How many days does blood come out after childbirth? How many days does bleeding last after childbirth and how long should bleeding last in the postpartum period in women

Regardless of the method of delivery and the well-being of the birth process, a woman always experiences bleeding after childbirth. The placenta or, as it is also called differently, the baby's place is attached to the uterus with the help of villi and is connected to the fetus by the umbilical cord. Rejection of the fetus and placenta during childbirth is naturally accompanied by rupture of capillaries and blood vessels. But in some cases, bleeding caused by pathological causes may occur during the postpartum period.

Causes of bleeding after childbirth

In the last stage of labor, the placenta is torn away from the uterus, and a wound forms on the surface. It bleeds until it heals completely, and doctors call this bloody discharge lochia. Women often mistake lochia for their first period after childbirth, but this discharge has a different cause and nature.

Lochia does not require any treatment, but during this period you should pay attention Special attention intimate hygiene. But pathological bleeding should be a reason to immediately consult a doctor.

“Good” bleeding after childbirth

Lochia is a physiological, normal bleeding that accompanies the postpartum period. However, pathological conditions that are dangerous to the health and even life of a woman can also arise when blood loss exceeds acceptable standards. To prevent them, doctors who delivered children should apply abdominal cavity puerperas an ice heating pad immediately after birth, and also take other measures if necessary (perform external massage uterus, administer hemostatic drugs).

Until the wound surface of the uterus at the site of the previous attachment heals completely, they will continue. In the first days after birth, they can be very abundant, but gradually their quantity, character and color will change. Soon they will turn blood-colored, then yellow, and eventually your normal prenatal discharge will return.

“Bad” bleeding after childbirth

However, in some cases it is necessary to consult a doctor immediately. You should be alert to the following signs:

• * lochia does not change bright scarlet color for more than 4 days after birth;
• * you have to change sanitary napkin each hour;
• * bloody discharge occurs bad smell;
• * against the background of bleeding, you develop fever or chills.

In such cases, we are most likely talking about some kind of pathology that requires medical intervention.

Real “bad” bleeding after childbirth can occur for several reasons:

• Weak contractile activity of the uterus - atony or hypotension associated with its weakening, excessive stretching and flabbiness. In this case, blood can flow out in separate portions or in a continuous stream. The situation is critical and requires immediate medical attention. The woman’s condition is rapidly deteriorating and, without taking appropriate measures, can lead to death.
• Remains of the placenta and membranes. When the placenta separates, the capillaries connecting it to the uterus break and, tightening muscle layer the uterus is scarred. But if fragments of the placenta and fetal membranes remain here, the healing process is suspended, and severe sudden bleeding without pain begins. To warn possible problems, it is necessary to undergo an ultrasound scan of the uterus the day after birth.
• Poor blood clotting - hypofibrinogenemia or afibrinogenemia. Liquid, clot-free blood is released from the vagina in large volumes. It is urgent to donate blood from a vein for analysis.

Pathological bleeding after childbirth is most often observed in the early postpartum period, but they can also occur more than one month later.

If your spotting after childbirth seems abnormal, consult your doctor to determine the cause of the bleeding and treat it. Treatment of bleeding after childbirth is carried out only in a hospital setting.

How long does bleeding last after childbirth?

Lochia can normally continue for up to 6 weeks after birth. And during this entire period, approximately 1.5 liters of blood are released. It should be said that a woman’s body is ready for such losses, because during pregnancy the blood volume has increased significantly. Therefore, you should not worry.

The duration of lochia largely depends on whether the woman is breastfeeding, since under the influence of the “milk” hormone prolactin, the uterus contracts better - and the process proceeds more quickly. After a caesarean section, the uterus contracts less well (due to the suture placed on it), and in this case the lochia can usually last longer.

As we said, lochia should gradually disappear. If, after their reduction, the amount of bleeding increases again, then the woman should rest and recover more.

Especially for- Elena Kichak

The birth of a child is a wonderful event for the family and a difficult physiological process for the mother, because her body undergoes serious changes. After the birth of the baby, the body gradually returns to its previous shape - the uterus returns to its original size, reproductive system recovers and again prepares for possible conception.

