How much should you bleed after a caesarean? Varieties of discharge after caesarean section. Mucous lochia after cesarean

After giving birth, every woman needs a rehabilitation period, and the uterus needs restoration most of all. Regardless of the method of delivery (surgical or natural), for some period a woman is worried about bloody vaginal discharge. Bleeding after a caesarean is called lochia by gynecologists. Usually, they are perceived by patients as regular periods, but only their nature during postpartum rehabilitation is constantly changing. It is by their changes that experts judge the condition of the woman who has given birth.

The uterus after caesarean is restored in the order of one and a half to two months. During this period, patients need to be as sensitive as possible to their well-being in order to notice the slightest changes in their condition. The nature of bleeding after caesarean section differs from the discharge after natural delivery. What is the difference?

• In the first postpartum week, lochia, in addition to blood, contains a lot of additional impurities such as mucus, dead epithelial cells, plasma, etc. After a normal birth, mucus is not observed in the mass separated from the vagina.
• A caesarean section is characterized by a larger area of ​​wound injuries, so the likelihood of inflammatory or infectious complications increases significantly. Therefore, postoperative rehabilitation requires mandatory compliance with all hygiene requirements several times a day.
• The first few days of the postoperative period, the normal shade of the discharge is scarlet or bright red, the bleeding looks much more saturated than after natural delivery.
• Healing and contraction of the uterus after surgery is longer in nature, and therefore lochia is released for a week or two longer.

It is these discharges that are considered normal during childbirth by caesarean section.

Characteristics of secretions

During the entire rehabilitation, lochia will gradually change their characteristics. At first, blood clots will predominate in the outgoing masses, since there is a large surgical wound in the uterus. But over time, it will begin to heal, the amount of blood will decrease and will be partially replaced by mucous discharge, dead epithelial cells and other postpartum waste.

The puerperal should definitely observe changes in the nature of the discharge in order to timely detect pathological signs, if any. If in the first postoperative days the blood in the discharge is considered the norm, then after more than a week, a similar character of lochia is a sign of pathology.

It is also normal when clots are present in the separated mass, which are cells of the placenta and dead epithelium. After about a week, the thickened impurities in the lochia disappear, and the consistency of the secretions becomes more liquid. If the discharge comes with mucous impurities, then this is a normal sign indicating the processes of intrauterine cleansing of the body from fetal life.

If the spouses do not observe complete sexual rest and start having sex ahead of time, then the lochia can acquire a pinkish tint. This is due to damage to healing tissues. After about 1.5 months, vaginal spotting after a caesarean section takes on the appearance of traditional brown menstrual smears. At this stage, already coagulated blood is released, so the color of the lochia becomes not so bright.

A dangerous sign is considered if there is a watery, almost transparent discharge. So fluid can be released from the lymphatic or blood vessels, which indicates a violation of the blood supply. If, after a cesarean, a watery and unpleasantly smelling mass is released, then this may indicate vaginal dysbacteriosis or gardnerellosis.

No less dangerous are purulent masses, indicating inflammatory lesions of the uterine endometrial layer. Outwardly, such discharges are distinguished by a greenish or yellowish tint, have a sharp disgusting odor, are accompanied by hyperthermia and painful sensations in the perineum and uterus.

Bleeding duration

Another exciting question for women in childbirth after a cesarean section: how long does spotting last. It is important to know this in order to correctly assess the recovery process, whether it is proceeding normally or has already dragged on.

Knowing how many days lochia can normally last, it will be easier for a woman to assess her condition and determine the presence of abnormalities and pathologies.

What does the color lochia mean

The hue characteristics of the discharge can also tell about the presence of pathological postoperative abnormalities in the puerperal. Normal is at first red, and then, by the middle to the end of the second week, brown and pale yellow shades of discharge. Other variants of shades indicate any deviations or pathological complications.

If after a cesarean a greenish substance comes out of the vagina, then this sign indicates purulent processes caused by inflammation or infections in the uterine cavity. Therefore, when such a sign appears, the puerperal woman needs to undergo a gynecological examination.

The pathology also includes the discharge of bright yellow hues with impurities of greenery and the smell of rot in the first week after cesarean. They talk about the onset of endometritis. But if the yellow discharge begins to go on the third postpartum week, then we are talking about an already advanced inflammation of the endometrium, which requires antibiotic therapy and even surgery.

