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After childbirth, a woman’s body begins to adapt to new conditions under which it tries to return to its original state. During this period, there is a decrease in the size of the uterus, contraction of the vaginal muscles, production of colostrum and then breast milk, stabilization of hormonal levels. Also in the early postpartum period, a woman develops lochia.

Postpartum lochia- uterine discharge from the vagina, consisting of blood cells, plasma, dead cells and mucus. They help in cleansing the uterine cavity of various substances that formed in it during the period of bearing a child.

Causes of lochia

During pregnancy, the placenta functions in the female body, which is tightly attached to the uterine endometrium. It promotes breathing, nutrition and protection of the unborn child. After the birth of the baby, the placenta loses its significance and is released from the uterine cavity in the form of an afterbirth. Due to this, a bleeding wound is formed on the inner surface of the uterine cavity.

Lochia after childbirth is the result of the healing process of the endometrium of the uterus. They contain dead epithelial cells, red blood cells, leukocytes, platelets and blood plasma. In the process of leaving the uterine cavity, the secretions of the glands of the cervix and vagina join the lochia.

Over time, the exposed vessels of the uterine epithelium thrombose, bleeding from them stops, therefore the number of formed elements in the lochia decreases (red blood cells, leukocytes, platelets). Thus, these secretions have two main functions - regeneration of the endometrium and cleansing of the remains of the placenta and amniotic bladder.

Duration of lochia

The duration of lochia depends on a number of factors:

• fetal weight (a large baby leads to severe stretching of the uterus, so it takes longer to recover);
• volume of amniotic fluid (a large amount of it contributes to greater damage to the endometrium);
• number of births (with repeated births, uterine restoration occurs faster);
• the appearance of infection (during the inflammatory process, the duration of lochia increases);
• physiological characteristics of the woman (some women in labor have good blood clotting, so lochia lasts for a much shorter period of time);
• type of delivery (during a natural birth, the discharge does not last as long as with a caesarean section);
• lactation (breastfeeding promotes rapid regeneration of the uterine epithelium).

The duration of lochia secretion is an individual indicator; on average, they last for one month. However, normally after natural childbirth and in the absence of complications, these discharges should not be observed for more than 45 days.

The average duration of lochia after cesarean section is one and a half months. Their maximum duration in healthy women should not exceed 60 days.

Attention! If lochia is observed longer than a month and a half after a natural birth or more than 60 days with a cesarean section, the woman should consult a gynecologist.

Lochia lasting more than 1.5 months (for caesarean section more than 2 months) causes a lack of hemoglobin - anemia. Because of it, a woman may experience symptoms such as weakness, dizziness, loss of appetite, taste disturbances, and decreased milk secretion. Anemia in a nursing mother leads to a lack of hemoglobin in the child.

Prolonged lochia may be a consequence of insufficient contractile activity of the uterus or problems in the blood coagulation system. Both pathological conditions require correction with drug therapy.

However, if the lochia ends in 2 weeks or faster, there is a possibility of incomplete cleansing of the uterine cavity. This syndrome can lead to purulent inflammation due to the proliferation of pathogenic flora. Therefore, if the discharge quickly ends in the postpartum period, a woman needs to consult a specialist.

What do the doctor's say:

Characteristics of normal lochia

At different time periods of the postpartum period, uterine discharge changes its color and composition three times:

Red lochia.

They are observed for 3-5 days after birth. The volume of red, abundant uterine discharge in the first 5 hours from the birth of the baby should not exceed 400 milliliters. During this time period, the woman is under the supervision of a doctor. 5-8 hours after the baby is born, the late postpartum period begins. During it, lochia flows abundantly, has a bright red tint, has a specific “rotten” smell, and contains a large number of red blood cells and blood plasma. These uterine discharges are observed for another 3-4 days; they cause the woman in labor some discomfort due to their abundance.

Serous lochia.

They are usually released from 5 to 12 days from the moment of birth. Serous lochia changes its color from scarlet to brown or brown. The volume of discharge is noticeably reduced, and it ceases to cause severe inconvenience. Lochia is composed of predominantly immune cells - leukocytes. Serous uterine discharge does not have a strong odor.

White lochia.

Discharge after 10-14 days from the moment the child is born noticeably decreases in quantity, the woman almost does not notice it. Lochia in this period becomes more transparent, has a whitish or slightly yellow tint, and is not accompanied by an odor. Gradually, the uterine discharge begins to “smear” and then disappears completely.

Differences between lochia and menstruation after childbirth

Some women mistake lochia for menstrual bleeding because they look similar. At the beginning, both types of vaginal discharge have the same scarlet appearance, but over time their character becomes different.

Menstruation lasts about 7 days, while lochia can last up to two months. Menstrual bleeding always has a red or brown tint and may be accompanied by the appearance of clots. Initially, the lochia have a scarlet tint, but over time they become brown, pinkish, then whitish.

During lochia, the uterus decreases in size due to its contractile function; upon examination, the doctor sees a narrowing of its cervix. During menstrual bleeding, the organ swells and swells, and the cervical canal dilates.

Also, these discharges differ in the time of appearance. Lochia begins immediately after childbirth, menstrual bleeding occurs at the moment when the hubbub of “breastfeeding” - prolactin - drops in the blood.

The secretion of prolactin is a natural contraception during the postpartum period. The hormone promotes milk synthesis and blocks ovulation. As soon as a mother stops breastfeeding, the amount of prolactin in the blood decreases. This leads to the resumption of the cycle and the appearance of menstrual bleeding. If for some reason a woman does not start breastfeeding, menstruation begins immediately after the cessation of lochia.

