Watery discharge after cesarean section. Lochia after caesarean section

Childbirth is a very important physiological process for which a woman’s body prepares for 9 months. Naturally, even after childbirth, it takes some time to normalize the condition and recover. One of the most characteristic manifestations of the postpartum period is bloody issues. During this period, the uterus is cleared of residual fluid, placenta and blood. The walls of the uterus return to normal size over time.

Details: how long does discharge last after childbirth?

Every woman should monitor and observe whether her lochia comes out normally after labor activity.

Regardless of whether the birth was natural or by cesarean section, lochia should be:

• Intense bright red in the first 1-2 hours after labor;
• Bright scarlet for 2-3 days;
• Brown discharge, similar to menstruation, which lasts about 5-7 days;
• Brown, sometimes red, slightly slimy, for 4-8 weeks.

In the first 1-2 hours, blood clots may be present in the discharge. The first breastfeeding provokes more intense contractions of the uterus and thus the discharge of lochia occurs much faster. During this period, a woman may feel pulsating sensations in the uterus, especially when breastfeeding. This is considered normal, since the walls of the uterus contract more intensely during this period.

Many women are interested in how long postpartum discharge lasts. There is no definite answer to this question, since the duration of discharge is individual for each woman.

Basically they last a month and a half. In the first two weeks, the discharge may cause some discomfort. After the complete cessation of any vaginal discharge, the woman is examined by a gynecologist. The duration of discharge after the end of labor largely depends on the characteristics of the woman’s body, however, it is worth remembering that normally, suckers begin to discharge immediately after the placenta is rejected and continue for 6-8 weeks. The intensity and nature of the discharge changes over time, gradually they begin to lighten and decrease.

This period goes differently for everyone and depends on many various factors, namely such as:

• Intensity of uterine contraction;
• Features of a woman’s body;
• Progress of pregnancy;
• The process of childbirth;
• The presence or absence of complications during childbirth;
• Method of delivery;
• Breastfeeding.

During the first few days after birth, bleeding is very heavy, and large bloody clots are also present, as during this period the uterus is cleared of the remnants of the placenta. This is considered quite normal. If the bleeding stops, and then the discharge intensifies, then these are signs that the woman has lifted a heavy load. If you have been bleeding for the second month and the lochia does not stop, or if the discharge ends earlier, then you need to see a doctor, as this may be a sign of serious disorders in the body.

Discharge after cesarean section: how long does it last?

Many women after a cesarean section are interested in what kind of discharge should occur, since the intensity and duration of lochia in this case is somewhat different.

It is worth noting that during this period:

• The body takes much longer to recover;
• There is a risk of contracting an infection or inflammation;
• In the first week, the discharge will be intense, with mucous clots.

Discharge is considered normal when in the first days the blood flows scarlet, and then its color turns brown. The duration of lochia is usually prolonged because the uterus does not contract as quickly, so the healing process takes much longer. long time. It is worth considering that pure blood with clots flows for no more than two weeks, and then it gives way to brownish discharge. It is necessary to carefully monitor the periods of discharge, when they pass and start again, since the woman’s health depends on this. Rarely, during a caesarean section, the discharge stops the first time and may start again after a while. It is very important to pay attention to the color and smell of lochia, since during the recovery period there is a high risk of infection.

Bleeding after childbirth

It is imperative to take into account not only the composition of the lochia, but also their color, since by this sign one can distinguish a deviation from the norm.

Normally, the discharge should be:

• On the first day they are deep red;
• For 1-2 weeks – brownish discharge;
• The last suckers are almost transparent with slight cloudiness.

All other colors of lochia are considered a deviation from the norm and may indicate the occurrence of various complications and diseases. If lochia is pale yellow in color and is observed closer to the second week, then this is considered normal. If the discharge comes with impurities of pus, then the reasons for this may be inflammatory processes.

Inflammation must be treated with antibiotics under the supervision of a doctor, and in the most severe cases, surgery is performed to remove the inflamed area of ​​the uterus to cleanse the mucous membrane.

The reasons for the appearance of green mucus may be that an advanced inflammatory process is occurring in the body. When the first greenish droplets of pus appear, it is important to immediately consult a doctor.

White lochia should also be a cause for concern, especially if it is accompanied by such signs as:

• Sourish smell;
• Curdled consistency;
• Itching in the perineal area;
• Redness of the genitals.

All this indicates the presence of genital and genitourinary infections, vaginal candidiasis. If you have such signs, you should definitely consult a doctor. If a couple of weeks after birth there is a lot of bleeding, then this may be a rupture of the walls of the uterus and in this case uterine bleeding begins. You must immediately consult a doctor for surgical intervention.

Postpartum discharge

The amount of discharge may vary and indicate either correct, timely restoration of the uterus, or the presence of deviations from the norm.

That is why this indicator should be like this:

• In the first days, a lot of blood with clots comes out;
• The discharge is heavy for several weeks;
• Starting from 2-3 weeks, the discharge just smears.

If there is very little discharge, you should definitely consult a doctor, as this may indicate blockage of pipes and ducts. In addition, if the postpartum discharge lasts for a very long time and does not decrease for a long period, then this means that the healing process is very slow and the uterus is not able to fully recover. IN in case of emergency the use of “Dicynon” is indicated, which will help stop even severe uterine bleeding. Reviews about this drug are positive, as it helps in the most emergency cases and stops even severe uterine bleeding. However, in any case, you need to see a doctor.

It is important to remember that lochia has a characteristic odor and any disturbances may indicate serious problems in organism. In the first 1-2 days, when the discharge begins, it should have the smell of fresh blood and dampness, and after some time, it should smell of rottenness and mustiness.

