A caesarean section is an abdominal operation that is performed in the absence of the possibility of independent childbirth. Regardless of whether natural or operative childbirth, after the birth of a child, the mother begins to discharge - lochia. Why do they appear, how long do they last and how to take care of yourself during this period?

During the operation, the surgeon cuts not only the abdomen, but also the uterus. Therefore, the opinion that women who give birth by caesarean section should not have discharge is erroneous. The first day after birth, the mother is in intensive care, because she needs constant monitoring. Doctors monitor the state of the uterus, because with insufficient contraction there is a risk of developing pathological bleeding. They also evaluate the cardiovascular system using indicators on the monitor.

After abdominal surgery, the uterus is damaged and it takes time to restore its internal mucosa. The healing process is accompanied by postpartum discharge (lochia), consisting of mucus, blood and dead epithelium. In the process of healing, the shade, structure and volume of secretions change. The same thing happens with natural childbirth, only the recovery period is faster.

Video - caesarean section. School of Dr. Komarovsky

Discharge after abdominal surgery

Postpartum discharge is a physiological phenomenon through which particles of the placenta and dead remains of the endometrium are removed from the body.

1. The most abundant vaginal discharge in the first week and have a rich red color. Reminiscent of normal menstruation, but in a much larger volume. Walking, breastfeeding, changing body position increase the outflow of blood. For the first five days after surgery, blood discharge of about 500 ml is considered normal.
2. Then the lochia darkens and acquires a brown tint. The appearance of clots is a normal phenomenon associated with the low mobility of the woman in labor. The discharge is characterized by a specific odor similar to iron.
3. By the fourth week, the discharge becomes dark brown, their volume is significantly reduced. They become sparse and smearing.
4. By 2.5 months, the discharge becomes transparent, mucous. Do not cause inconvenience, have no smell.

At what stage of the selection will change color, composition and volume depends on the individual characteristics of the woman who has given birth. But they should start with red, turn into brown, and end with mucous and transparent secretions.

Active contraction of the uterus affects the intensity of discharge in the initial days after the birth of the child. During abdominal surgery, muscle fibers are damaged, which significantly complicates its contraction. To stimulate uterine contractions, it is recommended to lie on the stomach as often as possible, empty the bladder regularly, and apply the baby to the breast on demand. Sucking milk increases uterine contractions, accompanied by pain in the lower abdomen.

How long is the discharge after a caesarean section?

In the first 6–8 days, the discharge is especially strong; this period accounts for most of the excreted fluid. In the second week, the amount of discharge begins to decrease, and by the end of the month it is significantly reduced. At week 5, lochia becomes spotting, and a week later it stops altogether.

Postpartum discharge can last up to 1.5 months, depending on the individual characteristics of the woman's body, pregnancy and the birth itself.

No doctor can tell the exact numbers for the beginning and end of postpartum discharge. But there is an average statistics, which must be equalized and, if deviations are found, immediately consult a doctor.

Pathological discharge

The reason for contacting a specialist can be: a sharp cessation of discharge within a few days after childbirth, the appearance of an unpleasant odor, a change in the composition of the discharge, the appearance of itching. The reasons for these or those changes are presented in the table.

Change in the smell of secretions

An unpleasant, purulent, pungent odor indicates inflammatory processes on the inner surface of the uterus or, in other words, endometritis. The disease is accompanied by an increase in body temperature, increased pain in the lower abdomen, and a deterioration in the woman's well-being.

A sharp increase in the volume of secretions

An increase in the number of lochia, their long-term non-decrease indicates the onset of late hypotonic bleeding. It is after abdominal surgery that this happens most often, since the uterus cannot contract normally due to the resulting suture.

Abrupt cessation of discharge

The instant end of postpartum lochia indicates a possible bending of the uterus. In this case, there is a violation of the outflow of secretions from the uterus, leading to their stagnation. With untimely treatment, this leads to inflammation or endometritis.

Curdled discharge and itching

Unpleasant sensations in the vagina, itching, burning, a change in the structure of the discharge signals a thrush. Its development may be associated with improper hygiene of the woman who has given birth or taking antibiotics.

Hygiene after caesarean section

In the hospital, you need to wash yourself several times a day with warm water and laundry soap. The first days you need to use diapers, on the third day you can use large pads. It is recommended to change them as they are full, but at least once every three hours. For convenience, disposable shorts are used. The use of tampons is unacceptable, in order to avoid the multiplication of microbes. The suture is dressed daily, ice can be applied to increase uterine contractions. The state of the seam must be monitored very carefully so that it cannot and does not bleed. Otherwise, a medical examination is necessary.

