After childbirth, any woman experiences specific discharge from the genital tract. They occur regardless of the method of delivery - naturally or through surgery. They may last for different periods of time, have different colors, character or smell. You need to know how long the discharge lasts after childbirth, what nature it has at different times after the birth of the baby, and how to recognize signs of deviations from the norm. Any doubts should be a reason to consult a gynecologist.

Postpartum discharge from the genital tract is a natural process. At the final stage of the birth process, the placenta departs from the uterine wall, which was previously closely connected to the inner surface of the organ and penetrated by blood vessels carrying blood to the fetus. Beneath it there is an open wound surface that begins to bleed. This becomes the source of lochia. Gradually, the vessels of the former placental site become empty, contract, and become covered with a new layer of endometrium. Normally, discharge continues for 6 weeks, maximum 2 months.

Lochia

Lochia has a different origin than menstruation and differs from them in color, volume and duration. It is necessary to pay attention to the color and consistency of the discharge, as well as the absence or presence of an unpleasant odor. A timely visit to a doctor with any questions about this can not only preserve health, but also save the life of the mother.

Lochia appears as a result of the fact that after the separation of the placenta, the vessels connecting it and the wall of the uterus remain open and blood is released from them. It passes from the uterine cavity through the open cervix into the vagina.

Postpartum lochia consists of the following components:

exfoliated endometrium (inner uterine lining), which thickens significantly during pregnancy;
blood and ichor from the uterine wall to which the placenta was attached;
dead and necrotic tissue;
mucus and blood released from the healing cervix;
parts of the membranes and fetal epithelium.

Lochia is not menstruation and is not controlled by hormonal changes. After childbirth, it will take some time before the pituitary gland, hypothalamus, and ovaries begin their regular activity and the normal cycle is restored. For breastfeeding mothers, the first period occurs approximately six months after birth. If the child is bottle-fed, menstruation can resume after 6 weeks (read more about the timing of the restoration of menstruation after childbirth).

In rare cases, menstrual-like light bleeding is observed within a month after the birth of a newborn. They are easily confused with terminal lochia, but at this time the woman can already become pregnant.

Less intense postpartum lochia is observed with premature birth, and stronger than normal - with multiple pregnancies and after surgery.

The first hours after

As soon as the placenta is born, the gradual contraction (of) the uterus begins. This effect is enhanced by placing the newborn to the breast. Often an ice pack is placed on the mother's stomach; this is necessary to prevent severe bleeding.

The volume of blood loss in the first hours should not exceed 500 ml. At this time, the postpartum discharge is bloody and mixed with clots and mucus. This is how the remnants of the placenta and amniotic membranes are removed from the uterus.

In the first hours, the patient may feel an unpleasant odor of escaping blood. This is largely due to the influence of hormonal levels. The level of oxytocin and prolactin in the blood increases, increasing the sensitivity of olfactory receptors. In the normal course of the early postpartum period, the woman is transferred to the department after 2-3 hours.

First days

At first, intense release of lochia is observed. The cervix is not yet completely closed, and the uterine wall is still a wound surface. This creates the preconditions for the development of postpartum endometritis. To prevent infection, all hygiene rules must be followed. If the nature of the discharge changes, you must immediately inform your gynecologist.

What should be the normal discharge after childbirth:

In the first 4 days, lochia is a mixture of blood clots, parts of the membranes, meconium, decidua, and discharge from the cervical canal. Painful cramps in the abdomen may be felt, reminiscent of menstrual pain, caused by intense contractions of the uterus.
During the 1st week, the lochia are colored a rich dark red color, they are quite thick, they contain an admixture of mucus, and there may be lumps or clots. When the baby is latched to the breast, the intensity of their secretion increases. This is a normal process of cleansing the birth canal.
A woman should be prepared for the fact that when getting out of bed, a large amount of blood may be released at once. Therefore, it is recommended to stock up on a large number of special hygiene products, as well as oilcloth for the bed.

The normal duration of bleeding is up to 7 days. If they last more than a week, or uterine bleeding occurs, or large blood clots pass, this may be signs of retention of part of the placenta in the uterus. This condition often leads to infection and requires immediate medical attention.

