home Audience 1 When should discharge go away after childbirth? What you need to know about discharge after childbirth. Lochia after cesarean

When should discharge go away after childbirth? What you need to know about discharge after childbirth. Lochia after cesarean

Restoring a woman's body after childbirth takes time. This is especially true for the main reproductive organ – the uterus. Gradually it shrinks, takes on its previous size, and the endometrial layer that lines it from the inside is restored.

After delivery, a blood-colored fluid, lochia, is released for some time. They gradually darken and disappear in 6–8 weeks. What happens after this and what should female discharge normally look like a couple of months after delivery? It depends on the characteristics of the mother’s body.

Postpartum discharge: what should it be normal?

Before being discharged from the maternity hospital, the woman undergoes a control ultrasound to find out whether there are any blood clots or placenta particles left in the uterus (we recommend reading:). When they are detected, scraping is done. Otherwise, the mother is discharged home. After childbirth, spotting is observed for 4–7 weeks. These are lochia, which consist of mucous exudate, blood and fragments of the decidua that have lost its viability.

When delivering by cesarean section, the recovery of the uterus takes longer, bleeding can last more than 2 months (we recommend reading:). This is due to the fact that the uterus is injured and a suture is placed on it, which reduces its contractile activity. It is important to keep a diary and record the amount and nature of discharge daily. After 4–6 days, they should change color from scarlet to brown and shrink in volume. A natural help in this is breastfeeding, which stimulates the contractile activity of the uterus.

Types of normal discharge in the postpartum period:

Bloody. Lochia initially has a scarlet color and the smell of blood, which is due to the presence of a large number of red blood cells.
Serous. Appear by the end of the first week. They have a musty odor and contain many leukocytes.
Yellowish-white. Observed from 1.5 weeks after birth, they have a liquid consistency and do not smell. At the 6th week they practically disappear, become colorless and contain only mucus.

Dark brown and black discharge after childbirth without an unpleasant odor can be observed from the third week. They are not recognized as a pathology; they appear against the background of hormonal changes in the body and changes in the quality of mucus discharged from the cervical canal.

How long do lochia last?

The duration of lochia is affected by:

woman's blood clotting;
features of gestation and the course of delivery (natural, cesarean section);
size and weight of the fetus (after a multiple pregnancy, the reproductive organ takes longer to recover);
method of feeding (fuckers stop faster if a woman breastfeeds her baby).

The more actively the uterus contracts, the sooner the lochia will end (we recommend reading:). On average, they stop within 6 weeks; after a cesarean section, the period can drag on for another 3 weeks (more details in the article:). After three months, the uterus should be completely clean. Continuous, profuse discharge of scarlet color should alert you. The complete absence of lochia is also a sign of pathology (hematomas). In this case, the discharge accumulates in the uterus and has no outlet. It is important to seek immediate medical attention.

How does breastfeeding affect lochia?

Breastfeeding produces oxytocin, a hormone that has a positive effect on the contractile activity of the uterus. It promotes rapid contraction of the muscle organ and a return to its original size. The volume of lochia becomes smaller every day. To quickly reduce the amount of discharge, you need to put your baby to the breast as often as possible.

As soon as the uterus has recovered (usually three months after birth), menstruation may begin. However, it happens that the cycle is restored earlier. The first cycle is usually anovulatory, but it also happens that an egg ready for fertilization is released. For this reason, pregnancy cannot be ruled out during breastfeeding.

Normal or pathological?

Signs of complications in the postpartum period are:

Yellow discharge with an unpleasant odor. Evidence of suppuration and the onset of endometritis or stagnation of lochia in the uterus. Pathologies indirectly confirm pain in the lower abdomen and an increase in body temperature.
Increased discharge, sudden uterine bleeding two months after birth. Sometimes it can be mistaken for the first menstruation. In contrast, bleeding continues for more than 10 days, accompanied by the release of blood clots.
Curdled discharge may occur while taking antibiotics. They can provoke a deficiency of lactobacilli in the vagina, which is accompanied by thrush, an unpleasant burning sensation and itching.

Bloody discharge after 2–4 months

Bloody discharge after the end of lochia can be spotting, appear in the form of spots or be abundant. They can be provoked by a gynecological examination, sexual intercourse, increased physical activity, or heavy lifting.

