After delivery, gray discharge for 10 weeks. Postpartum discharge - lochia - what should it be? Why does discharge appear and how long does it go after childbirth

In the postpartum period, women have many questions about the restoration of their body. One of them concerns vaginal secretion, because discharge after childbirth is an integral part of the overall rehabilitation process. Basic knowledge of how to self-diagnose bleeding allows you to quickly respond to possible deviations from the norm.

After the baby is born, the mother's body is rebuilt. The changes concern internal organs and hormonal levels. The uterus of a woman who has just given birth is reduced in volume, while vaginal currents occur. Along with the blood secretions, the remnants of the intrauterine fluids accompanying the pregnancy come out. Such currents are called lochia. Their duration, intensity and color allow the doctor to conclude whether the restoration of the patient's internal organs is proceeding normally.

Duration of bleeding

Every organism is different, and every postpartum recovery story is different. Doctors are guided by the general scheme within which the majority of young mothers undergo the rehabilitation process. Many are worried about the question of how much discharge goes after childbirth, since it causes known discomfort. How long does the course last and why are they the main indicator of women's health?

The minimum normal time for postpartum haemorrhage is 5 weeks. If they stopped earlier, you should be on your guard, since there is a risk of insufficient "cleansing" of the body;

The maximum period is 9 weeks when the course ends. In this case, a long course is a signal of insufficient blood clotting;

Duration estimates are not separate from other metrics. With intense discharge, a short bleeding cycle is expected;

Mothers after cesarean section have different standard terms. In their case, the restoration of the tone of the uterus is slower than in naturally given birth, and the upper limit of the duration of the course is set personally by the doctor.

So, the answer to the question of how long the discharge after childbirth lasts depends on the course of the birth of the child itself, and on other factors. What helps to shorten the duration of secretion?
Breastfeeding your baby. Lactation stimulates the uterus to contract and remove fluids from it. Experienced mothers notice light contractions directly during breastfeeding.

Ingestion of large amounts of fluids. One way or another, the young mother needs to restore the water balance of the body. If she is breastfeeding, the fluid intake will increase by 1.5 - 2 liters per day. With the correct water balance, discharge after childbirth is intense, and cleansing is quick.

Kegel exercises. Many women are familiar with special movements in the vaginal area and before pregnancy - they are designed to maintain the tone of internal organs. As soon as after the birth of the baby, the young mother will not be uncomfortable with the tension and relaxation of the internal muscles, the exercise is performed daily. They also stimulate the uterus to contract and drain fluids from it.

Bleeding quality

To assess the progress of restoration of a woman's internal organs, doctors use a number of characteristics of postpartum courses. Taking into account how long the discharge lasts after childbirth is just one indicator. Others include the appearance and smell of bleeding. Together, they allow you to determine the rate of discharge after childbirth and possible deviations.

Compound

The recovery period determines the normal composition of secretion:

  • Day 1-3: blood;
  • 2 week: blood clots, mucus is allowed;
  • end of 1 month - blood smears.

Purulent fluids at any time indicate an internal infection.

The appearance of clots and mucus in the first days after childbirth.

Transparent discharge, approaching the consistency of water.

Color

  • Day 1-3: scarlet currents;
  • after 3 weeks, brown currents begin (blood coagulates, the wound heals);
  • by the end of the restoration of the uterus, the secretion fluids become transparent, light pink or with a yellowish tinge.

The bright yellow and greenish color of the currents signals inflammation. An obvious green color indicates an advanced form of endometritis disease and suggests an immediate visit to a doctor.

Smell

The smell of blood in the initial stage of secretion is normal. After the third week, it acquires a slight mustiness, which, again, is fine.

Discharge after childbirth with an unpleasant odor is a signal of inflammation! The characteristic rotten smell indicates an inflammatory process. Sour - about a possible fungal disease. If such bleeding is accompanied by color deviations, a gynecologist's examination is required.

It is important to remember about a few subtleties of diagnosing discharge.

  • Dangerous bleeding is accompanied by general malaise and dizziness. The temperature reaches 38 degrees Celsius. There is a throbbing heaviness in the lower abdomen. It is important to listen to your body and monitor your well-being.
  • Redness of the vaginal mucosa together with discharge of the "cottage cheese" type speaks of thrush. This is not uncommon when recovering from childbirth, and it is still better to see a doctor for treatment.
  • Dark secretions look scarier than they really are. At the end of 3-4 months, black-brown or black currents are normal.

Number of secretions

The amount of bleeding after childbirth can also be used to judge women's health. Should the discharge after childbirth be intense or mild? The strength of secretion varies depending on the period. So, in the first few weeks, the normal intensity is one, and over time, another. The amount of escaped liquid is indicated by the fullness of special sanitary napkins for young mothers.

