Postpartum discharge - lochia - what should they be? Bleeding and discharge in the postpartum period

How long does lochia last after childbirth?

The mechanism of the birth of a child is a serious stress for the body. Rejection of the fetus is accompanied by a large number of unpleasant and sometimes dangerous phenomena for the woman in labor, for the baby. Possible:

• bleeding;
• incomplete discharge of the placenta;
• numerous breaks.

A natural component of postpartum recovery is lochia (you can see how they look in the photo). The contents of the uterus gradually come out, it is cleared.

It is worth knowing in advance how long the discharge lasts after childbirth in order to be ready for them and be wary in time if something goes wrong. Note that after artificial birth (caesarean section), lochia can go a little longer. After the second birth, the third, the uterus will contract faster.

1. What should they be?
2. Discharge after childbirth: the norm
3. yellow lochia
4. green lochia
5. Brown and bloody lochia
6. Mucous discharge
7. Purulent lochia
8. White discharge
9. pink discharge
10. Lochia after childbirth: norm and deviations (by day)

How long does bleeding last after childbirth?

Immediately after childbirth, the inner walls of the uterus are a continuous wound surface. It is easy to understand why so much bloody content is separated in the first days after childbirth. The muscular layer of the uterus contracts, naturally, under the influence of oxytocin, the vessels contract, the mechanisms of blood coagulation and bleeding stop are triggered. These are the natural consequences of having a baby.

At first, the discharge can be called pure blood - at least they look like that. This is fine. In time, their duration takes from 2 to 3 days. Everything that begins later no longer seems to be bleeding - the nature of lochia (the so-called postpartum discharge) is changing.

What should be the discharge after childbirth

In order to visualize how long the allocations last, how many days they take, which ones should go and in what period, let's turn to the table. Bloody, bloody, dark brown, smearing, plentiful, meager - how long do they last and when do they stop?

Table 1.

Discharge after childbirth: the norm

If a month has passed, and nothing stands out from the uterus, you need to go to the doctor, even if you feel well. Has the nature of the discharge changed dramatically? Another reason to visit a doctor. The normal duration of lochia separation is up to 8 weeks. Doctors say that the discharge takes place within 5 to 9 weeks - this also falls within the normal range. Lochia that goes 7 weeks is a normal indicator. Normal discharge after childbirth differs from those considered pathological in several ways.

These include:

• duration;
• character;
• the presence or absence of an unpleasant odor.

Discharge after childbirth with an unpleasant odor

The smell of discharge after childbirth is their significant characteristic. If we talk about the norm, then immediately after childbirth, the discharge smells of blood. This is natural: the main component is blood. After 7 days, when the scarlet and brown discharge ends, the smell becomes rotten.

You should be wary if there is a discharge with an unpleasant odor, the reasons for this may lie in the disease. Women evaluate the smell differently: “Smelly”, “Smell bad”, “Rotten smell”, “Fish smell”. All of these are bad symptoms. Discharge, even light, with an unpleasant odor, is a reason for a visit to the doctor.

yellow discharge after childbirth

When the bloody and brown lochia ends, they brighten, gradually acquire a yellowish tint. Normally, they have almost no smell. Yellow discharge after childbirth after 2 months, not at all abundant, gradually becoming transparent, doctors refer to one of the options for the normal healing of the uterus. Discharge of a distinct yellow color, which also disturbs the woman with an unpleasant odor or some accompanying sensations - itching, burning - may indicate a disease.

They can be:

• yellow with a smell;
• liquid like water;
• jelly-like;
• smearing, sticky.

All of them require a medical examination. This kind of discharge can no longer be considered lochia - this is a sign of the presence of an infection in the body. Most often, in this case, they talk about the beginning - inflammation of the uterus. It needs to be treated at the earliest stages, when the temperature has not yet risen and the infection has not captured a large area of ​​the inner layer of the uterus.

Green discharge after childbirth

Green discharge after childbirth after 2 months or earlier is a sign that something is wrong in the body. This color of lochia at any stage is not normal. Greenish or yellow-green lochia indicates that there is a bacterial infection in the uterus, vagina, or fallopian tubes. If you do not cope with it in time, endometritis may begin - a disease that causes inflammation of the inner lining of the uterus.