Each case is individual, so you cannot do without consulting a gynecologist. It is possible that your first period has arrived since giving birth. In this case, it is also important to visit a doctor who will examine the woman and select a contraceptive method.

Brown discharge after 2–4 months

Brown discharge after childbirth is not uncommon (see also:). This color indicates the presence of coagulated blood in them. The appearance of such discharge 3 months after birth is evidence of the beginning of the restoration of the cycle. They may arrive at intervals of 21–34 days. After a couple of similar periods, the discharge will turn red.

When brown discharge continues for more than a month, it does not look like menstruation. Most likely, there is a hormonal imbalance that should be corrected. For this purpose, ultrasound and tests are indicated, based on which the doctor selects treatment. Often such discharge is observed with endometritis, cervical erosion, which also requires attention and correction.

Bright red discharge after a month or later

If bright red discharge was observed a month after childbirth and disappeared in four days, we can talk about the resumption of menstruation (more details in the article:). This happens to mothers who do not breastfeed. At the same time, one should not exclude pathological processes in the pelvic organs, especially if blood flows or smears for 2 weeks or more. Such an early onset of menstruation is a reason to consult a gynecologist. After examination, he will be able to accurately name the cause of the bright red discharge.

Scarlet color may indicate the following anomalies:

cervical wounds;
clotting problems;
rupture of the inner part of the uterine muscle.

Bloody discharge after 2–4 months

Bloody discharge after 2–4 months is one of the normal variants. Many women complain that such discharge either disappears or appears again. There is no pain, fever or other alarming symptoms. To reassure yourself, it is better to consult a doctor who will assess postpartum changes in the body and allow intimacy.

How to distinguish pathological discharge from the onset of menstruation?

Bloody discharge 2–3 weeks after birth may indicate a pathological process that requires treatment. If bleeding lasts more than 2 weeks, accompanied by the release of clots, you should urgently consult a doctor.

If there is severe blood loss, when one night pad fills up in 1-3 hours and this continues for more than a day, you need to urgently go to the doctor. This phenomenon threatens a rapid loss of strength and a decrease in hemoglobin to a critical level (60 g/l). In this case, not only cleaning will be indicated, but also taking iron supplements and plasma transfusion.

Pathological bleeding is possible with endometritis, polyps, adenomyosis, uterine suture dehiscence, fibroids, and inflammatory processes in the pelvic organs. They differ from regular periods in duration, abundance, and may have an unpleasant odor or an unusual color.

Postpartum discharge that causes discomfort and differs from the norm should be the reason for an unscheduled visit to the gynecologist. Modern diagnostic methods will allow you to quickly find the cause of complications and stop the discharge, begin treatment of the pathology that caused it.

Minasyan Margarita

Each woman experiences a certain amount of discharge after childbirth, which can signal the normal course of the recovery process or indicate the development of pathology. To assess the situation, you need to know their permissible duration, maximum quantity, as well as color and smell.

Causes of discharge after childbirth

When a doctor tells a woman in labor that she can notice traces of blood on the pad (lochia) for a certain period of time, some women panic, associating such secretion solely with damage to the genital organs. But this is a misconception. Why is there bleeding after childbirth and what is its role for the health of the body?

Lochia is the name given to the uterine discharge that follows the birth of a baby. This is the result of restoration of the surface of the uterus. The endometrium is rejected, which comes out through the genitals. It is noteworthy that lochia contains only 80% blood, and the rest is represented by the usual secretion of the uterine glands.

The secreted liquid contains:

Postpartum discharge must be present. If the lochia does not come out, there may be a violation and the woman urgently needs to go to the hospital.

After the birth of the baby, women need to use special ones. Mothers in labor most often use: , .

How long does postpartum discharge last?

The acceptable duration of lochia is considered to be a period of six to eight weeks, and this period has been established by gynecologists around the world. This time is enough to cleanse the uterus of the endometrium, which functioned during gestation. Patients mistakenly believe that they need to pay attention only to the deadline, but a very rapid cessation of vaginal secretion is also considered a relative pathology:

Five to nine weeks

The period is a minor deviation that requires taking into account the color, smell, volume and composition of the fluid secreted from the vagina. A timely visit to the doctor minimizes the likelihood of serious health problems.

