Discharge after childbirth

WHAT AND HOW MANY DAYS DOES THE DISCHARGES LAST AFTER BIRTH?

Serious changes in a woman’s body begin immediately after birth . The hormones necessary for lactation - prolactin and oxytocin - begin to be produced in large quantities. With the release of the placenta it decreases levels of the hormones estrogen and progesterone.

In the first hours postpartum discharge are bloody in nature. Doctors are faced with the task of preventing bleeding from starting. Often at this point, a heating pad with ice is placed on the woman’s stomach, and the urine is drained with a catheter. Drugs are given intravenously that cause uterine contractions. The volume of discharge cannot exceed 0.5 liters of blood. Sometimes bleeding increases if the muscles contract poorly, or if the birth canal is severely ruptured.

Discharge in a woman after childbirth, which is called lochia , last another 5-6 weeks. They will end after the uterus returns to its normal size before pregnancy. The wounds that formed at the site of the placenta should also heal. What kind of discharge does women experience after childbirth? 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. Specifically, in the place where the placenta was attached to the wall of the uterus.

How long in women the uterus contracts to its previous size before pregnancy depends on the woman’s body, in which the process of self-cleaning begins (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 involution of the uterus, or its restoration.

The release of the uterus in due time from rejected tissue means that the woman who gave birth has no complications. It is very important to pay serious attention after childbirth to how long the lochia lasts and to its color. The discharge constantly changes its character . At first, lochia is similar to menstrual discharge, but much heavier. At this stage, this is a good sign, since the uterine cavity is cleared of wound contents.

How many days does white lochia last in women? They begin to appear approximately from the tenth day after birth and last for about 21 days. The discharge becomes white or yellowish-white, liquid, spotting, without blood and odorless.

How long does the discharge in the form of serous lochia last after childbirth? This process is very individual, and is associated with the characteristics of the woman’s body. They begin after birth on the fourth day. The discharge turns pale, acquires a serous-sucrose or pinkish-brown color and contains a huge number of leukocytes. Blood clots or bright red discharge during this period there shouldn't be. If suddenly they are present, this should seriously alert the woman to consult a doctor for advice. Timely contact with specialists will help to quickly resolve the detected problem.

New mothers are often concerned about the question: How long does discharge last after childbirth?. The normal discharge duration is approximately 1.5 months. During this period, the mucous membrane in the uterine cavity is restored. After cesarean section discharge last longer because the uterus, which has been injured, shrinks more slowly. So, at the end of the first week, the lochia will be lighter, and the second week is characterized by their transformation into mucous. Until the end of the first month after birth, lochia may contain a small amount of blood.

How long the discharge will last depends on a large number of reasons:

the course of your pregnancy;

progress of labor;

method of delivery, in particular caesarean section , after which lochia lasts longer;

intensity of uterine contraction;

all kinds of postpartum complications, including infectious inflammation;

physiological characteristics of the woman’s body and its abilities for postpartum recovery;

breastfeeding: with frequent latching of the baby to the breast, the uterus shrinks and cleanses more intensively.

CHARACTERISTICS OF DISCHARGE AFTER BIRTH (AFTER A WEEK, AFTER A MONTH)

A few weeks after giving birth the process of restoration of the endometrium, the mucous membrane of the uterus, occurs. At this time, the woman who has given birth begins to have discharge. . To prevent postpartum hemorrhage, immediately after childbirth, empty the bladder using a catheter and put ice on the lower abdomen. At the same time, the woman is given intravenous medications, methylegrometril or oxytocin, which effectively promote uterine contractions.

After childbirth, the discharge should be copious, bloody and amount to 0.5% of body weight. However, they should not exceed 400 ml and not disturb the general condition of the woman.

Discharge in one week after childbirth is usually compared to ordinary menstruation. Sometimes women even mistake the discharge for menstruation. . It is necessary to remember well that the difference is that the discharge after childbirth is much more abundant than the discharge during menstruation, with blood clots. However the amount of discharge will decrease every day. After just 2 weeks they will shrink. A week after birth, the discharge becomes yellowish-white in color, but may still remain mixed with blood.

3 weeks will pass, and the discharge will become more scanty, but spotting. As before pregnancy, discharge becomes 2 months after birth. Stopping discharge for each woman in labor is an individual process. In general, the discharge of discharge occurs within a month after childbirth.