As you know, a mother does not menstruate as long as she is breastfeeding, but this does not mean that there are no secretions at all. childbirth or lochia may continue for two months after. How long does bleeding last after childbirth, what should it be like, and how to distinguish a natural process from a pathology?

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Duration

When the discharge ends after the birth of a child is the most pressing question for women who have given birth.

Note! Lochia is a secretion that is different in nature from menstruation.

During the birth of a child, the placenta separates from the mucous membrane to which it was attached, and it begins to bleed.

The blood that comes out is postpartum discharge, to which are added the remains of the placenta, mucus and exfoliated epithelium.

They last longer than menstruation, usually during the healing period. In the hospital, this is controlled by doctors, and after discharge, by the woman herself.

How long does discharge last after childbirth? This is an individual process, depending on the speed of healing of the wound in the uterine cavity, its contraction and the rate of renewal of its inner lining. Generally recovery depends from:

• speed of uterine contraction;
• blood clotting rate;
• age;
• uterine conditions;
• physical activity.

If healing is active and not accompanied by complications, then in general it ends in 5-8 weeks, then the lochia also stops.

In appearance, lochia is very similar to menstruation, but its number gradually decreases per day from 0.5 l to 0.1 l.

Characteristic

It is extremely important to monitor the condition and color of the lochia, because these are indicators of how well the healing process is proceeding and whether there are complications. Natural in the first hours bad smell from the vagina, as well as an abundance of blood. Doctors are monitoring the woman’s condition and there is nothing to be afraid of, this is natural. The whole process of discharge after childbirth is divided into stages:

1. In the first day, secretions are extremely active - natural pathways are open, so it is important to maintain hygiene to avoid infection. In the first 7 days of lochia thick and bright(red or burgundy), mixed with mucus and blood clots. At this time, the uterus actively contracts and all remains come out of it.
2. 2-3 weeks: lochia decreases in number, they are no longer rich in color and without mucus. Necessary maintaining hygiene– this will help eliminate the smell. You can already use panty liners and change them after 4-5 hours.
3. 3-4 weeks: there is less blood, it is already light and odorless. The uterus has already stopped contracting, the pathways have closed, so there is no more pain.
4. 4-5 weeks: during this period, lochia usually stops, acquiring before that brown or completely odorless. Sometimes, due to the individual characteristics of the body, this takes up to 8 weeks. This is how long lochia can go.

How long does discharge last after childbirth? They usually end by the fifth week with fast healing. But don't worry if they continue until 8 weeks - this is normal. You should be concerned if the bleeding stops after 2-3 weeks after childbirth. Usually this is not a good symptom of an existing problem, and a signal that you need to see a doctor. The reasons for this may be:

• uterine inflexion;
• constipation and a constantly full bladder;

It is worth noting that breastfeeding speeds up the recovery process. At the same time, the produced prolactin “freezes” the appendages and menstruation.

Composition and color

What color should the discharge be after childbirth? Lochia varies in characteristics:

1. Bloody: they appear on the first day and have a smell fresh blood. They are bloody in consistency, since they contain clots of dead tissue - this is where all the remains come out and the placenta is separated from the placenta and bleeds.
2. Serous ones are brownish-pink in color and they appear on the 5th day. At the same time, they smell unpleasant, and should carefully observe hygiene standards to avoid infections.
3. White - starts around day 10 and becomes more liquid than the previous ones. They do not smell and their number gradually decreases. White discharge after childbirth, there may also be natural functioning of the genitourinary system if they are homogeneous and odorless. If they have a cheesy consistency, smell sour and are accompanied by vaginal itching - this is a sign of: thrush, inflammation, pathology, impaired secretion of the uterine glands.
4. Brown - when the wound inside stops bleeding, lochia acquires dark shade. This is due to the release of old, already brown blood. They usually appear in the third week and last until 4-6 weeks.
5. Yellow is the norm at 5-8 weeks, when they signal the end of the recovery process and, sometimes, the beginning of the menstrual cycle. It is worth examining if they are accompanied by: an unpleasant persistent odor, itching, burning. This is most likely a sign of a spreading infection in the genitourinary system and it is very important to prevent it from passing into the uterus;
6. Purulent discharge after childbirth is a dangerous sign of inflammation, which can threaten health and life. You should immediately go to the hospital for help, especially if the temperature has risen. Very often this becomes a sign of endometritis - inflammation of the uterus and its mucous membrane.
7. Green discharge after childbirth is another sign inflammatory process. Accompanied by fever and pain, usually occurs if inside the afterbirth remains then bleeding may begin. Lochia of this color obliges a woman to immediately consult a gynecologist.