Less than a month and more than nine weeks

This fact indicates existing problems in the body that require immediate examination. The doctor will conduct a diagnosis, study the test results, determine the presence or absence of serious inflammatory processes and decide on the advisability of hospitalization.

On average, vaginal discharge ends by 42 days after birth. In a shorter period of time, the endometrium cannot recover. Lochia will come out until the surface of the uterus is completely healed.

What affects the duration of discharge after delivery?

The duration of the presence of lochia depends on the following factors:

Individual characteristics of the course of physiological processes in the female body.
The rate of restoration of the reproductive system after the birth of a child.
Diseases (endometriosis, uterine fibroids, etc.).
The presence of complications during pregnancy and childbirth.
Method of delivery: natural or artificial (by caesarean section).
Intensity of uterine contraction.
Breast-feeding.

A patient who successfully carried a child to term and without complications, according to calculations, under the condition of breastfeeding, observes a more rapid contraction of the uterus and the process of restoration and cleansing of the body is more intense.

Duration of lochia discharge after repeated births

Doctors are of the opinion that the number of pregnancies also affects how long the discharge will last after childbirth. As a rule, their volume and duration are less after 2 or 3 births. Lochia may begin quite intensely, gradually decreasing over 4 weeks. By the end of the first month they are practically absent.

However, it is necessary to take into account the reaction of a particular woman’s body to the birth of a second or third child. It is possible that the first time the body endured this process more easily, therefore the recovery was faster, and the next time, a failure is possible.

Amount of secretion released

This indicator and its norm depend on a certain time:

The first few hours. Abundant, which should be 0.5% of the birthing woman’s weight, but not more than 400 ml.
Second and third days. In 3 days, on average, approximately 300 ml is released, and a special pad is filled in a couple of hours.
Home restoration. Over the following weeks, about 500–1500 ml are released, with high intensity occurring in the first 7–14 days.

Deviations in these numbers are possible, but it is important to prevent bleeding.

If the discharge is scanty or does not last long

As a rule, a small amount of discharge after childbirth or its rapid cessation is perceived positively by women. Women in labor mistakenly believe that the body has already recovered, but medical practice shows that a large percentage of such cases end in hospitalization.

There is a significant probability of endometrial remains being found inside the uterus and then an inflammatory process occurs. In the future, there may be an increase in temperature and a resumption of bleeding, but with the presence of clots, pus and an unpleasant odor.

If the number of lochia decreases, you should immediately make an appointment with a gynecologist, and if one of the listed signs occurs, call an ambulance.

Bloody discharge in women after giving birth

Intense bloody discharge is observed immediately after the baby is born. They are caused by damage to the surface of the uterus where the placenta was attached. This situation may persist for several days, and if the scarlet color of the discharge does not disappear by the end of the first and second weeks, you should consult a doctor for advice. It is important not to confuse lochia with bleeding, the appearance of which is easy to track: the sheet or diaper instantly becomes wet, and the secreted fluid is accompanied by uterine impulses in the rhythm of the heartbeat. The most common reason is rupture of seams.

How the color of secretion changes (photo)

An indicator such as the color of the discharge after the birth of a child can also help a woman assess the course of the postpartum period (see photos selected on the basis of similarity).

First days. There is a large amount of blood being released due to vascular damage. A woman observes red, scarlet marks on the gasket.

First week. The presence of blood clots is allowed, but not purulent ones. The secretion becomes darker or even brown.

Second week. There are practically no clots, and the consistency of the secretion becomes more liquid. Some patients experience pinkness after giving birth during this period. The appearance of mucous membranes is possible. But they should disappear on the 14th or 21st day.

The rest of the time. At first, the liquid gradually brightens, acquiring a yellow tint.

Brown postpartum discharge

An unpleasant, smelly discharge, reminiscent of the acrid smell of pus, should alert you, which may indicate the development of an infection. In this case, the body temperature rises sharply, and the patient suffers from pain in the abdominal area. The right decision is to immediately visit the hospital.

But the musty smell, which is sometimes noted even during menstruation, does not indicate pathology.

Brown secretion can turn into serous lochs, caused by a drop in red blood cells against the background of an increase in white blood cells.