Normal secretion strength:

  • in the first two weeks after childbirth, the course is very abundant;
  • the course becomes more meager after 2-3 weeks;
  • at the end of the recovery process (8-9 weeks), the discharge is only smears. For hygiene, special post-natal pads with maximum absorbency are no longer needed.

A deviation from the above scheme is a signal of a disease. If the bleeding in the early days is not intense, the cause may be a congestion or blood clot, preventing the exit of pollution.

The opposite situation is also dangerous: profuse bleeding ends by the end of 2 weeks. If this does not happen and by the third week a large amount of fluid continues to flow, it is possible that the patient has poor blood clotting.

In both extreme cases, an urgent visit to the doctor is required.

Resumption of discharge

How many times does spotting occur after childbirth? Nature provides for the cleansing of a woman's body only once. However, sometimes women register a resumption of bleeding. Should I be worried?

The most obvious option is to restore the cycle as soon as possible. Menstruation comes for each woman individually, at the moment when she has completely restored the function of childbearing again. Since postpartum and menstrual blood flow have similar characteristics in appearance, it is easy to confuse them. With the help of an ultrasound scan, the gynecologist determines whether the cycle has come to the young mother, or whether the body is being cleansed.

Exit the remaining endometrium and placenta particles. In rare cases, the cleansing of the internal organs from the remaining elements that accompanied the pregnancy occurs at the end of the recovery process. If the liquid has a slimy, transparent appearance and does not have an unpleasant odor, most likely this is just such a situation. Usually, such late discharge does not last long.

All repeated currents of yellow, green, which smell unpleasant are a signal of an inflammatory process. To avoid the risk of female organ pathology, it is important to see a doctor as soon as possible.

How to maintain hygiene during the postpartum period

Unfortunately, bleeding that goes outside is a good breeding ground for dangerous bacteria to grow. To prevent their development, it is necessary to strictly follow the measures to maintain hygiene.

To collect secretions, doctors recommend using special absorbent pads. During the first days, a special product is used, which is sold at the pharmacy. Then the usual night pads marked "5 drops" will do.

The use of tampons is strictly prohibited. In order to ensure the free flow of liquid, nothing should stop its movement. In addition, tampons cannot absorb the blood clots that inevitably come out after the first week.

The sanitary napkin is changed every 2 hours, regardless of the intensity of the currents. It is accompanied by ablution of the external genital organs (if possible, if the woman is at home, also every one and a half to two hours).

The minimum number of ablutions is reduced to two or three per day. When using the toilet, use a mild cleanser marked “for intimate hygiene”.

In the event that natural childbirth was complicated, and there are tears in the birth canal, it is necessary to continue to take care of the injured skin at home. At discharge, the doctor will give detailed instructions on hygiene in this case. Most often, liquid antiseptics are used such as a solution of potassium permanganate or furacilin.

Maintaining hygiene is especially important for young mothers, whose childbirth took place through an operative way. Since there is an incision in the uterus, the recovery process must be protected from contamination. In addition, daily hygiene includes taking care of the seam. The rule of "changing two hours" must be followed exactly.

Maintaining women's health is not the last task of a young mother. Observing how long the discharge lasts after childbirth and what its characteristics are, allow women to avoid the risks of the recovery period and ensure their well-being. Despite the fact that young mothers have many worries associated with their newborns, it is important to follow the doctor's recommendations for diagnosing currents and maintaining hygiene during this special period.

Kirill is a permanent expert of the PupsFull portal. She writes articles on pregnancy, nutrition and mom and baby health.

Articles written

Childbirth is a natural process that ends any pregnancy. This can be a vaginal delivery or. Regardless of the method, after the birth of the child and the discharge of the placenta in the uterus, several mechanisms are triggered, leading to its contraction and reduction in size. Since the uterus cannot contract in a short time, all women have discharge after childbirth. They can be of different nature and intensity, so you need to monitor their changes throughout the month.

Discharge after childbirth: cause and duration

The placenta is firmly attached to the surface of the uterus during pregnancy. This is due to the fact that they have common vessels that provide the fetus with nutrition throughout the entire period. After childbirth, the placenta is separated from the uterus, and the vessels remain open on its surface. Therefore, the first two to three days of excretion, which gynecologists call lochia, are very strong. But after a while, the uterus is significantly reduced, the vessels are compressed between the fibers of the myometrium and the bleeding gradually stops.

Depending on the course of pregnancy, the duration of discharge after childbirth may be different. In the absence of complications from the mother, the normal state of the blood coagulation system and the rapid contraction of the uterus, lochia ceases to bother a woman one and a half months after childbirth. If the discharge lasts longer or stops earlier than a month, then you should go to an appointment with a local gynecologist.