Discharge after a woman has given birth in a month become slimy. This is a sign that the surface of the uterus is gradually regaining its normal structure and the wounds are healing.

It should be noted that if there is a sharp increase in the volume of discharge, you should immediately consult a doctor. There is a potential danger of late bleeding after childbirth, which includes bleeding that occurs two hours or more after birth.

It’s bad if the discharge lasts 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 discharge during this period will be 500-1500 ml.

When dealing with discharge after childbirth, serious attention should be paid to the following points:

- there should be no increase in the woman’s temperature;

The discharge should not have a specific and pungent purulent odor;

The volume of discharge should gradually decrease.

Of course, the discharge has some kind of smell , but, rather, he is rotten. This is explained by the fact that blood discharge is retained for some time in the birth canal and uterus. 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, ends very early after childbirth;

If the discharge is yellow and has an unpleasant odor;

If the duration of heavy discharge more than two months after birth. Perhaps it is bleeding or some problems in the uterus;

Yellowish-green lochia characterizes the inflammatory process;

If 3-4 months have passed, and dark and purulent discharge continues.

VARIOUS DISCHARGES (BLOODY, MUCOUS, PURUS WITH SMELL) AFTER BIRTH

Pregnancy is characterized by the absence of menstruation. However, after the birth of a child, lochia begins, a continuous bloody discharge after childbirth. 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. A regular pad cannot cope with them, so the maternity hospital provides diapers or special postpartum pads.

Bloody discharge breastfeeding mothers end much faster after childbirth than those who are not breastfeeding. Experts and doctors explain this situation by the fact that during feeding the uterus contracts faster (involution).

After birth, the uterus with its inner surface weighs approximately 1 kilogram. In the future, it will gradually shrink in size. Bloody discharge just comes out of the uterus, cleansing it. After childbirth, women experience mucous discharge for 1.5 months until the inner surface of the uterus is restored.

A 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 is not able to fully contract. This leads to severe bleeding. The doctor should carefully examine the placenta after its separation on both sides. This allows you to identify the problem before symptoms occur.

Many symptoms indicate that there are some disturbances in a woman’s body. It is especially necessary to be wary if the discharge unexpectedly began to intensify, heavy bleeding appeared, or the discharge began to have a strong unpleasant odor, as well as if a woman discovered curdled and purulent discharge.

Sometimes, against the background of prolonged discharge, inflammation may begin after childbirth. Mucus and blood are a beneficial environment for pathogenic bacteria. In the absence of personal hygiene and early onset of sexual activity after childbirth, a woman may be bothered by odor-bearing discharge. Dark, brown discharge is considered normal, however, if there are bacteria, it will have a yellowish or greenish tint. In addition, they will be more abundant and liquid, and in parallel, pain, chills and fever may appear in the lower abdomen. Such cases require emergency treatment, since endometritis eventually leads to infertility.

Inflammation can be prevented by personal hygiene - you need to wash yourself more often using infusions of string and chamomile. In this case, douching is strictly prohibited. Potassium permanganate should also be excluded, since in strong concentration it has an irritating effect on the mucous membrane.

Pungent and purulent odor indicates the presence of infection, and maybe even endometritis. Very often this process can be accompanied by sharp pain and high fever.

Yeast colpitis is also included in the risk zone for discharge after childbirth. It can be identified by its 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 GIVING BIRTH

After childbirth, the uterus begins its regenerative process, which may be accompanied by blood discharge - lochia. The process is completed when the uterus is completely covered with new epithelium. The color of the discharge in the first 3-6 days is very bright, red. At this time, blood clots and placenta residues may also be expelled.

The nature and amount of discharge after childbirth indicates the degree of cleansing of the uterus and its healing.

Pink discharge are a consequence of small placental abruptions . After all, blood accumulates under them, then released out. Sometimes such discharge may be accompanied by nagging pain in the lower abdomen; it may also hurt in the lumbar region.

The inflammatory process is characterized yellow discharge after childbirth. Purulent discharge indicates the possible development of endometritis, an infectious disease of the uterine cavity. The reason for contacting a gynecologist for advice should be sharp-smelling, unpleasant green discharge, yellow discharge, yellow-green discharge, greenish discharge. The disease is accompanied by an increase in body temperature, as well as unpleasant abdominal pain.