To speed up the separation of lochia, a prone position is recommended, as well as the use of a postpartum bandage. It supports the internal organs, preventing the uterus from taking an abnormal position, which contributes to the retention of blood in it, for example, bending to the side or backwards.

First month

After 7 days, the wound surface begins to be covered with endometrium. The uterus has already contracted quite well, although it is still located above the womb. During the 2nd week, the number of lochia gradually decreases. Discharge from the genital tract changes color from red to darker, brown, and there is normally no unpleasant odor.

If in the first days of the postpartum period a woman had to change a sanitary pad every 2 hours, now one pad can be used for 4-5 hours. Before each change of hygiene product, it is recommended to wash with warm water and soap.

After 10 days, the discharge becomes yellowish. It contains fewer red blood cells and more white blood cells, cervical mucus, and serous fluid.

How long does this discharge last?

This stage lasts about 3-4 weeks.

Discharge a month after childbirth is observed in most women. However, their intensity is reduced so much that a woman can use panty liners. Their character is mucous, without foreign inclusions and odor. If lochia lasts more than 6 weeks, you should see a doctor.

At this time, the uterus is already returning to normal size, so abdominal pain or increased discharge when feeding the baby is not observed. At the end of the month, the cervical canal closes completely, which blocks the path of possible infection.

Each woman experiences the postpartum stage individually. It is considered normal if the discharge persists for 6-8 weeks. They may end earlier - by the end of 4-5 weeks.

During caesarean section

The operation is accompanied by additional damage to the uterine vessels, so the bloody discharge after such childbirth is more intense during the first 7 days. Its color and consistency are normal. Subsequently, the process of cleansing the uterus proceeds in accordance with physiological indicators. After a maximum of 2 months, any vaginal discharge should stop.

Changes in the amount of discharge

The most common reasons for this are retention of parts of the placenta inside the uterus or the addition of an infectious process. In this case, the following deviations from the norm are possible:

A small amount or premature termination may be associated with a mechanical obstruction to the outflow of intrauterine discharge. Usually this is a large blood clot that blocks the internal os of the cervical canal. Blood can accumulate in the uterus even if it is in an incorrect position as a result of subinvolution. The likelihood of such a complication increases with abnormalities in the structure of the uterus and various neoplasms (cysts, tumors).
Abundant flow of mucous fluid may be a sign of perforation (perforation) of the uterine wall, for example, if postoperative sutures fail. Abundant lochia is also observed with blood clotting disorders. This sign may be a symptom of a life-threatening condition and requires immediate medical attention.

Any pathological changes should be eliminated as quickly as possible. Some of them require medication, while others require curettage or surgery.

Changes in the nature of discharge

Postpartum recovery occurs individually, but there are general signs characteristic of the normal course of the postpartum period or pathological abnormalities.

Light yellow color of discharge

Characteristic of the final period, it replaces brown spots and gradually lightens to completely colorless mucus. Saturated yellow discharge can signal the onset of an inflammatory process in the uterus. They appear already on the 4-5th day and are accompanied by pain in the lower abdomen, and also have an unpleasant putrefactive odor. The cause of this condition is endometritis, injury to the wall or cervix. The yellow color of lochia can also appear when the cervical canal is blocked, when blood cannot be released from the uterus, and a putrefactive process begins. Another reason is cervical and vaginal ruptures, complicated by inflammation.

Greenish discharge

Normally not observed. They indicate inflammation of the inner wall of the uterus -. It is often caused by a bacterial infection, which is caused by poor contractility of this organ. As a result, lochia is retained in the uterine cavity, and an inflammatory process begins with the formation of greenish pus. Purulent discharge is a reason for immediate consultation with a doctor. The disease is often accompanied by fever, abdominal pain, weakness, and an unpleasant odor of discharge from the genital tract. If left untreated, it can cause infertility or blood poisoning.

Brown discharge

Normally they appear in the 2nd week, changing to bright red, and at the end of the second week they gradually lighten. If the brown color persists for more than a month, the cause may be an inflammatory process (endometritis), fibroids, uterine flexion, or decreased blood clotting. Copious dark brown discharge in the early postpartum period indicates incomplete separation of the placenta and requires urgent medical intervention - curettage of the uterine cavity.