If a black substance is released immediately after the operation, which is not accompanied by pain and a disgusting smell, then this is a completely normal phenomenon associated with hormonal changes in hematopoiesis. But if a similar sign appeared a few weeks after a cesarean, then you need to consult a gynecologist.

Many patients are afraid of white discharge. If they are not accompanied by any deviations, then you should not panic - they are safe. But if they are accompanied by cheesy impurities, sour smell, hyperemia of the genital mucosa and itchy sensations in the perineum, then it is necessary to pass a vaginal smear or bakposev to determine the cause and pathogen of the infection.

How much blood does a woman lose?

In addition to how long the discharge is observed, an important indicator is the quantitative characteristic of lochia. A small amount of discharge in the first days of the postoperative period indicates the presence of any obstacle to the outflow of blood from the uterus and characteristic waste after cesarean. The cause may be thrombosis, blockage of pipes, etc.

Dangerous and too abundant discharge, lasting for a long time. This happens when the uterus for a number of reasons is not able to fully recover. Therefore, deviations in the number of secretions necessarily require diagnosis.

In order to avoid postoperative complications, it is recommended to comply with certain conditions.

If the mother is breastfeeding, then menstruation will come in about six months, but may come in a year, depending on the activity of feeding. If the child is on artificial mixtures, then menstruation comes in a couple of months.

Every woman dreams that the postoperative discharge will stop as soon as possible in order to calmly take care of the baby. It is worthwhile to tune in advance that lochia go far from one day, but 40-55 days. And there is no need to get angry because of this, because it is the discharge that is an indicator of the norm or pathology during the recovery period after a cesarean. The best option would be to comply with hygiene requirements, sexual rest and control over changes in secretions, then postoperative rehabilitation will take the shortest time.

Some women notice brown discharge that begins to appear after childbirth. Undoubtedly, this scares new moms. This is especially true of those secretions that come out with blood clots. Allocations of this nature in medicine are called lochia. The clots are made up of endometrial particles that have died off, as well as plasma and placental cells. When should one be afraid of these secretions, and in what period are they considered normal, and in which not?

Discharge after childbirth after 2 months: causes and solutions

We note right away that with the discharge that appeared after the birth process, the uterus begins to make contractions in an enhanced form. How long this process will be depends on the individuality of each organism. After a woman has given birth, her body undergoes self-cleansing and at the same time it gets rid of the remnants of tissues and mucus. Those who have already passed this period know that it is with the contraction of the uterus that involution occurs and the stomach begins to decrease.

The uterus should be cleansed for a period of not more than 2 months. Be sure to pay attention during the entire postpartum period to the nature and duration of the discharge. Remember that they can change their color. Initially, the discharge looks more like menstruation, but it can change its color to yellowish-white, while it should not have a characteristic smell.

If the body recovers normally, then the discharge from the uterine area stops after 4 weeks. It is considered normal if by this time only smearing spots sometimes appear. Rarely, but it happens that the process is delayed for 6 weeks.

If the process of uterine contraction is delayed, then you should take it to the clinic to see a doctor who, through ultrasound, will be able to identify the cause.

The consequences can be different, there are 6 reasons for a prolonged discharge:

• The presence of an inflammatory process in the uterus;
• Formation of a fibrous node;
• Uterine infantilism;
• Poor blood clotting;
• There was a bend of the organ;
• The placenta did not come out completely.

In the latter case, a complete gynecological diagnosis and cleaning of the uterus in the mode of stationary observation is required. The presence of a characteristic odor in the discharge can also be dangerous. This is a signal that the inflammatory process has begun. Since postpartum discharge is considered an excellent environment for the development of pathogenic bacteria, if abnormalities are found, you should immediately contact a gynecologist.

Brown discharge after childbirth after 3 months

As mentioned above, postpartum discharge is typical for a period of up to 6 weeks, but this is a rare case. If the discharge does not stop 12 weeks after the baby was born, then it may be menstruation or the formation of an inflammatory process. The nature of the discharge is very important, they can be dark or light beige, but if you see black discharge, then you need to urgently call an ambulance.

If you notice the discharge is white and mucus predominates in them, then this may be postpartum thrush. If there are few of them and they are mostly transparent, then you should not be afraid, these secretions are considered quite natural. A lingering discharge that has neither color nor smell in most cases means the period of ovulation.

If a woman does not breastfeed, then after 3 months her menstrual cycle may normalize, and discharge will mean the arrival of critical days. Standard menstruation will be accompanied by all known symptoms, these are pain in the lower back and lower abdomen, as well as increased sensitivity of the chest.