At home, regular washing should be continued until the discharge becomes colorless for up to about 8 weeks. It is forbidden to take a bath, douche and have sex before obtaining permission from the gynecologist. It is possible to resume the old life only after the final restoration of the uterus and the cessation of spotting.

Menstruation after caesarean section

After the birth of a child, the female body begins to produce the hormone prolactin, which blocks the development of follicles in the ovaries and stimulates the formation of milk. With breastfeeding, menstruation usually occurs after 6-7 months, with active feeding, they can come in a year. With artificial feeding, menstruation comes in 2-3 months. At first they are irregular, and then the cycle is restored.

Postpartum discharge for each woman lasts a different amount of time, but usually does not exceed 1.5 months. Compliance with the rules of personal hygiene, regular change of pads prevent infection. Feeding the baby on demand, lying on the stomach stimulate uterine contractions. Compliance with the prescriptions of doctors will help to easily overcome the recovery period.

It is important to carefully monitor the discharge and in case of an unpleasant odor, a sharp increase or cessation, consult a gynecologist for advice.

Unfortunately, not all women give birth naturally. Some, due to imperfect health or a large fetus, are prescribed a caesarean section (CS), the recovery from which takes much longer than with natural childbirth. Indeed, during this operation, the uterus is cut and then sutured, as a result of which a scar is formed on it, the healing of which does not occur quickly, because of this, the risks of complications in the postpartum period remain high for a long time. Therefore, women should be more attentive to their condition, paying special attention to vaginal discharge, since it is by their nature that one can judge the normal recovery of the body. The discharge after a caesarean section lasts longer than after a natural birth, and has certain features, which we will talk about now.

What should be the discharge after the operation?

Vaginal discharge that occurs after a caesarean section is called lochia in gynecology. Unlike ordinary menstrual bleeding, they are observed for 5-7 weeks and their character changes at certain time intervals.

For the first few days, women experience heavy bleeding after a caesarean section. At the same time, mucus is observed in the bloody discharge, which is absent during natural delivery. The mucus that is secreted should be scarlet in color, when, after a normal birth, it is usually deep red.

Bloody discharge must necessarily contain clots, which indicate the successful cleansing of the uterus from the residual elements of the placenta. But they can last only 8-10 days. After a week and a half, their number decreases, and the released secret acquires a uniform consistency.

After a couple of weeks, the vaginal secret changes its character again - it becomes scarce and turns brown, which indicates a normal recovery of the uterus. During this period, it begins to contract less and the blood that is released from it has time to clot before it leaves the vagina.

And speaking about the nature of the discharge after cesarean section, and how long they last, it should be noted that:

• The first 3-4 days they are allocated in a large volume, but not more than 300 ml per day.
• Over the next 4–10 days, their volume decreases and they become less bright.
• 11-13 days after the operation, there is a light red discharge, and their number is further reduced.
• On the 21-23rd day, the vaginal secret becomes darkish.
• After 5-6 weeks, bloody discharge is replaced by brown daubs.

But it should also be noted that in all women the body has its own individual characteristics and the process of its recovery after a cesarean section may slightly deviate from the established framework. In some new mothers, lochia stops after 3-4 weeks, while in others they can be observed for 6-7 weeks.

How long does postoperative bleeding last?

It is difficult to say exactly how long women have lochia after a cesarean section, because, as already mentioned, each organism is individual. As a rule, in new mothers who gave birth with the help of surgeons, lochia is observed much longer than in those who gave birth naturally. This is due to the presence of a suture on the uterus and complications that very often occur in the postoperative period.

However, doctors have set a period in which bloody vaginal discharge should completely stop. And it lasts no more than 9 weeks. During this period of time, the uterus has time to almost completely recover and be cleansed of placental particles.

The first week after delivery, the process of regeneration and cleansing is very intensive, resulting in an abundant discharge of blood from the vagina. Because of this, women have to change sanitary pads every 2-3 hours. However, it is not worth rejoicing that the lochia became less intense earlier, since in most cases a decrease in the volume of released blood after a cesarean section ahead of schedule indicates serious deviations and requires immediate medical intervention.