They are at:

• gardnellese;
• gonorrhea;
• chlamydia.

Often the discharge of this shade causes trichomoniasis. Trichomonas settles in the vagina, and it is dangerous because, if left untreated, the infection rises higher.

The first signs of trichomoniasis:

• green color;
• foamy character;

In addition, the woman will feel a burning sensation in the vagina, irritation. Mucous membranes may become red. If you start treatment immediately, without delaying, you can quickly cope with the disease and prevent further infection.

Brown and bloody discharge after childbirth

Bloody discharge should not last long. Bloody and dark red should end no later than a few days. The first hours after the birth of a baby are considered the most dangerous, when the uterus is still, in fact, a continuous bleeding wound. During this time, bleeding may occur. Doctors carefully monitor the condition of the woman in labor and send her to the postpartum ward, put an ice pack wrapped in cloth on the lower abdomen, inject oxytocin, and put the baby to the chest. Intensive observation lasts 1.5-2 hours.

After a caesarean section, just as after a natural birth, bloody lochia is observed. Only the process of involution of the uterus can go slower due to the seam, and therefore they can last a little longer. After cleaning the uterus, if the placenta did not come out on its own, there will also be spotting.

Brown discharge after childbirth after 2 months is possibly a pathological reaction of the body. This is how clotted blood comes out. There can be many reasons - from hormonal failure to menstruation starting to recover (if the mother does not breastfeed), the nature of which may be unusual at first, since the hormonal background has changed. The reason may be.

If two months have passed after delivery - and you find spotting, even if the baby is breastfed, you need to see a doctor. Either a new menstrual cycle begins, or a serious inflammatory process is underway. And it may not even be accompanied by pain.

Perhaps the presence of tumors, polyps, the appearance. When the discharge stopped and suddenly started again - this is the reason for the examination in any case. If it is confirmed that this is menstrual flow, you need to protect yourself. It is necessary to know that, with the restoration of the cycle appear. During menstruation, the amount of milk may decrease. You need to be patient and continue breastfeeding. Supplements should be used only in extreme cases.

Mucous discharge after childbirth

The discharge of a small amount of mucous secretions a week after the birth of a child is the norm. At this time, the mother's body, or rather the uterus, continues to cleanse itself, the work of the mucous membranes of the genital organs, which produce mucus, is restored. Over the next week, their volume decreases.

Further, the appearance of mucous secretions, when the lochia has almost disappeared, may indicate ovulation. At the same time, they are thick mucous membranes, similar to egg whites. If the mother is breastfeeding, but has already introduced complementary foods, ovulation can come with a high degree of probability in 2-3 months. In non-nursing women, the process of maturation of the egg begins again after the second month or even earlier. Pregnancy during this period is highly undesirable - after all, the body has not yet returned to normal, so it is necessary to carefully protect yourself. Yellow mucous discharge may indicate an infection. Has the discharge with mucus intensified, acquired an unpleasant odor? Contact your doctor.

Purulent discharge after childbirth

An extremely dangerous symptom is purulent discharge after childbirth, whenever they occur: after a month, after 3 months, after 7 weeks. Purulent discharge is one of the leading symptoms of inflammation. Possible endometritis or salpinogo-oophoritis.

This is often noted:

• weakness;
• fatigue;
• headache;
• lower abdominal pain;
• hyperthermia - an increase in body temperature.

white discharge after childbirth

White discharge after childbirth is a sign of thrush, which tends to worsen with any fluctuations in immunity. The main symptom of thrush is the curdled consistency of the discharge. It is not worth delaying with its treatment: it is not dangerous in itself, but it can provoke the penetration of inflammation along the ascending path, and then a bacterial infection is likely to join. Untreated candidiasis causes significant discomfort to the mother.

It is difficult to confuse thrush with other diseases: it manifests itself, in addition to the characteristic curdled discharge with a sour smell, itching and burning, as well as constant irritation in the vaginal area. Why don't these secretions go away on their own? The body is weakened, it is difficult for it to cope with the multiplied fungus, local immunity cannot cope - help is needed. The appearance of secretions with the smell of fish indicates dysbiosis and the appearance of gardnerelosis. Gardnerella is a conditionally pathogenic organism that is constantly present on the vaginal mucosa. But under favorable conditions, its reproduction is not inhibited, and itching and smell appear. Often its reproduction occurs against the background of thrush.