Increased discharge after reducing its volume or bloody prolonged discharge may be caused by retention of the placenta in the uterus. This prevents it from contracting normally.

White discharge curd-like character, redness of the genitals and itching in the vagina are signs of yeast colpitis and thrush. Thrush can often develop while taking antibiotics.

Young mothers are often scared after giving birth brown discharge. Sometimes they come out as blood clots with an unpleasant odor. Under conditions of normal recovery after childbirth, which took place without complications, the discharge stops within 4 weeks. By the fourth week they are already insignificant and spotting. However, they can take up to 6 weeks. Note that breastfeeding women recover faster after childbirth. Their brown discharge ends earlier than in non-breastfeeding mothers.

Some women are unable to distinguish normal vaginal discharge from abnormal leucorrhoea. Transparent selections and are normal. However, they are also characteristic of a number of certain diseases. The main source of discharge is fluid seeping through the vaginal mucosa from the lymphatic and blood vessels. This fluid is transparent and is called transudate. The glands of the uterine cavity are another source of vaginal discharge. They actively secrete in the second phase of menstruation and secrete mucus.

Discharge due to gardnerellosis may also be transparent. . They are watery, abundant, and have a fishy, ​​unpleasant odor.

Pathological white discharge is a symptom of an infectious disease. They result in burning, itching, and increased moisture in the genital area.

As a rule, pathological leucorrhoea is caused in women by 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 of the fallopian tubes is tubal leucorrhoea 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 cervical glands is disrupted. . As a result, mucus secretion increases. Women may have similar white discharge with general diseases (endocrine system dysfunction, tuberculosis) and gynecological diseases (polyps, cervicitis, scar changes that occurred due to uterine rupture).

Uterine leucorrhoea are a consequence of uterine pathologies. They are also caused by neoplasms - fibroids , polyps, cancer.

Do not think that such complications occur in a woman who has given birth. may go away on their own. You should seek medical help as soon as possible. Sometimes hospitalization is even required. Women can contact an antenatal clinic or a maternity hospital, where they can arrive at any time of the day or night within 40 days from the date of birth.

WHEN DOES A WOMAN'S NORMAL DISCHARGE END AFTER CHILDREN?

Normal discharge after childbirth may be bloody and heavy. Don't be alarmed, after a few weeks everything will return to normal. Unpleasant sensations in the genitals may occur in the future. This process is natural, since the genitals significantly stretch during childbirth. They will be able to acquire their normal form only after some time.

If sutures are applied after childbirth, experts do not recommend making sudden movements in the first days. Thus, you injure the sutured muscle tissue.

After childbirth, the placenta also leaves, which indicates when the birth process ends. After the baby is born, the woman is given a drug to stimulate the delivery of the placenta. After this, heavy discharge is possible. There is no pain, but bleeding may cause dizziness . Be sure to call your doctor if you experience heavy bleeding. Within 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.

Tips on the norm of various discharges after childbirth:

- discharge after childbirth includes dying epithelium of the uterus, blood, plasma, ichor and mucus. They usually intensify when pressing on the abdomen or moving . Discharge lasts an average of a month, and with a caesarean section this process takes a little longer. At the very beginning, they look like menstruation, however, over time, the discharge will lighten and end. This is the norm for such discharge after childbirth;

After a few days, the discharge will become darker in color and there will be less of it;

After the second week, the discharge will turn brownish-yellow and become more mucilaginous.

It is necessary to follow some recommendations for the prevention of postpartum hemorrhage:

- breastfeeding the baby on demand. When breastfeeding the uterus contracts as irritation of the nipples leads to the release of oxytocin. It is a hormone produced by the pituitary gland, an endocrine gland located in the brain. Oxytocin causes the uterus to contract. At this time they may feel cramping pain in the woman’s lower abdomen . Moreover, for those who have given birth again, they are much stronger. When feeding, the discharge is also stronger;

Timely emptying of the bladder. Immediately after giving birth, 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 normal contraction of the uterus;

Lying on your stomach. This position will prevent bleeding and delay discharge in the uterus. The tone of the uterus after childbirth is weakened. The uterus sometimes tilts back, causing secretions to drain. Lying on your stomach brings the uterus closer to the anterior 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;

Ice pack on the lower abdomen 3-4 times a day. This method will improve the contraction of the uterine vessels and muscles of the uterus.
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For several weeks after childbirth, while the uterine mucosa (endometrium) is being restored, the young mother continues to have discharge from the genital tract. What are these discharges and in what cases can they become a sign of trouble?