Pathological lochia

When releasing lochia, some women experience deviations from the norm. This phenomenon contributes to the development of certain diseases and syndromes. If unusual uterine discharge occurs, the mother is advised to consult a gynecologist.

Lochiometra is a pathology in which uterine discharge in the postpartum period stops within 1-2 weeks. This disease occurs due to a violation of the contractile activity of the uterus or the appearance of an obstacle to the outflow of lochia. Its main symptom, in addition to the absence of discharge, is pain in the lower abdomen. The danger of a lochiometer is that the pathology does not clean the uterine cavity, as a result of which inflammation can begin in it.

Bleeding occurs due to the presence of pathologies of the blood coagulation system, disruption of the contractile activity of the uterus, and the appearance of neoplasms. Against the background of this syndrome, a lack of hemoglobin develops, internal organs suffer, especially the brain.

Endometritis is an inflammatory disease of the internal uterine epithelium. With this pathology, lochia becomes purulent in nature, and their number can increase sharply. Endometritis is accompanied by general symptoms of intoxication: increased body temperature, weakness, sweating. Also, with the disease, pain in the lower abdomen and discomfort in the external genital area may be observed.

It is a common disease in the postpartum period due to decreased immunity. With candidiasis, lochia becomes abundant and looks like cottage cheese. Quite often, a fungal disease is accompanied by itching in the external genital area and pain during urination.

Parametritis is an infectious inflammation of the periuterine tissue, caused by pathogenic microorganisms. This disease is acute, the woman notes the appearance of fever, weakness, abdominal pain, increased sweating, and dizziness. Lochia with parametritis increases in volume, blood clots and pus may be observed in them.

If the nature of lochia changes, if it stops quickly or, on the contrary, if it lasts for a long time, you should consult a doctor.

Duration of discharge Composition of lochia Color of postpartum menstruation Number of discharge Odor of lochia Break in discharge Lochia after cesarean section

After the baby is born, the placenta separates from the uterus, which provokes the rupture of numerous vessels that connect them to each other. This causes bleeding, along with which the remnants of the placenta, already dead particles of the endometrium and some other traces of the intrauterine life of the fetus come out.

Such discharge after childbirth is medically called lochia. None of the newly made mothers will be able to avoid them. However, there are a number of questions that they raise. The more a woman is aware of their duration and nature, the less risk of avoiding complications that often arise against the background of such postpartum “menstruation”.

During this period, special attention should be paid to personal hygiene. To avoid possible infections and unpleasant odors, because a girl always wants to remain attractive, you should be very careful and attentive to the cleaning cosmetics that you use.

You should always be more careful when choosing hygiene products and do not neglect to read the ingredients. After childbirth, your body goes through a period of adaptation and recovery, and therefore many chemicals can only aggravate the condition and prolong the recovery period. Avoid cosmetics that contain silicones and parabens, as well as sodium laureth sulfate. Such components clog the body, penetrating into the blood through the pores. It is especially dangerous to use such products during breastfeeding.

To be calm about your own health and the health of your child, and also to always remain beautiful and attractive, use washing cosmetics only from natural ingredients, without dyes and harmful additives. Mulsan Cosmetic remains the leader in natural cleansing cosmetics. The abundance of natural ingredients, development based on plant extracts and vitamins, without the addition of dyes and sodium sulfate - makes this cosmetic brand most suitable for the period of breastfeeding and postpartum adaptation. You can find out more on the website mulsan.ru

Duration of discharge

Each female body is very individual, and the time frame for its recovery after the birth of a child is also different for everyone. Therefore, there cannot be a clear answer to the question of how long discharge lasts after childbirth. However, there are limits that are considered the norm, and everything that goes beyond them is a deviation. These are exactly what every young mother should focus on.

Norm

The norm for postpartum discharge established in gynecology is from 6 to 8 weeks.

Permissible deviations

Range from 5 to 9 weeks. But such a duration of discharge after childbirth should not reassure: despite the fact that doctors consider this a minor deviation from the norm, it is necessary to pay attention to their nature (quantity, color, thickness, smell, composition). These descriptions will tell you exactly whether everything is okay with the body or whether it is better to seek medical help.

Dangerous deviations

Lochia that lasts less than 5 weeks or longer than 9 should be alerted. It is imperative to detect when the postpartum discharge ends. It's equally bad when it happens too early or too late. The indicated periods indicate serious disorders in the body of a young woman that require immediate laboratory testing and treatment. The sooner you consult a doctor, the less dangerous the consequences of such prolonged or, conversely, short-term discharge will be.

You need to know this! Many young mothers are happy when their postpartum discharge ends within a month. It seems to them that they “got off with little blood” and can return to the usual rhythm of life. According to statistics, in 98% of such cases, after some time, everything ends in hospitalization, because the body was not able to cleanse itself completely, and the remnants of postpartum activity caused an inflammatory process.

Deviations from the norm can be acceptable and dangerous. But in any case, they can have serious consequences for the health of the young mother in the future. Therefore, every woman should monitor how long the discharge lasts after childbirth, comparing its duration with the norm established in gynecology. If in doubt, it is better to consult a doctor in a timely manner for advice. Much depends not only on how many days they last, but also on other, qualitative characteristics.

Composition of lochia

To understand whether everything is in order with the restoration of the body after childbirth, a woman should pay attention not only to the duration of lochia. Sometimes it fits within the norm, but their composition leaves much to be desired and may indicate serious problems.