Pink postpartum discharge

Discharge of a pinkish hue may be due to the presence of erosion, minor injuries of the genital tract that occurred during childbirth, or diseases such as uterus, divergence of sutures. In any case, you should visit a doctor to determine the cause.

Lochia after childbirth: the norm and deviations by day

It may be easier for you to understand whether everything is proceeding within the normal range if you refer to the following summary table.

Table 2.

When does discharge end after childbirth?

A woman must know when the discharge after childbirth passes - then she will be able to detect any problems in time. Normally, this happens after 8, in extreme cases - 9 weeks. Allocations for more than 2 months are rare. Usually, by the same time, doctors lift the ban on sexual life. At the same time, nothing should stand out from the female genital tract. Any strange leucorrhoea or blood that appears during or after sexual intercourse is a reason to contact a gynecologist.

In order to reduce the likelihood of infection entering the uterus, a woman must observe thorough hygiene throughout the postpartum period:

• wash daily (you can wash with plain water);
• change pads every 2-3 hours;
• do not use tampons.

Bloody lochia and the duration of their appearance should not be frightening - rather, the sudden cessation of discharge and the appearance of an unpleasant odor should be alarming. Be patient a little: it just seems like it's taking so long. Soon (in a month and a half) the body will recover, you will feel better, and you can safely enjoy the happiness of motherhood.

The birth of the afterbirth occurs, which means the completion of the birth process. This is accompanied by the release of a large amount of blood and mucus: since the surface of the uterus is damaged, a wound from the former attachment of the placenta remains on it. Until the surface of the uterus heals and the mucosa does not recover, the wound contents will be released from the vagina of the puerperal, gradually changing in color (blood impurities will be less and less) and decreasing in number. These are called lochia.

Immediately after the completion of childbirth, a woman is injected with a drug to stimulate the contractile activity of the uterus. Usually it is Oxytocin or Methylegrometril. The bladder is emptied through the catheter (so that it does not put pressure on the uterus and does not interfere with its contractions), and an ice heating pad is placed on the lower abdomen. This time is very dangerous due to the discovery of hypotonic uterine bleeding, so the puerperal is observed for two hours in the delivery room.

Bloody discharge is now very abundant, but still should not exceed the norm. The woman does not experience any pain, but bleeding quickly leads to weakness and dizziness. Therefore, if you feel that the blood is very strong (for example, the diaper under you is all wet), be sure to tell the medical staff about it.

If the discharge during these two hours does not exceed half a liter and the condition of the puerperal is satisfactory, then she is transferred to the postpartum ward. Now you must monitor your secretions, and for this you need to know what they are and how long they last. Do not be afraid: of course, the nurse will control everything. Yes, and the doctor will certainly come in, including to assess the nature and amount of discharge. But in order to be confident and calm, it is better to know in advance what will happen to you in the first time after childbirth, and what character normal postpartum discharge should have.

What is the discharge after childbirth?

Lochia are made up of blood cells, ichorus, plasma, scraps of the lining of the uterine cavity (dying epithelium) and mucus from the cervical canal, so you will notice mucus and clots in them, especially in the first days after childbirth. With pressure on the abdomen, as well as during movement, the discharge of wound contents may increase. Keep this in mind if you want to get out of bed - you immediately gush. Therefore, we recommend that you first put a diaper under your feet.

Lochia will constantly change their character. At first, they resemble discharge during menstruation, only much more abundant. This is good, because the uterine cavity is being cleansed of wound contents. After a few days, the lochia will become a little darker in color and less in number. In the second week, the discharge will be brownish-yellow, take on a slimy consistency, and after the third week it will be yellowish-white. But blood impurities can be observed for a whole month after childbirth - this is normal.

To avoid bleeding?

Even after the transfer of the puerperal to the postpartum ward, the likelihood of opening bleeding is still high. If the amount of discharge has increased sharply, call your doctor immediately. And to prevent bleeding, do the following:

• Roll over on your stomach regularly: this will help empty the uterine cavity from wound contents. Better yet, lie more on your stomach than on your back or side.
• Go to the bathroom as often as possible, even if you don't feel the urge. Ideally every 2-3 hours as a full bladder puts pressure on the uterus and prevents it from contracting.
• Several times a day, put a heating pad with ice on the lower abdomen: the vessels will contract, which also prevents bleeding.
• Do not lift anything heavy - with physical exertion, the amount of discharge may increase.

