Nowadays, many women face a cesarean section, and this is explained by the fact that the number of pregnancies with complications has increased too much. There are, of course, some expectant mothers who voluntarily choose this method of delivery, knowing from the reviews of their friends how painful the process of the natural birth of a baby is. Whatever the reasons for the decision to perform the operation, the main thing is that the little one is born healthy and that no complications arise (neither for him nor for the mother).

One of the indicators of how correctly and without complications the female body recovers after the birth of a baby is discharge, so when preparing to become a mother, you should definitely find out what it should be like normally. In conversation, women call them heavy periods, correctly called lochia. This is normal physiological process, in which the uterus, starting the contraction process, pushes out dead endometrial particles, various remnants of the placenta (all this can be seen in the form of secreted lumps and blood clots). This is how the body is cleansed and restored.

Women encounter discharge no matter how the child was born, i.e. This is the norm for any type of delivery. They look like menstruation (same color blood, clots, aching pain lower abdomen), but differ in abundance and duration. Of course, this is one of the unpleasant and uncomfortable natural consequences of childbirth, so all mothers are very concerned general question: when they end postpartum lochia?

Normal duration of discharge in a woman after childbirth

Know how long it lasts specific secretions after childbirth, any woman needs it, at least in order to consult a doctor in a timely manner in case of deviations. After caesarean section recovery of the body takes longer, and if women who gave birth naturally return to normal within a month, then for those who have undergone surgery this process is delayed by an average of six weeks. It is impossible to say exactly how long the discharge will bother you, because... it depends on the individual characteristics of the body, but if after 2 months they have not stopped, you need to urgently consult a doctor.

Every fifth birth in Russia, according to statistics, is carried out by caesarean section. Therefore, issues of recovery after such an operation are important for women.

In this article we will talk about how long bleeding lasts after surgery and what a woman needs to do to prevent complications.

Causes and characteristics of discharge

Postpartum discharge indicates the reverse development of the female reproductive organ. The uterus has grown 500 times during the period of bearing a child, the vessels of the placenta are firmly connected with its own blood vessels. This allowed the baby to receive necessary nutrition and oxygen during fetal development.

During surgical intervention, a woman's uterus is more traumatized than during natural physiological childbirth. First of all we're talking about about the incision of the tissue of the uterus itself, through which the surgeon gains access to the baby. Placing sutures on the uterine incision is another factor for increasing discharge after cesarean section.

The doctor removes the placenta by hand after the baby is delivered. In this case, the vessels connecting the “baby place” with the uterus are injured, which causes subsequent bleeding.

The enlarged uterus, when the need for such dimensions disappears, begins to shrink, and in a relatively a short time it will have to take on almost its previous dimensions. This process also occurs with increased discharge, which doctors call lochia.

Discharge for the doctor is a sign of reverse involution of the uterus. According to them experienced doctor will be able to determine with great accuracy how this process is proceeding and how well the recovery after surgery is proceeding.

In the first three days, blood usually predominates in the lochia, which comes from damaged vessels of the placenta and the wound surface in the area of ​​the incision. At laboratory research determined a large number of red blood cells in secretions. Blood clots in the discharge during this period are also completely normal.

By the fifth day, the lochia begins to contain serous serum, ichor. If you examine it under a microscope, you will find that the discharge contains a huge number of leukocytes, and dead cells of the uterine epithelium can also be observed in them. By the end of the first week after natural birth appears in discharge cervical mucus. After a cesarean section, during the same period, particles of surgical threads may be found in the lochia, which are used to suture the incised wall of the uterus. These threads are self-absorbing, but their ends, which did not enter directly into the uterine tissue, are separated as the rest of the threads are absorbed and leave the uterine cavity in the traditional way - through the vagina.

If compared with natural childbirth, it bleeds in the first days after delivery surgically much stronger. You shouldn’t be afraid of this, because the area of ​​damage to the uterus after surgery is much larger.

Total blood loss depends on many factors - the presence or absence of complications, the woman’s weight and height.

After natural childbirth, according to the BME (Great Medical Encyclopedia), a woman loses up to one and a half kilograms due to the discharge of lochia and contraction of the uterus. After a cesarean section, this number may be higher.

Recovery time

After the operation, you can get out of bed within 12 hours, but this should be done gradually. Excessive zeal and careless handling of seams can lead to divergence of the latter.

