birth;

There is an unpleasant putrid smell;

You have symptoms of fever or chills.

Late postpartum hemorrhage

How long does lochia last after childbirth? Reviews of many young mothers confirm that this process takes no more than 1.5 months. Usually, vaginal discharge is pale pink or brown in the second week after delivery. Don't be alarmed if you find bright red discharge that appears from time to time during the first 6-8 weeks. Training or increased activity can cause this phenomenon. To stop bleeding and reduce spasms, you need to lie down for a couple of hours. If this does not help, you should contact the antenatal clinic.

How long does lochia last after childbirth? How not to confuse them with bleeding? Postpartum hemorrhage is the most dangerous. If you lose no more than 600-700 ml of blood after an operative delivery, or more than 300-400 ml after a vaginal delivery, this is classified as normal blood loss. However, in 1 out of 10 cases of the total number of all pregnancies, there is such a complication as postpartum hemorrhage. It usually starts within 24 hours of delivery (early postpartum hemorrhage), but it can happen anytime up to 6 weeks - late hemorrhage. After delivery, the most common cause is the inability of the uterus to contract properly, leading to uncontrolled bleeding from where the placenta was attached. Sometimes it can be the result of unsutured tears in the vagina or cervix. Late postpartum hemorrhage may result from incomplete detachment of placental fragments in the uterus or due to infection. Both of these types of bleeding are dangerous and can lead to the death of the mother.

How long lochia lasts after childbirth, every woman who is preparing to become a mother needs to know. But the characteristic signs of late postpartum hemorrhage:

One pad is not enough for 1 hour;

Lochia do not change for more than 7 days in color and intensity;

There are large blood clots of various sizes - the size of a golf ball or a lemon;

Pain or swelling in the abdomen during the first days after childbirth;

Bleeding can cause loss of consciousness, shortness of breath, dizziness, or rapid heart rate.

Treatment and prevention

After delivery, the midwife carefully examines the placenta and all membranes to make sure they are intact and that no part is left inside you. After the placenta has been separated and isolated, doctors prevent bleeding by giving intravenous oxytocin or methylergometrine. These drugs stimulate the contraction of the myometrium to reduce bleeding. External massage of the uterus is also necessary for the same purpose. Breastfeeding (if planned) will also stimulate natural contractions. Therefore, early attachment to the breast immediately after the baby is born is widely used.

In the early postpartum period, in some cases, uterine massage on the fist is required. If the bleeding does not stop, a procedure called "curettage" will be needed to examine the uterus and remove pieces of the placenta that were not removed on their own. If the uterus is damaged, that is, there is a rupture of the wall of the fetus, laparotomy and hysterectomy may be necessary to stop the bleeding.

You should follow the process, how much lochia is released after childbirth, how long it lasts. Sometimes with heavy bleeding in rare cases, it becomes necessary to transfuse components or even whole blood.

Risks

How long do lochia go after childbirth, is their duration always the same when doctors suggest a lot of blood loss? The risk of postpartum hemorrhage is significantly higher in the following cases:

Multiple births;

Polyhydramnios (excessive amount of amniotic fluid);

placenta previa;

induced labor;

The birth of a large baby;

Uterine fibroids, which does not allow the uterine fibers to contract symmetrically;

The mother is weakened due to anemia during pregnancy, preeclampsia, or difficult prolonged labor;

The mother is taking herbs or drugs that prevent blood clotting, such as ibuprofen, aspirin, or other similar drugs.

When does menstruation start

How many days are lochia after childbirth? How to distinguish lochia from menstruation? When does the first menstruation come? If you are not breastfeeding, your first period may take 1 or 2 months. But sometimes the waiting period is extended up to 12 weeks. If you are breastfeeding, your period may take a few weeks, although many mothers who are breastfeeding note that periods may not occur until the baby is weaned. When the first period appears, it may be different from previous prenatal spotting. It may be heavier or longer than usual. Or it may suddenly stop and then start with clots. There may also be profuse bleeding. It is necessary to monitor your periods and the amount of blood released. If you need to change your pad more often than every hour and this continues for several hours, call your doctor.

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

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

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

The alarm should be beaten if the discharge after childbirth:

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

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

The healing process of the uterus

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

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

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

First lochia

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

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

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

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

Second phase

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

End of the recovery period

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

Lochia after cesarean

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

Pathological conditions

Discharge after childbirth ended early

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

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

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

Inflammatory diseases and fungus

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

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

Bleeding

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

Prevention of complications

Preventive measures in the postpartum period are reduced to:

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

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

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