In addition, in nursing mothers, lochia ends much faster. Therefore, breastfeed your baby on demand - during suckling, the mother's body produces oxytocin, which provokes contraction of the uterine muscles. At the same time, the woman feels cramping pains, and the discharge itself intensifies.

To prevent infection?

Abundant discharge in the early days is very desirable - this is how the uterine cavity is cleansed faster. In addition, already from the first days of the postpartum period, a diverse microbial flora is found in the lochia, which, multiplying, can cause an inflammatory process.

In addition, like any other, this wound (on the uterus) bleeds and can be infected very easily - access to it is now open. To prevent this from happening, you should strictly observe hygiene and follow these recommendations:

• Wash your genitals with warm water every time you go to the toilet. Wash outside, not inside, from front to back.
• Take a shower daily. But refrain from bathing - in this case, the risk of infection increases. For the same reason, you can not douche.
• In the first days after childbirth, use sterile diapers instead of sanitary pads.
• Later, change your pads at least eight times a day. It is better to take the ones you are used to, only for more drops. And wear them under disposable mesh panties.
• It is strictly forbidden to use hygienic tampons: they retain the wound contents inside, preventing its discharge, and provoke the development of infections.

How much is the discharge after childbirth?

Lochia begins to stand out from the moment of rejection of the placenta and normally will last an average of 6-8 weeks. The intensity of postpartum discharge will decrease over time, lochia will gradually brighten and come to naught. This period is not the same for everyone, as it depends on many different factors:

• intensity of uterine contraction;
• physiological characteristics of the female body (its ability to fast);
• the course of the pregnancy period;
• the course of childbirth;
• the presence or absence of postpartum complications (in particular inflammation of an infectious nature);
• method of delivery (with caesarean section, lochia can last a little longer than with physiological childbirth);
• breastfeeding (the more often a woman puts a baby to her breast, the more intensively the uterus contracts and clears).

But in general, on average, discharge after childbirth lasts a month and a half: this period is just enough to restore the mucous epithelium of the uterus. If the lochia ended much earlier or does not stop much longer, then the woman needs to see a doctor.

When to see a doctor?

As soon as the discharge becomes natural, you should visit a gynecologist. But there are situations when a doctor's examination is needed much earlier. If the lochia stopped abruptly (much earlier than they should have) or in the first days after childbirth their number is very small, you should see a gynecologist. The development of lochiometers (delay of wound contents in the uterine cavity) can lead to the appearance of endometritis (inflammation of the uterine mucosa). In this case, the wound contents accumulate inside and create a favorable environment for bacteria to live, which is fraught with the development of infections. Therefore, contraction is caused by medication.

However, the opposite option is also possible: when, after a stable decrease in the amount and volume of the discharge, they sharply became abundant, bleeding began. If you are still in the hospital, call a doctor immediately, and if you are already at home, call an ambulance.

A cause for concern is a yellow-green discharge with a sharp unpleasant putrefactive odor, as well as the appearance of pain in the abdomen, combined with fever. This indicates the development of endometritis. The appearance of curdled discharge and itching indicates the development of yeast colpitis (thrush).

Otherwise, if everything goes well, then one and a half to two months after the birth, the discharge will take on the character of a pre-pregnant one, and you will begin to live an old new life. The onset of the usual menstruation will mark the return of the female body to the prenatal state and its readiness for a new pregnancy. That's just better to wait with this: take care of a reliable method of contraception, at least for 2-3 years.

Specially for- Elena Kichak

Every woman who has given birth at least once in her life knows that after the completion of childbirth, serious changes begin in the body. This is also accompanied by discharges of various kinds: bloody, brown, yellow, etc. Newly made mothers are very frightened when they see these discharges, they begin to worry that an infection has entered their body, bleeding has begun, etc. However, this is normal and cannot be avoided.

The main thing is to ensure that the discharge does not exceed the norm, and that there is no pain, otherwise you will need the help of a gynecologist.