But, due to individual characteristics, there are also cases when the uterus stops bleeding profusely already on the 3rd-4th day, while the newly-made mother does not show any deviations. However, this happens extremely rarely.

Pathological discharge indicating the development of complications

Sometimes uterine bleeding after artificial delivery may end earlier or later than the due date, as well as change its consistency, color and aroma, which is abnormal and indicates the development of postpartum complications that require immediate specific treatment.

So, a week after the operation, some women have yellow or green discharge that has an unpleasant odor instead of the prescribed blood. This signals the infection of the uterus and the development of purulent processes in it. This condition is very dangerous, as it can lead to necrosis (tissue death), abscess or sepsis.

As a rule, in addition to pathological discharge, during the development of a bacterial infection, other symptoms occur, among which are:

• Weakness.
• Heat.
• Stomach ache.

Important! Signs of infection of the uterus can be observed both after 2-5 days after surgery, and after 2-3 weeks. But regardless of this, in any case, a woman should be tested for bacteriological culture and undergo a course of antibiotic therapy, in which breastfeeding will need to be stopped for some time.

A bacterial infection is dangerous not only with necrosis, abscess or sepsis, but also with its ability to quickly spread to nearby organs. And first of all, it affects the organs of the genitourinary system. And when this happens, the newly-made mother can experience not only yellowish vaginal discharge, but also staining of urine in a reddish color, as well as pulling pains in the lumbar region. When these symptoms appear, you should not hesitate to visit a doctor, since a bacterial infection can easily disable the genitourinary system and provoke the development of purulent processes in it.

If a woman notices the end of her menstrual bleeding earlier than a week after a cesarean section, and the appearance of orange-brown discharge, this is also not the norm. Since the cause of this is often the premature narrowing of the cervix, as a result of which it ceases to fully exit the uterine cavity and begins to accumulate in it. Against this background, the organ increases, which is manifested by pain syndrome that occurs in the lower abdomen and weakness. And if a bacterial infection joins the stagnation, then a sharp increase in temperature is observed.

In cases where a woman should end up with heavy bleeding and start a brownish spotting, but this does not happen, this may indicate an incomplete cleansing of the uterus from placental elements or a divergence of the internal suture. It can diverge both because of the doctors who performed the operation poorly, and the woman herself, who very early began to lift heavy objects or have sexual intercourse.

In cases where, after delivery, a woman has abundant bloody discharge, then they abruptly stop and they are replaced by dark brown or thick yellowish discharge, this indicates serious violations of the outflow of blood from the uterus. And the reason for this may be a thrombus (blood clot) or polyps formed after childbirth in the cervix, as well as stenosis.

The salient features of these divisions are:

• The appearance of a smell of rot.
• Strong weakness.
• Temperature.
• Pain in the lower abdomen.

In this case, the woman needs to urgently go to the doctor and undergo an examination in the clinic, and if necessary, be hospitalized, since repeated surgical intervention is required with the development of stenosis or the formation of a polyp in the cervix. There can be no talk of any home treatment.

In those situations where the newly-made mother should run out of discharge from the genital tract, but this does not happen, she also needs to consult a doctor. After all, if the duration of uterine bleeding exceeds 9 weeks, then this may signal:

• Serious hormonal disorders.
• Divergence of the inner seam.
• Uterine atony.
• The development of other pathological processes requiring immediate treatment.

It should be understood that postpartum complications can occur both a few days after CS and a month later. Therefore, a woman should be attentive to the nature of vaginal discharge until they completely disappear.

Normally, women who have given birth artificially should have bloody, not too liquid discharge of a mucous consistency. If they become transparent, thick, viscous, brown or acquire a specific aroma, you should not hesitate to go to the doctor. Such symptoms always indicate the development of serious complications requiring immediate treatment.

After childbirth, all placental elements should come out of the uterine cavity. If this does not happen, the organ begins to fester, resulting in an abscess, which can be fatal in a matter of hours. The same thing happens with the development of other complications, for example, congestion in the uterus or premature termination of its contraction.

It must be understood that a caesarean section is a serious operation, after which recovery occurs for a long time. If the operation is successful, the nature of the vaginal discharge should not deviate from the norm. When deviations are still present, you must definitely visit a doctor.

Regardless of what the birth turned out to be - natural or operational, the inner shell of the reproductive organ needs time to recover. On average, it lasts 5-9 weeks, if there are no complications. Particular attention is paid to discharge after caesarean section. In obstetrics, they are called lochia.