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

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

Discharge after childbirth in the maternity unit

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

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

To prevent postpartum hemorrhage, immediately after childbirth, empty the bladder (discharge urine through a catheter) and put ice on the lower abdomen. At the same time, drugs that contract the muscles of the uterus (Oxytocin or Methylegrometril) are administered intravenously. By contracting, the uterus closes open blood vessels at the placenta attachment site, preventing blood loss.

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

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

If the first 2 hours after birth (early postpartum period) went well, the woman is transferred to the postpartum ward.

Discharge in the postpartum ward

It’s good if in the first 2-3 days the lochia is bloody, it is quite abundant (about 300 ml in the first 3 days): the pad or diaper is completely filled within 1-2 hours, the lochia may be clotted and have a musty smell like menstrual flow. Then the number of lochia decreases, they acquire a dark red color with a brown tint. Increased discharge when moving is normal. In the postpartum department, the doctor makes a daily round, during which, among other indicators of the woman’s condition, he evaluates the nature and amount of discharge - for this he looks at the discharge on the pad or pad. A number of maternity hospitals insist on using diapers, because this makes it easier for the doctor to assess the nature of the discharge. Usually the doctor checks with the woman the amount of discharge during the day. In addition, in the first 2-3 days, discharge may appear when the doctor palpates the abdomen.

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

• Empty your bladder in a timely manner. During the first day, you need to go to the toilet at least every 3 hours, even if you don’t feel the urge to urinate. A full bladder prevents normal contractions of the uterus.
• Breastfeed your baby on demand. During feeding, the uterus contracts as irritation of the nipples causes the release of oxytocin, a hormone produced in the pituitary gland, an endocrine gland located in the brain. Oxytocin has a contractile effect on the uterus. In this case, the woman may feel cramping pain in the lower abdomen (in multiparous women they are stronger). Discharge increases during feeding.
• Lie on your stomach. This not only prevents bleeding, but also prevents the retention of secretions in the uterine cavity. After pregnancy and childbirth, the tone of the abdominal wall is weakened, so the uterus can deviate posteriorly, which disrupts the outflow of secretions, and in the position on the stomach, the uterus approaches the anterior abdominal wall, the angle between the body of the uterus and the cervix is ​​eliminated, and the outflow of secretions improves.
• Place an ice pack on the lower abdomen 3-4 times a day - this measure helps improve the contraction of the muscles of the uterus and uterine vessels.

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

If the amount of discharge increases sharply, you should definitely consult a doctor.

Pay attention! If the amount of discharge has sharply increased, you should definitely consult a doctor, as there is a danger of late postpartum hemorrhage (late postpartum hemorrhage includes those bleeding that occurred 2 or more hours after the end of labor). Their reasons may be different.

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

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

Most often, hypotonic bleeding occurs due to insufficient contraction of the uterine muscles. In this case, the bleeding is quite profuse and painless. To eliminate hypotonic bleeding, reducing drugs are administered, blood loss is compensated by intravenous fluid administration, and in case of severe bleeding, blood products (plasma, red blood cells). If necessary, surgical intervention is possible.

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

Postpartum discharge at home

It’s good if postpartum discharge lasts 6-8 weeks (that’s how long it takes for the uterus to develop back after pregnancy and childbirth). Their total quantity during this time is 500-1500 ml.

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

In women who are breastfeeding, postpartum discharge stops faster, as the entire process of reverse development of the uterus occurs faster. At first there may be cramping pain in the lower abdomen when feeding, but within a few days it goes away.

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

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

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

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

During intense physical activity, the volume of discharge may increase, so do not lift anything heavy.

You should seek medical help in the following cases:

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

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

Restoring the menstrual cycle after childbirth

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

During 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 component 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 affect internal organs and hormonal levels. The uterus of a woman who has just given birth contracts in volume, and vaginal flow occurs. Along with blood discharge, the remains of intrauterine fluids accompanying pregnancy also come out. Such flows 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.