How long does discharge last after childbirth?

How long does discharge last after childbirth? In general, postpartum discharge is scientifically called lochia. They begin to appear from the moment of rejection of the afterbirth and usually persist for 7-8 weeks. Over time, the lochia is allocated less and less, their color begins to become lighter and lighter, and then the discharge stops.

However, it is impossible to answer with accuracy the question of how long the discharge lasts after the end of childbirth, since it depends on several factors:

• The physiological characteristics of each woman are different, including the ability of the body to quickly recover after childbirth.
• The course of the pregnancy itself.
• Intensity of uterine contraction.
• The presence of complications after childbirth.
• Breastfeeding a child (if a woman is breastfeeding, the uterus contracts and clears much faster).

But, on average, remember, the discharge lasts about 1.5 months. During this time, the body is gradually recovering from pregnancy and childbirth. If the lochia ends a couple of days or weeks after giving birth, you should seek help from specialists, as your uterus does not contract properly, and this is fraught with serious complications. The same applies to the situation when the discharge does not stop for quite a long time, which may indicate bleeding, polyps in the uterus, inflammation, etc.

Discharge one month after childbirth

Abundant discharge in the first month is quite desirable - this is how the uterine cavity is cleaned. In addition, microbial flora is formed in the lochia after childbirth, which can later cause all kinds of inflammatory processes inside the body.

At this time, it is necessary to carefully observe personal hygiene, because a bleeding wound can be infected. Therefore it follows:

• Wash your genitals thoroughly after going to the toilet. It is necessary to wash with warm water, and outside, not inside.
• every day to swim, take a shower, a bath after childbirth can not be taken.
• in the first weeks, days after childbirth, use sterile diapers, not sanitary pads.
• for a certain time after childbirth, change pads 7-8 times a day.
• Forget about using sanitary tampons.

Remember that after a month, the discharge should become a little lighter, because soon they should stop altogether. Keep up your hygiene, and don't worry, everything is going according to plan.

If the discharge continues a month after the birth and they are plentiful, have an unpleasant odor, mucous membranes, then urgently see a doctor! Do not over tighten, it can be dangerous for your health!

Bloody discharge after childbirth

A large amount of blood and mucus is released from a woman immediately after she has given birth to a baby, although it should be so. All this is due to the fact that the surface of the uterus is damaged, since there is now a wound from the attachment of the placenta. Therefore, spotting will continue until the wound on the surface of the uterus heals.

It should be understood that spotting should not be more than the permissible norm. You can find out about this very easily - with excessive discharge, the diaper or sheet under you will be all wet. It is also worth worrying if you feel any pain in the uterine area or if the discharge jolts in time with the heartbeat, which indicates bleeding. In this case, seek medical advice immediately.

Lochia will gradually change. At first it will be a discharge that is similar to the discharge during menstruation, only much more, then it will turn brownish, then yellowish white, lighter and lighter.

Some women bleed after giving birth, but at first they think it's a safe bleeding. To avoid bleeding, you must:

1. Go to the toilet regularly - the bladder should not put pressure on the uterus, thereby preventing its contraction.
2. Always lie on the stomach (the uterine cavity will be cleared of the contents from the wound).
3. Put a heating pad with ice on the lower abdomen in the delivery room (in general, obstetricians should do this by default).
4. Avoid strenuous exercise.

Brown discharge after childbirth

Brown discharge is especially frightening for most moms, especially if it causes an unpleasant odor. And if you read everything about medicine, and gynecology in particular, then you know that this is an irreversible process that should be waited out. At this time, dead particles, some blood cells, come out.

In the first hours after the end of childbirth, the discharge may already acquire a brown tint, along with large blood clots. But, basically, the first few days of lochia will be purely bloody.

If the recovery period for a woman passes without complications, on the 5th-6th day, the discharge will become brownish. An interesting fact is that brown discharge ends much earlier in those mothers who breastfeed their children. The reason for this is as follows - lactation favors the fastest contraction of the uterus.

At the same time, brown lochia lasts longer for those women who had to do it.

