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 facilitated by 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 unpleasant sensations. 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!

The postpartum period is a time of recovery for the female body. Bloody discharge after childbirth is part of this stage. We'll talk about why they happen and how long they should last below.

After the baby is born, there are still accumulations of blood, mucus, particles of dead tissue and placenta in the uterus. Everyone calls it lochia, they are the ones that must leave the woman’s body.

In addition, the uterus itself is damaged during childbirth. An open wound remains on it from the detached placenta with many damaged vessels.

It is from the blood oozing from a healing wound and lochia that postpartum discharge consists. This is a completely natural process of cleansing the body., which you don’t need to be afraid of. In the first hours it is most active and intense. Since the muscles of the uterus begin to contract, trying to take on a natural shape, and push out everything unnecessary.

It will not be possible to completely avoid bleeding after childbirth, since the placenta in any case, detaching from the uterus, damages it. But gradually the amount of discharge should decrease. If this does not happen or the bleeding increases, it is necessary to urgently seek medical help.

To avoid worsening your condition, follow these recommendations:

• roll over onto your stomach from time to time, this will help the uterus cleanse itself faster;
• Empty your bladder every 2–3 hours, even if you don’t feel like it, since a full bladder prevents the uterus from contracting;
• periodically apply a cold heating pad to the lower abdomen for 10–15 minutes, this helps to narrow the blood vessels;
• avoid any physical activity;
• breastfeed, as this leads to contraction of the uterus and its rapid cleansing.

The first days after childbirth are especially dangerous. Firstly, all the lochia have not yet come out, which is a favorable environment for the proliferation of microbes. Secondly, the wound on the uterus is open and can easily become infected.

To avoid complications You need to follow simple hygiene rules:

• On the first day, use sterile diapers instead of pads. Then you can switch to regular pads that you are used to, just take the maximum number of drops. Such pads need to be changed 8–9 times a day.
• After visiting the toilet, wash your perineum with warm water, directing the stream from top to bottom. You need to use baby soap. Only the outer surface can be washed.
• You need to take a shower every day, but under no circumstances take a bath.
• You can use any ointments for healing only with the permission of a doctor.
• It is strictly forbidden to wear tampons instead of pads. This will not only delay the release of lochia and increase the possibility of infection, but can also damage the vagina.

How long does discharge last after childbirth?

How long and how many days does the discharge last after childbirth? It is quite normal for blood discharge after childbirth lasts up to 2 months. Therefore, there is no need to panic. For some women, the recovery process ends by the sixth week, but such cases are rare. You should seek medical help if the discharge lasts more than 2 months. This may indicate complications.

It is difficult to accurately draw up a single schedule of secretions, since this physiological process is tied to the individual characteristics of the body. However, there are certain average rates of discharge after childbirth:

• First 3–5 days– intense light red discharge. At this moment, the woman is under constant medical supervision. The amount of discharge can reach up to 400 ml per day.
• 5–6 days– the amount of discharge noticeably decreases, they acquire a brown tint. May contain blood clots and mucus. They intensify with physical activity. During this period, if there are no pathologies, the woman is discharged.
• 11–14 days– discharge after childbirth acquires a brownish-yellow color, which gradually lightens to white. This process can take up to a month.

At the same time, the discharge should not be accompanied by pain, fever or itching.

Pathological discharge, its cause and when it’s time to see a doctor

Let us list the situations in which you need to seek medical help:

• Discharge stops before the fifth week. This may be a consequence of uterine spasm. In this case, lochia cannot leave the body, which leads to infectious complications.
• The color of the discharge remains bright red after the first 5 days. This may indicate a clotting disorder or new bleeding.
• After the discharge turned brown, it turned red again. Indicates intrauterine bleeding.
• Discharge after childbirth has acquired a putrid or sweetish, unpleasant odor, which may be caused by the development of an infection in the uterine cavity.

For any of the above violations urgently need to consult a doctor. Delay can lead to serious consequences, including death.

Share with us your experience, what hygiene products you used after giving birth, and how quickly the recovery process went. Our readers are very interested in the real experiences of mothers and their tips for those who have yet to go through this!

After childbirth, an equally important period begins. It is characterized by a physiological decrease in immunity against the background of the constant presence of opportunistic microorganisms on the skin and mucous membranes.