In the event that bleeding is accompanied by fever, severe malaise, it is necessary to urgently call an ambulance. Only a specialist can make a correct diagnosis.

After 3 months, only those that do not bring discomfort, are colorless and odorless are considered the norm of discharge. In other situations, you need to go to the hospital and do an ultrasound to find out everything about the state of your body.

What does brown discharge after childbirth testify after 1 month

After 4 weeks of your baby being born, spotting will change to brown. This will indicate that fresh blood is not released, but only the remnant of the old comes out.

Sometimes dark brown discharge may be accompanied by white or yellow mucus. This also indicates that the uterine cavity is returning to normal.

Allocations should not give you discomfort, and their amount should be insignificant. The difference after 4 weeks will be noticeable.

Before the lochia has finished exiting, the uterus will have reached its normal size, and the inside will be covered with a mucous membrane. It is considered normal if in a month you still have spotting, the most important thing is that there are not many of them and they are not accompanied by symptoms of the disease.

Can there be brown discharge after cesarean section: normal or pathological

There is no reason to panic a quick end, or vice versa, a long discharge, about 10 weeks. Yes, the deadline has already gone beyond, but it should be noted that each organism is special. If you do not observe an unpleasant odor or a large number of lochia, then there is no reason to think about deviations. Although it is better to consult with your gynecologist.

Be careful, there is a special reason for joy if the discharge ended almost immediately after childbirth. Such a quick result often indicates the appearance of an inflammatory process that requires cleaning.

It is imperative to consult a doctor if the terms are out of the norm. This is a period or less than 5 weeks or more than 11-12. Both the first and the second indicator are dangerous.

In the first case, perhaps the endometrium for some reason could not come out and there is a chance of suppuration. In the second option, an inflammatory process or endometritis can begin.

Why brown discharge occurs after childbirth (video)

Now, after reading our article, you know how much the discharge goes and when a woman need not worry. Carefully follow the deadlines to know if the process dragged on, went too fast, or continues to go within the normal range. In any case, at the slightest premonition that something was wrong, it is better to consult a doctor, no matter how much you would like it, in order to undergo the necessary treatment if necessary.

After a surgical operation, the membrane of the reproductive organ needs time to recover. As a rule, the recovery period lasts from 5 to 9 weeks, but this is provided that there are no complications. If during natural childbirth the discharge is not abundant, and they pass on their own, then after a cesarean section, the woman must be closely monitored. After all, there are often complications.

Allocations after caesarean section - the norm

In the early period after a caesarean section, in most cases, doctors compare the discharge with heavy menstruation. In medical practice, they are called lochia, they are red in color and contain small clots.

When do periods start after a caesarean section?

How long does discharge last after caesarean?

After an abdominal operation for a week, a woman's discharge can reach 500 ml. In other words, the sanitary napkin fills up within 2 hours, which is considered normal after such a birth.

Of course, for many women it will seem that if the pad is filled every 2 hours, then this is a lot. In fact, after a caesarean section, a woman may have even more discharge. For example, during the physical activity of a woman, at the time of breastfeeding a baby, as well as during palpation of the abdomen. For these reasons, the natural contraction of the uterus begins to be stimulated, so they are expelled outward.

Additional causes of heavy discharge:

1. If there are remnants of decidual tissue in the uterine cavity.
2. With impaired blood clotting in a woman.
3. If after a cesarean section there is bleeding from a failed suture, directly on the uterine cavity.
4. With impaired contractile function of the uterus.

Around the second week, a woman's discharge becomes darker (brown). Gradually, the volume begins to decrease.

Note that closer to the 5th week after cesarean section, blood spots on the pad may be observed, this is also considered the norm. The secret gradually brighten and have a smearing character. If this does not happen, you should immediately consult a doctor.

Starting from the 8th week after the operation, the internal layers of the organ begin to recover. Therefore, the discharge after about 1.5 or after 2 months in the normal state of the woman stops.

Yellow and green discharge after caesarean

First, consider the secret of yellow. Every woman should understand that in the postpartum period this phenomenon is prolonged.

As soon as the placenta has separated, the inner layer of the uterus begins to look like an extensive wound. At this point, the endometrium is cleansed. Lochia should be abundant and red in color.

The main causes of yellow discharge after abdominal surgery:

1. They can talk about the presence of metroendometritis.
2. With postoperative infection.
3. With initial anemia.

In addition, yellow lochia can occur in women with a hematoma in the suture area on the uterine cavity.