With prolonged discharge, a woman may develop anemia. It leads to weakness and malaise, which affects breastfeeding and childcare. When breastfeeding, due to a lack of iron in the mother's body, the newborn may also develop anemia.

Prolonged discharge indicates poor uterine contractility and the presence of problems in the blood coagulation system. You should consult a doctor if discharge after childbirth go longer than the prescribed period or their intensity does not decrease. Sometimes the lochia disappears very quickly. This is also not always a good sign, since the released blood can accumulate in the uterine cavity, which will lead to serious complications.

Normal discharge after childbirth

The woman spends the first two hours after the baby is born in the birth ward. This period is called the early postpartum period. The woman should remain under the supervision of doctors, since her body has just undergone a great load and her condition must be monitored. Abundant discharge after childbirth lasts two to three days... They are bright red in color, since clotting has not yet begun, and the vessels are literally gaping in the uterine cavity. Standard gasket cannot handle this situation. The maternity hospital gives out either diapers or special postpartum pads.

Usually, a woman with a child, in the absence of complicating moments, is discharged home 5-6 days after childbirth. By this time, the lochia is no longer so intense and acquire a brown color. They increase with exertion, laughing or coughing, so you should be very careful. Discharge after childbirth is normal may periodically increase or decrease. For example, after breast absorption, the uterus contracts more actively and there is much more discharge.

After two to three weeks, lochia bothers less. The discharge will end only after five to six weeks, which indicates the complete involution of the uterus. ... As long as there is bloody discharge after childbirth, sex is highly undesirable from a hygiene point of view.... Sexual intercourse can increase the intensity of the lochia, which leads to a worsening of the condition. After the onset of sexual activity, you need to think about methods of contraception, especially in the absence of breastfeeding. The first can occur immediately after the cessation of lochia, which means that a new pregnancy will begin very soon.

Pathological discharge after childbirth

The nature and intensity of discharge is influenced by many factors. As a result, it is impossible to say exactly where the norm is and where the pathology is. The duration of lochia is also always different. Therefore, no doctor can tell right away how long the discharge lasts after childbirth. A woman, with any suspicion, should consult a doctor in order to find out her condition.

In the first week after childbirth, the most dangerous complication is bleeding. It arises for two reasons. The most common situation is when there are remnants of the placenta attached to the endometrium in the uterine cavity. In such cases, the myometrium cannot fully contract, which leads to severe bleeding. After separation of the placenta, the doctor must examine it from both sides. Especially carefully the part with which it was attached to the uterus. This will help to suspect a problem before symptoms begin.

Sometimes profuse bleeding after childbirth is observed because the uterus cannot fully contract due to the weakness of the muscle fibers. This bleeding is called hypotonic. Then oxytocin is added to the treatment, which causes the muscles of the uterus to contract.

To prevent complications, doctors prescribe an ultrasound examination for each woman before discharge. This method allows you to assess the size of the uterus and the contents in its cavity. If necessary, ultrasound can be repeated after another week. If bleeding has begun, then the method of treatment is curettage of the uterine cavity and the appointment of drugs that have a reducing effect.

Signs of inflammatory discharge after childbirth

The second common complication is inflammation, which begins with prolonged discharge. Blood is considered a breeding ground for pathogenic bacteria. If a woman does not observe personal hygiene or has an early sex life, then she is worried about discharge after childbirth with an unpleasant odor. Normal discharge should be brown, but if bacteria are present, it will take on a greenish and yellow tint. They become more fluid and abundant. Usually, in parallel with these symptoms, pain in the lower abdomen, fever, chills appear. In such cases, emergency treatment is necessary, since endometritis can lead to infertility in the future.

In order to prevent pathogens from entering the uterine cavity, you must regularly wash yourself, often change panty liners or avoid using them (when the discharge has become small). You also can't swim in the bathtub. Only showers are allowed. The doctor's sex life is prohibited until the discharge has completely ceased. To prevent inflammation, you can periodically wash (but not douche) with chamomile or string infusions. It is better not to use potassium permanganate, as in a strong concentration it can irritate the vaginal mucosa.

The postpartum period is rarely calm. Breastfeeding and caring for a newborn is stressful. Discharge after childbirth usually does not stop for a very long time, and it is worth preparing for this mentally... To speed up the process of uterine contraction, it is necessary to put the baby to the breast more often, lie or sleep more on his stomach and regularly empty the bladder. The listed rules contribute to the rapid involution of the uterus and the cessation of secretions. If all the doctor's recommendations are followed, the recovery will take place quickly and imperceptibly.