Therefore, it is very important to know how the postpartum (puerperal) period normally proceeds. One of the questions is how long the discharge lasts after childbirth, what color is normal, etc.

Please note: their duration depends on the contractile activity of the uterus. Therefore, they usually stop after a month.

How long do they last?

The postpartum period lasts for 1.5 months. During this time, the woman recovers almost completely, that is, returns to normal, as before pregnancy.

The main changes affect the genitals, characterized by the following features:

• involution of the uterus, that is, its reduction, restoration of the endometrial structure;
• the presence of lochia (the so-called postpartum discharge from the genital tract), which changes over time. At the beginning they are bloody, later brown, yellow, and then become lighter and lighter;
• the formation of lactation and its preservation for a long time.

Today there is a tendency towards earlier recovery of women after childbirth than after 6 weeks, which reduces the duration of lochia discharge.

As a rule, after a month the discharge becomes normal, as before pregnancy. Therefore, women can return to their normal lives sooner.

Discharge rate

Lochia is a wound secretion because... The uterus after separation of the placenta is a large wound surface.

Therefore, lochia lasts as long as it takes for the uterus to heal.

Normally, discharge continues for an average of 2-4 weeks (usually a month).

By this sign you can indirectly judge how the uterus contracts.

You should also take into account the nature of the lochia, that is, their color, smell and quantity.

These criteria allow us to judge the course of the postpartum period. So, if brown discharge does not stop for a long time and persists even after a month after childbirth, then an inflammatory process should be excluded.

Lochia consists of the following components:

• blood clots (they determine the blood and brown colors);
• leukocytes;
• sloughing decidual tissue;
• remnants of membranes.

During the puerperal period, the color of the lochia changes:

• spotting after childbirth is observed for 3 days, that is, it does not last long (red blood cells predominate in its composition);
• serous-bloody;
• yellow - persist for 7-10 days (their color is due to the presence of a large number of leukocytes and remnants of decidual tissue).

The quantity (volume) gradually decreases. However, due to the rejection of the formed scab, after 7-10 days from the moment of birth they may intensify.

The situation is not regarded as a pathological condition, unlike increased bleeding after a month.

In nursing women, lochia stops earlier, because... During lactation, the release of oxytocin increases, which effectively contracts the uterus.

As a rule, yellow and brown discharge ends by the 3-4th week, a maximum of a month.

By this time, complete restoration of the normal structure of the endometrium is observed. In the ovary, an egg may begin to mature in a month.

Dangerous symptoms

It is necessary to know when the discharge becomes pathological in order to promptly seek help from a doctor. Otherwise, there is a risk of developing certain complications of the puerperal period.

Lochia is pathological in the following cases:

• their number increases;
• bloody or brown discharge lasts too long;
• they are accompanied by an unpleasant odor.

A large amount of bloody discharge that is not accompanied by a nasty odor usually indicates poor contractile activity of the uterus.

If this is the case, then there is a real chance of developing postpartum hemorrhage.

The question arises of how many gaskets need to be changed in order to suspect deviations from the norm. Usually - more than 6 full pads throughout the day. Another signal is blood clots.

The appearance of an unpleasant odor indicates the development of an inflammatory process in the woman’s genital tract, and it can affect both the lower and upper sections (the border between them is the area of ​​the internal pharynx).

This is evidenced by an increased number of leukocytes in the smear, and when the process generalizes, in the blood.

Normally, after 2-3 days, the leukocyte count in the smear should not exceed 35-40. In the blood - no more than 9 thousand in 1 ml. A clear sign will be yellow discharge after childbirth.

The most dangerous development is endometritis after childbirth, that is, the inflammatory process of the inner layer of the uterus.

Its danger lies in:

• risk of infertility,
• sepsis,
• infectious-toxic shock
• and other complications.

The main symptom is an increase in temperature and

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?

Bloody 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 personnel. 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.

In the maternity ward

For the first 2 hours after birth, a 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.