Duration of bleeding

Every body is individual, and every postpartum recovery story is special. Doctors are guided by a general scheme within which the rehabilitation process takes place for most young mothers. Many people are concerned about how long the discharge lasts after childbirth, since it causes a certain amount of discomfort. How long do periods last and why are they the main indicator of women’s health?

The minimum normal period for postpartum bleeding is 5 weeks. If they stop earlier, you should be wary, since there is a risk of insufficient “cleaning” of the body;

The maximum period is 9 weeks when the course ends. In this case, a prolonged course is a signal of insufficient blood clotting;

Duration assessment does not occur separately from other indicators. With intense discharge, a short bleeding cycle is expected;

Mothers after cesarean section have different normative periods. In their case, restoration of uterine tone occurs more slowly than in those who gave birth naturally, and the upper limit for the duration of the flow 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 reduce 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 rate increases by 1.5 - 2 liters per day. With the correct water balance, discharge after childbirth is intense, and cleansing occurs quickly.

Kegel exercises. Many women are familiar with special movements in the vaginal area even before pregnancy - they are designed to maintain the tone of the internal organs. As soon as after the birth of the baby, the tension and relaxation of the internal muscles does not cause discomfort to the young mother, 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 progress of recovery of a woman’s internal organs, doctors use a number of characteristics of postpartum processes. Taking into account how long the discharge lasts after childbirth is just one of the indicators. Others include the appearance of the bleeding and its smell. Together, they make it possible to determine the normal discharge rate after childbirth and possible deviations.

Compound

The recovery period determines the normal composition of secretion:

• 1-3 days: blood;
• Week 2: blood clots, mucus is allowed;
• end of 1 month – blood smears.

Purulent fluids at any time indicate 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 days: scarlet currents;
• after 3 weeks, brown flows begin (the blood coagulates, the wound heals);
• By the end of the restoration of the uterus, secretion fluids become transparent, light pink or with a yellowish tint.

The bright yellow and greenish color of the currents signals inflammation. An obvious green color indicates an advanced form of endometritis and suggests immediate consultation with a doctor.

Smell

The smell of blood in the initial stage of secretion is normal. After the third week it takes on a slight mustiness, which again is ok.

Discharge after childbirth with an unpleasant odor is 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 deviations in color, examination by a gynecologist is mandatory.

It is important to remember several subtleties of diagnosing 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 a “cottage cheese” discharge indicates thrush. This is not uncommon when recovering from childbirth, but it is still better to consult a doctor for treatment.
• Dark secretions look scarier than they actually are. At the end of 3-4 months, black-brown or black flows are normal.

Number of allocations

The amount of bleeding after childbirth can also be used to judge women's health. What should the discharge be like after childbirth - intense or weak? The strength of secretion varies depending on the period. So, in the first few weeks the normal intensity is one, and as time passes, it is another. The amount of liquid released is indicated by the fullness of special sanitary pads for young mothers.

Normal secretion strength:

• in the first two weeks after birth the flow is very profuse;
• the course becomes more sparse after 2-3 weeks;
• at the end of the recovery process (week 8-9), the discharge is only smears. For hygiene, you no longer need special postpartum pads with maximum absorbency.

Deviation from the above diagram is a signal of disease. If bleeding in the first days is not intense, the cause may be a congestion or blood clot that prevents the release of contamination.

The reverse situation is also dangerous: heavy bleeding ends by the end of 2 weeks. If this does not happen and by the third week a large amount of fluid continues to be released, the patient may have poor blood clotting.

In both extreme cases, an urgent visit to the doctor is necessary.

Resumption of discharge

How often do you experience spotting after childbirth? Nature provides for the cleansing of a woman’s body only once. However, sometimes women report resumption of bleeding. Should I worry?

The most obvious option is to quickly restore the cycle. Menstruation occurs individually for each woman, at the moment when she has completely restored the function of childbearing. Since postpartum blood flow and menstruation have similar characteristics in appearance, they are easy to confuse. Using an ultrasound, the gynecologist determines whether the young mother’s cycle has arrived or whether the cleansing of the body continues.

The release of the remaining endometrium and placental particles. In rare cases, the cleansing of internal organs from the remaining elements that accompanied pregnancy occurs 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 delayed discharge does not last long.