During the first three days, it is recommended to change the postpartum pad (sterile, maternity hospital) every 3 hours. This is important not only from a hygienic point of view. Since the area of ​​damage to the uterus after surgery is larger, the risk of infection is higher.

By the time of discharge, which occurs on the fifth day, the woman no longer has scarlet bleeding, the lochia contains red blood cells and mucus. The period of discharge lasts quite a long time - on average up to 8 weeks. This is how long it takes for the uterus to contract (after surgical intervention it contracts more slowly), as well as for healing and scarring of the incision area on the uterus.

During the first days, in order to avoid complications, the woman is given contracting drugs. Oxytocin accelerates uterine contractions, and after the injection for 10-15 minutes, a woman may notice that the discharge has become stronger.

In addition to controlling lochia, medical workers be sure to monitor the body temperature of the postpartum mother, since it is her sharp increase sometimes it is the first signal of inflammation and infection. During the round, the doctor palpates the area of ​​the uterus through the anterior abdominal wall, and before discharge it is considered mandatory to conduct a control ultrasound examination, which should confirm that the uterine cavity is clean and contractions are occurring normally.

A small amount of blood in the urine is allowed if there are no complaints of pain when urinating during the first five days after surgery.

Norm and pathology

After discharge, the woman controls the discharge herself. Caring for a child, of course, will take a lot of time, but you shouldn’t forget about your own health.

Moderate, uniform discharge after 2 weeks of staying at home is considered normal. With normal involution of the uterus, after about a month and a half, the discharge becomes mucous, yellowish, and then colorless. Mucus changes to normal vaginal secretion after 2 months recovery period.

Pathological discharge should definitely be a reason to visit a doctor. These include the following situations:

• heavy bleeding that began suddenly after discharge from hospital maternity hospital, after the stage of serous lochia;
• increased bleeding or blood “spotting” against a background of high body temperature;
• earlier cessation of discharge (after 4-5 weeks);
• prolonged discharge (after 9-10 weeks from the date of surgery);
• heterogeneity of discharge, clots, “curdling” after discharge from the hospital;
• any abdominal pain combined with bleeding.

A woman in the postoperative recovery period needs Special attention pay attention to the color of the prominent lochia. If the discharge has become bright pink or orange, injury to the internal tissues formed in the dissection area cannot be ruled out. This can happen if a couple begins to have sex too early, contrary to prohibitions and restrictions, if the woman lifts weights.

If the discharge becomes green, gray, brownish, has an unpleasant odor, or additional signs appear in the form of itching of the genitals, you should definitely be examined for infectious lesions. Yellow-green discharge may be a sign of endometrial inflammation. Liquid watery discharge in the recovery period are also an alarming sign, which indicates a complication of the recovery process. In any of these cases, a woman should definitely visit a gynecologist to find the real reason problems and start treatment.

How to behave - a reminder

Discharge after a caesarean section is an inevitability that you have to accept.

Don't lift heavy things

For a woman who has suffered a serious abdominal surgery(and caesarean is just such an intervention), the concept of hardship must change radically.

In the first days after surgery, it is not recommended to lift even a child if he weighs more than 3.5 kilograms. For up to six months during the recovery process, a woman should not strain her anterior abdominal wall, carry bags of groceries, or lower a stroller with a child down the stairs on her own. The weight allowed for lifting is no more than 4-5 kilograms.

Limit your intimate life

Until the lochia is completely gone, sex is contraindicated. Such a ban is associated, first of all, with the likelihood of infection. Even opportunistic microorganisms that can enter a woman’s genital tract in the early recovery period can cause severe consequences for her health. There may also be mechanical damage the incision area on the uterus, since with orgasm and sexual arousal, blood flow to the organ increases.

If you do not comply with this prohibition, the scar on the uterus may form insolvent, which will become a serious obstacle to carrying a subsequent pregnancy.

Follow the cycle

From the moment the lochia stops, a woman needs to use condoms to protect against foreign microorganisms and unplanned pregnancy. When will it be installed? menstrual cycle(the average time frame for this is 2-8 months after surgery), you need to consult a doctor to choose contraceptive methods, since getting pregnant again is not allowed for 2 years after surgery on the uterus.