In the postpartum ward

In the first 2-3 days, lochia is normally bloody in nature, it is quite abundant (about 300 ml in the first 3 days): the pad or diaper is completely filled within 1-2 hours, lochia can be with clots, 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. 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. After a caesarean section, you can lie on your stomach only after examination and permission from the doctor.
• 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 During this period, the drug Oxytocin is prescribed intramuscularly for 2-3 days so that the uterus contracts well; as part of physiotherapy, pulsed currents are used on the lower abdomen to quickly contract the uterus.

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, 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.

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.

Restoration of 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.

If the child is breastfed, then the mother’s regular menstrual cycle will be restored 5-6 months after birth, and may also be restored after the cessation of lactation. Before this, menstruation may not occur at all, or it may come from time to time. With artificial feeding (the baby receives only formula), menstruation is restored, as a rule, by the 2-3rd month after birth.

Attentive attention to the nature of postpartum discharge and other indicators of the successful course of the postpartum period will help a woman avoid many complications. It is important to follow all hygiene rules and doctor’s recommendations.

As soon as the long-awaited baby is born, the mother tries to surround him with care from all sides, sometimes forgetting that her body also needs increased attention. At this time, hormonal levels, the tone of the uterus and abdominal wall are restored, and any deviations from the norm can become life-threatening. How to determine whether everything is fine in the body of a woman who has given birth to a child?

In the first months, a lot can be judged by the lochia. This is the name for postpartum discharge from the genital tract. How long does the discharge last after childbirth? What is considered normal? Is yellow discharge harmless after childbirth? How can you understand what problems need to be treated based on changes in the amount or duration of lochia?

Normal lochia

There are certain standards by which one can judge whether lochia is normal or whether it indicates the need for urgent medical intervention. The characteristics of the discharge must correspond to the period that has passed since birth.

In the first days, when the woman is still in the maternity hospital, the condition of lochia should be monitored by a doctor. But if he didn’t pay attention to something, it’s better to ask again than to leave the problem unnoticed. And after discharge, all responsibility for observing how postpartum discharge changes falls on the woman in labor herself. Therefore, she also needs to be able to distinguish between normal and pathological conditions, to know how long lochia should last and at what intervals their appearance will change.

Duration and quantity

To understand how long the discharge lasts after childbirth, you need to understand why it appears. First, the remnants of the placenta and waste products of the fetus are expelled, then blood and lymph are released from the damaged inner layer of the uterus. Its recovery takes approximately 40–50 days. Accordingly, lochia continues for the same amount of time – from 6 to 8 weeks – after childbirth.

The intensity of the discharge depends on how much time has passed after childbirth:

• The first two hours, when the woman in labor must still be in the maternity ward under the close supervision of a doctor, are especially dangerous. There is a lot of discharge; in relation to body weight, it is approximately 0.5%, but not more than 400 ml. Large losses will definitely affect the general condition.
• For another 2 or 3 days, lochia continues to be abundant - 300 ml in 3 days. At this time, it is better to use diaper pads rather than pads to make it easier for the doctor to assess the volume of lochia.
• The next week the amount of discharge is approximately the same as during menstruation. Every day their volume decreases little by little. For hygiene purposes, it is more convenient to use regular pads with a high degree of moisture absorption rather than diapers. But it is strictly contraindicated to use tampons.
• When the first month has passed after childbirth, lochia should still be observed, but it is already very scanty.
• After 8, or at most 9 weeks, the release of lochia should stop.

How long the discharge lasts after childbirth depends on the severity of the body’s ability to recover, the woman’s nutrition, and daily routine. They should not be too long (lasting more than 9 weeks) or too short (less than 5 weeks).

Color, smell and consistency

The appearance of the discharge also depends on how long the lochia lasts after childbirth and on its composition.

Norm of qualitative characteristics of postpartum discharge:

• The first few days they are liquid, bright red, with the smell of blood. This is due to the fact that they contain a large percentage of pure blood. Small blood clots and mucus may occur. Such lochia is considered normal only for a few days.
• By the middle of the first week, their color should change and turn brown. The smell of lochia at this time is similar to normal menstruation.
• When a month has passed after childbirth, the lochia becomes mucous, cloudy, and grayish in color. Over time, there are fewer of them, and the color approaches transparent.

By the end of the postpartum period, the discharge is very scanty and mucous, the same as that of any healthy woman before pregnancy.