However, if there is a sharp purulent smell with brown discharge, pay close attention to this. After all, the possible cause of this phenomenon is an infection introduced into the body. Therefore, in this case, immediately seek medical help.

yellow discharge after childbirth

The discharge acquires a yellowish tint approximately on the tenth day after the birth has passed. The uterus is gradually recovering, and yellow discharge only confirms this fact. At this time, it is important to breastfeed the baby, and also do not forget to empty the bladder on time. Thus, the yellow discharge will stop faster, and the uterus will return to its original prenatal state.

However, if immediately after the birth of the baby you notice that you have discharge of a bright yellow color or with a green admixture, you should tell your doctor about this. After all, such lochia can be caused by the fact that inflammatory processes are going on in the woman's body. In addition, discharge of this color is usually accompanied by high fever and discomfort in the lower abdomen.

It is possible that suppuration has occurred in the uterine cavity, so you should seek help from a gynecologist who will refer you to an ultrasound scan.

Remember that yellow discharge caused by an infection tends to have a strong, purulent odor. To avoid such consequences, it is necessary to observe personal hygiene, as well as be under the supervision of a doctor.

But in general, yellow discharge is a common occurrence and they only confirm that everything is proceeding properly.

What do mucous, green, purulent or smelly discharge after childbirth say

It should be understood that abundant purulent discharge, green lochia are not the norm for a woman's body after childbirth. In most cases, such discharge is caused by endometritis, which occurs as a result of inflammatory processes inside the uterus.

The contraction of the uterus, in this case, occurs rather slowly due to the fact that lochia remained in it. Their stagnation inside the uterus and can lead to negative consequences.

Mucous discharge, if they do not exceed the norm, can be observed throughout the entire month or one and a half months after the end of childbirth. The nature of these secretions will change over time, but they will still, to one degree or another, appear until the inner lining of the uterus is fully restored. It is worth worrying only if the mucous lochia has acquired a purulent, unpleasant odor. If you experience these symptoms, you should consult a gynecologist.

Always remember that postpartum discharge will occur without fail. You should not raise an alarm about this. Although your doctor should be aware of how the recovery period after childbirth proceeds. Write down the date the discharge started, then note when it changed to brown or yellow. Record on paper how you feel at the same time, whether there is dizziness, fatigue, etc.

Recovery of the female body after childbirth takes time. This is especially true of the main reproductive organ - the uterus. Gradually, it shrinks, takes on its former size, the endometrial layer that lines it from the inside is restored.

After delivery, for some time there is a release of a blood-colored liquid - lochia. They gradually darken and pass in 6-8 weeks. What happens after this and what should be the normal female discharge a couple of months after delivery? It depends on the characteristics of the mother's body.

Postpartum discharge: what should be normal?

Before discharge from the maternity hospital, a woman is given a control ultrasound to find out if there are any blood clots and placenta particles left in the uterus. When they are found, scraping is done. Otherwise, the mother is discharged home. After childbirth, spotting is observed within 4-7 weeks. These are lochia, which consist of mucous exudate, blood, and fragments of the decidua that have lost their viability.

With delivery by caesarean section, the recovery of the uterus takes longer, bleeding can last more than 2 months. 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, shrink in volume. Natural help in this is breastfeeding, which stimulates the contractile activity of the uterus.

Types of normal discharge in the postpartum period:

1. Bloody. Lochia initially have a scarlet color and the smell of blood, which is due to the presence of a large number of red blood cells.
2. Serous. Appear towards the end of the first week. They have a rotten smell, include a lot of leukocytes.
3. Yellowish white. Observed from 1.5 weeks after birth, have a liquid consistency, do not smell. On 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 separated from the cervical canal.

How long do lochia last?

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The duration of lochia is affected by:

• coagulability of a woman's blood;
• features of gestation and the course of delivery (natural, caesarean section);
• the size and weight of the fetus (after a multiple pregnancy, the reproductive organ recovers longer);
• method of feeding (fuckers stop faster if a woman is breastfeeding a baby).

The more actively the uterus contracts, the sooner the lochia will end. On average, they stop within 6 weeks, after a cesarean section, the period can be delayed for another 3 weeks. Three months later, the uterus should be completely cleansed. The incessant abundant discharge of scarlet color should alert. The complete absence of lochia is also a sign of pathology (hematometers). In this case, the discharge accumulates in the uterus, has no way out. It is important to seek urgent medical attention.