In the postpartum period, women have many questions about the restoration of their body. One of them concerns vaginal secretion, because discharge after childbirth is an integral part of the overall rehabilitation process. Basic knowledge of how to self-diagnose bleeding allows you to quickly respond to possible deviations from the norm.

After the baby is born, the mother's body is rebuilt. The changes concern internal organs and hormonal levels. The uterus of a woman who has just given birth is reduced in volume, while vaginal currents occur. Along with the blood secretions, the remnants of the intrauterine fluids accompanying the pregnancy come out. Such currents are called lochia. Their duration, intensity and color allow the doctor to conclude whether the restoration of the patient's internal organs is proceeding normally.

Duration of bleeding

Every organism is different, and every postpartum recovery story is different. Doctors are guided by the general scheme within which the majority of young mothers undergo the rehabilitation process. Many are worried about the question of how much discharge goes after childbirth, since it causes known discomfort. How long does the course last and why are they the main indicator of women's health?

The minimum normal time for postpartum haemorrhage is 5 weeks. If they stopped earlier, you should be on your guard, since there is a risk of insufficient "cleansing" of the body;

The maximum period is 9 weeks when the course ends. In this case, a long course is a signal of insufficient blood clotting;

Duration estimates are not separate from other metrics. With intense discharge, a short bleeding cycle is expected;

Mothers after cesarean section have different standard terms. In their case, the restoration of the tone of the uterus is slower than in naturally given birth, and the upper limit of the duration of the course is set personally by the doctor.

So, the answer to the question of how long the discharge after childbirth lasts depends on the course of the birth of the child itself, and on other factors. What helps to shorten the duration of secretion?
Breastfeeding your baby. Lactation stimulates the uterus to contract and remove fluids from it. Experienced mothers notice light contractions directly during breastfeeding.

Ingestion of large amounts of fluids. One way or another, the young mother needs to restore the water balance of the body. If she is breastfeeding, the fluid intake will increase by 1.5 - 2 liters per day. With the correct water balance, discharge after childbirth is intense, and cleansing is quick.

Kegel exercises. Many women are familiar with special movements in the vaginal area and before pregnancy - they are designed to maintain the tone of internal organs. As soon as after the birth of the baby, the young mother will not be uncomfortable with the tension and relaxation of the internal muscles, the exercise is performed daily. They also stimulate the uterus to contract and drain fluids from it.

Bleeding quality

To assess the progress of restoration of a woman's internal organs, doctors use a number of characteristics of postpartum courses. Taking into account how long the discharge lasts after childbirth is just one indicator. Others include the appearance and smell of bleeding. Together, they allow you to determine the rate of discharge after childbirth and possible deviations.

Compound

The recovery period determines the normal composition of secretion:

  • Day 1-3: blood;
  • 2 week: blood clots, mucus is allowed;
  • end of 1 month - blood smears.

Purulent fluids at any time indicate an internal infection.

The appearance of clots and mucus in the first days after childbirth.

Transparent discharge, approaching the consistency of water.

Color

  • Day 1-3: scarlet currents;
  • after 3 weeks, brown currents begin (blood coagulates, the wound heals);
  • by the end of the restoration of the uterus, the secretion fluids become transparent, light pink or with a yellowish tinge.

The bright yellow and greenish color of the currents signals inflammation. An obvious green color indicates an advanced form of endometritis disease and suggests an immediate visit to a doctor.

Smell

The smell of blood in the initial stage of secretion is normal. After the third week, it acquires a slight mustiness, which, again, is fine.

Discharge after childbirth with an unpleasant odor is a signal of inflammation! The characteristic rotten smell indicates an inflammatory process. Sour - about a possible fungal disease. If such bleeding is accompanied by color deviations, a gynecologist's examination is required.

It is important to remember about a few subtleties of diagnosing discharge.

  • Dangerous bleeding is accompanied by general malaise and dizziness. The temperature reaches 38 degrees Celsius. There is a throbbing heaviness in the lower abdomen. It is important to listen to your body and monitor your well-being.
  • Redness of the vaginal mucosa together with discharge of the "cottage cheese" type speaks of thrush. This is not uncommon when recovering from childbirth, and it is still better to see a doctor for treatment.
  • Dark secretions look scarier than they really are. At the end of 3-4 months, black-brown or black currents are normal.

Number of secretions

The amount of bleeding after childbirth can also be used to judge women's health. Should the discharge after childbirth be intense or mild? The strength of secretion varies depending on the period. So, in the first few weeks, the normal intensity is one, and over time, another. The amount of escaped liquid is indicated by the fullness of special sanitary napkins for young mothers.

Normal secretion strength:

  • in the first two weeks after childbirth, the course is very abundant;
  • the course becomes more meager after 2-3 weeks;
  • at the end of the recovery process (8-9 weeks), the discharge is only smears. For hygiene, special post-natal pads with maximum absorbency are no longer needed.