Yellow discharge after childbirth

First, the woman in labor notices a red-yellow discharge, which over time can become completely yellow or gray-yellow. Under normal circumstances, this process begins on the tenth day. Vaginal secretion of a yellowish tint signals to the woman that the uterine lining has almost healed. The presence of such a secretion immediately after childbirth with a putrid odor is an alarming sign that requires medical examination.

Black secretion

Nothing frightens a woman in labor more than the appearance of black clots on the pad. A similar phenomenon sometimes occurs 21 days after delivery. You should remain calm if the secretion does not smell or cause pain. The normal reason is hormonal changes and changes in the composition of vaginal secretions.

Green lochia

With a fishy odor and pus, they indicate the development of endometritis, which occurs against the background of inflammatory processes in the uterus. The danger is that the uterine muscles contract poorly, the secretion does not come out, and this further aggravates the situation. A woman should go for an ultrasound, get tested, and consult a gynecologist.

Discharge after childbirth with an unpleasant odor

Remember that discharge normally has virtually no odor; a sweetish or slightly musty aroma is acceptable, but no more. A rotten odor indicates a problem.

Reasons for the appearance of foreign odors:

Lochia intermittently

The time interval between the secreted bloody substance can be several days or weeks. There are two reasons for this:

It is possible that the woman confused menstruation with postpartum lochia. If the woman in labor did not breastfeed the baby, then the next period occurs immediately after the restoration of the uterine mucosa. In breastfeeding women, menstruation can be practically eliminated for six months, and sometimes there are no periods for up to a year.
The second reason is related to the passivity of the uterine muscles. If the uterus does not contract, then lochia accumulates inside without coming out. So their interruption can significantly slow down the recovery of the body and cause various pathologies against the background of suppuration and inflammation.

Prevention of bleeding and stimulation of lochia discharge

Go to the toilet frequently. A large amount of urine in the bladder puts pressure on the uterus, preventing it from contracting.
Avoid intense physical activity. This is especially true for women after cesarean section. Read about it in the article at the link.
Lie on your stomach. In this position, the uterine cavity is quickly freed from the remains of the wound.
Hot water bottle with ice. A similar technique is used in the delivery room immediately after the baby is born. There is no need to carry out the procedure at home, as there is a possibility of hypothermia of the genital organs.

Postpartum discharge is a mandatory physiological process for a new mother. There is no need to be afraid of their appearance. To be sure that there are no pathologies, a woman in labor can keep a kind of diary, noting the approximate amount, color and smell of vaginal secretion. This approach will help you react immediately to the slightest changes, go to the hospital on time and easily explain the situation to your doctor.

After childbirth they occur quite often. For many women, this raises a lot of questions: is this normal or should you see a doctor? Read more about this in our article.

Week and their color

For young mothers, especially those who have given birth for the first time, everything seems strange and incomprehensible. Not only do you have to master a new role - being a mother, learning to breastfeed, but you also need to take care of your body. For example, yellow discharge after childbirth frightens women who have recently given birth. It is worth knowing the physiological side of their appearance.

When a woman gives birth to a baby, her body begins to change rapidly. There is no longer a need to carry a child in the womb, and therefore everything returns to its pre-pregnancy state.

They last quite a long time: from two weeks to one and a half months. The reason for such a long process is the release of the placenta, which is firmly attached to the wall of the uterus. Now a wound will form in it, which will heal. This is what causes postpartum bleeding. As a rule, the discharge is bright red. However, the shades of each individual woman can vary: from dark brown to light pink.

Their color depends on whether they continue. At the very beginning they are brighter, burgundy, and after a couple of weeks they are lighter.

The secretion changes its consistency. Any deviations, such as the color and amount of discharge, alarm every new mother.

Yellow discharge: normal or not?

It is believed that a woman who breastfeeds her baby goes through the stage of postpartum discharge much faster. The uterus contracts more intensely, and therefore returns to its postpartum state more quickly. However, during this period, girls need to be as careful as possible in terms of their hygiene. Yellow discharge may appear precisely when this rule is not followed. In addition, doctors strictly prohibit the use of anything other than pads. For example, tampons. They delay the normal process of cleansing the uterine cavity. During normal menstruation, this is not critical, but immediately after the birth process, blood should flow freely.