To avoid complications, a woman should avoid douching and using chemical contraceptives. It is important to maintain intimate hygiene and adhere to bed rest.

Appearance black suckers normal - this happens when their composition changes and the body experiences hormonal changes.

Deviations

When the healing process of the uterus is complicated, the woman begins to experience pain, the temperature rises and she begins to bleed with an uncharacteristic color and odor.

This should be the basis for a visit to the doctor. Exists several types of serious complications, but each of them is dangerous and can cause significant harm to the health and life of a woman:

1. Infections – the spread of infections is indicated by yellowish-green secretions with a rotten smell. Along with them, the temperature rises and severe abdominal pain begins. If you consult a doctor in a timely manner and undergo tests, the woman is given a diagnosis (the pathogen is identified) and treatment is prescribed that allows the body to overcome the infection and continue the recovery process.
2. – occurs when the muscles of the uterus are weakened. In this case, the woman is given oxytocin injection, which causes the uterus to contract rapidly.
3. Stagnation - the abdominal muscles are weakened, the uterus begins to tilt back and there will be a bend, which interferes with the flow of blood. Due to the accumulation of blood clots and unwanted mucus in the uterine cavity, inflammation occurs, which can lead to serious pathologies. In such a situation it is necessary restore lochia output, and for this, the gynecologist administers two drugs intravenously to the woman: Oxytocin - to enhance contractions; No-spa - to relieve cervical spasms.

To prevent stagnation, a woman should more often lie on your stomach do not engage in activities and drink plenty of water.

To avoid complications, you should strictly follow the doctor's instructions, observe hygiene standards and practice prevention.

Prevention

Prevention of complications primarily involves regular monitoring by a doctor. Only timely tests and examinations can prevent the development of serious pathologies. In case of stagnation or severe pain, the doctor will be able to prescribe drugs that accelerate contractions of the uterus and cleanse its cavity. To others prophylactic agents include:

1. 4-5 hours after birth, a woman is recommended to get up and start walking.
2. Necessarily do an ultrasound before discharge, to make sure that the cavity is clean from the placenta, and to monitor the process of its contraction.
3. Avoid heavy physical activity or heavy lifting in the first few weeks. It is best to lie on your stomach more and rest.
4. Be sure to observe hygienic care of the body and especially the vagina (wash every 4-5 hours, shower in the morning and evening).
5. Process the seam, if there is one.
6. Don't take a bath, since heating will increase blood flow and there is a risk of infection of the genitals.
7. Douching should not be done.
8. Use diapers or pads as hygiene products, but not tampons! Tampons block the exit from the uterus and delay the outflow of blood, which slows down the process of recovery and cleansing, and also creates the risk of inflammation. With the help of pads and diapers it is convenient to monitor the intensity and state of secretions.

Important! If the condition and color of the discharge changes, pain appears, or temperature rises, you should immediately call a doctor.

Useful video: how long can discharge last after childbirth?

Conclusion

How long does bleeding last after childbirth? - is actually not the most important question. It is much more important that they are normal color and consistency. Women should closely monitor their condition in the first two months after giving birth. It is this period that is dangerous due to the emergence of unexpected difficulties that can develop into pathology. Therefore, it is important to regularly see a gynecologist and undergo all the necessary tests, while simultaneously strengthening the immune system and the health of the body as a whole.

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Bleeding after childbirth is a normal physiological process. It allows the female body to return to its previous state: the uterus is cleansed of afterbirth, lochia and pieces of the placenta. Discharge begins immediately after the birth of the child and continues for about a month and a half.

But sometimes this process becomes pathological. The main criterion for its assessment is the nature and volume of blood loss. It is especially important for women in late pregnancy and those who have recently given birth to know what kind of bleeding is considered normal and what measures to take to prevent complications.