Lochia includes blood, torn particles of the epithelium and mucus. There are no fundamental differences between the discharge that occurs after physiological childbirth and those that appear after a cesarean. Most women treat them like menstrual bleeding. According to indicators such as smell, color and volume of discharge after cesarean section, one can judge whether everything is in order with the newly-made mother.

In the early postoperative period, discharge after caesarean section is easy to compare with normal heavy menstruation - the lochia is colored red and contains separate clots.

In the first 7 days after the operation, their total volume can reach 500 ml; normally, a sanitary napkin should be filled no faster than 2 hours. Every day, the doctor asks the woman the number of lochia and their color.

Discharge after caesarean section increases with physical activity, breastfeeding, and palpation of the abdomen. As a result of these actions, the natural contractile activity of the uterus is stimulated, due to which its contents are more effectively expelled outward.

From the 2nd week, the lochia begins to darken, acquiring a brownish tint. Their volume gradually decreases. By the end of the 5th week, blood discharge after caesarean section should normally become spotty, weak and acquire a lighter shade.

On the 8th week, the process of restoring the inner layer of the reproductive organ is almost completely completed. Thus, the discharge after cesarean section after 2 months becomes light, as before pregnancy. At this time, a woman is recommended to visit a gynecologist for an appropriate examination and choice of a contraceptive method.

The nature and intensity of lochia is affected by contractions of the uterine myometrium. After childbirth by caesarean section, this process proceeds worse than after natural ones, since part of the muscle fibers are damaged as a result of a surgical incision.

To improve the contractile activity of the uterus and prevent the development of postpartum hemorrhage, immediately after the operation, the woman begins to administer the drug Oxytocin according to the scheme, and it is also strongly recommended to establish natural feeding to enhance the synthesis of oxytocin by the body.

Personal hygiene after cesarean

Personal hygiene after operative delivery has its own nuances:

1. Sanitary pads are changed as needed, but at least every 3 hours.
2. It is strictly forbidden to use tampons in the postpartum period, since their use can cause the development of an infectious process.
3. After each visit to the toilet room, a woman should wash her genitals with clean water.
4. It is impossible to douche and take a bath until the end of the recovery period, only take a shower.

In what cases should you consult a doctor?

Every woman who has become a mother through surgery should be informed about how long the discharge after cesarean lasts. Too early termination of lochia, as well as a prolonged one, can be a bad sign.

But doctors insist that it is not so much the time frame that matters, but the composition, color, smell and total amount of lochia. If the nature of the discharge is normal, then there is nothing to worry about. And how long the discharge after a caesarean section lasts depends almost entirely on the specific characteristics of the body. But even in this situation, you should consult a doctor.

Be sure to tell the specialist if the lochia ended too early - less than 5 weeks, or too late - lasting 10 or more weeks after childbirth. Both of these conditions pose a serious risk.

In the first situation, the uterus could not be completely cleansed and blood, mucus and remnants of the epithelium remained in it, which often ends in a serious inflammatory process. It should be evidenced by discharge after caesarean section with a smell.

Prolonged lochia are also the result of an infectious process -. The situation is also dangerous when the discharge either ends or increases again: a similar case also does not fit into the format of the norm.

Yellow discharge after caesarean section without the presence of foreign odor is normal only towards the end of the first 3 weeks after childbirth. But if they continue after this time, they are considered a sign of pathology - an advanced form of endometritis, which must be treated under the supervision of a doctor.

Purulent discharge after cesarean, colored green, indicates the presence of an acute infectious pathology in the uterus.

White discharge from the genital tract is not dangerous until they are accompanied by symptoms such as redness and itching in the intimate area, discharge with a sour smell and a curdled consistency. Most likely, we are talking about vaginal candidiasis - a frequent companion of antibiotic therapy, which is mandatory after surgical delivery. But the exact diagnosis will be called only by a specialist.

Watching how much discharge goes after a cesarean section, evaluating their nature, a young mother will understand whether her recovery postpartum stage is delayed or everything is in order. If there are deviations from the norm, do not hesitate to contact a doctor.

The examination and the course of treatment that you will have to undergo if necessary are trifles compared to the complications that can arise if you let the situation take its course.

What else to pay attention to?

A woman's fear should be caused not only by the changed nature of postpartum discharge, but also by such alarming signs as abdominal pain and fever.