Fine:

the first 2-3 days after birth there is bleeding due to burst blood vessels; then the uterus will begin to heal, and there will be no more open bleeding; usually in the first week you can observe discharge with clots - this is how dead endometrium and the remains of the placenta come out; after a week there will be no more clots, the lochia will become more liquid; there is no need to be alarmed if you observe mucous discharge after childbirth - these are the products of intrauterine vital activity of the fetus; mucus should also disappear within a week; 5-6 weeks after the birth of the baby, lochia becomes similar to ordinary smears that occur during menstruation, but with coagulated blood.

So bleeding after childbirth, which frightens many young mothers, is normal and should not be a cause for alarm. It is much worse if pus begins to mix with them, which is a serious deviation. It is worth consulting a doctor if the composition of lochia differs in the following characteristics:

purulent discharge after childbirth indicates the onset of inflammation (endometrium), requiring immediate treatment, its cause is infectious complications, which are most often accompanied by fever, pain in the lower abdomen, and lochia is distinguished by an unpleasant odor and greenish-yellow color; if mucus and clots continue to flow longer than a week after childbirth; watery, transparent lochia is also not considered normal, because it can be a symptom of several diseases at once: it is fluid from the blood and lymphatic vessels that seeps through the vaginal mucosa (it is called transudate), or it is gardnerellosis - vaginal dysbiosis, which is characterized by an abundance of discharge with an unpleasant fishy odor.

If a woman knows which discharge after childbirth is considered normal depending on its composition, and which indicates abnormalities, she will be able to promptly seek advice and medical help from a gynecologist. After testing (usually a smear, blood and urine), a diagnosis is made and appropriate treatment is prescribed. The color of lochia will also help you understand that not everything is in order with the body.

Color of postpartum menstruation

In addition to the composition of the lochia, you definitely need to pay attention to what color they are. Their shade can tell a lot:

the first 2-3 days, normal discharge after childbirth is usually bright red (the blood has not yet coagulated); after this, brown discharge occurs for 1-2 weeks, which indicates that postpartum restoration of the uterus occurs without deviations; In the last weeks, the lochia should be transparent, slight cloudiness with a slight yellowish tint is allowed.

All other colors of lochia are deviations from the norm and may indicate various complications and diseases.

Yellow lochia

Depending on the shade, yellow discharge may indicate the following processes occurring in the body:

pale yellow, not very abundant lochia may begin by the end of the second week after birth - this is normal and should not cause concern for a young mother; if bright yellow discharge mixed with greenery and a putrid odor began already on the 4th or 5th day after the baby was born, this may indicate the onset of inflammation of the uterine mucosa, which is called endometritis; if after 2 weeks there is a yellow discharge, a fairly bright shade and with mucus, this is also most likely a symptom of endometritis, but it is not so obvious, but hidden.

It is useless to treat endometritis on your own, at home: it requires serious treatment with antibiotics, and in severe cases, surgical removal of the damaged inflamed uterine epithelium is performed to cleanse the mucous membrane in order to give the upper layer of the lining the opportunity to recover faster.

Green slime

Endometritis can also be indicated by green discharge, which is much worse than yellow, because it means an already advanced inflammatory process - endometritis. As soon as the first droplets of pus appear, even if only slightly greenish, you should immediately consult a doctor.

White discharge

You should start to worry if after childbirth white lochia appears, accompanied by symptoms such as:

unpleasant odor with sourness; curdled consistency; itching in the perineum; redness of the external genitalia.

All this indicates genital and genitourinary infections, yeast colpitis or vaginal candidiasis (thrush). If you have such suspicious symptoms, you should definitely contact your gynecologist to take a vaginal smear or bacterial culture. Once the diagnosis is confirmed, appropriate treatment will be prescribed.

Black bleeding

If during the postpartum or lactation period there is black discharge, but without any additional symptoms in the form of an unpleasant, pungent odor or pain, they are considered normal and are dictated by changes in the composition of the blood due to changes in the woman’s hormonal background or hormonal imbalance.

Helpful information. According to statistics, women turn to gynecologists after childbirth mainly with complaints about black discharge, which frightens them the most. Although in fact the most serious danger is the green color of lochia.

Red color

Lochia should normally be red only at the initial stage, in the first few days after the baby is born. During this period, the uterus is an open wound, the blood does not have time to clot, and the discharge takes on a blood-red, rather bright hue. However, after a week it will change to a brownish-brown color, which will also indicate that healing is occurring without deviations. Usually, a month after birth, the discharge becomes cloudy gray-yellow, closer to transparent.

Every young woman who has become a mother should clearly and clearly understand what color the discharge should be normally after childbirth, and what shade of lochia will give her a signal that she needs to see a doctor. This knowledge will help you avoid many dangerous complications. Another characteristic of postpartum menstruation may be alarming during this period - its abundance or scarcity.

Number of allocations

The quantitative nature of the discharge after childbirth can also be different and indicate either normal restoration of the uterus, or some deviations from the norm. From this point of view, there are no problems if:

in the first week there is heavy discharge after childbirth: the body is thus cleansed of everything unnecessary: ​​blood vessels that have done their job, and obsolete endometrial cells, and remnants of the placenta, and products of intrauterine vital activity of the fetus; over time, they become less and less: scanty discharge, starting from 2-3 weeks after birth, is also considered the norm.