If the lochia has just ended, and then menstruation has begun, it will not be difficult to distinguish them from menstruation. Postpartum discharge by the time the uterus is restored will not be abundant and bloody, while menstruation will begin almost as usual, except that there will be fewer clots in the discharge (due to the relative thinness of the endometrium after childbirth). Menstruation after a CS is sometimes initially more scanty than before, but gradually its nature, duration and intensity returns to those individual indicators that were characteristic of the woman before pregnancy.

Caesarean section, as a method of delivery, sometimes becomes the only possible one. But after it, the restoration of the female body has its own nuances. Its important criteria are discharge after cesarean section, how long it lasts, and what it looks like. The woman who has undergone the intervention should know this.

Read in this article

Types of discharge after surgery

Many are sure that the liberation of the uterus from the remains of unnecessary tissue afterward proceeds in the same way as during a normal birth. But this is not entirely true. During the operation, the organ was dissected and then stitched. There is a scar on the uterus that needs to heal. That is, the damaged surface is larger, which means that tissue regeneration will take longer. And the nature of the discharge is somewhat different:

• On initial stage(5 - 7 days) a lot of mucus is noticed in the lochia. This is not the case after natural delivery. The color of the discharge is intense red due to a significant amount of blood and is richer than in the absence of surgical intervention.
• Clots are definitely present. They are evidence that the uterus is freeing itself from the placental particles remaining in it. But 7 - 9 days after the intervention there are fewer of them, and the discharge has a more uniform consistency.
• After 6 - 7 weeks, their shade changes to brown, since the inner lining of the uterus has been restored for the most part. The organ contracts less intensely; the contents have time to coagulate before leaving the cavity.

How else does it happen in different terms from the completion of the operation:

• Heavy discharge(250 - 300 ml of liquid per day) cannot, if everything goes well, appear longer than 3 - 4 days. But this time the young mother is usually still in the maternity hospital.
• They become more modest in volume, with less blood present and not so bright red from days 4 to 10.
• From the 11th day their color becomes lighter. The volume is decreasing.
• On the 21st day after cesarean discharge become scarcer more noticeably. And there is less blood in them.

How long to wait for the discharge to complete after the intervention?

Lochia after a cesarean section lasts longer than in those who gave birth without the help of a surgeon. This is due to difficulties, the likelihood of which is also higher.

Normally, they do not last longer than 7 - 9 weeks. During this period, the uterus manages to cleanse itself of the consequences of the existence of the fetus in it and restore the mucous membrane.

During the first 7 days this occurs especially intensively, which is reflected in the number of lochia. A woman will have to use a new one every 2 hours.

There is no reason to rejoice if the process is completed early. This does not indicate speedy recovery, but rather about the emergence of not trivial problems. However, individual physiological characteristics For some mothers, it is possible to complete the discharge of discharge earlier and in full health. But this happens rarely, and the absence of danger must be confirmed by a specialist.

When is it time to panic

How long does the discharge last after a caesarean section? important criterion in assessing the gynecological well-being of a young mother. It is important to keep under control not only deadlines, but also appearance contents of the uterus. There are differences in the discharge at each stage of recovery.

Symptom	Causes
At 4 - 6 days after birth, bright yellow inclusions were found in the discharge	This happens with acute endometritis. When this is noticed after 2 weeks, the pathology is sluggish, but already developed.
The volume of discharge apparently decreased in the first week after delivery	This may be a sign of premature contraction cervical canal, which prevents their exit. The same thing happens when uterine contractions weaken. The pathology, in addition to a sharp decrease in the volume of fluid with blood, is manifested by an increase in abdominal pain. The temperature may rise and severe weakness. The same is suspected if cleansing of the organ is stopped too quickly (up to 7 weeks after surgery).
The volume of discharge does not decrease over time	Bleeding after a cesarean section occurs if there are membranes left in the uterus, the organ contracts weakly, or there are problems with blood clotting. Another circumstance that can cause intense discharge when its character should already change is. This is possible if the operation was not performed well enough, the woman started too early or was in a hurry to resume intimate life.
The discharge abruptly stopped prematurely, but then resumed again	This sign indicates the existence of an obstacle to their removal. How long the discharge lasts after a cesarean section can be “decided” by a polyp that grows after childbirth, or stenosis of the cervical canal. Simultaneously with their disappearance, discomfort occurs, then abdominal pain and fever. The resumption of the cleansing process is complemented by a putrid odor and a change in the color of the mucus.
Discharge continues for longer than 9 weeks	As in all previous cases, an examination is necessary, since causing the problem there are many reasons. This is a hormonal disorder, emerging pathology, uterine atony and internal suture dehiscence.