A deviation from the above scheme is a signal of a disease. If the bleeding in the early days is not intense, the cause may be a congestion or blood clot, preventing the exit of pollution.

The opposite situation is also dangerous: profuse bleeding ends by the end of 2 weeks. If this does not happen and by the third week a large amount of fluid continues to flow, it is possible that the patient has poor blood clotting.

In both extreme cases, an urgent visit to the doctor is required.

Resumption of discharge

How many times does spotting occur after childbirth? Nature provides for the cleansing of a woman's body only once. However, sometimes women register a resumption of bleeding. Should I be worried?

The most obvious option is to restore the cycle as soon as possible. Menstruation comes for each woman individually, at the moment when she has completely restored the function of childbearing again. Since postpartum and menstrual blood flow have similar characteristics in appearance, it is easy to confuse them. With the help of an ultrasound scan, the gynecologist determines whether the cycle has come to the young mother, or whether the body is being cleansed.

Exit the remaining endometrium and placenta particles. In rare cases, the cleansing of the internal organs from the remaining elements that accompanied the pregnancy occurs at the end of the recovery process. If the liquid has a slimy, transparent appearance and does not have an unpleasant odor, most likely this is just such a situation. Usually, such late discharge does not last long.

All repeated currents of yellow, green, which smell unpleasant are a signal of an inflammatory process. To avoid the risk of female organ pathology, it is important to see a doctor as soon as possible.

How to maintain hygiene during the postpartum period

Unfortunately, bleeding that goes outside is a good breeding ground for dangerous bacteria to grow. To prevent their development, it is necessary to strictly follow the measures to maintain hygiene.

To collect secretions, doctors recommend using special absorbent pads. During the first days, a special product is used, which is sold at the pharmacy. Then the usual night pads marked "5 drops" will do.

The use of tampons is strictly prohibited. In order to ensure the free flow of liquid, nothing should stop its movement. In addition, tampons cannot absorb the blood clots that inevitably come out after the first week.

The sanitary napkin is changed every 2 hours, regardless of the intensity of the currents. It is accompanied by ablution of the external genital organs (if possible, if the woman is at home, also every one and a half to two hours).

The minimum number of ablutions is reduced to two or three per day. When using the toilet, use a mild cleanser marked “for intimate hygiene”.

In the event that natural childbirth was complicated, and there are tears in the birth canal, it is necessary to continue to take care of the injured skin at home. At discharge, the doctor will give detailed instructions on hygiene in this case. Most often, liquid antiseptics are used such as a solution of potassium permanganate or furacilin.

Maintaining hygiene is especially important for young mothers, whose childbirth took place through an operative way. Since there is an incision in the uterus, the recovery process must be protected from contamination. In addition, daily hygiene includes taking care of the seam. The rule of "changing two hours" must be followed exactly.

Maintaining women's health is not the last task of a young mother. Observing how long the discharge lasts after childbirth and what its characteristics are, allow women to avoid the risks of the recovery period and ensure their well-being. Despite the fact that young mothers have many worries associated with their newborns, it is important to follow the doctor's recommendations for diagnosing currents and maintaining hygiene during this special period.

Kirill is a permanent expert of the PupsFull portal. She writes articles on pregnancy, nutrition and mom and baby health.

Articles written

After giving birth, new mothers find discharge from the genitals for several weeks. They are usually bloody, brownish, or watery. The appearance of blood on underwear can be frightening, cause fears about the presence of uterine bleeding after childbirth. Should a mother be worried if she noticed unusual vaginal discharge after the arrival of the baby? Consider under what circumstances such a phenomenon is recognized by doctors as the norm, and how long the discharge lasts after childbirth.

Causes of discharge in women after childbirth

Bleeding after childbirth is called "lochia". Discharge after the birth of a baby occurs not only in women in labor who gave birth naturally, but also in those who have undergone a cesarean section.

Why does postpartum discharge appear? To answer this question, you need to figure out what happens to the uterus after the baby is born.

Despite the fact that the baby is already in the hands of the midwife, the process, which is called postpartum, continues for the woman. The afterbirth comes out of the uterus.


The placenta consists of several layers, the first is formed from the endometrium of the uterus and is called the basal decidua. It is riddled with blood vessels and includes depressions filled with maternal blood. Due to the fact that the arteries and capillaries of the mother and the fetus enter the placenta, diffusion takes place between the two bloodstreams, and the child receives the nutrients he needs.

When the placenta breaks away from the wall of the uterus and comes out, the surface of the organ resembles an open wound. Blood flows from the gaping vessels, especially intensively in the first minutes after childbirth.