Mucus discharge

They begin in the 3rd week and gradually become normal for a healthy non-pregnant woman. Early appearance of mucus may be a sign of internal damage to the cervix or vagina. Excessive mucus discharge is an important sign. This condition requires urgent medical attention.

Continued bloody or pink discharge

They are a sign of uterine hypotension associated with its excessive stretching or wall weakness. Another reason for prolonged weak bleeding is the presence of placenta remnants in the uterine cavity. Pink fluid can appear as a result of bleeding disorders, excessive physical activity and early sexual intercourse. Sometimes on days 21-28 the first menstruation appears.

White discharge

Most often caused by, they have a sour odor, and small light clots are detected in them. Candidiasis is not life-threatening, but it does cause a lot of unpleasant sensations, such as itching in the perineal area. Therefore, it is necessary to consult a doctor and select antifungal therapy that is safe for breastfeeding.

Hygiene

Lochia is a physiological phenomenon; they are necessary for cleansing the uterus and its healing. During them, it is important to follow hygiene rules:

It is necessary to stock up on sanitary pads in advance and change them regularly. In the first days you will need products with high absorbency.
Tampons and menstrual cups should be avoided as they increase the risk of infection.
It is recommended to avoid sexual intercourse for the first 6 weeks.
At this time, you should avoid physical exercise and significant exertion.
In the first month you cannot swim in a pool or pond.
You should wash regularly with warm water and soap, and movements should be directed from front to back. It is not recommended to use perfumed intimate hygiene products; baby soap is best.
It is recommended to urinate regularly, even in the absence of a pronounced urge. This will help prevent the spread of urinary tract infection.

It is worth stopping the use of blood thinners, such as aspirin, and at the same time increasing the amount of iron in your diet.

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How long does the discharge last after childbirth?

Typically, the last phase of labor is associated with the appearance of the placenta - the placenta and membranes with the accompanying copious mucous secretions and blood. In this case, a bleeding wound remains on the mucous tissue of the female uterus at the place where the placenta is attached, which does not heal immediately, but after some time. Because of this, postpartum lochia or discharge continues to bother the woman in labor, exiting through the vagina. How long the discharge lasts after childbirth can be both an indicator of organ recovery and an abnormal phenomenon, depending on the timing.

It is important for any woman in labor to be able to distinguish what discharge should be after childbirth, what it is and what it looks like. There are three stages in total, when lochia differs in its intensity and appearance.

Red discharge is observed for about a week;
For about 20 more days, the lochia has a brown tint;
White discharge means the completion of regeneration of the organ mucosa.

The uterus begins to cleanse itself with the separation of the placenta immediately after childbirth. At this point, the doctor must understand whether it has completely come out. In case of ruptures, the cavity is cleaned.

Then, in order to prevent blood loss, the specialist injects a drug that stimulates contraction of the organ, while cold is applied to the stomach.

At the first stage, especially in the first 4 days, the discharge is a combination of copious mucus, pieces of necrotic epithelium, a large number of blood cells, plasma and ichor. An extensive wound area and poor blood clotting can cause severe bleeding, so it is better for a woman to stay in bed and try not to put pressure on the abdominal area. It is advisable to keep a thick sheet and a diaper under you in several layers, just in case.

The weakness of a woman in this state is quite understandable. In addition, the first week is characterized by a pronounced smell of blood accompanying the discharge, and in the morning - bloody clots. This is a natural phenomenon, excluding too large pieces.

The second stage begins on days 4-7, the discharge darkens and its quantity decreases. Gradually, over three weeks, less and less dying particles, mucus and blood will be separated. The color also changes from red and brown to light brown and yellow. At the final stage, a yellowish-white color predominates, but blood impurities still bother the woman for some time.

After a caesarean section, the regeneration of the female uterus takes a little longer compared to ordinary childbirth, since, in addition to the placental wound, an incision is added to its wall. For this reason, the duration of bleeding and the overall regeneration of the organ is protracted.