In most cases, yellow discharge is normal. Especially during the period when lochia ends. The blood mixes with the secretion, sometimes acquiring a yellowish tint. If there is no smell, pain or itching, then most likely there is no need to worry.

It happens that even at the final stage of postpartum discharge, a woman notices streaks of blood on the pad. This is also normal because the uterus needs quite a long time to heal.

Duration

Every inexperienced woman in labor is interested in how many days the discharge lasts after childbirth. Uninformed women panic when they last longer than their normal period. This comes from ignorance of the physiology of this process. The purpose of menstruation is to release the “unused” egg. Lochia cleanses the uterine cavity, promoting its rapid contraction. Therefore, their duration is much longer. Normally it is from three to eight weeks. For some girls, especially young ones, this process may go faster. If the discharge lasts longer than expected, you should consult a doctor. It is possible that this process was complicated by bleeding.

There are cases when a woman gives birth with internal ruptures. At the same time, she should not actively move or even sit to avoid damage to the seams. However, not everyone manages to follow such a strict rule. In this case, the stitches tear and begin to bleed.

The closer to completion the process of lochia secretion, the lighter they become. Pain in the abdomen disappears, secretion becomes less abundant. If a month after giving birth the discharge is yellow, you should not be alarmed. This is a normal phenomenon that predicts the imminent end of lochia.

Pathology

Yellow discharge in some situations can signal diseases of the genitourinary system. The body of a woman in labor is more vulnerable to various infections. You should be wary if some of the following signs are added to such discharge:

Stomach ache. Especially cutting ones. At the very beginning, this is normal as the uterus contracts. But, for example, after a month this phenomenon is most likely a pathology.
Unpleasant smell. This may indicate an infectious disease.
Greenish-yellow discharge after childbirth mixed with pus indicates that the girl urgently needs to see a doctor. Inflammation is likely occurring.
Itching and severe burning.
Excessively long (more than two weeks) discharge that is yellow in color.
Body temperature is more than 37.

See a doctor immediately!

If a woman is attentive to her health, then an infection that could get into the vagina will be cured quickly enough. However, if you start this process, the consequences can be disastrous. The most harmless disease is cervical erosion in the initial stage. But if it is not diagnosed and treated in time, it can turn into a malignant form.

Reduced immunity of a young mother can lead to thrush or colpitis. In this case, the discharge will not just be yellow, but also have a cheesy consistency.

Endometritis

The presence of pathologically prolonged yellow discharge may indicate endometritis. This disease is characterized by inflammation of the mucous membrane covering the uterine cavity. Anyone who has experienced endometritis knows how difficult it is to get rid of it.

In addition to unusual discharge, the woman complains of pain in the lower abdomen, which can radiate to the back. If you notice such symptoms, be sure to consult a doctor.

To ensure that none of the women encounters troubles associated with discharge after childbirth, experts recommend strictly following hygiene rules. The uterus is completely cleansed of the waste products of the baby in the womb, and therefore the blood that comes out is not at all similar to menstrual blood. For this reason, precautions should be taken more carefully after the baby is born.

Only pads should be used, tampons are prohibited. Today, pharmacies sell special postpartum hygiene bags. They allow the skin to breathe and can absorb quite a lot of blood.
Hygiene products should be changed as often as possible. It is best to do this once every three hours or, if necessary, earlier.
Be sure to wash yourself several times a day. If there are external breaks, you can use a weak solution of potassium permanganate or chamomile decoction.
Underwear should be as comfortable and natural as possible.
Yellow discharge after childbirth is usually a common occurrence, only if it does not last long. Therefore, to avoid infection in the vagina, take a shower rather than a bath.
You should abstain from sex. An open wound in the uterus during sexual intercourse can become very painful and begin to bleed more profusely.
Be vigilant if lochia ends after a month and a half and suddenly returns again. Perhaps this is no longer postpartum discharge, but bleeding that has begun.

Conclusion

Information about how many days the discharge lasts after childbirth, information about its nature and physiology is extremely necessary for first-time women. If you notice that you have yellow lochia for too long, a burning sensation appears in the vagina, and your health has worsened, consult a doctor immediately. This probably indicates the onset of an infectious disease.