After a while, the organ begins to shrink, decreasing and reaching its original size. This phenomenon is called involution. By contracting, the muscles constrict the vessels, helping to stop postpartum hemorrhage, wound healing and the cessation of lochia. How quickly the uterus shrinks to its original size depends on individual factors.

Color and other characteristics of normal discharge

What should be the normal discharge immediately after childbirth? The hue should gradually change from blood red to whitish and transparent:


  1. Immediately after childbirth, the discharge is bloody (see also:). This is due to the fact that the blood vessels damaged during the separation of the placenta did not have time to tighten, and almost pure blood is released from the woman's vagina after childbirth, so if it bleeds, this is normal. You need to stock up in advance with pads designed for heavy periods or for urological patients. Doctors forbid the use of tampons and menstrual cups.
  2. Within a week after the birth of the baby, postpartum scarlet lochiae turn brown or brown. Blood clots can be mixed with the secretions even after 5-6 days after pregnancy.
  3. At the end of the week, the discharge after childbirth becomes yellowish. The liquid resembles ichor oozing from small wounds as it heals. This color of lochia is due to the content of lymphocytes and leukocytes in them, which contribute to the restoration of ruptured vessels inside the uterus.
  4. Gradually, the discharge becomes slimy or transparent. This is a sign that the regeneration of the inner lining of the uterus was successful, and the lochia after childbirth was replaced by vaginal discharge.

Initially, postpartum hemorrhage smells like blood. Over time, the smell of metal is replaced by dampness or sweetness - this is how coagulated or stagnant blood smells, there is nothing to worry about.

How long can the discharge last normally?

Doctors divide the postpartum period into the following stages:

  • early - the first 2-3 hours after childbirth;
  • late - lasts up to 8 weeks.

At the beginning of the postpartum period, the mother who gave birth is still in the delivery room. During this period, the most active bleeding is observed. How much blood does a woman lose? 400 ml approx. The midwife closely monitors the woman in labor in order to timely notice pathological bleeding after childbirth, which is a symptom of hypotension, injuries, ruptures.

How long does lochia go after childbirth? The duration depends on the reduction in the size of the uterus, which, by contracting, helps to tighten the wounds. In a day, the uterus decreases by about 1 cm. On the baby's birthday, the bottom of the organ is felt at the level of the middle of the abdomen, after 3-4 days it is located in the middle between the navel and the vagina. By 9-10 days, the uterus is at a height of 1-2 cm from the vagina. If in the last days of pregnancy the organ weighs about 1 kg, then by the end of the postpartum period it returns to its original weight of 70 g.

How long does it bleed? Lochia is most intensely excreted in the first 3 days. The volume is approximately 300 ml and the woman has to change the pad frequently.

On the 9-10th day, when the uterus has almost returned to its original state, the discharge becomes scarce and does not cause severe discomfort. After childbirth, lochia can completely stop after a month.

How long does postpartum lochia last as a result of surgery? After a cesarean section, lochia, as a rule, takes longer than with natural childbirth (for more details, see the article :). Any surgical intervention is stress for the human body, and rehabilitation after it is more difficult. How long does it take after childbirth for all this to end? About 8 weeks. In the first month after childbirth, the lochia is usually more abundant.

Does the duration of the discharge depend on the type of feeding?

How long does this symptom last after the appearance of the newborn, if the mother is breastfeeding? When breastfeeding, the discharge passes faster than if the woman who gave birth is feeding the baby with formulas.

Milk appears in the mammary glands of a woman under the influence of oxytocin. It is produced by the baby's sucking movements - the brain receives a signal and the pituitary gland begins to produce a hormone that causes myoepithelial cells to contract and pushes milk to the nipple.

Oxytocin has a similar effect on the uterus. Under the action of this hormone, the uterine muscles contract more strongly, which means that involution, and with it healing, occurs faster. If the mother wants to quickly undergo rehabilitation after childbirth, she should feed the newborn with milk. How long should breastfeeding lochia go and how quickly do they end? This is an individual process, but some women notice the termination already at the end of the month.

Pathological discharge and accompanying symptoms

What to do if a month after childbirth bleeding again, or lochia does not stop even after 3 months? This indicates the presence of abnormalities in the involution of the uterus. How to determine that rehabilitation after childbirth is proceeding with impairments? First of all, you need to pay attention to the nature of the discharge, its color and smell.