It doesn’t matter how long the discharge lasts after childbirth - this is influenced by the anatomical features of the young mother and the complexity of delivery, the main thing is to prevent excessive blood loss and infection.

How to avoid complications

During the involution of the reproductive organ, a woman is quite vulnerable. Pathologies common at this time include:

Early completion of discharge, in addition to artificial cleansing of the uterus from the old endometrial layer, due to which healing is accelerated;
Penetration of infection - bacterial, viral, fungal;
Dangerous bleeding.

In order to prevent bleeding, the following requirements should be strictly followed:

To prevent the contents of the bladder from putting pressure on the uterus, a woman is recommended to go to the toilet as often as possible - once every 2 hours;
You should place a heating pad with cold water or ice on your stomach 3-4 times a day - vasoconstriction prevents blood loss;
It is better to lie in bed on your stomach - this way dead tissue and mucus will come out of the uterus faster;
It is better for a woman in labor not to lift weights, as this provokes new bleeding.

It is precisely because of the rapid closure of the cervical duct that in some women lochia passes too quickly, but this does not mean that the separation of necrotic tissue and blood in the uterine cavity has ended. This situation can lead to infection and the proliferation of bacteria during the decomposition of secretions that have not had time to come out. The problem requires urgent medical attention.

In other cases, you can protect yourself from infection in the following ways:

Every day you need to wash the external genitalia after using the toilet, using warm water or chamomile decoction;
For the body, it is advisable to use showers rather than baths;
You cannot douche or use tampons;
Immediately after childbirth, it is better to use sterile medical materials or diapers rather than pads, especially since the pads will have to be changed every hour, or even more often;
In the future, when the bleeding is not so intense, the pads should be changed up to 9 times a day.

It is important for a woman to understand how much discharge there is after childbirth and what it should be like, because this is extremely important for her future life and health. For any pathology, a visit to an experienced doctor who can prevent serious consequences will help.

When the birth is normal and no pathologies are observed in the mother's condition, natural lochia lasts about two months. However, how long the bleeding lasts after childbirth is closely related to certain factors:

Fast or slow recovery of the body due to the individuality of each woman;
The rate of contraction of the female uterus;
The complexity of labor, the use of cesarean delivery;
Presence of complications after childbirth;
Frequency of feeding the infant with breast milk.

The average duration for different women in labor is from 1.5-2 months, unless, of course, complicating inflammatory processes arise. It has been proven that in women who frequently breastfeed newborn children, the discharge ends much earlier, since this process directly affects the involution of the reproductive organ.

You should contact a gynecologist if you have pathological symptoms, but also when vaginal discharge takes on a normal appearance, as before pregnancy, without any blood. This is necessary to ensure that the recovery period has ended.

How long does discharge last after childbirth is far from an idle question, since the answer to it helps a woman behave correctly in such a responsible and dangerous period. Possessing knowledge, she is “armed” and will always know what to do even in the most difficult situation.

Restoring the body after childbirth: video

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Hello, dear women! It seems that what you and I were afraid of and were waiting for, at the same time - childbirth is behind us. It’s time to breathe freely. But the discharge started again.

Are you doing the right thing if you are interested in advance about what kind of discharge there may be after childbirth and how long it will last? After all, by understanding the causes of discharge and knowing approximately what they may be, you can recognize in time if something goes wrong.

It must be said right away that the discharge after childbirth will be abundant, so it would be useful to purchase special pads at the pharmacy specifically for women in labor. These pads will suit you better in the first days after childbirth than those you use during normal menstruation.

Although spotting after childbirth is similar to menstrual flow, it nevertheless has nothing in common with it. Discharge after childbirth is called lochia in obstetrics. And based on their character, gynecologists evaluate the entire process of a woman’s recovery after childbirth.

Water and contractions will tell you that your trip to the maternity hospital is approaching. We will talk about how everything should happen after childbirth, and which discharges we can consider normal and which ones should cause concern. And of course, the main question is how long does the discharge last after childbirth?

Will the color of the discharge tell you when this process will end?