If they are observed after childbirth, then you should immediately contact a gynecologist.

1. If the secret has a dark yellow tint.
2. There is an unpleasant odor.
3. Lochia profuse.
4. There is itching and burning.
5. There is a general malaise.
6. The body temperature rises.

Such a course and yellow discharge are pathological. Therefore, it is necessary to establish the exact cause of their occurrence and take appropriate measures.

As for the green secret - if a woman does not have a pain symptom, the temperature does not rise and the green lochia does not have an unpleasant odor, then this is considered the norm.

But, if the symptom has an unpleasant odor and all the symptoms described above, as with yellow discharge, then, most likely, an inflammatory process occurs. In most cases, in the inflammatory process, there is a lesion of the mucous membrane, directly to the uterine cavity.

Green discharge with an unpleasant odor after a caesarean section

A pathological sign may indicate endometritis. With such a disease, an inflammatory process occurs in the inner mucous layer of the uterus, in other words, in the endometrium. In addition to green lochia with an unpleasant odor, the woman also has a pain symptom in the abdomen, and the body temperature rises to high numbers. Very often, with acute endometritis, a purulent secret is noted, which has a pronounced clinical picture. Such secretions are quite abundant, in which blood impurities may be present.

If you do not start treatment of endometritis in a timely manner, this can be fatal, so you need to be more careful about the nature of the discharge after cesarean section. In case of any changes, you should immediately consult a doctor.

Green lochia, which have an unpleasant odor, can also indicate that a woman has chlamydia. Chlamydia is a group of diseases that are caused by microorganisms called chlamydia. In order to accurately determine this disease, it is necessary to undergo a comprehensive examination. Without fail, doctors prescribe a cultivated method, biological material is taken and the causative agent of the disease is detected. If this method does not allow an accurate diagnosis, then an immunofluorescent method is prescribed.

Additional causes of this bad breath symptom could be bacterial vaginosis, thrush, or gonorrhea.

With bacterial vaginosis, white-gray traces are noted in the secret. The discharge itself with such a disease has a rather unpleasant odor, in addition, there is a strong itching in the genital area. As the disease progresses, they acquire a green tint and become thicker. In this case, there is also reddening of the genitals.

Bacterial vaginosis at the initial stage of its development responds well to treatment. But, if you do not turn to a gynecologist in a timely manner, then the disease becomes more complicated, thereby using drugs that already have an extensive spectrum of action, and the woman will have to give up breastfeeding so as not to harm the baby.

Green discharge may indicate that a woman has colpitis. The disease has a pronounced clinical picture, so pus or slight blood impurities can be observed in the lochia. Additionally, a woman is tormented by severe itching and an unpleasant burning sensation appears in the reproductive organs.

The most dangerous similar symptom that can occur in the postpartum period is when the cervix or fallopian tubes are affected. In such secretions, a large number of leukocytes is noted, so the clinical picture becomes pronounced. They have an unpleasant odor, there is severe pain in the lower abdomen, body temperature rises and general malaise is noted.

When to see a doctor?

A woman who has undergone a caesarean section needs to carefully monitor her health. Not everyone can recognize when this sign is considered normal, and when there is a danger, indicating the presence of a serious problem.

When lochias acquire an unusual color, have an unpleasant odor within 2 weeks, then this is already a serious reason. You shouldn't risk your health. In order to avoid complications, it is best to contact a specialist as soon as possible.

Treatment of green discharge after caesarean section

Medical therapy depends on the diagnosis. If a woman had endometritis at the time of the examination, then in this case a course of antibacterial drugs of a systemic spectrum of action is prescribed.

If an infection is detected, then antibiotics and antifungal drugs are prescribed.

The course of treatment necessarily includes taking multivitamin complexes, drugs will help to quickly restore the body after a cesarean section.

It should be noted that with systemic treatment it is necessary to refuse breastfeeding. Do not delay treatment for pathological discharge, otherwise more serious complications may occur.

Prevention of purulent discharge after cesarean

Purulent lochia, which have a green tint, always indicate the presence of an infection that has penetrated during the period of natural recovery.

The secret may indicate:

1. For the presence of endometritis in a woman.
2. Parametritis.
3. There was a postoperative adnexitis.
4. With obstetric peritonitis.
5. Sepsis.

At the same time, it is noted: a putrid smell, the secret becomes abundant. The woman's body temperature rises, weakness, dizziness and increased sweating are noted. With purulent discharge, the heartbeat often quickens and there is a pronounced pain sign in the lower abdomen.