If no accompanying symptoms are observed, there is no need to be alarmed. Yellow discharge in most cases is the most common variant of the norm and does not in any way affect the health of the young mother.

The inevitable lochia after childbirth is a wound discharge from the uterus. After pregnancy, the female body is restored, and the injured walls of the uterus heal. As a result, the organ begins to recover and becomes the same size as before pregnancy. Its upper surface heals, and the area where the vaginal wall attaches to the placenta tightens. Thus, the cause of lochia that appears after childbirth is:

restoration of the uterine cavity;
cleansing of membranes.

The uterus shrinks and throws out tissues it does not need, which have become toxic. The discharge is similar to menstrual discharge, but consists of different substances. These are fragments of the lining of the uterine cavity, ichor, remnants of the placenta, mucus from the cervical canal, and blood.

Lochia consult hygiene products
menstrual cycle resumption
Development Complex degree of consequences

Immediately after delivery, a large wound covers the entire surface of the uterus. Therefore, blood clots and blood may be released. There is no need to worry, because in this way the body cleanses itself and restores itself.

If the lochia differs from those that should be normal, this indicates postpartum complications. Yes, the first few days after birth a woman is in the hospital, so doctors monitor the duration of lochia. But then she is discharged home, so she will have to independently monitor the nature of the discharge.

Normally, postpartum lochia lasts 6-8 weeks. Permissible deviations are 5-9 weeks. Otherwise, you need to consult a doctor. You can look at photos of lochia to know what they look like after childbirth.

Duration of uterine recovery

We found out how long lochia lasts on average after a childbirth, but they come in several varieties. Their duration also depends on this.

They appear during the healing process of the inner surface of the uterus.

The active phase lasts about three weeks. During this time, several types of discharge are observed.

Reds. It takes about 3-4 days after the baby is born. They cause discomfort to a woman because they are very abundant. The color of the discharge is bright scarlet, since the remains of non-viable tissue contain a large number of erythrocytes - red blood cells. Clots of brown blood may also be released. The discharge should end on day 4. In this case, a woman changes one pad per hour. If you have to change it more often, you need to call your doctor. After childbirth, the gynecologist usually advises the woman about how long the lochia lasts, so it is not difficult for the expectant mother to navigate.
Serous. Lasts from 4 to 10 days and is not as abundant as red ones. The color of the discharge is pinkish-brown or brown, since a large number of leukocytes are present in the discharged substances. Usually, red clots no longer appear, and only bloody-serous discharge is observed.
White. They do not cause discomfort to the woman and last for 20 days. Normally, the discharge should be without bloody clots or a strong odor. They are yellowish or whitish in color, almost transparent, of a smearing nature.

If after giving birth you know how long it will take for the lochia to come out, you will immediately understand when you need to contact a specialist for help. The volume of discharge begins to decrease over time, and already at week 3 it does not cause discomfort, therefore it is almost unnoticeable and very small in volume. Usually, by the 6th week, glassy mucus with bloody patches is released from the cervix, at which point the body completes its restoration. At the same time, the duration of the discharge does not depend on whether it is your first pregnancy or your second.

In case of complications, you should consult a doctor

When to see a doctor

If you know exactly when the lochia discharge should end after childbirth, it will be easier to track possible violations. You need to make an appointment with a doctor in the following cases.

The discharge lasts too long or its amount has become quite large. Such bleeding is possible due to the fact that parts of the placenta remain in the uterus, so it cannot contract normally. In this case, the woman will have to remove the remaining placenta in the hospital. The procedure is painless due to intravenous anesthesia.
The bleeding has stopped, although you know exactly how many days after the last birth the lochia should go. Stopping discharge indicates a possible accumulation of lochia in the uterine cavity. If they are not removed, there is a risk of developing endometritis.

Endometritis develops if, after childbirth, lochia is excreted with pus and has an unpleasant, pungent odor. A woman notices a deterioration in her health:

lower abdomen hurts;
the temperature rises.

In this case, you need to urgently call a specialist or call an ambulance. Sometimes a cheesy discharge appears from the vagina. This may indicate the appearance of candidiasis. If left untreated, there is a risk of developing a severe infection.