A woman should be wary if there is too little discharge immediately after childbirth: in this case, the ducts and pipes could become clogged, or some kind of blood clot could form, which prevents the body from getting rid of postpartum waste. In this case, you must consult a doctor and undergo an appropriate examination.

It’s even worse if the abundant lochia does not end for too long and continues for 2-3 weeks, or even more. This suggests that the healing process is being delayed and the uterus cannot recover to its full potential for some reason. They can only be identified through a medical examination and then eliminated through treatment.

The smell is bad

Women know that any discharge from the body has a specific odor, which can only be eliminated by observing hygiene rules. In the postpartum period, this characteristic of lochia can serve a good purpose and promptly report problems in the body. Pay attention to how the discharge smells after childbirth.

In the first days they should smell of fresh blood and dampness; after this time, a hint of mustiness and rottenness may be observed - in this case this is considered the norm. If there is postpartum discharge with an unpleasant odor (it can be putrid, sour, pungent), this should alert you. Together with other deviations from the norm (color, abundance), this symptom may indicate inflammation or infection of the uterus.

If you think that postpartum discharge smells very bad, you should not hope that it is temporary, will go away soon, or is the norm. To avoid complications, the best decision in this case would be to consult a doctor, at least for a consultation.

Break in discharge

It often happens that the discharge after childbirth ends and starts again a week or even a month later. In most cases, this causes panic among young mothers. However, such a break does not always indicate deviations from the norm. What could it be?

If scarlet, fresh bloody discharge begins 2 months after childbirth, this may be either the restoration of the menstrual cycle (in some women the body is capable of such a rapid recovery, especially in the absence of lactation), or rupture of the sutures after heavy physical or emotional stress, or some other then other problems that only a doctor can identify and eliminate. If lochia has already stopped, and then suddenly returned after 2 months (for some, this is possible even after 3 months), you need to look at the qualitative characteristics of the discharge to understand what is happening to the body. Most often, this is how remnants of the endometrium or placenta come out, which something prevented from coming out immediately after childbirth. If the lochia is dark, with mucus and clots, but without the characteristic putrid, pungent odor and in the absence of pus, most likely everything will end without any complications. However, if these symptoms are present, we may be talking about an inflammatory process, which can be treated either with antibiotics or through curettage.

Since a break in postpartum discharge may indicate the presence of an inflammatory process in the uterine area, you should not delay visiting a doctor. After the examination, he will determine for sure whether this is a new menstrual cycle or a deviation from the norm requiring medical intervention. Separately, it is worth paying attention to lochia after artificial birth.

Lochia after caesarean section

Those who have had a cesarean section should understand that the nature of the discharge after an artificial birth will be somewhat different. Although this will only concern their duration and composition. Here are their features:

the body recovers after a cesarean section in the same way as after a natural birth: blood and dead endometrium come out with the discharge; in this case, there is a greater risk of contracting an infection or inflammatory process, so you need to regularly carry out hygiene procedures with special attention; in the first week after artificial birth, bloody discharge occurs profusely, containing mucous clots; Normally, the color of lochia in the first days should be scarlet, bright red, and then change to brown; the duration of discharge after artificial childbirth is usually prolonged, since the uterus in this case does not contract so quickly and the healing process takes a long time; It should be taken into account that bleeding after a caesarean section should not flow for more than 2 weeks.

Every young mother should understand how important the full restoration of the uterus after childbirth plays in her health. You can understand how it goes through the lochia. It is necessary to monitor their duration, the timing when the discharge stops and starts again, and their qualitative characteristics. There can be no accidents here: color, smell, quantity - each symptom can become a timely signal to consult a doctor, identify the problem and undergo appropriate treatment.

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

Composition of lochia

How long do lochia last after childbirth, what is their composition, why do they have this color? Lochia consists of blood that oozes from the area on the uterine wall to which the placenta was attached during pregnancy, areas of the endometrium that have changed and thickened during pregnancy, blood, mucus from the cervix and dead tissue.

Blood enters the lochia mainly from a large area of ​​​​the changed area that remains after the separation of the placenta. Bleeding from this area is controlled by contractions of the uterine muscles. The healing and restoration process of the endometrium takes about 2 weeks.

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

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

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

Lochia species

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

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

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

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

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

The number of lochia may vary. For some women, painful contractions of the uterus can lead to heavy bleeding with clots, which reduces the healing process.

Breastfeeding stimulates uterine contractions, which leads to an increase in the amount of lochia released. It is the irritation of the nipples and areola that promotes the release of internal oxytocin, which is necessary for contraction of the myometrium and involution of the uterus (restoration of its prenatal size).

Sometimes a sudden change in a woman's position, such as suddenly standing up or bending over, can lead to large amounts of blood being released from the genital tract - this is simply drainage of the collected blood into the vagina and should not be a cause for concern.

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

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

It is also best to avoid swimming in public pools until the release of lochia has completely stopped.

Pathological lochia

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

Lochia continues to be bright red even after a week;

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

There is an unpleasant odor;

All this is accompanied by fever with chills;

Pain in the lower abdomen increases significantly over time.

There is abnormally heavy bleeding that causes the pad to become wet in 1 hour or less, or there are a large number of clots. This is a sign of secondary postpartum hemorrhage and requires immediate attention.

Lochia after surgical delivery

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

In the postpartum period, you should adhere to the following rules:

1. Rest as much as possible.

2. Avoid excessive walking or standing for long periods of time as this increases blood flow.

3. Do not use vaginal tampons after childbirth, because they can facilitate the proliferation and penetration of bacteria and infection onto the wound surface of the uterine cavity.