The first days in the maternity hospital, approximately 4-6 days, your discharge will be observed by a doctor. Don't be bothered by the fact that there is a lot of discharge. The fact is that after giving birth, tissue remnants, blood clots and mucus will normally come out for another week.

As you understand, separation of the placenta leads to vascular ruptures and the formation of wounds on the mucous surface of the uterus. In addition, the uterus begins to contract, gradually returning to its normal state. This is why bloody discharge is observed after childbirth.

After about 2-3 days, the wound heals a little, the blood vessels contract, and heavy bleeding after childbirth stops. Usually, on the 4th day, brown discharge appears after childbirth, then its color becomes yellow-brown.

This happens due to the cessation of bleeding and the predominance of leukocytes, white cells that promote healing of the wound surface of the uterus. Then yellow discharge appears after childbirth, which can continue for about 5-7 days.

The discharge a month after birth may already be simply mucous, this will indicate that the surface of the uterus has acquired a normal structure and has completely recovered, the wounds have healed.

The total time for the discharge of lochia lasts differently for each woman in labor, but usually takes a maximum of 3-4 weeks.

You need to pay attention to the following points regarding discharge after childbirth:

the amount of discharge should gradually decrease;
A woman should not have a fever;
The discharge should not have a sharp or specific purulent odor.

Postpartum discharge, of course, has an odor, but it is more musty. This is due to the fact that blood discharge after childbirth lingers in the uterus and birth canal for some time. If you follow the rules of personal hygiene, then this smell should not particularly bother you.

After giving birth, you definitely need to see a doctor, but how urgently?

If we ask if you know what pus looks like, we will receive a positive answer with almost 100% probability. Because every person has encountered this trouble at least once in their life.

Just in case, let us remind you that purulent discharge after childbirth has a strong smell, is opaque, yellow, sometimes even greenish. As a rule, a woman’s temperature rises and pain appears in the lower abdomen. The reason is infection!

The postpartum uterus is a favorable place for the proliferation of microorganisms. Heat, high humidity, residual blood and dead tissue in the uterus contribute to the development of inflammatory processes. Especially if the rules of personal hygiene are not followed.

The appearance of purulent discharge after childbirth is a reason to urgently seek medical help. Serious treatment is required and, what is important, correct and timely identification of the infectious agent.

But not only purulent discharge should cause concern; incessant heavy bleeding after childbirth is also considered pathological. We discussed above how long such discharge normally lasts. If the bleeding does not stop, you certainly cannot do without a doctor.

The cause of bleeding after childbirth may be a violation of uterine contractions if parts of the fetal membrane remain in its cavity. Typically, such discharge appears in the maternity hospital, and treatment is carried out immediately.

Another cause of heavy bleeding after childbirth is the presence of ruptures in the cervix and vagina. However, this reason is quite rare due to the fact that now obstetricians are very good at applying postpartum sutures and using high-quality threads.

And in conclusion, I would like to wish you a speedy and painless recovery after childbirth. So that you don’t bother too much with your secretions, but pay more attention, love and affection to your child. Oh, by the way, don’t forget about your husband, otherwise he’s so vulnerable.

Photos and videos: How long does the discharge last after childbirth and what kind of discharge after childbirth is considered normal - yellow, bloody, brown?

They appear regardless of how the woman gave birth to the child - independently or by caesarean section. Discharge begins after the release of the placenta, which was firmly secured in the uterus by blood vessels. Common vessels connecting the placenta and the surface of the uterus form a wound surface from which blood oozes. Uterine contractions compress the ruptured vessels and the rupture closes over time. But this does not happen immediately, and sometimes problems arise during wound healing. That is why you should listen to your feelings and consult a doctor in time.

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

The postpartum period begins not after the birth of the child, but after the placenta is separated. In obstetrics, there is an early postpartum period, lasting 2 hours, and a late period, which is individual in nature, the duration of which can be from 6 to 8 weeks.

How long the late postpartum period will last depends on several interacting factors, and the time required can only be roughly predicted. The norm in medicine is a relative concept, derived from average statistical indicators, and each patient can experience it differently, and not only in relation to others. Even for one woman, after each pregnancy and childbirth, postpartum discharge may occur differently.