It is unacceptable to tolerate severe abdominal pain. Discomfort is present for a long time, but it should decrease, not increase. The same applies to the color and smell of the contents of the uterus. Greens and water at the early recovery stage will require the intervention of a doctor.

Before artificial childbirth, every woman wonders how long there's blood coming out after caesarean section. Surgical intervention refers to a serious abdominal type operation. The female body recovers within 60 days. After a caesarean section, uterine discharge appears.

Medical indications

Lochia is endometrial blood clots. Obstetricians-gynecologists great attention given to patients who give birth artificially. If available in female body infections or inflammatory process blood clots have putrid smell. Upon completion of the operation, the patient is under the supervision of doctors. Insufficient uterine contraction contributes to the development of early hypotonic bleeding. In this case, the woman is given special remedy, which contracts the muscles of the uterus (“Oxytocin”).

In the first 5-7 days after surgery, there is blood with clots. Copious discharge is accompanied by a musty odor. During this period, up to 500 ml of blood is released. A large sanitary pad is filled in 1-2 hours. Every day, the doctor’s tasks include examining the discharge and asking the patient about its quantity. Lochia increases with breastfeeding and walking. Then the blood clots darken. At 4-5 weeks after the operation, the discharge acquires a scanty dark shade. Full recovery uterine mucosa is observed at 6-8 weeks. Lochia becomes light in color and does not differ from the discharge before conception.

After surgery, the uterus shrinks slowly because some of the muscle fibers are damaged. To stimulate uterine contractions, the patient must fulfill the following requirements:

• timely visit to the restroom, as full bladder prevents uterine contractions;
• breastfeeding the baby on demand; During the feeding period, the uterus contracts and the discharge intensifies.

During the postoperative period, a woman loses about 1000 ml of blood. If lochia persists for more than 2 weeks, the body experiences abnormal bleeding. An abrupt cessation of discharge after artificial birth indicates a decrease in uterine contractility. In this case, the woman is prescribed massage and drug therapy. If after a cesarean section the discharge suddenly ends, and after 1-2 weeks it resumes, then there are stagnant processes in the uterine cavity. Similar phenomenon increases the risk of infection. Therefore, after artificial and natural childbirth, a woman must observe following rules personal hygiene:

1. Change the gasket every 3 hours. Gynecologists recommend using sanitary pad with a soft surface that does not contain fragrances.
2. You cannot use a tampon.
3. After visiting the restroom, you must wash yourself. After surgery, bathing and douching are contraindicated.

Beginning of menstruation

A change in the amount and nature of discharge indicates the need for urgent medical care. If blood clots are accompanied by a strong odor, then inner surface the uterus became inflamed. At the same time, the woman has heat And severe pain in the abdominal area. This complication is more common after a cesarean section than after a natural birth of a baby.

A sharp increase or non-decrease in the volume of blood clots is associated with the presence of a suture on the uterus. If observed heavy bleeding, the woman needs urgent hospitalization. Impaired outflow of lochia from the uterine cavity is associated with a posterior bending of the uterus. In this situation, the doctors’ task is to prevent their stagnation. Otherwise, endometritis will appear. If after surgical intervention take antibiotics, may appear curdled discharge. This symptom indicates the development of thrush. In this case, treatment is prescribed after rehabilitation period and is individual in nature.

During this period, prolactin is produced in the female body. Its functions include braking possible conception. After a cesarean section, menstruation does not occur during the first 5-6 months if the baby is breastfed. Later, menstruation may appear depending on the introduction of complementary foods and a decrease in the intensity of breastfeeding.

Caesarean section is the most gentle method of delivery for a child. However, the operation does not exclude the possibility of developing certain pathological conditions V postoperative period.

In addition, for a uterus with a scar, the processes of involution (return to the prenatal state) occur with some features than during delivery through the natural birth canal.

What should the discharge be like after a cesarean section: a little physiology

During operative delivery there is manual release placenta, in which the vessels of the placental site are exposed. Bloody discharge (lochia) in the first 3-4 days of the postpartum period is associated with gradual healing (epithelialization) of the wound surface.

The volume of discharge in the first 3 days is about 250-300 ml. This is the most dangerous period.