4. Avoid sexual intercourse for 42 days.

How long do lochia last after childbirth?

The heaviest discharge occurs on the first day. Try not to panic if the bleeding seems to increase when you go home. Simply walking or running for a long time can increase blood flow. If the pad becomes completely wet within an hour, you should lie down and rest. If bleeding continues at the same rate for an hour or more, or if you observe larger clots, then it is extremely important to immediately consult a gynecologist, and if there is heavy bleeding, call an ambulance.

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

Other signs requiring medical attention:

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

There is an unpleasant putrid odor;

You have symptoms of fever or chills.

Late postpartum bleeding

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

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

Every woman preparing to become a mother needs to know how long lochia lasts after childbirth. Here are the characteristic signs of late postpartum hemorrhage:

One pad is not enough for 1 hour;

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

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

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

Bleeding may cause loss of consciousness, shortness of breath, dizziness, or rapid heartbeat.

Treatment and prevention

After delivery, the midwife carefully examines the placenta and all membranes to ensure that they are intact and that no parts are left inside you. After the placenta is separated and released, doctors prevent bleeding by administering oxytocin or methylergometrine intravenously. These drugs stimulate myometrial contraction to reduce bleeding. External massage of the uterus is also necessary for the same purpose. Breastfeeding (if planned) will also stimulate natural contractions. Therefore, early breastfeeding immediately after the baby is born is now widely used.

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

You should monitor the process, how much lochia is released after childbirth, and how long it lasts. Sometimes, with intense bleeding in rare cases, there is a need for transfusion of components or even whole blood.

Risks

How long does lochia last after childbirth, is its duration always the same when doctors expect large blood loss? The risk of developing postpartum hemorrhage is significantly higher in the following cases:

Multiple births;

Polyhydramnios (excessive amount of amniotic fluid);

Placenta previa;

Induced labor;

The birth of a large baby;

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

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

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

When does your period start?

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

Immediately after childbirth and separation of the placenta (“baby place”), the walls of the uterus represent a huge “wound” with gaping vessels, which is the main cause of discharge. As the uterus contracts, the inner layer of the organ (endometrium) is restored, its vessels thrombose, contract and no longer bleed.

Discharge after childbirth: what it should be like

Using vaginal discharge, you can track the entire healing process of the uterine cavity. The nature of lochia changes daily for 42 days after birth. After which they disappear and the woman’s normal menstrual cycle is soon restored (the time also depends on whether lactation is maintained and to what extent).

On the first day

At this time, a woman’s discharge is particularly abundant. This occurs due to the fact that the placental area (the place where the baby's place was attached and most of the vessels passed from mother to fetus) after separation of the placenta is a cluster of injured vessels of various sizes. And the blood through them immediately rushes into the uterine cavity and further into the vagina.

The first 120 minutes after the “miracle appears” are the most important. It is during this period that the frequency of complications associated with bleeding is maximum. At this time, not only the woman herself monitors the discharge, but also the midwife and the doctor. The amount of blood released should not be large, otherwise there may be a question about repeated intrauterine interventions (for example, curettage or manual examination).

Discharge in the first 24-36 hours after birth has the following characteristics:

plentiful (standard “maxi” is not enough); almost always with clots; also bothered by aching pain in the lower abdomen; worsens when feeding, standing up; the smell is normal (like menstruation).

The discharge remains intense in the first 24-36 hours after birth. They may contain blood clots of quite large sizes (up to five to ten cm). The latter usually appear after sleep or a long horizontal position. The number of lochia increases during breastfeeding, since when the nipples are irritated, a hormone is released in the woman’s body, which helps to contract the uterus and expel accumulated lochia from its cavity.

As soon as the uterus begins to contract, the walls of the vessels close, microthrombi form in them and the discharge gradually decreases. If this does not happen, bleeding can threaten the woman's life. The risk of dangerous bleeding is the same during the first and second births, but increases during the third and subsequent ones.

In the first week

Over the next five to seven days after childbirth, lochia resembles normal menstruation - it is bloody discharge. Blood clots should not be observed, except for small ones (a few millimeters). Color - from blood red to dark brown. At this time, for intimate hygiene, it is enough to use regular menstrual pads. The intensity of lochia may increase somewhat with feeding. Periodic nagging pain in the lower abdomen is acceptable, which indicates a decrease in the size of the uterus.

The rest of the time

After five to seven days, the lochia becomes even less abundant. By their nature, they resemble the last days of menstruation. Their characteristics are as follows:

this is brown spotting after childbirth; Sometimes minor bright red lochia may appear; stand out more during the day rather than at night; worsens during breastfeeding; gradually acquire a slimy character with an admixture of brown daub.

Many women are interested in how long does discharge last after childbirth normally? After 42-45 days, the woman should not have any lochia. During this period, the discharge may either disappear or appear in the form of a smear. If they are present, you should immediately contact a specialist to rule out diseases.

Is it different after a cesarean section?

If the birth was not natural, but artificial (late abortion) or a caesarean section was performed, the discharge may be scanty already in the first week. The fact is that during surgical childbirth, curettage of the inner walls of the uterus is very often carried out. During the manipulation, the endometrium is removed, which during normal childbirth is rejected on its own.

But if there are complications or if curettage of the uterine cavity is not performed, the number of lochia after a cesarean section does not differ from usual or even more. Sometimes in the first days, mucus may be present in such lochia, especially during planned surgery. This is a “mucus plug”, which during natural childbirth comes off the day before or during the birth of the baby.