Signs of pathology

Any deviation from the parameters described above may indicate the presence of serious problems. Throughout the postpartum period, there is a risk of bleeding, infection of the genital tract or uterine cavity. In order to prevent the development of severe complications, it is important to know how long lochia lasts normally, and to consult a doctor at the first suspicion of pathological changes.

Possible deviations from the norm:

1. Reducing or increasing the duration of lochia secretion.
2. Abrupt cessation or increase in volume.
3. The discharge stopped, and after a while it started again.
4. Change in color.
5. The appearance of an unpleasant odor.
6. Change in consistency.

You should consult a doctor in any case, even if only one characteristic has changed, for example, just the color has changed.

Quantitative changes

The most common complication of the early postpartum period is the development of bleeding. In this case, you feel that the diaper gets wet very quickly, and you may feel a little dizzy. There is no pain at all. This condition can be caused by blood diseases or too weak uterine contractions. In order for stronger contractions to begin, drug therapy (an injection of a dose of Oxytocin) is necessary.

Deviations from the norm in a later period:

• If for some reason the remains of the placenta are not completely expelled immediately after birth, bleeding may develop in a more distant period. Its sign will be a sharp increase in the volume of discharge.
• An abrupt cessation of lochia, especially if not even a month has passed after giving birth, may be a sign that something is preventing them from coming out. This could be a backward bend of the uterus, cervical spasm, or a neoplasm. In any case, this can lead to infection of the endometrium and the development of endometriosis.
• If the lochia has not stopped 8 or 9 weeks after birth, you need to undergo an examination to find out why the endometrium is not recovering at the required speed.

Often, women in labor are happy when the lochia ends quickly. But in fact, with normal recovery processes, healing of the uterine mucosa occurs after at least 40 days. If lochia stops earlier, this should be alarming, not pleasing.

Changes in color or odor

The color of lochia may suddenly change if some undesirable processes occur in the uterine cavity or cervix. Often, especially if yellow discharge appears after childbirth, an unpleasant odor is felt. No matter how harmless such deviations may seem, any of them is a bad sign and cannot go away without medical help.

Possible color changes:

• Bloody discharge after childbirth is considered normal only in the first few days. If a week has passed after childbirth, and they remain bright red, this is already a pathology, a sign of impaired epithelial healing or problems with hematopoiesis. If the lochia has already changed color, but then turns red again, there is a high probability that bleeding has occurred.
• Black color scares women in labor the most. But it is relatively harmless, since it speaks of changes in the composition of the blood caused by hormonal changes.
• Yellow discharge after childbirth occurs when bacteria enter the uterine cavity and endometriosis develops. A faint yellow tint to the discharge after 2 weeks is considered normal. Yellow discharge after childbirth is often accompanied by an unpleasant putrid odor.
• Green discharge after childbirth, mucous or purulent lochia is a sign that the infectious process is progressing, the inflammation is already advanced. In such a situation, there is a risk of developing sepsis. This is due to the fact that the infection can very easily enter the bloodstream through the endometrium, which has not yet recovered.
• The white color of lochia, especially if they have become cheesy, indicates infection with the fungus Candida. This discoloration may be accompanied by itching and burning in the genital area.
• Brown discharge after childbirth usually appears 3 or 4 days after delivery and stops when 3 weeks or at most a month have passed after delivery. If more than a month has passed and the brown discharge after childbirth has not become light, this may indicate slow regeneration of the endometrium.

Each of the above changes is dangerous for the health and even life of a woman, so you should immediately consult a doctor. Remember, the baby needs a healthy mother who monitors both his condition and her own.

Discharge after 2 months

When 2 months have passed after childbirth, there should be no postpartum discharge. At this time, the risk of bleeding is already very low, especially if the postpartum period went well and the discharge has long stopped. But what then does the discharge mean at this time?

After a woman gives birth to a child, her menstrual cycle quickly returns. If she breastfeeds, ovulation is suppressed. But when the child is bottle-fed from the very beginning, menstruation can resume after 2-3 months. Therefore, mucous bleeding 2 months after the birth of a child can be normal menstruation.

If a woman is breastfeeding, the discharge that has returned does not look like a period, or there is any other reason to doubt that there is no problem, it is best to contact your doctor. Such cooperation will help you successfully recover from pregnancy and happily raise your baby.