But nature has created a defense mechanism. Despite the exposed, “gaping” vessels, infection does not occur. This is due to the activation of granulocyte cells and macrophages at the site of the wound surface.

Like a barrier, these cells prevent the entry of infectious agents. This process is called “formation of granulation shaft.” Due to leukocyte cells, biologically active substances and proteolytic enzymes, the inner surface of the uterus remains sterile.

From the 4th day after the operation, the lochia becomes lighter in color, becomes serous-hemorrhagic, and becomes less abundant. Take on a brown tint. They contain significantly fewer red blood cells than in the first days.

From the 10th day after cesarean they go light discharge, only single red blood cells are found in them.

By day 21, the discharge becomes mucous and transparent.

How long does the discharge last?

6 weeks after surgery, the discharge becomes the same as before pregnancy. On average, for the entire postpartum period the volume of lochia reaches 400-800 ml (with 80% of the discharge occurring in the first 3-4 days).

Pathological nature of discharge after cesarean section

A change in volume, color, or the appearance of discharge with an odor is important sign in the diagnosis of postoperative complications.

Scanty discharge

A decrease in the volume of lochia (especially in the first days) may occur for the following reasons:

1. Premature narrowing of the cervical canal leads to disruption of the outflow of secretions from the uterine cavity.
2. Caesarean section as planned (no preparation of the birth canal, the cervix was completely closed at the time of the operation).
3. Violation of the contractile function of the uterus (uterus does not empty).
4. Refusal breastfeeding(the feeding process contributes to the reduction muscle fibers uterus).

Clinical symptoms:

• scanty lochia in the first 3-4 days (less than 100 ml) is an unfavorable diagnostic sign;
• possible increase in temperature;
• pulling (even bursting pain in the lower abdomen is possible).

Diagnostic methods:

1. Examination on a gynecological chair to assess the patency of the cervical canal of the cervix.

Normally, in the postoperative period, the neck should allow one finger to pass through without difficulty. At elective surgery there is a high probability of narrowing of the cervical canal and the development of true hematometra (accumulation of blood in the uterine cavity).

1. Monitor the dynamics of uterine contraction (normally, the height of the uterine fundus decreases by 2 cm every day; if the outflow of secretions is disrupted, the process of uterine contraction may be slowed down).
2. Ultrasound (it is necessary to evaluate the uterine cavity: is there any dilation due to accumulated blood).

Too much discharge

Conditions leading to an increase in the volume of lochia:

• remnants of decidual tissue in the uterine cavity.
• blood coagulation disorder.
• bleeding from an incompetent suture on the uterus after cesarean section.
• violation of contractile function of the uterus.

Symptoms:

• the volume of discharge in the first days exceeds 300 ml;
• persistence of bloody discharge long time(in two weeks);
• pain not associated with uterine contractions.

Diagnostics:

• the size of the uterus does not correspond to the day of the postoperative period (the uterus is larger than normal);
• copious discharge;
• violation of the coagulation system when analyzing a coagulogram;
• Ultrasound reveals an expansion of the uterine cavity, clots in the cavity, and a heterogeneous echogenic signal from the suture area;
• the cervical canal is not narrowed, the outflow is not obstructed.

Discharge with clots

Reasons for such discharges:

• violation of uterine contractions (prolonged accumulation of blood in the uterus leads to the formation of clots);
• failure of the suture on the uterus;
• tissue defect in the area of ​​the postoperative suture.

Clinical picture:

• discharge with blood clots;
• the size of the uterus is larger than it should be;
• possible permanent nagging pain, not associated with uterine contractions.

Diagnostics:

1. When palpating the contours of the uterus, a discrepancy between the height of the uterine fundus and the day of the postoperative period is determined.
2. Ultrasound: clots in the uterine cavity, expansion of the cavity, the scar niche on the uterus is heterogeneous.

Yellow discharge

1. Erased, abortive, light form course of endometritis.
2. Infection of a postoperative suture.
3. Metroendometritis.
4. The presence of a long anhydrous period (more than 12 hours) before cesarean section.
5. Pathological blood loss during surgery, or initial anemia.
6. Hematoma in the area of ​​the suture on the uterus.

Symptoms:

• yellow or yellow-brown discharge;
• unpleasant smell of lochia (pungent);
• nagging pain in the lower abdomen;
• temperature rise is possible;
• weakness, dizziness.