Complicated course of the postpartum period

Deviations after childbirth can occur due to:

delays in the uterine cavity of lochia; the presence of intrauterine blood clots; attachment of inflammation.

The clinical picture is different for all conditions. If blood clots and lochia accumulate, a woman may notice a sudden decrease in discharge after childbirth. At the same time, aching pain in the lower abdomen begins to increase. As a rule, such situations are diagnosed in the maternity hospital before discharge or earlier if there are complaints.

Lochia with inflammation

Often in the postpartum period you can encounter endometritis and colpitis (inflammation of the uterine cavity and vagina, respectively). They will also produce pathological discharge, but of a different nature. Namely:

profuse purulent discharge occurs after childbirth in women; an unpleasant odor is detected; the color of lochia can be green, yellow, brown; worries about pain in the lower abdomen; Body temperature may rise.

An infectious process in the uterine cavity and vagina can be triggered by various factors. Most often the following occur:

the presence of infection at the end of pregnancy; multiple tissue ruptures during childbirth; failure to maintain sterility during manual separation of the placenta; use of tampons by women; exacerbation of chronic diseases (most often pyelonephritis); allergy to suture material; sex before the end of lochia (up to 42 days after birth).

When you urgently need to see a doctor

After childbirth, all women have an immunodeficiency, so any infection progresses faster. Alarming symptoms are:

purulent yellow discharge after childbirth; temperature rise above 38 °C; severe pain in the lower abdomen; bloody discharge, abundant and with clots; the duration of discharge after childbirth is more than 42-45 days; with the appearance of lethargy, dizziness and even loss of consciousness.

How to confirm pathology

To confirm pathological discharge of any nature, the following studies are performed:

examination on a gynecological chair; Ultrasound of the uterine cavity; culture of vaginal contents; vaginal smear; according to indications - hysteroscopy.

Treatment

Treatment for pathological discharge largely depends on its nature.

Hemostatic therapy. Used for bleeding, accumulation of blood clots in the uterine cavity. Most often these are intramuscular or intravenous injections of drugs (“Sodium etamsylate”, “Vikasol”, “Tranexamic acid”). Stimulation of uterine contractions. Used to stop bleeding - Oxytocin and Methylergometrine are administered intravenously or intramuscularly. Additional manipulations. If there is a suspicion of remnants of membranes in the uterine cavity, parts of the placenta, as well as the accumulation of blood clots, curettage (often called “cleaning”) is performed. It is usually carried out up to 10 days after birth. Reviews from women confirm that curettage is painless and with minimal discomfort. If endometritis occurs, lavage may be performed. To do this, an antiseptic solution is supplied into the uterine cavity through a special catheter, which “washes out” pathological accumulations of pus and endometrial tissue. Antibacterial therapy. Antibiotics are prescribed if inflammation is suspected, as well as when performing any additional manipulations. Immunomodulatory agents. Sometimes, especially in women with anemia in the postpartum period, restorative and vitamin preparations may be prescribed.

The norm and deviations of discharge after childbirth make it possible to judge the speed of a woman’s recovery and the presence of complications in the postpartum period. It is important to identify the pathology in time and carry out proper treatment to avoid more serious complications. It is also necessary to know when normal discharge stops after childbirth, since prolonged (more than 42 days) bleeding is an alarming signal that requires medical intervention.

Pregnancy and childbirth require a number of serious changes from the body and expenditure of internal resources. Therefore, it is not surprising that returning to normal takes some time. The primary task is to return the uterus to its original state. It is with the recovery mechanisms that discharge after childbirth is associated

What is the nature of discharge after childbirth

Almost immediately after childbirth, processes begin in the mother’s body aimed at getting rid of the already unnecessary attributes of pregnancy. First of all, the placenta is rejected, accompanied by rupture of the vessels connecting it to the uterus. Further, during involution, the uterus will have to shrink to its previous size, expelling excess fluids.

In order to avoid the possible development of inflammatory and other unfavorable processes in the postnatal period, as well as to notice their first manifestations in time, it is important to understand what normal discharge after childbirth is like. In the first 2-3 days, there is a particularly abundant release of scarlet blood from the genital tract. This occurs regardless of the manner in which the woman gave birth. Simple pads usually cannot cope with such volumes - you have to use special diapers or postpartum pads. However, they should be changed as often as possible, since during this period there is a very high risk of the development of inflammatory processes and the penetration of pathogenic organisms - this is facilitated by damaged tissue, open blood vessels and the weakened state of the mother’s body. In subsequent days and weeks, the nature of the discharge changes.

What should the discharge be like after childbirth?

The dynamics of postpartum discharge are difficult to put into any specific framework of norms or display on a graph. But conditionally they can be tracked by average stages:

• 2-3 days after birth - very copious light red discharge. During this period, the woman is under the supervision of specialists from the maternity hospital;
• On the 4-6th day, by the time of discharge, bloody discharge after childbirth becomes noticeably less abundant and acquires a brownish tint, often containing clots and mucus. They can intensify with heavy lifting, physical activity, contractions of the abdominal muscles (during laughter, coughing, sneezing);
• After 1.5-2 weeks, yellow discharge appears after childbirth - at first brown-yellow, which becomes lighter over time, approaching white. Normally, they can continue for another month.

Not only the color and abundance changes, but also the consistency of liquids - for example, mucous discharge after childbirth replaces watery discharge within a week. They can remain like this until the final completion of uterine involution.