But the last symptom can also be a variant of the norm, if the young mother has not yet established lactation and the first pronounced flushes of milk are observed.

Sometimes, against the background of insufficient care or infection, a woman in the postpartum period develops discharge from the suture after a cesarean section.

This pathology is characterized by the following symptoms: hyperemia, fever, swelling and sanious or purulent discharge from the suture after cesarean.

If you do not notice this complication in time or self-medicate, the suture will fester and the young mother will need surgical assistance.

Usually, every woman who has become a mother by cesarean visits a specialist 2 months after the baby is born. During this time, it becomes known how the recovery process proceeds, whether there are any complications.

Allocations after a caesarean section are the same as after natural childbirth. A lot of women who are going to have surgery think that the recovery period consists in successfully tightening the sutures, the surgeon will “clean out” everything during the operation and there will be no copious discharge (lochia). This is far from true. During a caesarean, the surgeon takes out only the baby and the placenta, scraping the uterus to remove the endometrium would be a traumatic and pointless procedure, the body will get rid of it on its own. Let's talk about how many days the discharge goes after a cesarean section and what is normal.

In the first week, lochia comes out with clots, a rich red color, can be frighteningly plentiful in the process of breastfeeding a baby. What should be the discharge after a caesarean section. The very fact of feeding stimulates the production of oxytocin, which, in turn, causes an active contraction of the uterus, which can provoke pain and increase bleeding. During physical activity (it is enough to take the child in your arms), the discharge will also become more abundant.

Gradually, on the fifth - seventh day after cesarean, spotting becomes less and less, replaced by spotting, thick. They can appear up to several weeks, and this is normal, especially if the child is fed only with a mixture, since during breastfeeding the uterus contracts more intensively and recovers faster. Over time, they should lighten and become transparent and slimy. Normally, after two months, ordinary leucorrhoea should be released.

If after cesarean there is no discharge at all (during the recovery period) - this is a reason to seek urgent medical help! A common cause may be a bend, spasm of the cervix, or early closure, which leads to an accumulation of blood inside the uterus.

On the contrary, prolonged profuse spotting without a tendency to decrease, with the addition of green or yellow clots, is an alarming symptom. Especially if there is a smell of rot, the temperature rises or the pulse quickens. In such cases, inflammation of the endometrium, the suture is possible, or the doctors, completing the operation, forgot something inside (a tampon, for example). With significant physical exertion, the seams can disperse, which will also cause heavy bleeding.

It happens that the abundant discharge in the first weeks stops abruptly, then resumes. In this case, an additional examination and repeated ultrasound is needed. It happens that part of the placenta lingers in the uterus. Such pieces, remaining in the uterus, interfere with the normal detachment of the endometrium and rot. Accompanying symptoms may be purulent yellow discharge after cesarean section, fever, increased bleeding, and pain in the uterus and ovaries. Cardinal treatment is the "cleansing" of the uterus. Anti-inflammatory measures give only a temporary effect.

On the twelfth day, the color of the discharge after cesarean section, as well as their consistency, change. They brighten, become more mucous and acquire a yellow tint due to the large number of leukocytes, this is the body's natural defense against infection. Often during the recovery period, thrush makes itself felt. In this case, itching appears in the area of ​​​​the mucous membrane of the genital organs.

In some women, discharge after a caesarean section lasts up to 2 months. It happens that blood from the vagina reappears 4-6 weeks after childbirth. This is nothing but menstruation. Usually the first menstruation after childbirth, in the event that a woman is breastfeeding, begins late, sometimes after 6 or more months, but there are such exceptions. But if less than 4-5 weeks have passed since the birth, then most likely the problem lies in the poor contractility of the uterus.

Bloody discharge after a cesarean section after 2 months, that is, continuing for such a long time, even if there are no placental remnants in the uterus, is dangerous with a strong decrease in hemoglobin. Because of this, oxygen is poorly supplied to tissues and organs.

Scanty brown discharge after cesarean replaces bloody and is most often a sign that the postpartum period will end soon, the female body is returning to normal.

So, the causes of late bleeding can be: unseparated pieces of the placenta, endometrial or blood clots. All these “remnants” sometimes cannot come out on their own, especially if the uterus contracts poorly or the lumen in the neck is very narrow, and they begin to actively decompose, which further increases the bleeding. Additional symptoms may include low blood pressure, rapid heart rate, fever, anemia, and cold skin. Against the background of elevated temperature, unusual pallor may not be noticed, but in order to leave no doubt, it is enough to delay the lower eyelid, with anemia, its mucous membrane will be white.