Diagnostics:

1. The uterus is enlarged.
2. Increased heart rate.
3. Nagging pain in the lower abdomen.
4. Inflammatory changes in the blood (leukocytosis, acceleration of ESR, shift leukocyte formula left).
5. Ultrasound reveals echo-positive signals in the area of ​​the uterine walls (corresponding to the application of fibrin threads), a heterogeneous signal in the suture area, possible “niches”, a festering hematoma at the site of the scar.

Purulent discharge

Possible reasons:

• endometritis.
• metroendometritis.
• failure, suppuration of the suture.
• parametritis.
• postoperative adnexitis.
• obstetric peritonitis.
• sepsis.

Clinical manifestations:

• purulent or green discharge, with a sharp, unpleasant putrefactive odor, abundant;
• temperature rise to high numbers (39 and above);
• chills;
• weakness, dizziness;
• increased sweating;
• severe pain in the lower abdomen;
• cardiopalmus.

Diagnostic criteria:

1. Sharp pain on palpation of the uterus and appendages.
2. The size of the uterus does not correspond to the postoperative period.
3. Traction on the cervix is ​​painful.
4. Displacement of the pelvic organs relative to midline(if parametrized).
5. Sharp pain in the appendage area (with adnexitis).
6. Pronounced inflammatory changes in the blood.
7. Tension of the abdominal muscles, positive peritoneal symptoms (with peritonitis).

According to ultrasound: the uterus is enlarged, the cavity is expanded, the structure of the myometrium is heterogeneous, a “niche in the scar area”, a suppurating hematoma or infiltrate in the pelvis can be visualized.

Hygiene measures after surgery

Maintaining good hygiene is an important condition in the prevention of postoperative complications.

The following rules must be adhered to:

• mandatory washing in the first days up to 2-3 times a day.

It is necessary to use gels for intimate hygiene, or baby soap. It is advisable to use soap without aromatic additives or fragrances;

• change pads every 2-3 hours in the first days. Use pads with maximum absorbency;

You can buy special postpartum pads in pharmacies, but if they are not available, you can use others (the main thing is that they absorb discharge well).

• change your underwear frequently. You can use disposable panties.

Important conditions for the physiological course of the postpartum period are:

• in the first days, place a cold load on the uterus, which helps it contract and empty blood clots;
• Breastfeeding and expressing milk promotes the release of endogenous oxytocin. This hormone causes contraction of the smooth muscles of the uterus, which also contributes to the normal discharge of lochia;
• prevention of infectious complications after surgery (prescription of antibiotics wide range actions);
• From day 3, it is recommended to lie on your stomach more often. This position promotes deviation of the uterus, alignment of the cervical canal, which promotes the discharge of lochia.

Case from practice

A 28-year-old female patient was hospitalized at the 39th week of pregnancy. home for a planned cesarean section (for placenta previa). During the operation, after removing the child and removing the placenta, the patency of the cervical canal was checked (one finger can pass freely).

In the postoperative period it was diagnosed: on the 3rd day, extremely scanty bloody issues, the patient complains of nagging pain, the size of the uterus exceeds normal.

When examined on a gynecological chair: palpation of the uterus reveals pain, the uterus is larger than normal, the cervical canal is closed and does not allow a finger to pass through, spasm at the level of the internal os.

Ultrasound: 100 ml of blood in the uterine cavity.

A diagnosis was made: hematometra (accumulation of blood in the uterine cavity).

It was decided to restore the patency of the cervical canal using bougienage (expansion) to ensure normal outflow of secretions.

The further postoperative period proceeded without complications. The patient was discharged on day 9 in satisfactory condition.

Operative delivery creates additional risks in development postpartum complications. The suture on the uterus prevents the full contraction of the uterus; during inflammatory processes, infection spreads not only in the mucous membrane, but also in all layers of the uterus.

These factors complicate the normal outflow of lochia and create favorable conditions for the reproduction of microorganisms. It is for these reasons that it is very important to closely monitor discharge in the postoperative period, and also observe necessary rules hygiene.

• Distinctive features
• Deadlines
• Lochia character
• Hue
• Quantity

Regardless of how the birth took place (through surgery or naturally), inner shell(mucous) uterus requires a recovery period. It takes about 5-9 weeks, if everything goes well without complications.