Causes for concern are more drastic changes, such as discharge with a smell after childbirth, with a specific color (bright yellow, greenish), curdled (as with thrush), accompanied by pain in the lower abdomen, as well as itching, chills, fever, deterioration of health. Such symptoms, individually or in combination, indicate complications - most likely, inflammation of the walls of the uterus. In this case, you need to seek help from a gynecologist.

Duration of discharge after childbirth

Of course, every woman wants to quickly get rid of pads and constant discomfort. And the lack of sexual activity in recent months needs to be made up, and if there is even slight discharge, such activity is extremely undesirable and not very pleasant. But everything has its time, especially such important processes as the recovery of a woman in labor, and this period also requires attention. It is very important to monitor how much discharge occurs after childbirth - significant deviations from the norm may indicate a problem. The timing of uterine involution is very individual and depends on a number of characteristics of the female body and the course of labor. On average, everything “heals” in about a month, but residual manifestations can be observed even 5-6 weeks after the birth of the baby.

If by this time the discharge has not stopped, you should contact a specialist, because such a protracted recovery process has reasons that should be clarified. And prolonged blood loss in itself does not bode well. A sudden increase in bleeding intensity is an extremely dangerous symptom - in this case, you should immediately call a doctor. On the other hand, too rapid and sudden cessation of discharge after childbirth also requires a visit to a specialist. Most likely, the body simply rehabilitated itself very quickly, but there is a small possibility that the blood simply accumulates in the uterus, unable to get out for some reason.

Prevention of postpartum complications

Great responsibility lies with the doctors who deliver the baby - after placenta rejection, it is important to make sure that this process is completed successfully. Within two hours after giving birth, the woman should be given the opportunity to rest and recover. But once you move to the postpartum ward, it is important not to neglect hygiene. It is very advisable to use a shower on the same day, despite weakness, which a nurse or orderly can help with. Lying on your stomach creates optimal pressure that “pushes” the uterus—it is recommended to adopt this technique as early as possible. 4.5 out of 5 (135 votes)

During the first few weeks after giving birth, a woman continues to experience lochia - bloody discharge. Lochia after childbirth consists of pieces of mucus, plasma, ichor and dying epithelium. The color and amount of discharge changes - this process depends on the degree of restoration of the uterine mucosa and should correspond to the days of the postpartum period. Now the woman’s body is weakened, the birth canal is open and through it various types of infections can enter the body, which will certainly affect the amount and color of the discharge.

Blood discharge after childbirth requires constant monitoring on the part of the woman, and in case of any suspicious deviations from the norm, you should immediately run to the gynecologist.

How long does discharge last after childbirth? In the first few hours after delivery, the discharge is clearly bloody. The main goal during this period is to prevent bleeding from starting. To prevent it, a woman is often given a heating pad with ice on her stomach (this is necessary to speed up uterine contractions), urine is removed using a catheter, and drugs that promote uterine contractions are administered intravenously. The amount of discharge should not be more than half a liter of blood. Bleeding may increase if muscle contraction is poor or the birth canal is severely ruptured.

If the amount of discharge from the birth canal does not normally cause concern, the woman is transferred to the postpartum ward. Next few days the number of lochia will become slightly smaller, and the color will acquire a darker brownish tint.
The duration of discharge after childbirth is about one and a half months: The uterine mucosa will actively regenerate and the surface of the uterus will heal. They become insignificant, with a rare admixture of blood. By the end of the fourth week the discharge becomes white or yellow-white. The use of tampons is not recommended during the entire postpartum period. Pads with a high degree of absorbency will be the best option in this situation. Now the likelihood of bleeding is low, but still present.

Prevention of bleeding

1. During the first few days after giving birth, stay on your feet as little as possible.
2. Breastfeeding the baby. When breastfeeding, oxytocin is released, which helps contract the muscle mass of the uterus. When a newborn breastfeeds, blood clots that are slightly larger than normal may be released.
3. Timely emptying of the bladder. A full bladder prevents the uterus from contracting and, accordingly, can provoke the onset of bleeding.
4. Periodically place a container of ice or ice water on your lower abdomen. When pressure is applied to the walls of the abdominal cavity, the vessels are pressed down, and the uterus begins to actively contract.

Symptoms and signs that indicate complications and are a reason to contact a gynecologist:

With careful personal hygiene of the body, sufficient rest and following all instructions, the risk of bleeding will be minimized.

After the birth of a child, women are faced with various physiological problems that worry them and bring discomfort. However, they must know all the nuances to distinguish the natural state from pathology.

Question of the day: how long does the discharge last after childbirth, and what does it look like during normal postpartum recovery? Every new mom goes through this, which is why it's so important to know what to expect.

Girls will have lochia no matter how the child was born - naturally or with surgery. The reason for their occurrence lies in the restoration of the uterus and its cleansing of membranes. After the baby is born, a wound from the placenta remains on the surface of the organ. Until it heals and the mucous membrane returns to normal, you can observe wound contents coming out of the vagina. Visually, it may resemble menstruation, but it contains remnants of membranes, ichor, and mucus. After some time, their abundance and color will change.

If the process of cleansing and reduction takes place without complications, then the duration of lochia is 5-8 weeks.

Moreover, the abundant ones end within up to 3 weeks, after which they are not so strong. Of course, this happens individually, taking into account factors such as:

• lactation;
• age and physical activity;
• blood clotting;
• child's weight;
• complications during pregnancy.