Discharge after caesarean section with a smell, pus, an unusual color requires especially close attention. Any deviation from the norm is a reason to seek urgent medical help. It is very important to observe hygiene and doctor's recommendations during the recovery period. Frivolity and inattention can have sad consequences.

30.10.2019 17:53:00 Is fast food really dangerous to health? Fast food is considered harmful, fatty and poor in vitamins. We found out whether fast food is really as bad as its reputation, and why it is considered hazardous to health.

29.10.2019 17:53:00 How to return female hormones to balance without drugs? Estrogens affect not only our body, but also our soul. Only when hormone levels are optimally balanced do we feel healthy and joyful. Natural hormone therapy can help bring hormones back into balance.

29.10.2019 17:12:00 How to lose weight during menopause: expert advice What used to be difficult seems almost impossible for many women over 45: losing weight during menopause. The hormonal balance changes, the emotional world turns upside down, and the weight is very upsetting. Nutrition expert Dr. Anthony Danz specializes in this topic and willingly shares information about what is important for women in mid-life.

How long does discharge last after a caesarean section? What are the discharges?

A caesarean section is a major operation, and therefore it will take a woman longer to restore her health than after a natural birth. But childbirth is not always easy, often with complications, and then surgery is indispensable.

After childbirth, the uterus undergoes the greatest changes. During the postpartum period (close to 2 months), the uterus decreases by 20 times.

Wounds heal inside the uterus, a new mucosa is formed, but first the uterus must be cleansed of all unnecessary that remains after the removal of the child. Therefore, a woman has discharge from the uterine cavity, they are also called lochia.

What is lochia? These are blood clots, dead small particles of the placenta.

Why is there discharge after a caesarean section?

Applying a cold heating pad to the lower abdomen in the first days after cesarean section

After a caesarean, the same, and perhaps even more than after a normal birth, there is a discharge, because the uterus must be completely cleared of the remnants of the placenta. And yet, after a caesarean section, a woman is even more at risk, because during the operation some kind of infection can get inside, and then inflammation will begin.

In order for the postpartum period to pass without complications, a woman needs to adhere to the following rules:

1. Take care of personal hygiene: after visiting the toilet, wash the genitals and anus, preferably with a warm decoction of chamomile, you can use calendula, or warm water with baby soap, take a shower every day.
2. Immediately after childbirth and for 2 weeks, use diapers as pads for better ventilation, and not store-bought pads. Change them every 4 hours or more.
3. To better contract the uterus, lie on your stomach for a short time.
4. Wear a special postpartum bandage.
5. Go to the toilet regularly so that feces and urine do not stagnate.
6. Gently massage the belly.
7. First days after surgery apply a cold heating pad to the lower abdomen, for 5-10 minutes, 3-5 times a day.

Note. During breastfeeding, the discharge is more abundant, and the pain in the lower abdomen increases - this is not bad, but even good: oxytocin is produced in the uterus, and it contracts better and clears faster.

What should be the discharge after caesarean section?

Discharge after caesarean section

1. First week after surgery- the color of the discharge is bright red, they are plentiful, with clots and blood clots.
2. Second week- discharge reddish-brown, less abundant.
3. Subsequent weeks- mucous discharge with streaks of blood, the brown color of the discharge gradually changes to yellow. Yellow color is normal, appears due to the large number of leukocytes - white blood cells that protect the body from infections.
4. Further allocations will be less and less, and they are slimy, light with a yellowish tint, and then transparent.

Restoring her health in the postpartum period, a woman loses close to 1 liter of blood. After a cesarean, the recovery period is about 2 months.

Discharge color after cesarean

It is recommended to wear a bandage for the first months after the operation.

The color of the discharge after cesarean, if there are no complications, goes in the following sequence:

• The discharge is bright red with clots and blood clots
• Red discharge with a dark tint
• The discharge is reddish-brown, gradually turning to dark brown, and then to brown
• Light brown discharge
• yellowish discharge
• White discharge with a yellowish tint
• Colorless discharge

How long is the discharge after a caesarean section?

Discharge after caesarean lasts up to 2 months

Discharge after cesarean usually lasts 5-6 weeks, up to 2 months. This is a little longer than after an uncomplicated childbirth, and this is because the muscles of the uterus were injured during the operation, and now the uterus contracts more slowly.