All repeated flows of yellow, green color, which smell unpleasant, are a signal of an inflammatory process. To avoid the risk of pathology of the female organs, it is important to see a doctor as soon as possible.

How to maintain hygiene during postpartum discharge

Unfortunately, bleeding that comes out is a fertile environment for the growth of dangerous bacteria. To prevent their development, it is necessary to strictly follow hygiene measures.

To collect secretions, doctors recommend using special pads with enhanced absorbency. During the first days, a special product is used, which is sold at the pharmacy. Then regular night pads marked “5 drops” will do.

The use of tampons is strictly prohibited. In order to ensure the free flow of liquid, nothing should stop its movement. In addition, tampons cannot absorb the blood clots that inevitably pass after the first week.

The sanitary pad is changed every 2 hours, regardless of the intensity of the currents. It is accompanied by washing the external genitalia (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, you must use a mild cleanser labeled “for intimate hygiene.”

If natural childbirth has complications and there are ruptures in the birth canal, it is necessary to continue to take care of the injured skin areas at home. Upon discharge, the doctor gives detailed instructions on hygiene in this case. Most often, liquid antiseptics such as a solution of potassium permanganate or furatsilin are used.

For young mothers who have had surgical births, 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 two-hour shift rule must be followed exactly.

Maintaining women's health is not the last task of a young mother. Observing how long the discharge continues after childbirth and what its characteristics are, allows women to avoid the risks of the recovery period and ensure their well-being. Despite the fact that young mothers have many concerns related to their newborn, it is important to follow the doctor’s recommendations for diagnosing the flow and maintaining hygiene during this special period.

Within a few weeks after the birth of the child, the woman’s uterus is restored to normal, the remains of the dying endometrium are removed, and the surface of the wound at the site of the placenta heals. A woman’s successful recovery or the appearance of any complications can be judged by the nature of the discharge from the genitals. It is important to know what they should be normally. In this case, the duration and abundance of the discharge, as well as its color, smell and consistency, matter. In case of trouble, you should consult a doctor as soon as possible.

Content:

What should lochia be like?

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

Lochia exists 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 goes without complications, then lochia stops after about 5-8 weeks.

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

• the ability of the uterus to contract (individual for each woman);
• woman’s age, condition of uterine tissue;
• blood clotting, state of the hematopoietic system;
• physical activity of a woman;
• breastfeeding.

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

Video: What is discharge like during the postpartum period?

Types of normal postpartum discharge

Bloody lochia. The first postpartum discharge is bright red and smells like fresh blood. Consist of blood clots and particles of dead tissue. The color is due to the high content of red blood cells.

Serous lochia. Lighter brownish-pink discharge appears around day 4. The content of red blood cells decreases, but the number of leukocytes increases. The discharge has a musty smell.

White lochia. The discharge becomes yellowish-white on the 10th day after birth. They have a more liquid consistency. There is no smell. Gradually they become more and more scanty and 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 resembles contractions. Moreover, the pain is more severe after repeated births.

Sometimes women develop black lochia after the 3rd week. If there are no painful symptoms or unpleasant odor, then such discharge is not considered a pathology. They can appear as a result of hormonal processes occurring in the body and changes in the composition of mucus secreted by the glands of the cervical canal of the cervix.

Postpartum uterine bleeding and its causes

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

The cause of continuous bleeding in the first hours after the birth of the child can also be cervical ruptures if they went unnoticed or were poorly sutured. In this case, local hemorrhages occur in the tissues of the vagina and perineum. If there is bleeding, the doctor, after a careful examination, discovers and opens these hematomas, and re-sutures the tears.

The consequence of uterine bleeding is anemia - a lack of hemoglobin, a violation of the oxygen supply to the body tissues. If a woman in this condition breastfeeds her child, then he will also develop anemia.

Prevention of postpartum hemorrhage

The contraction of the uterus and the reduction of blood discharge after childbirth is facilitated by frequent emptying of the bladder.

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

If bleeding persists, cool the lower abdomen with ice.

The danger of stagnation of secretions in the uterus

Medical help should be sought urgently not only if a woman is bleeding too heavily, but also if the bleeding suddenly stops completely after a few days.

Stagnation of lochia in the uterus is called lochiometra. 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 restoration of bleeding, the woman is injected with oxytocin, which enhances contractions, and no-shpa is administered to relieve cervical spasm.