Postpartum recovery of the body

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

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

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

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

If all these conditions are met, postpartum discharge usually tends to end one and a half months (6 weeks) after the birth of the baby. If they continue to go on much longer than expected or have stopped earlier, you need to consult with your local gynecologist and be sure to go to see him, even if there are no external signs of complications. Long-term release of an apparently harmless substance that is watery in nature may indicate an incomplete process of restoration of the uterus; bloody - lead to the development of anemia, especially detrimental to a woman during breastfeeding; purulent - signal the onset of an inflammatory process.

Normal discharge after childbirth

In the maternity hospital, the patient is under the constant attention of doctors. Under favorable circumstances, she is discharged home already on the 5-6th day. A copious flow of discharge can normally last 2-3 days, and all this time the body’s condition is closely monitored. Proper supervision is due to the enormous burden that a woman endures during childbirth.

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

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

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

Pathological postpartum discharge

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

First, the doctor palpates and feels the uterus and evaluates the rate of its contraction. If its size has changed little, although by now it should be small, he will insist on hardware and laboratory examination. Otherwise, delayed recovery can lead to pathological consequences.

The causes of subinvolution can be called natural processes, surgical intervention, or pathological complications:

multiple births;
rapid labor;
oncological neoplasms (uterine fibroids);
polyhydramnios;
gestosis;
long labor;
remnants of membranes or placenta.

A pathological condition may be indicated by a rotten smell of discharge that lasts more than a week beyond the prescribed period. Discharge that is bloody or white, in which the uterus continues to hurt, as well as normal-looking discharge that lasts for a month or more, should also cause concern. The main indicators to immediately send for examination are palpation and the nature of the discharge.

As for a caesarean section, the uterus contracts more slowly and weakly after it. The cesarean method involves longer healing and lochia after it is observed longer and more intense than after physiological childbirth.

Causes of pathological discharge

If deviations from the relative norm are accompanied by alarming symptoms (fever, general malaise, prolonged or early stopping lochia, sharp or dull pain), then there is a reason to immediately consult a doctor.

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

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

What to remember after childbirth

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

The mucous nature of the discharge can occur with both normal and pathological changes in the process of restoration of the uterus to its previous state. White substance - appears after breastfeeding, or as a result of poor hygiene. Normal lochia can be shorter or longer, depending on the condition of the body, the course of labor, and the contractility of the uterus.

Any actions should be started only after a medical examination, consultation with a specialist, laboratory tests, and any medications should be taken with the knowledge and approval of the doctor. This will help you recover quickly after childbirth.

In this article:

Postpartum bleeding is a normal process, which results in the natural cleansing of the uterine cavity from lochia and retained remnants of placental tissue. The severity of bleeding depends on its nature, total blood loss and duration. How long does blood bleed after childbirth is a question that concerns every young mother.

For many women, bleeding as a result of childbirth is not a cause for alarm and does not pose any threat. Abundant in the first days, it gradually decreases and disappears within a few weeks. Severe bleeding, which occurs with painful contractions and nagging pain, pronounced odor and putrefactive discharge, is not normal and requires urgent medical intervention.

Causes of bleeding after childbirth

Severe bleeding in the first hours after the birth of a newborn can be caused by:

Poor indicators of blood clotting, individual for a woman in labor, as a result of which blood flows out of the genital tract in liquid streams without any symptoms of incipient thrombosis (thickened lumps, darkening of the color of the blood). It is not difficult to prevent such bleeding if, on the eve of giving birth, a woman undergoes an appropriate blood test for coagulation.
, resulting in injury to the birth canal.
Incremental tissue of the placenta, as a result of which blood will flow, since the uterus cannot fully .
Unsatisfactory ability of the reproductive organ to contract due to overstretching of its tissues caused by, and.
Gynecological problems associated with changes in the structure of the reproductive organ - uterine fibroids or fibroids.

Late bleeding may develop 2 hours after delivery and over the next 6 weeks.