Important. Discharge with blood lasting more than 2 weeks should alert the woman - inflammation has begun inside the uterus, and she should immediately tell the doctor about it.

Important. Also abnormal is the rapid, less than a week, cessation of discharge with blood, or the discharge has stopped, and a week later resumed again - this is a sign of a weak uterine contraction. You need to tell the doctor, and he will prescribe oxytocin and massage on the lower back to stimulate the uterus.

Important. If there is no discharge after cesarean, this is a bad sign, you need to urgently tell the doctor about it. The reasons may be different: the bend or spasms of the cervix, and the discharge cannot come out, but accumulate inside the uterus.

What does purulent discharge after cesarean mean?

Purulent discharge with an unpleasant odor indicates inflammation inside the uterus - endometritis

Purulent discharge with a foul odor indicates an inflammatory disease inside the uterus - endometritis.

Important. After caesarean section, inflammatory processes inside the uterus develop much more often than during childbirth in the usual way.

Why does brown discharge occur after cesarean?

Brown discharge is a sign of a quick recovery of the body

If the first week of discharge with blood has passed, and scant brown discharge has appeared to replace it, this means that the recovery of the woman's body is going well, and she will soon fully restore her health.

Green discharge after cesarean, causes

Green discharge with an unpleasant odor can stand out for 2 reasons: with endometritis and infectious diseases

1. Green discharge, unpleasant in smell, may appear a week or a month after the operation.
2. Such discharge is a clear sign of the presence of inflammation in the uterine mucosa ( endometritis). In addition to discharge with endometritis, the body temperature rises, and there are severe pains in the lower abdomen.
3. Green discharge can also be caused infectious diseases (trichomoniasis, bacterial vaginosis, gonorrhea, colpitis) in the vagina, uterus and fallopian tubes:

• Bacterial vaginosis. The disease begins with a grayish discharge of a foul odor, severe itching and redness of the genital organs. Further, the amount of discharge increases, and they become thick, green, affect the entire vagina.
• Chlamydia and gonorrhea. These diseases are characterized by green discharge, the amount of which does not increase, painful urination and severe pain in the lower abdomen.
• Colpitis (inflammation of the vaginal mucosa) - green thick discharge, pus with blood, severe itching and burning in the genitals.

Treatment for infectious diseases antibiotics, multivitamins, and if the case is strongly launched - scraping.

Bleeding after caesarean, causes

Blood discharge the first week after a caesarean section is normal, if longer - you need to see a doctor

• Blood discharge after a caesarean section should be the same as after a normal birth. Many women have a misconception about the caesarean section. They think that during the operation the doctor will clean everything, and the woman will only have to make sure that the suture heals, but this is not so.
• During the operation, the doctor takes out only the child and the placenta from the abdominal cavity, and he does not scrape the uterus so as not to injure her even more - the uterus will clean itself. Therefore, red spotting with clots and blood clots for the first week is natural and normal.
• If after the first week the bleeding hasn't stopped, and even intensified - this is a sure sign that a woman’s health is not all right, and she should go to the doctor. The cause of bleeding may be clots and pieces of placenta that have not separated that don't come out on their own.

Discharge after caesarean with smell

Discharge with an unpleasant odor indicates inflammation of the uterine lining - endometritis

• Discharge with a spicy smell the first days (3-4) after the operation - it's quite normal.
• But if the selections have unpleasant musty smell- it is explicit sign of inflammation and infection. You need to urgently consult with your doctor.
• What if in addition to the discharge with a nasty odor, pain in the lower abdomen increased, the temperature increased- this is possibly endometritis (inflammation of the lining of the uterus) need to see a doctor urgently.

Why does the discharge after cesarean not go away?

Blood discharge in women for more than 2 months leads to a strong decrease in hemoglobin

If the discharge with blood continues for more than 2 months, and the ultrasound showed that the uterus is clean, the bleeding may be due to very low hemoglobin. A sign of a low state of hemoglobin is an unusual pale skin.

Important: If you pull the lower eyelid of the eye, and inside the mucous membrane is not pink, but white - this is low blood hemoglobin.

Recovery of the body after childbirth lasts about 2 months. How can you understand that the reproductive system of a woman has recovered? The first sign is that the discharge became colorless and stopped.

Video: Recovery after childbirth, caesarean section in the hospital