How does breastfeeding affect lochia?

When breastfeeding, oxytocin is produced, a hormone that positively affects the contractile activity of the uterus. It contributes to the rapid contraction of the muscular organ and return to its original size. The volume of lochia is getting smaller every day. To quickly reduce the amount of discharge, you need to apply the baby to the breast as often as possible.

Immediately, as soon as the uterus recovers (usually three months after childbirth), menstruation can 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 comes out. For this reason, pregnancy during breastfeeding is not excluded.

Norm or pathology?

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 delivery. Sometimes it can be mistaken for the first menstruation. In contrast, bleeding lasts more than 10 days, accompanied by the release of blood clots.
• Curdled discharge can be observed while taking antibiotics. They can provoke a deficiency of lactobacilli in the vagina, which is accompanied by thrush, unpleasant burning and itching.

Bloody discharge after 2-4 months

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

Each case is individual, so a consultation with a gynecologist is indispensable. It is possible that the first menstruation has come since the 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. A similar color indicates the presence of clotted blood in them. The appearance of such secretions 3 months after childbirth is evidence of the beginning of the restoration of the cycle. They can come with a frequency of 21-34 days. After a couple of such periods, the highlights will turn red.

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

Bright red discharge after a month or so

If bright red discharge was noted a month after the birth and disappeared in four days, we can talk about the resumption of menstruation (for more details, see the article:). This happens to mothers who are not breastfeeding. At the same time, pathological processes in the pelvic organs should not be excluded, especially if the blood flows or smears for 2 weeks or more. Such an early onset of menstruation is a reason for consulting a gynecologist. After examination, he will be able to pinpoint the cause of the bright red discharge.

Scarlet color may indicate such anomalies:

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

Blood discharge after 2-4 months

Blood discharge after 2-4 months is one of the options for the norm. Many women complain that such discharge then disappears, then reappears. At the same time, there are no painful sensations, an increase in temperature and other alarming symptoms. For complacency, it is better to consult a doctor who will evaluate 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 immediately consult a doctor.

With severe blood loss, when one night pad is filled in 1-3 hours and this continues for more than a day, you need to urgently go to the doctor. A similar phenomenon threatens with 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 shown, but also the intake of iron preparations, plasma transfusion.

Pathological bleeding is possible with endometritis, polyps, adenomyosis, divergence of uterine sutures, myoma, and inflammatory processes in the pelvic organs. They differ from the usual monthly duration, profusion, may have an unpleasant odor or an unusual shade.

Postpartum discharge, which 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, start treating the pathology that caused them.

All women who have given birth know that the postpartum period is associated with the appearance of bloody discharge from the uterus. For girls who have become mothers for the first time, their intensity and duration can be scary. However, discharge a month after childbirth is a natural phenomenon associated with the cleansing of the cavity of the reproductive organ.

The following factors influence the rate of recovery of the reproductive system after childbirth:

• How was the pregnancy?
• features of the course of childbirth;
• how intensely the muscles of the uterus contract;
• Are there postpartum complications?
• Is the woman breastfeeding her baby?

A month and a half has passed after the birth, and the discharge continues, and their intensity does not decrease? Then you need to consult a gynecologist. As in the case when the discharge or postpartum menstruation ended too early - after 3-4 weeks.

Hygiene after childbirth

After a happy mother has experienced the birth of her baby, she must pay special attention to self-care. This applies to genital hygiene. It is important that in the first time, when there is a discharge after childbirth, she uses soft, well-absorbing products.

These can be pieces of soft natural fabric or pads. In the latter case, it is better to choose them without flavoring and with a smooth surface. On it it will be easy to see what the discharge looks like after childbirth, to notice the presence of clots. Hygiene products should be changed at least once every three hours.

After each visit to the toilet room, it is necessary to wash with warm water. It is necessary to wash the genitals in the direction from front to back. A daily shower is recommended. But you should refrain from taking a bath for a couple of months.

In the first time after childbirth, doctors do not recommend using a procedure such as douching. Although twenty years ago, a week after giving birth, he was prescribed in order to stimulate uterine contractions (boiled water with iodine was used).

Forbidden . This is because they delay vaginal discharge. This prevents the normal cleansing of organs and promotes the reproduction of pathogens.