Why does there bleed after childbirth in this case:

particles of placental tissue are retained in the uterus;
a bloody clot or several clots cannot leave the uterus as a result of its spasm in the cervix;
The recovery time of the uterus is delayed due to the inflammatory process in the pelvic area; this condition is characterized by an increase in general body temperature and prolonged bleeding.

How long does bleeding last after childbirth?

Every woman who cares about her health always asks her doctor about how and how many days the blood flows after childbirth. Normally, postpartum discharge lasts up to 6 weeks, but for many young mothers it ends a little earlier.

During this period of time, the mucous layer of the uterus is restored, and the organ takes on its prenatal form. bleeding continues longer because the muscles and walls of the uterus were injured during surgery, and it takes longer for it to return to its original state.

How much blood will flow after childbirth directly depends on the following factors:

features of the course of pregnancy and labor;
way of delivery - or;
natural contractile activity of the uterus;
, for example, inflammatory phenomena in the pelvic organs;
features of a woman’s physiological status, health status;
features of lactation - regular application of the baby to the breast, on demand, reduces the number of lochia and enhances the contractile activity of the uterus, as a result of which the organ begins to cleanse itself more effectively.

To reduce the duration of postpartum bleeding and avoid possible complications, it is recommended to follow the following rules:

regularly empty the bladder and intestines so that overfilled organs do not create excess pressure on the uterus and do not interfere with its contractility;
carefully observe hygiene rules to prevent infection of the birth canal;
exclude physical activity and intimate relationships for 6 weeks after the birth of the child;
sleep on your stomach, as in this position the uterus cleanses more intensively;
establish breastfeeding as much as possible.

Despite the fact that bleeding after childbirth is a natural process, this condition requires attention from the woman and the doctor.

Normal bleeding

How long after childbirth bleeding normally occurs was stated above - about 6 weeks. Postpartum hemorrhage is divided into several stages, which differ from each other by specific features: coloring and intensity of discharge.

On the first day after birth, the amount of discharge will be greater than during normal menstruation. The blood will flow bright scarlet. On the first day, blood is removed from the vessels that attached the placental membranes to the wall of the uterus, so there will be a lot of it. Such bleeding is considered normal from the first to the fourth day after delivery.

Over the next 10-14 days, the amount of discharge decreases significantly. The scarlet tint of the discharge, which is accepted immediately after childbirth, at this time changes to faint pink, brownish or yellow. The uterus continues to contract, and after 2 weeks bleeding is minimized to a small amount of discharge per day.

Less commonly, bleeding continues longer, and until the 6th week of the postpartum period, a woman is bothered by uterine discharge with scarlet blood. If they are not abundant and inconsistent, there is nothing wrong with that. Most often, their appearance is preceded by physical exertion, nervous shock and other unfavorable factors.

Pathological bleeding

We described above how long postpartum bleeding will last normally and what it depends on. But pathological conditions do occur.

The need for medical attention arises if postpartum discharge is accompanied by the following symptoms:

they last more than 6 weeks;
slight bloody discharge suddenly changes to bright scarlet blood;
the woman’s well-being and general condition worsens;
discharge is accompanied by significant pain in the lower abdomen;
clinical manifestations of intoxication develop - body temperature rises, dizziness, general weakness, nausea, etc. appear;
bloody discharge instead of physiological shades acquires yellow-green and dark brown colors, complemented by a repulsive odor.

Regardless of how much blood flows after childbirth, if the discharge becomes more intense and acquires a scarlet color and a liquid structure, you should urgently contact the ambulance service. Painful sensations, an increase in body temperature, changes in the nature and color of uterine discharge always become evidence of developed postpartum complications, for example, endometriosis, inflammatory process in the pelvis and other pathological conditions. In such cases, the correct course of action will be timely, thorough diagnosis and treatment.

How many days after delivery a young mother will have discharge is a controversial question. Postpartum bleeding normally lasts no more than 6 weeks, but this can be influenced by many factors, including the physiological characteristics of the woman.

During the postpartum period, the mother should monitor the nature of the bleeding, any changes and accompanying symptoms of this condition. If everything is normal, and the body recovers without complications after the birth of the child, then after 6 weeks any uterine discharge should stop.