The question of how long postpartum bleeding lasts arises for almost all young mothers. The duration of this process can be from 2 to 6 weeks or even a little more. The duration depends on several factors: the ability of the uterus to contract, blood clotting, the rate of tissue regeneration, etc. In women who are breastfeeding, recovery occurs faster.

It is important to evaluate not only the duration of bleeding, but also the general nature: it should gradually become less profuse. In the first day after birth, the discharge is strong, then it becomes less and less and eventually turns into a brownish “smudge.” This sequence is the norm.

Causes of bleeding after childbirth

Heavy pathological bleeding in the early postpartum period, lasting about 2 hours after the birth of the baby, is caused by the following reasons:

1. Insufficient blood clotting. With this complication, it flows out in a stream without the formation of clots and lumps (thrombosis disorder). To prevent the situation, before giving birth it is necessary to donate blood for general analysis, discontinue all drugs with anticoagulant effects.
2. Rapid labor activity. It is accompanied by ruptures of the birth canal: the cervix, vagina, and, in rare cases, the uterus are damaged.
3. Placenta accreta. With this complication, the reverse development of the uterus is difficult, which leads to heavy bleeding.
4. Insufficient ability of the uterus to contract. Most often this happens when the walls are greatly stretched (,);
5. The presence of fibroids and myomas in the uterus.

The causes of postpartum hemorrhage in the period from 2 to 6 are:

1. The release of placenta particles remaining in the uterine cavity.
2. The release of blood clots, difficult due to spasmodic contraction of the cervix after surgical delivery (caesarean section).
3. Slow recovery due to inflammation in the pelvic area (high fever is also noted).

Features of postpartum hemorrhage

Symptoms of postpartum hemorrhage can be described in two parameters: the volume and nature of the discharge. There may also be disturbances in heart rhythm, changes in arterial and venous pressure, and deterioration in general well-being.

A blood loss of 0.5% or less of a woman’s body weight is considered physiologically acceptable. If this indicator is higher, then pathological postpartum bleeding is diagnosed. Massive blood loss is its release in a volume of 0.5 to 1% of the mother’s weight. At the same time, it may decrease blood pressure, weakness and dizziness appear.

When the rate exceeds 1%, critical blood loss develops. It may be accompanied by hemorrhagic shock and DIC (coagulation disorder). These complications lead to irreversible changes in organs.

Heavy postpartum bleeding develops with decreased or absent uterine tone. The more pronounced the atony, the less amenable to treatment. Drugs that cause myometrial contraction eliminate bleeding only for a while. The condition is accompanied by arterial hypotension, tachycardia, pale skin, and dizziness.

Diagnostic procedures

The diagnostic process begins during pregnancy. In modern obstetric and gynecological practice, assessment of the risk of postpartum hemorrhage is based on data from monitoring changes in the level of hemoglobin, red blood cells, platelets in the blood on different terms gestation. Coagulability indicators (coagulogram) are taken into account.

Hypotonia and atony of the uterine muscles are diagnosed in the third stage of labor. These conditions are indicated by flabbiness and weak contractions of the myometrium, an increase in the time of the afterbirth stage.

Diagnosis of bleeding after childbirth includes a thorough examination of the integrity of the released placenta, membranes, and examination of the birth canal to identify possible injuries. If necessary, the woman is given a general anesthetic and the doctor manually examines the uterine cavity to determine if there are ruptures, placenta, blood clots, malformations or tumors that could interfere with myometrial contraction.

For bleeding in the late postpartum period, diagnosis is carried out using ultrasound. On the 2nd or 3rd day after the birth of the child, the condition of the pelvic organs is examined. The procedure allows you to identify the remains of the placenta and membranes in the uterus.

Normal bleeding after childbirth

Normal bleeding in the postpartum period is caused by the release of remnants of the placenta and membranes from the uterus. This process is divided into several periods, each of which is characterized by certain characteristics: color and intensity of discharge.

The first three days after the birth of a child, bleeding is profuse, the volume is more than during menstruation. Color - bright red. Blood comes out of those vessels that were at the placenta attachment site. This condition develops due to insufficient contractility of the uterus in the first days after childbirth. It is considered normal and does not require medical intervention. Postpartum bleeding after a cesarean section may be longer because the incised uterus contracts less well.