Discharge from the genital tract after cesarean section deserves special attention. They are usually called lochia in gynecology. They include blood cells, plasma, mucus, and dead epithelium. Many women perceive them as a kind of menstruation. However, their color palette, smell, composition, volume change throughout the postpartum period and signal whether everything is fine with the young mother’s body.

Distinctive features

Any operation, like childbirth itself, is a serious stress for the body, tired after pregnancy. Therefore, a woman needs to listen to him sensitively, feel the slightest deviations and know what discharge should be like after a cesarean section and what is considered normal. This will allow her to notice warning signs in a timely manner and receive treatment if necessary. Many sources indicate that lochia after a CS is no different from those that occur after natural childbirth. In fact, this is far from the case. Differences still exist.

1. The wound surface is much more extensive after a cesarean section, so the risk of infection or inflammation of the genital organs is very high. So during discharge after surgery, you need to especially carefully carry out all the prescribed hygiene procedures and not just once a day.
2. At the very beginning, just after a cesarean section, about 5-7 days, the discharge is not only bloody, but also contains a lot of mucus, which is not observed after natural delivery.
3. The normal color of discharge after a cesarean section for several days is bright red, deep scarlet, and it is much juicier than with natural process childbirth
4. Contraction of the uterus and its healing after cesarean section are longer and protracted process, so the duration of the discharge is also different and is 1-2 weeks longer.

These differences should not frighten or worry a young mother, perhaps not yet experienced in such matters, since this is the norm for discharge after a cesarean section, which indicates that everything is in order. But in order to see that something is wrong in time, you need to know about deviations, which will first of all have to be addressed to specialists. Usually they differ little from problematic lochia after natural childbirth.

Deadlines

One of the most exciting questions is how long does the discharge last after a cesarean section in order to know for sure whether the recovery period is prolonged or the process is proceeding within the permitted limits. Information about normal periods will allow you to control your actual menstrual cycle, which should soon improve.

Norm

The normal discharge period after cesarean section is from 7 to 9 weeks. So discharge 2 months after cesarean does not pose any danger to the health of the young mother.

Deviations

If after a cesarean delivery the discharge ends too quickly (within 6 weeks) or is very prolonged (up to 10 weeks), this is not yet a reason to panic. Yes, the standard limits are no longer met, but these indicators can only be determined individual characteristics body. If the composition, smell, thickness, color, and number of lochia do not indicate complications, there is no need to worry. Although even in this situation, it wouldn’t hurt to tell the doctor about it.

Pathologies

Seeing a doctor is mandatory if the discharge lasts for postpartum period after cesarean I went beyond the norm. This is either too quick an end (less than 5 weeks) or too long a process (over 10 weeks). Both are equally dangerous. In the first case, the remnants of the dead endometrium for some reason could not come out and there is a high probability of them festering. If lochia lasts too long, endometritis or infectious process V abdominal cavity or genitals. A condition when the discharge after a cesarean section ends and starts again is also dangerous: this also indicates some deviations in the process of restoration of the uterus.

Knowing how long the discharge lasts after a cesarean section during the normal healing process, a woman does not have to worry about what she has. this period it took too long or, on the contrary, passed too quickly. After all, in both cases, you will have to take appropriate measures: go to see a doctor, undergo additional examinations and, if diseases or complications are detected, undergo a course of treatment, no matter how much you would like it.

be careful. You should not be happy if your discharge has already stopped a month after a cesarean section. Such a rapid process very often ends in inflammation or infection, which requires surgical cleaning of the uterus.

Lochia character

Throughout the recovery period after surgery, the nature of lochia will change. Initially, blood clots will be released, since the uterus at this time is a large, open, bleeding wound. But over time, during the healing process, they will change to mucus, dead epithelial cells and other postpartum debris.

This also needs to be monitored very carefully. If, for example, bleeding after a cesarean section does not end, this will be an alarming signal that the damaged tissues for some reason cannot regenerate. Such cases require medical intervention and treatment. Therefore, monitor the nature of your lochia and its duration.

1. Presence of blood

At first, the presence of blood in the lochia should not raise doubts among young mothers: this is the healing of broken blood vessels and damaged tissue. However, here important point The timing is exactly how many days the bleeding lasts after a cesarean section: if it’s more than 7-8, then this is already abnormal and you need to sound the alarm.

1. Presence of clots

This is also quite understandable during this period of time: they are cells of the already dead endometrium and placenta. After 7-8 days they will go away, so the discharge will become more liquid.