It doesn’t matter how long lochia lasts after the first or second birth. If severe bleeding occurs, you should immediately call an ambulance. In this case, the woman is indicated for hospitalization.

Only careful attention to your health, monitoring of discharge and timely response to its changes will help to avoid serious complications. It is better to play it safe and consult a doctor once again than to subsequently be treated for unpleasant sores.

Do not ignore the rules of hygiene, which are especially important for the successful completion of the postpartum period.

If there is a relapse

Sometimes it happens that after childbirth the lochia first ends and then starts again. If, after 2 months, scarlet discharge from the vagina is observed, the cause may be:

restoration of the menstrual cycle;
rupture of sutures after severe emotional or physical stress.

When you know how long lochia can last after a previous birth, but suddenly they return after 2-3 months, you need to look at their character. Sometimes the remnants of the placenta or endometrium are released in this way. If the discharge is dark in color with clots, but without pus and a sharp putrid odor, everything should end without complications.

In addition, when the discharge goes away and then comes again, there is a risk of developing an inflammatory process in the uterus. Only a doctor can help you here. He will conduct an examination and find out the cause of the incident. You may be experiencing a new menstrual cycle. But in the worst case scenario, medical intervention will be required.

: Borovikova Olga

gynecologist, ultrasound doctor, geneticist

The postpartum period is characterized by the appearance of lactation and abdominal pain. At the same time, it is very important to monitor the discharge after childbirth, namely its nature, quantity, color. This will help avoid complications in the postpartum period.

What is the reason for discharge after childbirth?

During childbirth, the uterus contracts strongly and pushes the baby out. After the baby is born, the afterbirth or placenta comes out. A large number of gaping vessels remain at the site of its attachment. The uterus contracts as much as possible in the first hours after the birth of the baby, but remains enlarged for several more weeks.

The presence of open vessels provokes vaginal discharge. After the baby is born, they are called lochia. At first they are abundant, and then decrease in quantity and change their color.

To increase the intensity of contractions of the uterine organ, immediately after childbirth, a catheter is placed in the urethra to empty the bladder. This is done to relieve pressure on the uterus.

In the first hours after the baby is born, there is a very high risk of developing uterine bleeding. The woman in labor is left for another 2 hours in the delivery room to monitor her condition. Such measures make it possible to provide timely assistance and stop bleeding. If there are no complications, the woman’s condition is satisfactory; after 2 hours she is transferred with the baby to the postpartum ward.

What kind of discharge should a healthy woman have after childbirth?

Lochia contains blood, plasma, clots formed from the inner lining of the uterine organ, and mucous formations. The volume of blood lost immediately after birth should not exceed 1.5 liters.

Next, the uterus contracts, which leads to a decrease in the amount of discharge. In the first days, the discharge is bloody. Patients are actively bleeding, blood clots formed from particles of the mucous membrane of the uterine organ, fetal membranes.

After a few days, the spotting is replaced by a darker discharge that resembles menstrual bleeding. The volume of lochia is greater than during menstruation. This nature of the discharge indicates good contractility of the uterus and its cleansing of remnants of the mucous membrane and placenta.

Normal uterine contractions ensure good removal of the remaining placenta.

After a week, the discharge becomes light yellow. They are no longer so abundant. They contain mucus. The yellowish color of the discharge may change to brownish. This is the norm. Discharge indicates good blood clotting and contractile activity of the uterine organ. Brown and light yellowish discharge persists for a week.

At 3 weeks after birth, the discharge becomes light yellow or yellowish-white. Blood impurities are allowed, which persist up to 30-40 days after the birth of the child.

The discharge does not have an unpleasant odor. In the first week they smell like blood. After several days, the discharge acquires a musty smell.

How long do they go?

Discharge appears immediately after childbirth and lasts for 6 weeks. There may be a slight decrease or increase in the period of lochia discharge. The intensity and duration of discharge depends on the following factors:

Features of the body, namely the speed of recovery.
Courses of pregnancy.
Features of childbirth.
The presence or absence of complications in the postpartum period.
Type of delivery: after a cesarean section, the period of lochia discharge is longer than during natural childbirth.
Breastfeeding. The more often the patient feeds the baby, the more intense the uterus contracts.