As for preventive measures. A caesarean section is a fairly serious abdominal operation that requires not only postoperative treatment by medical personnel, a woman must also adhere to other important rules.

In the first month after the surgical operation, it is necessary to carefully treat the perineum. Processing can be done with baby soap or you can prepare a decoction of string or chamomile at home.

To prepare a decoction, you will need one tablespoon of a dry plant and 500 ml of boiling water. Mix everything, boil for a few minutes over low heat and insist for 30 minutes. Once the solution has cooled, the perineum can be treated.

During the first week after a caesarean section, do not use sanitary pads. They can create the effect of diaper rash, thereby contributing to the penetration of bacteria. During this period of time, it is better to use ordinary diapers or pharmaceutical gauze. Such materials have excellent "breathing" properties. Changing diapers or gauze is necessary every 2-4 hours, depending on the nature of the discharge.

To improve uterine contraction, gynecologists recommend that women after cesarean section lie on their stomach for 20-30 minutes in the first month. It would be useful during this period to apply a cold heating pad to the abdomen. Apply for 10-15 minutes 5 times a day, no more.

As a prevention of lochia, you can resort to a circular massage. If you perform massage movements correctly, this will help to quickly reduce the ability of the uterus, thereby accelerating the recovery process.

Now you know which discharge is considered normal after a caesarean section, and which pathologies. If you have the above signs of an unpleasant odor, it is better to consult a doctor.

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

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 the necessary nutrition and oxygen during fetal development.

During surgical intervention, the woman's uterus is injured more than during natural physiological childbirth. First of all, we are talking about the incision of the tissues of the uterus itself, through which the surgeon gains access to the baby. The suturing of the uterine incision is another factor for enhancing discharge after a caesarean section.

The doctor separates the placenta manually after the baby is removed. In this case, the vessels connecting the "children's place" with the uterus are injured, which is the reason for the subsequent bleeding.

The enlarged uterus, when the need for such dimensions disappears, begins to shrink, and in a relatively short time it will have to take on almost the same dimensions. This process also proceeds with an increase in secretions, which doctors call lochia.

Discharge for the doctor is a sign of reverse involution of the uterus. According to them, an experienced doctor will be able to determine with great accuracy how this process proceeds, how well the recovery after the operation is going.

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

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

Compared with natural childbirth, it bleeds in the first days after surgical delivery is much stronger. You should not be afraid of this, because the area of ​​\u200b\u200bdamage to the uterus after surgery is much larger.

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

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

Recovery time

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

During the first three days, the postpartum lining (sterile, maternity) is recommended to be changed every 3 hours. This is important not only from the point of view of hygienic necessity. Since the area of ​​damage to the uterus after surgery is larger, the risk of infection is also higher.

By the time she is discharged on the fifth day, the woman no longer has scarlet blood discharge, there are erythrocytes and mucus in the lochia. The period of discharge lasts quite a long time - on average up to 8 weeks. That is how long it takes for the uterus to contract (after surgery, it contracts more slowly), as well as for healing and scarring of the incision area on the uterus.

During the first days, reducing drugs are administered to the woman to avoid complications. Oxytocin accelerates uterine contractions, and after an injection for 10-15 minutes, a woman may notice that the discharge has become stronger.

In addition to monitoring lochia, medical workers must monitor the body temperature of the puerperal, since it is her sharp increase that is sometimes the first signal of inflammation, infection. During the bypass, the doctor palpates the uterine area through the anterior abdominal wall, and before discharge, it is mandatory to conduct a control ultrasound examination, which should confirm that the uterine cavity is clean and the contraction occurs normally.

A small amount of blood in the urine in the absence of complaints of pain during urination during the first five days after surgery is allowed.

Norm and pathology

After discharge, the woman controls the discharge herself. Taking care of a child, of course, will take a lot of time, but you should not forget about your own health.

Normal discharge is moderate, homogeneous after 2 weeks of staying at home. With normal involution of the uterus, after about a month and a half, the discharge becomes mucous, yellowish, and then colorless. The mucus changes to normal vaginal secretion after a 2 month recovery period.

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

• profuse bleeding, which began suddenly after discharge from the maternity hospital, after the stage of serous lochia;
• increased bleeding or blood "daub" against the 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 secretions, clots, "curdling" after discharge from the hospital;
• any abdominal pain in combination with spotting.