It is important to be able to diagnose what is normal and what is a sign of pathology, so always pay attention to these characteristics:

1. Composition (1-4 days - blood, clots; 2 weeks - clots and mucus; a month later - smears (possibly blood).
2. Color (1-4 - bright scarlet, 2-3 weeks - brownish, after a month - white or transparent).
3. Smell (in the first week - bloody, musty, beware of the rotten and pungent smell!).

Average duration

How many days does discharge last after childbirth? On average, about 42. At the same time, it is the period when they change their color and volume that is important, because you need to make sure that the body is cleansed correctly and on time.

How long it takes for lochia rubra to last is another important question. Immediately after the baby is born, the placenta separates very actively, and there is a lot of bloody secretion from the vagina.

This is not very convenient, but it is important so that the gynecologist can determine whether everything is fine. At this time, about 400-500 ml of liquid pours out of the girl.

Up to 3-4 days they appear scarlet in color, clots can be seen in them, but this is not a sign of pathology. During this period, a woman has to change a special pad every hour on average. In addition, the girl may smell a sweetish or musty odor - there is no need to be afraid, but if the odor is putrid, consult a doctor immediately.

How long does serous lochia last? They should last from 4 to 10 days. Their volume decreases, their color changes - now they are brown-pink or brown. The number of leukocytes increases, so there should be no more blood clots during this period. You can already use regular gaskets

After 10 days, white, spotting lochia appears. They are odorless and do not cause discomfort, and last about 20 days. This is the final stage of wound healing. After finishing.

Risk of uterine bleeding

In the first hours after the birth of the baby, there is a high risk of uterine bleeding if the uterus contracts poorly after relaxing during pregnancy. To prevent this, put ice on their stomach. During contractions of this organ, blood vessels are compressed, this prevents excessive blood loss and its consequences: anemia, dizziness, weakness.

It is important on the first day not to be ashamed of your secretions, show them to the doctor and keep him informed about your condition all the time. This will also affect how long you will have to spend in the hospital after giving birth.

Pathological conditions

We have already discussed the situation with natural healing, but there are various deviations, if you notice them in time you can maintain your health. Some of them indicate pathologies that require medical intervention.

Secretion occurs after 5 weeks or a little longer. If they last less or suddenly stop, visit your gynecologist. The reason for this may be insufficient contractility of the uterus, then the blood and placenta do not come out and form stagnation. It must be eliminated immediately. To avoid stagnation, girls are advised to get out of bed and walk more often.

If lochia comes out after childbirth for more than 2 months, you should be examined by a doctor immediately.

After all, after such a time, you must leave them in the past. The cause of blood can be menstruation if there are no clots, pus, or unpleasant odor in it. Rupture of seams can also affect its appearance. In any case, pay attention to the color, smell and consistency of what comes out of the vagina, and report to doctors.

Yellow or greenish secretions with a pungent aroma will tell you about endometritis, a dangerous inflammation. If your temperature also rises and your stomach hurts, call an ambulance. No matter how long the lochia comes out after the birth of a child, it can either be stagnation or an infectious infection - neither of which bodes well. Treatment of this disease takes place only in a hospital, with the help of antibiotics and a disinfectant solution, and

Lochia after caesarean section

Many girls are interested in how long the discharge should be after surgery. In such cases, they take longer because contractility is hampered due to the suture and swelling of the tissue. However, even under such circumstances, it is considered normal if the end is after 9 weeks. They can be red for up to 10 days, but not longer, then, as with the natural appearance of a baby, they change shade to brown, then to white.

Menstruation occurs after artificial ones, as with normal childbirth, if the woman did not have complications in the form of inflammation, infections, or bleeding. After all, the body of a girl who has undergone surgery is more unstable and weakened.

How long mothers will discharge after childbirth, regardless of the method of birth, is influenced by breastfeeding.

Lactation stimulates uterine contractions and fluid comes out better. So take note.

How long lochia lasts after childbirth depends on the new mother herself and her compliance with certain rules. Below you will find some important tips that are highly recommended.

• To reduce the risk of complications after the birth of a child, a pregnant woman should be supervised by a doctor from the beginning. A woman should visit him regularly and take the medications prescribed by him. The gynecologist will assess her individual condition and tell her when the discharge should end after childbirth in her case.
• Before leaving the hospital, you need to do an ultrasound, which will help assess the current state of the uterus. Over the course of several weeks while it actively heals, you should rest more, avoid heavy lifting, and avoid putting pressure on your abs.
• Observe personal hygiene rules. While there is discharge, you need to wash yourself more often, after each trip to the toilet. and limit yourself to a warm shower.
• Do not use tampons. They delay the flow and thereby increase the risk of inflammation.
• Start walking 4-5 hours after the baby is born, so that there is no stagnation. If you have had a caesarean section, this should be done after 10 hours.
• Feed your baby your milk.
• Immediately inform doctors if the nature of the secretions changes, you feel a putrid odor, bleeding increases, and the temperature rises.
• It is not recommended to have sex in this state. Intimate relationships are possible even when the discharge stops after the birth of the baby.

Conclusion

Let's summarize and figure out how long discharge lasts after childbirth, how long bloody lochia lasts and what it is. This process is natural, just like the birth of the baby itself. After his birth, the uterus throws out unnecessary tissue, placenta, mucus, ichor, and blood comes out. All this is similar to normal periods, except that they are more abundant.

In the first hours their volume reaches 500 ml. Such secretions last up to 4 days, then their color changes and there are fewer of them. After 2-3 weeks, they turn white or transparent and should be finished in 42 days. Be careful and, if you see signs of the pathologies described above, immediately inform your doctor.