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

Pathological discharge during postpartum complications

Signs of complications during this period are:

1. Yellow color and strong unpleasant odor of discharge. They indicate either stagnation of lochia in the uterus and their suppuration, or an infectious infection of the woman during childbirth. The inflammatory process in the uterine mucosa (endometritis) is usually accompanied by fever and pain in the lower abdomen. If you postpone a visit to the doctor for a long time, then due to the appearance of pus in the discharge, it turns green.
2. After childbirth, bleeding increases instead of decreasing. 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 do not breastfeed). However, often such discharge indicates incomplete removal of the placenta from the uterus, due to which its contractions are difficult.
3. White, cheesy discharge may 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 bothered by itching and burning in the external genitalia and vagina.

Video: Thrush, treatment methods

Factors contributing to the occurrence of endometritis

During pregnancy and childbirth, a woman's immunity sharply decreases. 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 gave birth naturally and on the 10th day after cesarean section.

The likelihood of endometritis increases if a woman has other serious diseases (endocrine glands, kidneys, respiratory tract). The occurrence of endometritis is promoted by obesity, anemia, vitamin deficiency, and smoking. In addition, inflammation often occurs in women who have had many abortions or had 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 labor continues too long after your water has broken, there is also an increased risk of endometritis.

Treatment of this disease is carried out only in a hospital. Antibiotics and uterine contraction enhancers are used. Disinfecting solutions are injected into the cavity. In some cases, vacuum aspiration or curettage of the uterus is performed to completely remove the endometrium.

Discharge after caesarean section

Bleeding lasts longer and complications occur more often if a woman gives birth by Caesarean section. Contractility of the uterus is hampered due to the suture and swelling of the surrounding tissues. The risk of infection during childbirth and 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 during normal childbirth, the color of the discharge gradually changes from bright red to pale brown, and then turns white.

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

Video: Features of discharge after cesarean section

Prevention of complications

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

If after the onset of labor it turns out that uterine contractility is insufficient, then drugs that enhance labor are used. They also help speed up 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 begin getting out of bed and walking within 4-5 hours after a normal birth. After a caesarean section, this can be done after 10 hours.

Before discharge from the maternity hospital, an ultrasound is performed to study the condition of the uterine cavity and assess its size in order to monitor the recovery process. For several weeks, the woman is recommended to rest more and avoid activities related to abdominal tension and heavy lifting.

Compliance with the rules of hygienic care of the body and genitals (frequent washing with warm water, daily bathing in the shower) is of great importance.

Warning: The woman should not take a bath for several weeks. 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 cause great harm. It also contributes to the rapid spread of infection and the occurrence of endometritis.

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

The use of tampons is strictly prohibited during the entire period of lochia's existence. By blocking the exit from the uterus, they delay the outflow of secretions and the recovery process, creating a greater threat of an inflammatory process.

If there is a sudden change in the nature of the discharge, increased pain in the lower abdomen, increased body temperature, or dizziness, the woman requires urgent medical attention.

Every woman eagerly awaits the birth of her baby. In each case, the birth process takes place differently: the fetus passes naturally through the birth canal (with or without ruptures) or the child can be born with the help of doctors performing a caesarean section. But regardless of the course and result of the process, representatives of the fairer sex experience discharge after color, smell - the article will tell you about everything. You will learn about the signs of pathologies that occur in women after giving birth.

What is postpartum discharge?

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

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

Immediately after birth

What kind of discharge should there be in the first hours after childbirth? Immediately after the placenta is removed, the woman begins to actively contract the uterus. To enhance the effect, obstetricians apply the baby to the breast. Sucking movements and stimulation of the nipples contribute to the compression of the organ.

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

The smell of discharge in the first hours

What should the smell of discharge after childbirth be like? In the first hours, a woman may feel a stench. This is largely due to the influence of hormonal levels, because after the baby is removed, active production of oxytocin and prolactin begins. Therefore, the new mother becomes more sensitive.

There is no need to worry about such discharge. Until you are transferred to the postpartum ward, doctors carry out careful monitoring. If anything goes wrong, doctors will definitely take action. But in most cases, the discharge is normal, and the woman ends up in her room 2-3 hours after a natural birth without complications.