A woman in the postoperative recovery period should pay special attention to the color of the prominent lochia. If the discharge has become bright pink or orange, trauma to the internal tissues formed in the dissection zone is not excluded. This can happen if a couple begins to live sexually too early, contrary to prohibitions and restrictions, if a woman lifts weights.

If the discharge has become green, gray, brownish, has an unpleasant odor, additional signs have appeared in the form of itching of the genital organs, it is necessary to be examined for infectious lesions. Yellow-green discharge may be a sign of inflammation of the endometrium. Liquid watery discharge in the recovery period is also an alarming sign that indicates a complication of the recovery process. In any of these cases, a woman should definitely visit a gynecologist to find the true cause of the problem and start treatment.

How to behave - a reminder

Discharge after a caesarean section is an inevitability that you will have to come to terms with.

Don't lift weights

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

The first days after the operation, it is not recommended to lift even a child if he weighs more than 3.5 kilograms. Up to six months in the process of recovery, a woman should not strain the anterior abdominal wall, carry bags with groceries, or lower the stroller with the 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 moment when the lochia is completely over, 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 serious consequences for her health. Mechanical damage to the area of ​​the incision on the uterus may also occur, since during orgasm and sexual arousal, blood flow to the organ increases.

If this prohibition is not observed, the scar on the uterus may form insolvent, which will become a serious obstacle to carrying a subsequent pregnancy.

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

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

Causes of lochia

Lochia after childbirth is the result of the healing process of the endometrium of the uterus. They include dead epithelial cells, erythrocytes, leukocytes, platelets and blood plasma. In the process of leaving the uterine cavity, the secret of the glands of the cervix and vagina joins the lochia.

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

Lochia duration

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

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

Attention! If lochia is observed longer than one and a half months after natural childbirth or more than 60 days with a caesarean section, a woman should consult a gynecologist.

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

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

What do the doctor's say:

Characteristics of normal lochia

Red lochia.

They are observed within 3-5 days after birth. The volume of scarlet abundant uterine discharge in the first 5 hours from the birth of the baby should not exceed 400 milliliters. At this time, the woman is under the supervision of a doctor. 5-8 hours after the birth of the child, the late postpartum period begins. During it, lochia are plentiful, have a bright red hue, have a specific "rotten" smell, they contain a large number of red blood cells and blood plasma. These uterine discharges are observed for another 3-4 days, they give the woman in labor a certain discomfort due to their abundance.

Serous lochia.

Usually they are allocated from 5 to 12 days from the moment of birth. Serous lochia change their color from scarlet to brown or brown. The volume of secretions is noticeably reduced, they cease to cause severe inconvenience. In the composition of lochia, immune cells - leukocytes - predominate. Serous uterine discharge does not have a strong odor.

White lochia.

Allocations after 10-14 days from the moment the child is born are noticeably reduced in quantity, the woman almost does not notice them. Lochia in this period become more transparent, have a whitish or slightly yellow tint, and are not accompanied by a smell. Gradually, the uterine discharge begins to “smear”, and then completely disappear.

Differences between lochia and menstruation after childbirth

Menstruation lasts about 7 days, while lochia can be observed for up to two months. Menstrual bleeding is always red or brown and may be accompanied by clots. Initially, the lochia are scarlet, but over time they become brown, pinkish, then whitish.

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

Also, these selections are different in time of appearance. Lochia begins immediately after childbirth, menstrual bleeding occurs at the moment when the hubbub of "breastfeeding" - prolactin - falls in the blood.

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

Pathological lochia

Lochiometer - a pathology in which uterine discharge in the postpartum period stops within 1-2 weeks. This disease occurs due to a violation of the contractile activity of the uterus or the appearance of an obstruction in the path of the outflow of lochia. Its main symptom, in addition to the absence of discharge, is pain in the lower abdomen. The danger of the lochiometer lies in the fact that in pathology there is no cleaning of the uterine cavity, as a result of which inflammation can begin in it.

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

Endometritis is an inflammatory disease of the internal uterine epithelium. With this pathology, lochia becomes purulent, their number can increase dramatically. Endometritis is accompanied by general symptoms of intoxication: fever, weakness, sweating. Also, with the disease, pain in the lower abdomen and discomfort in the vulva can be observed.

It is a common disease of the postpartum period due to a decrease in immunity. With candidiasis, lochia becomes plentiful and looks like cottage cheese. Quite often, a fungal disease is accompanied by itching in the vulva and pain during urination.

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

If the nature of the lochia changes, they stop quickly, or vice versa, a sufficiently long course, you should consult a doctor.