How to determine the presence of a disease by the color of lochia is shown in the table:

ColorOther symptomsPossible diseases
Red, bloody, or brown 1-2 months after the baby is bornDrawing, aching sensations in the lower abdomen.Endometriosis is an overgrowth of the endometrium outside the uterus. Myoma is a benign tumor of the myometrium. Polyps are growths on the leg, which can penetrate the vagina through the cervical canal, sometimes degenerating into cancerous tumors. However, the reason may be the onset of menstruation; in women who refuse to breastfeed, the menstrual cycle may begin immediately after childbirth.
Light red or pinkSharp pains in the lower abdomen.Injuries during childbirth, suture divergence, ectopia of the cervix, polyps.
Bright yellowItching, bad odor, fever.Endometritis is an inflammatory process in the uterine endometrium.
GreenItching, burning, unpleasant odor, frothy discharge.Infection of the uterus, vagina, or fallopian tubes. Bacterial vaginosis - due to hormonal fluctuations, the pH of the vagina changes, which causes the suppression of beneficial bacteria and the growth of pathogenic microflora. Gonorrhea and chlamydia are sexually transmitted diseases.
WhiteItching, burning, sour odor, flaky consistency.Thrush is an infection caused by Candida fungi. They are constantly present in the vagina and begin to multiply with fluctuations in hormones or reduced immunity.

Regardless of the stage at which they appeared, purulent discharge is a reason to immediately make an appointment with a gynecologist. Most often they are accompanied by lethargy, headache, fatigue, and fever. Pus can be a symptom of salpingo-oophoritis. This is an inflammation of the appendages, which develops due to the ingress of staphylococci, streptococci, gonococci into the fallopian tubes and ovaries. What pathological discharge looks like can be seen in the photo.


Mucous discharge is the norm, especially at 3-4 weeks. They indicate pathology if they go too abundantly or appear at a time when it should still be bleeding.

What if the lochia suddenly ended ahead of schedule? This indicates the presence of a lochiometer. With this ailment, lochia cannot leave the uterus for the following reasons:

  • blockage of the cervical canal;
  • kink of the uterus;
  • weak contraction of the organ.

Any deviation from normal indicators in color, smell, consistency is a reason to consult a doctor. Do not neglect the warning signs, they can be symptoms of dangerous diseases.

Hygiene features in the postpartum period

The doctor who led the pregnancy and delivered the childbirth while the woman is still in the hospital will tell you about the hygiene rules during the rehabilitation period after childbirth. Several recommendations on how to properly monitor the cleanliness of the vulva and perineum to avoid infection:


  1. During lochia, it is necessary to use gaskets. Tampons and menstrual cups contribute to the multiplication of pathogenic microflora and stagnation of secretions. You can buy pads at the pharmacy, but if the discharge is heavy, you can use an absorbent diaper. For scanty lochia, the usual menstrual remedies are suitable.
  2. You need to wash yourself at least twice a day. Don't use soap too often. It is necessary to wash in the shower, not in the bath. You cannot lie in hot water for a long time, this can negatively affect the restoration of the integrity of blood vessels and cause profuse bleeding. During washing, you need to make movements from front to back, from the vagina to the anus. If you do the opposite, intestinal microflora can enter the vagina, which will cause inflammation.
  3. If a woman has stitches, they need to be treated regularly. For this, antiseptic preparations are suitable - a solution of potassium permanganate or Furacilin.

If you adhere to the rules of hygiene, observe the nature of the discharge, then the risk of infection can be minimized. Any diseases are easier to treat in the initial stages than in a neglected state.

Childbirth is a long and difficult process, after which the body needs a certain time to recover. First of all, this concerns the uterus, because it must return to its original size, renew the mucous membrane, in a word, recover and prepare for the next conception, therefore, after the woman has given birth, she will have spotting. First 6 or 8 weeks, remnants of epithelium, mucus. And what should be the discharge after childbirth in 2 months? The answer to this question depends on the individual characteristics of the organism, the state of health of the woman's reproductive organs, and so on.

The child decided to be born, the delivery was successful, there are no visible complications, but after two months is there still spotting? If, at the same time, there are no disturbing symptoms, such as fever, and a general deterioration in the condition, we can talk about a slow contraction of the uterus. That is, the organ has not yet returned to its previous size, has not cleared itself of ichor, mucus, and exfoliated epithelium. The rate of reduction, cleansing of the uterus is different for each woman, moreover, much depends on how much it was enlarged during pregnancy.

Blood discharge 2 months after childbirth is a variant of the norm, if it gradually subsides and is not accompanied by unpleasant sensations.

To improve the contraction of the uterus, it is worth regularly breastfeeding - this process activates the production of oxytocin, which stimulates smooth muscles. In addition, doctors advise lying on your stomach more often. However, after giving birth, women do it with pleasure, because they were deprived of such an opportunity for many months.

Cold compresses in the first weeks after childbirth also contribute to the contraction of the uterus, which means that it will return to normal as soon as possible. A sign that everything has returned to its original state is transparent discharge, which can immediately turn yellowish.