1. Mucus discharge

If in addition to the bloody discharge there is also mucous discharge in the first days after a cesarean section, this is also the norm: in this way the body is cleansed of the products of the baby’s intrauterine vital activity.

1. Pink discharge

If a month after cesarean they begin pink discharge, which means the healing process is not finished yet. Perhaps, under some mechanical influence, the wounded tissues were damaged again. Very often this happens if a couple is impatient and, without waiting for the end of the recovery period, they begin to have sex too early.

1. Brown shade

After 6-7 weeks, the nature of the lochia will resemble ordinary menstrual smears of a brownish color: the blood will coagulate and will no longer be so bright and scarlet.

1. Purulent discharge

The danger after cesarean section is purulent discharge, which are the first symptom of endometrium (inflammation of the uterine lining). They are usually yellowish-green in color, have a very unpleasant smell and are accompanied by elevated temperature(due to infection), pain in the abdomen and perineum.

1. Watery lochia

A young mother should also be alerted to watery lochia, devoid of any shade, almost transparent. This is how transudate - fluid contained in the blood or lymphatic vessels. This is bad, as it indicates poor circulation in this area. In addition, watery discharge after cesarean section unpleasant smell giving rotten fish, is a symptom characteristic of vaginal dysbiosis (gardnerellosis).

If you had to give birth by cesarean section, you must definitely monitor the nature of the discharge that begins. It is the impurities in their composition that may indicate a particular disease that will need to be identified and treated. Often all this threatens the hospital walls again - and this is precisely at the moment when the mother so needs her baby. It is much easier to prevent the problem and enjoy unforgettable moments of communication with the baby. In addition to character, the color of the discharge can tell a lot.

Hue

Normally, the color of lochia after cesarean section should be red at first, then it becomes brown discharge(closer to the end). The rest of the color palette should alert the young mother and force her to go to the hospital for additional examination to find out if everything is fine with her body’s recovery.

Yellowness

If after cesarean section began yellow discharge, they may indicate the following postpartum processes:

• pale yellow, scanty lochia by the end of 2-3 weeks is normal;
• bright yellow, almost orange discharge with a greenish tint, putrefactive odor on days 4-6 - a symptom of pronounced, but just beginning endometritis;
• copious, mucous, yellow discharge after 2 weeks is a sign of already hidden and, most likely, rather advanced endometritis.

Endometritis cannot be treated on its own: antibiotic therapy or even surgery will be required.

Greenery

It's not hard to guess that green discharge, which began after cesarean section, are explained by the presence of pus in them. It indicates the occurrence of an infectious, inflammatory process in the uterus. Only a medical examination will help determine its cause and diagnose the disease.

White lochia

By itself, without accompanying symptoms, white discharge, which may begin some time after a cesarean section, does not pose a threat. But as soon as certain signs appear, you need to be alert. These include:

• itching of the perineum;
• redness in the intimate area;
• if there is discharge with a sour smell;
• cheesy consistency.

In such cases, a bacterial culture or vaginal smear is required for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

Black

If after a cesarean section there is black discharge without odor or pain, it should be taken as normal. They are dictated hormonal changes in the blood after childbirth. A deviation is if they occur some time after the operation.

To avoid complications of the recovery period after cesarean section, you need to monitor the color of postpartum discharge. She can suggest a problem at the very beginning. This will make it easier to eliminate it and allow you to quickly return to normal after completing the necessary course of treatment.

Quantity

A young mother also needs to pay attention to how much lochia comes out of her in order to judge how the body’s recovery is proceeding. If after a cesarean section there is little discharge, especially in the very first days, this may be an alarming signal that the tubes, uterine ducts are clogged, a blood clot has formed, etc.

The opposite situation is no less dangerous: profuse lochia that does not stop for too long - alarm signal about the impossibility full recovery uterus after surgery. In both cases you need to go special examination and find out what is the reason for such deviations.

Any woman wants postpartum lochia to end as soon as possible and nothing to overshadow happy motherhood. However, there is no need to be too hostile towards them. It is they that can serve as that alarming and sometimes the only signal that not everything is in order with the restoration of the body and some measures need to be taken to help it. You should especially be wary of discharge after a cesarean section with an odor and an unrealistically bright hue. This almost always ends with a course of antibiotic treatment, which is highly undesirable during lactation, or another surgical intervention.