When the duration of discharge is less than a month or more than 6 weeks, you should consult a doctor. The doctor will conduct an examination, prescribe therapy or refer you to a hospital.

How to prevent bleeding

The risk of large blood loss in the first days remains. If the volume of discharge has increased significantly, immediately contact a doctor.

There are a number of measures that prevent blood loss:

Empty the bladder every 2-3 hours, even in the absence of the urge to urinate, since a pressing bladder reduces the contractile activity of the uterine organ.
Take a prone position, which stimulates the removal of uterine contents.
Apply a container of ice to the lower abdomen to constrict blood vessels if the uterus contracts poorly.
Do not lift anything heavy, as loads lead to an increase in the volume of discharge.

Another important activity is breastfeeding. When a baby is latched to the breast, the hormone oxytocin is released. Under its action, the uterus contracts intensively, removing clots and blood. During feeding, the patient feels pain in the abdomen, which is accompanied by blood coming out of the vagina.

Prevention of infections

Blood is a breeding ground for the proliferation of bacteria, so rules are followed to prevent infection of a wound in the uterine cavity.

Wash after each emptying of the bladder and rectum. Carry out hygiene of the external genitalia from front to back. Do not wash in the vaginal cavity.
Take a shower every day. Avoid taking a bath.
Do not douche, as this increases the likelihood of an ascending infection.
On the first day, use only sterile diapers, which are provided in the maternity hospital.
Use sanitary pads from the second day. Change them at least 8 times a day.
Use cotton underwear.
Do not use tampons, as they make it difficult for the discharge to drain and increase the likelihood of bacterial growth.

These measures will help you endure the early postpartum period well and prevent ascending infection.

Pathological postpartum discharge

Normally, vaginal discharge after the birth of a baby is bloody. It is replaced by yellowish, brownish or yellowish-white discharge. A discrepancy between the timing and color of the discharge and the norm indicates pathology.

Types of pathological discharge in women, causes of appearance:

Bright yellowish. They arise due to inflammation of the mucous membrane of the uterine organ, namely endometritis, inflamed ruptures of the cervix and vagina. Celebrated for 4-5 days.
Green. It is detected during the development of endomethitis, which is caused by poor contractility of the uterine organ. When green discharge occurs, patients report abdominal pain, fever, and an unpleasant odor.
Brownish. If discharge is observed for more than 10 days, this indicates endometritis, uterine fibroids, bending of the uterine organ, and poor blood clotting ability. When a patient has a copious discharge with a brown tint, this indicates incomplete placental abruption.
Mucous early. Occurs at 2-3 weeks in a healthy woman. Early mucous discharge hides damage to the uterine organ and vagina. When the uterus is perforated, copious discharge of mucous discharge is noted.
Bloody, pinkish, long-lasting, more than 3-4 weeks. Identified in patients with atony and hyperextension of the uterine organ, pathology of the coagulation system, early sexual intercourse, and heavy physical work. Also, pinkish and bloody discharge after a month or more indicates the first menstruation.
White, curdled. Occurs due to fungal infection of the genital tract.

If pathological lochia appears, you need to see a doctor. The doctor will determine the cause, prescribe examination and treatment.

What to do in case of pathological discharge

If pathological discharge appears, it is recommended to immediately consult a doctor. You cannot hesitate, as some of them lead to serious consequences. If a woman’s discharge changes in the nature of her discharge in the maternity hospital, she should immediately tell the midwife or doctor on duty about it.

When the bleeding becomes much more abundant, it is recommended to immediately call the gynecologist on duty or your attending physician. This is the first sign of bleeding. If severe blood loss occurs after discharge from the maternity hospital, call an ambulance at home.

If yellowish, greenish or brownish discharge appears, contact your local gynecologist. The doctor will conduct an examination, examination, and prescribe treatment on an outpatient basis. If there is a risk of blood poisoning, endometritis or other pelvic inflammatory diseases, as well as the detection of placental remains in the uterine cavity, hospitalization is carried out with subsequent treatment. In some cases, surgery is required.

Knowing the nature of postpartum discharge is of great importance. Due to this, inflammatory diseases, bleeding, blood clotting diseases and other conditions are promptly identified and treated.