If discharge appears after three months

In the case when more than two months have passed after childbirth, and spotting suddenly appeared, such options are possible: either it started menstruation, or a pathology arose.

Menstruation can come after 3 months, even if a woman is breastfeeding, this should always be remembered. If bleeding occurs in the same way as it usually does with menstruation, it ends after a few days, it is quite possible that the monthly cycle has recovered.

In the event that the bleeding is more profuse or prolonged, if it occurs irregularly, more often than menstruation should be, it is worth contacting a gynecologist. What pathologies can arise? The most common are the following:

  • uterine bleeding;
  • adenomyosis;
  • endometritis;
  • divergence of internal seams;
  • polyps of the uterus;
  • inflammatory process.

The most serious are inflammation, dehiscence of internal sutures, and uterine bleeding, and these conditions require urgent medical attention. But in order to provide it, you need to establish the correct diagnosis. That is, if a woman periodically has bloody discharge, uncharacteristic for menstruation, this is a reason to consult a doctor. All the more you need to worry if bleeding is accompanied by an increase in temperature - this is an unambiguous symptom of inflammation, and this condition requires immediate treatment.

Other discharge after childbirth

The birth of a child does not always go the way you want, and the postpartum period can be complicated by inflammation or pathologies. One of the most important indicators of a woman's health in the first 3-4 months is discharge. They can be different.

What does the yellow color of the discharge indicate?

Even a few months after giving birth, yellow discharge may occur. Normally, their appearance is associated with the end of the cleansing of the uterus, and this process can last more or less long.

Yellow discharge, if it is not a pathology, should not have a very pronounced color. They are not accompanied by itching or, in the abdomen, do not cause discomfort.

If the yellow discharge is too bright or green, an admixture of pus, blood, a strong unpleasant odor, this is already a sign of pathology, that is, an inflammatory process. Pain in the lower abdomen, itching in the vagina, a feeling of discomfort during sexual intercourse will also talk about him. An increase in body temperature and general malaise indicate the rapid development of the inflammatory process. Basically, pathological yellow discharge appears with endometritis, but it can also be a symptom of a genital infection.

White color of discharge

A person who has given birth is not inclined to carefully listen to his feelings and pay attention to some implicit changes in the body - everything is occupied by the newborn. But if a woman noticed that she had mucous membranes, this may indicate the development of candidiasis. At this stage, he is not too worried, itching and irritation occurs later, when the discharge becomes cheesy.

Candidiasis or thrush is not a dangerous, but very unpleasant disease that can occur for a variety of reasons. Fortunately, it is easily treated, sometimes only local remedies are enough, which is especially important when breastfeeding. The main thing is not to start the disease.

This color always indicates the presence of blood, but not fresh, but already coagulated. Brown discharge after childbirth, which appeared in the third or fourth month, may indicate the beginning of the restoration of the menstrual cycle.

The brownish color of the discharge, their small amount and duration, combined with the typical manifestations of menstruation, indicate that the woman has begun her period.

If such discharge appeared more than a month ago, and they do not look like menstruation, perhaps a hormonal disruption has occurred. After giving birth, this is quite natural, although not normal. It is necessary to undergo an examination and pass it, an ultrasound scan will also be useful.

With an unpleasant smell of discharge, if they are accompanied by aching pains in the lower abdomen, you also need to consult a doctor - endometritis is not excluded. In addition, brown discharge often indicates vaginosis, microtrauma of the cervix or vagina, polyps.

Mucous discharge

It may also happen that the woman's cycle has already recovered, but in the middle of it, the discharge becomes mucous, more abundant. If there are no signs of pathology (pain, itching, discomfort, bad smell, admixture of pus, blood), then this is a symptom of ovulation. The woman is again ready for fertilization, so you should be more careful if there is no desire to give birth to another child.

Such discharge can appear even when a young mother is actively breastfeeding, because lactation does not mean a complete blockage of ovulation.

When the discharge ends

The past birth period was difficult for the body, it needs time to recover. As mentioned above, each woman's discharge stops at different times. The better the uterus contracts, the faster everything will return to normal.

But on average, profuse discharge, bloody (lochia) stops after 6 weeks, more precisely, becomes smearing. And after 2 - 2.5 months, the uterus should be completely cleansed.

But this is on average. But in practice, the normalization of all processes can take place much slower, for someone and three, four months, or faster - in the same 6 weeks.

When self-diagnosis, it is necessary to take into account not only the presence and type of discharge, but also whether they are accompanied by any symptoms. If not, you can do an ultrasound to calm down, visit a gynecologist. In the event that there is something disturbing (pain, fever, any discomfort), there is no need to postpone a visit to the doctor.

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