Over the next two weeks, the intensity of discharge decreases noticeably. They turn light pink, brown or yellowish white. The uterus gradually contracts, and by the end of the second week the bleeding completely disappears. This option is considered the norm.

In some cases, bleeding is observed in the late labor period. It can be either normal or pathological, requiring medical intervention. If, in the period from 2 to 6 weeks after the birth of the child, light discharge from the uterus with impurities of blood appears, then there is no need to worry. This symptom may be present constantly or may appear and disappear for several days. This intermittent regimen is typical for women who quickly return to sports training or other physical activity.

Sometimes the bleeding disappears by the end of the second week, and then appears for a few days between 3 and 6 weeks after birth. The discharge is insignificant and painless and is normal.

Pathological bleeding after childbirth

A deviation from the norm that requires the help of a doctor is late bleeding with the following features:

• duration more than 6 weeks;
• scanty discharge with ichor is replaced by scarlet blood;
• the woman’s general condition becomes worse;
• bleeding is accompanied by pain in the lower abdomen;
• signs of intoxication appear (fever, dizziness, nausea, etc.);
• The discharge becomes brown or yellow-green in color and has an unpleasant odor.

If there is an intense flow of blood, especially if it is scarlet, you should immediately call an ambulance. Pain, fever, change in color of discharge indicate the development of complications: infectious diseases etc. Such conditions require the earliest possible diagnosis and treatment.

Treatment Methods

Acute postpartum hemorrhage requires first of all establishing its cause, as well as prompt cessation. Treatment uses an integrated approach and often drug therapy must be combined with invasive methods.

To stimulate the contractile activity of the uterus, a catheter is inserted into the urethra to empty it. Bladder, and ice is applied to the lower abdomen. Sometimes gentle external massage of the uterus is performed. If all these procedures do not bring results, then uterotonic drugs, for example, Methylergometrine and Oxytocin, are administered intravenously, and injections with prostaglandins are given into the cervix.

Replenishing the volume of circulating blood and eliminating the consequences of its loss is carried out using infusion-transfusion therapy. Plasma replacement drugs and blood components (primarily red blood cells) are injected into a vein.

If examination with the help of mirrors reveals ruptures in the birth canal and perineum, then a local anesthetic is applied and the doctor stitches up the damage. Manual examination and manual cleansing of the uterus is indicated for violations of the integrity of the placenta and hypotonic processes in the myometrium. The procedure takes place under general anesthesia.

If a uterine rupture is detected during a manual examination, then emergency laparotomy, suturing or complete removal of the uterus is necessary. Surgical intervention It is also required for placenta accreta and in cases where the bleeding is massive and cannot be stopped. Similar procedures are carried out with simultaneous resuscitation actions: blood loss is compensated, hemodynamics and blood pressure are stabilized.

Preventive actions

Prevention of postpartum hemorrhage helps reduce its duration and intensity, and also avoid complications.

Bleeding in the early postpartum period is a normal physiological process that should not frighten a woman. After the expulsion of the fetus and placenta, the uterus actively contracts, “pushing out” the remaining blood, clots and everything that remains in its cavity after childbirth. A few days after birth, the bleeding becomes less and changes to bloody discharge- lochia. They will bother the woman for about 5-8 weeks, until the endometrium in the uterus has completely healed.

Lochia does not pose a danger to female body, but it is necessary to constantly monitor their quantity and consistency so as not to miss the onset of true uterine bleeding.

Bleeding that occurs in the postpartum period is one of the most common causes death of women. In order not to miss time and apply for timely medical care, it is important to know the signs by which you can distinguish pathological bleeding from normal discharge.

Important! The appearance of any of the signs (the main one being the need to change hygiene products every hour) indicating the possibility of bleeding must be called “ ambulance". Before her arrival, the woman must be placed on the bed with her legs slightly elevated. This position will help avoid large blood loss.

Lochia usually appears in a woman 2-3 days after childbirth. Until this point, bleeding is considered normal, but even here it is necessary to monitor the amount of blood released. If, while still in the maternity hospital, the postpartum mother has to change sanitary pads every 45-60 minutes, she must inform the midwife or nurse on duty about this.