The first few days

Many women wonder: after pregnancy, what should they be like? During the first few days after the birth of the child, intensive discharge of lochia is observed. During this period, the woman’s birth canal is open, so regular hygiene procedures must be carried out to avoid infection. If infection has occurred, the woman will definitely notice it. You can find out below what discharge is abnormal after childbirth.

Lochia in the first 5-7 days has a rich red or burgundy hue. They are quite thick and there is an admixture of mucus. Some women find lumps or clots. This is also the norm. During the first week of breastfeeding, the mother may feel slight pain in the lower abdomen. These sensations vaguely resemble contractions. This is how the uterus contracts - this is normal.

After discharge: first days at home

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

In the second week, there are fewer lochia. They gradually lighten, and there is no longer that intense red color. There is also a gradual thinning of the mucus. If in the maternity hospital a new mother had to change the pad every 2 hours, now a disposable hygiene product lasts for 4-5 hours. If personal hygiene is observed, the discharge does not have an unpleasant odor.

By the end of the month

Many people are interested: by the end of the fourth week, what kind of discharge should there be? last for quite a long time. It would seem that a whole month has already passed, and the discharge does not end. This is fine. It’s worse if the lochia stops after two weeks or even earlier.

During this period, a woman can use thin sanitary pads. The volume of discharge continues to decrease. They lighten, approaching the red color. The uterus has almost completely returned to its normal size. The woman does not feel pronounced contractions or pain. By the end of the first month, the discharge has no odor. The birth canal has completely closed, but, as before, regular personal hygiene must be maintained.

End of period

And what kind of discharge should there be? It is quite difficult to answer this question immediately and unambiguously. Much depends on the woman herself: her individual characteristics, the course of labor, her physical and emotional state.

Lochia usually lasts for 6-8 weeks. But normally they can end within 4-5 weeks after the birth of the child. In the last 7-10 days, the discharge becomes brown or yellowish in color and has a mucous consistency. They do not have any odor if hygiene products are changed in a timely manner. After just a few days, lochia completely takes on the appearance of transparent mucus, which turns into normal, natural discharge corresponding to the day of the menstrual cycle.

Caesarean section: features of postpartum discharge

What kind of discharge should there be after a birth performed by caesarean section? Doctors say that the way the baby is born does not in any way affect the nature of the lochia. But after a cesarean section, the blood volume may increase, as the vessels of the uterus are injured. That is why, after such an operation, a woman and her baby are discharged only for 7-10 days.

After a caesarean section, a new mother needs to especially carefully monitor her well-being and discharge. This group of women is more likely to develop complications and pathologies. If you are concerned about the color or consistency of the lochia, or are concerned about their volume, talk to your doctor during your daily check-up.

Pathological process

You already know what discharge should be like after childbirth, but it wouldn’t hurt to find out everything about the pathological processes of this period.

• If there is a premature cessation of lochia, then this indicates the presence of interference. There may be a large clot in the uterus that is blocking the release of mucus. The uterus may also become kinked, causing blood to accumulate in the fundus. In the presence of a septum, adhesions or neoplasms, such cases are more common.
• mucous secretion may indicate uterine perforation or poor blood clotting. This phenomenon can be life-threatening and therefore requires timely intervention. Any damage or rupture of the birth canal must be repaired immediately.
• The appearance of curdled clots and a sour smell indicates thrush. This phenomenon is often encountered by women who have recently given birth. Candidiasis is not particularly dangerous, but it brings a lot of discomfort. Therefore, it is necessary to carry out appropriate therapy.
• Inflammatory processes often occur in women giving birth. What kind of discharge should there be after childbirth in such a situation? The mucus takes on a cloudy hue. In the final stages, purulent inclusions can be detected. The woman also notes the presence of an unpleasant odor, itching or pain.

All pathological processes must be eliminated immediately. Some of them require drug treatment, others require surgical treatment. If you are concerned about unusual discharge: very scanty or, on the contrary, abundant, with an unpleasant odor and color, contact your gynecologist. You should call a doctor immediately if you experience weakness, fainting, increased body temperature, or low blood pressure.

Drawing conclusions

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

After the end of lochia, the discharge becomes habitual. Subsequent menstruation can begin either a month later or after the cessation of lactation. Be sure to check with your gynecologist what kind of discharge you should have after childbirth before the baby arrives. Good luck to you and have an easy birth!