Bloody discharge after the birth of a baby can normally last up to 8 weeks. In young women, the recovery process is faster, so for them this period is usually reduced to 5-6 weeks. A woman’s nutrition during the postpartum period plays a big role in this. In order for the endometrium to heal faster, you need to include the following foods in your diet:

• cold-pressed vegetable oils (premium class);
• nuts (Brazil, walnut, hazelnut);
• dried fruits (dried apricots, figs);
• greens (any type of greens and leafy salads);
• fatty fish;
• meat (veal, beef, lean pork and lamb);
• fruits and vegetables.

After expulsion of the placenta, a formation forms at the site of its attachment to the uterine wall. open wound, which bleeds until complete healing. In order for the damaged endometrium to heal faster, a woman needs to maintain a calm regimen, not lift heavy things or objects that exceed the weight of the baby, and include more foods containing vitamins E, A and ascorbic acid in the menu. Among the drinks, a decoction of rose hips and raspberry leaves is especially useful. Extracts contained in raspberry leaves stimulate uterine contractions and help to quickly cope with postpartum bleeding.

Bleeding increased a month after birth

Any change in the amount of discharge a few weeks after birth is an alarming sign that may indicate the development of serious diseases. If the amount of blood released increases sharply, you should consult a gynecologist. The doctor will conduct an examination, palpate the uterus, determine whether it is painful, and make a conclusion about the need for an inpatient examination.

Some mothers refuse the proposed hospitalization because they do not want to be separated from their baby. Under no circumstances should you do this, especially if the woman plans to have another child in the future. The most common pathology that occurs in women who have recently given birth is inflammation of the uterine mucosa (endometritis). This is a serious disease that can lead to infection of the organ and the onset of a purulent-inflammatory process. If bacterial organisms and toxins enter the systemic circulation, the likelihood of sepsis (blood poisoning) will be very high. In the absence of timely assistance and improper treatment, death is possible.

Note! Every year, about 11 thousand women around the world die from excessive blood loss after childbirth. According to experts, more than half of them could have been saved if they had gone to the hospital in time.

When should you see a doctor?

The postpartum period is a dangerous time when the likelihood of complications increases several times. A woman’s body is weakened by pregnancy and childbirth, and therefore cannot cope with stress, which becomes significantly greater after the birth of a baby in the house. If possible, during this period it is better to take the help of a grandmother, sister or friend who could take on part of the responsibilities for caring for the baby. If a woman has to cope with everything on her own, she must be attentive to her own body. It is necessary to contact an observing gynecologist in the following cases:

• the discharge has acquired a bright scarlet color;
• bleeding increased 2-4 weeks after birth;
• there is pain in the abdomen or lower back;
• the discharge has acquired an unpleasant odor;
• clots began to come out of the uterus;
• The temperature began to rise regularly.

Advice! In women who are breastfeeding, measuring temperature in the armpit is not very informative, especially in the first days after the birth of the child. If lactation has not yet been established, there may be an increase in temperature due to slight lactostasis, so postpartum women are advised to measure body temperature at the elbow.

Will the bleeding stop after a few days?

In some cases, a woman may notice that 4-7 days after giving birth, the discharge has stopped completely. This happens abruptly and is often accompanied by a deterioration in well-being. If such a situation arises, it is necessary to urgently go to the hospital, since the only cause of this phenomenon is hematometra (accumulation of blood in the uterus).

Blood can accumulate due to insufficient contraction of the uterus, so the woman is advised to take all measures to prevent this condition. The nurse will talk about this in detail after the woman is transferred to the postpartum ward. In order for the uterus to contract well, as well as to relieve swelling, young mothers need:

• lie down and sleep on your stomach more often;
• get out of bed more often and walk around the ward or along the corridor;
• put cold on the lower abdomen (heating pads or ice bottles can be found in the refrigerator compartment).

If it was still not possible to avoid the formation of hematometra, it is important to go to the hospital in time, since stagnation of blood in the uterus can lead to the spread of infection and inflammation in the organ cavity. The main symptoms of the pathology are cessation of discharge and severe nagging pain in the lower abdomen. When these symptoms appear, a woman should call an ambulance.

The doctor in the department will conduct an ultrasound scan, determine the exact diagnosis and, if confirmed, prescribe treatment. You can stimulate the uterus to contract using the hormone oxytocin, but most experts prefer more effective method– surgical curettage or vacuum aspiration. Both procedures are quite traumatic, but their use is necessary to prevent dangerous complications.

Video - Postpartum period. Recovery. Uzi. Nutrition. Hygiene

Could bleeding be menstruation?

If the discharge stops 1-1.5 months after birth, and starts again a couple of weeks later, this may be early menstruation. If a woman is not bothered by nausea and dizziness, the temperature is normal, and the discharge is moderate, there is no need to worry. It is necessary to observe the situation for 3-5 days. Menstrual blood has a darker shade and a peculiar smell, so it is quite easy to distinguish between periods and bleeding.

Important! Some women believe that lactation is 100% effective method protection against unwanted pregnancy, and it is believed that menstruation during breastfeeding it can not be. In 85% of cases this is true, but sometimes a woman’s menstruation begins 2 months after the birth of the child. During this same period, the ability to conceive is restored, so you need to take care of contraception if children are not in the plans of the new mother in the near future.

True uterine bleeding after childbirth is a rare complication, so do not panic if the discharge suddenly increases somewhat. This may be the result of increased physical activity or heavy lifting, so you need to calm down and adjust your work and rest schedule. But if too much blood is released and the woman’s condition worsens, medical attention is needed as soon as possible.

To be prepared for all the troubles of the postpartum period, it is better to find out in advance how long the blood flows after childbirth. It is clear that this process is not very pleasant, but without it it is impossible to restore the uterine cavity. Thus, the birth of a baby, as a rule, lasts up to 1.5 months. A few decades ago, it was believed that during this period it was better for mother and baby not to leave the house.

In medical practice, it is customary to call these discharges lochia. They differ from regular periods both in the intensity of the discharge and in the duration: in the first week it is quite abundant, after 7-10 days it noticeably darkens, acquires a brown tint, and its quantity noticeably decreases. It is believed that in the first day a woman can lose up to 300 ml of blood. And releasing more of it is fraught with complications.

Taking into account the fact that many pregnancies end not in a natural birth, but in a cesarean section, women are interested in knowing not only about blood after childbirth. How much bleeding occurs from the genital tract after surgery is of no less concern to them. For some reason, there is an opinion among people that after a caesarean section, a young mother is only worried about the scar. But this is far from true; interference in the natural process also affects and in such women it is delayed. after surgery can last up to 2 months.

If you are interested in learning not only about blood after childbirth (how long it flows, of course, is important), but also about all the processes occurring in the body, then we will tell you about the reasons for the appearance of lochia. The discharge that a woman sees after the birth of her baby is tissue discharge from the wound formed at the placenta attachment site, part of the internal mucous membrane of the uterus, ichor. That is why in the first days the blood is bright scarlet, and in the first hours the woman is monitored by medical staff. After all, a woman in labor cannot know exactly what the blood looks like after childbirth, how long the discharge process lasts, and how intense it should be.

If there is poor contraction of the muscle layer of the uterus or internal ruptures, there is a possibility of bleeding. If this happens, the obstetrician must additionally scrape the uterine cavity and examine the integrity of the internal lining. If no problems arise, already 2 hours after the birth of the baby the young mother moves into the ward with the baby. For another 3-7 days, the discharge is quite intense, often accompanied by clots. After the placenta separation site begins to slowly heal, the lochia becomes less abundant and its color approaches brown. But be prepared for the fact that they may intensify over the next few weeks. physical activity or pressing on the stomach.

Every woman must know how much bleeding is occurring after childbirth and monitor the amount of discharge so as not to miss the onset of problems. If you notice that the discharge from the genital tract has become more abundant and has changed color from brown to scarlet, it is better to go to the gynecologist. A too rapid cessation of lochia should also be a concern. This may indicate that all the discharged contents accumulate in the uterus. And this, in turn, is fraught with the development of infection in it.

If you feel like you are bleeding for too long after giving birth, then this is also a reason to visit your doctor. But keep in mind that it is quite natural that lochia lasts up to 6 weeks during normal childbirth and up to 8 after surgery