If postpartum discharge has a sharp, putrid or sour odor, then this should alert you, since this sign indicates inflammation or infection of the uterus.

During the period when lochia occurs, careful hygiene is very important; frequent replacement of pads is required, as this will prevent infection. There are also certain duration standards postpartum discharge for dogs, which need to be checked with your veterinarian.

Duration of bleeding: normal

Each female body is purely individual, which is why it is impossible to say exactly when postpartum discharge will go away. However, there is a certain norm, going beyond which is considered a deviation. The normal time frame established in gynecology is considered to be from 6 to 8 weeks, and if the lochia does not end during this period, then you need to consult a doctor.

Important! If the discharge passes very quickly, then this may indicate incomplete cleansing of the uterus and you should definitely see a doctor, since the remnants of postpartum activity can provoke inflammation.

Acceptable deviations from the norm are considered to be from 5 to 9 weeks. Despite the fact that such deviations are allowed, however, it is important to take into account the nature of the discharge. Many people are interested in why the bleeding does not stop for a long time and has even intensified. This may indicate poor contraction of the uterine walls and requires taking certain medications prescribed by the doctor.

How long does it take to bleed after cleaning the uterus?

If the discharge stops very quickly, then an inflammatory process in the uterine cavity may begin, in which case it is necessary to do curettage of the uterine cavity. Immediately after the cleaning, the uterus bleeds a lot.

After curettage:

• The discharge is odorless;
• Bleeding continues for a week;
• There is pain in the lower abdomen and heaviness in the lumbar region.

After about 7-10 days, the discharge will end. If cleansing is carried out before the onset of the menstrual cycle, the discharge will continue in the same way as menstruation for one week.

If the discharge does not stop after 10 days, this may indicate a hormonal imbalance in the woman’s body. In addition, abnormal discharge may indicate bad smell And unusual color. If menstruation stops suddenly, this indicates that blood clots have accumulated in the uterine cavity. If in addition a woman feels pain in the lower abdomen, and there is also sharp increase temperature, this indicates a serious inflammatory process. In this case, antibiotics are recommended and regular monitoring by a doctor is required.

Expert answer: how long does discharge last after childbirth (video)

At the birth of a child, every family goes through a very important stage, which is why it is necessary to take into account many nuances, especially in postpartum period.

Regardless of whether the birth turned out to be natural or surgical, the inner lining of the reproductive organ needs time to recover. On average, it lasts 5-9 weeks, unless complications arise. Particular attention is paid to discharge after cesarean section. In obstetrics they are called lochia.

Lochia includes blood, rejected epithelial particles and mucus. There are no fundamental differences between the discharge that occurs after a physiological birth and those that appear after a cesarean section. Most women treat them like menstrual bleeding. By indicators such as the smell, color and volume of discharge after a cesarean section, you can judge whether everything is all right with the new mother.

Normal discharge after cesarean section - what does it look like and how long does it last?

In the early postoperative period discharge after cesarean section is easy to compare with normal heavy menstruation- lochia are colored red and contain individual clots.

In the first 7 days after surgery, their total volume can reach 500 ml; normally, a sanitary pad should be filled no faster than 2 hours. Every day the doctor checks with the woman the number of lochia and their color.

Discharge after cesarean section increases with physical activity, breastfeeding, when palpating the abdomen. As a result of these actions, the natural contractile activity of the uterus is stimulated, due to which its contents are more effectively expelled.

From the 2nd week, the lochia begins to darken, acquiring a brownish tint. Their volume gradually decreases. By the end of the 5th week, blood discharge after a cesarean section should normally become spotty, weak and acquire a lighter shade.

At the 8th week, the process of restoration of the inner layer of the reproductive organ is almost completely completed. Thus, the discharge after a cesarean section becomes light after 2 months, just like before pregnancy. At this time, the woman is recommended to visit a gynecologist for an appropriate examination and selection of a contraceptive method.

The nature and intensity of lochia is influenced by contractions of the uterine myometrium. After a birth performed by cesarean section, this process is worse than after a natural one, since part of the muscle fibers are damaged as a result of the surgical incision.

To improve the contractile activity of the uterus and prevent the development of postpartum hemorrhage, immediately after the operation the woman is started to be administered the drug Oxytocin according to the scheme, and it is also strongly recommended to establish natural feeding to enhance the synthesis of oxytocin by the body.

Personal hygiene after cesarean

Personal hygiene after surgical delivery has its own nuances:

1. Sanitary pads are changed as needed, but at least every 3 hours.
2. The use of tampons during the postpartum period is strictly prohibited, since their use can cause the development of an infectious process.
3. After each visit to the toilet, a woman should wash her genitals with clean water.
4. You cannot douche or take a bath until the end of the recovery period, only take a shower.

In what cases should you consult a doctor?

Every woman who has become a mother through surgery should be informed about how long the discharge lasts after a cesarean section. The cessation of lochia too early, as well as prolonged cessation, can be a bad sign.

But doctors insist that it is not so much the time frame that is important, but the composition, color, smell and total lochia. If the nature of the discharge is normal, then there is nothing to worry about. And how long the discharge lasts after a cesarean section depends almost entirely on specific features body. But even in this situation, you should consult a doctor.

It is imperative to inform a specialist if the lochia ends too early - less than 5 weeks, or too late - continues 10 or more weeks after birth. Both of these conditions pose serious risks.

In the first situation, the uterus may not have been completely cleansed and blood, mucus and remnants of the epithelium remain in it, which often ends in a serious inflammatory process. This should be indicated by discharge after a caesarean section with an odor. Read more about why the uterus contracts poorly after childbirth→

Prolonged lochia is also the result of an infectious process - endometritis. There is also a danger when the discharge either ends or increases again: such a case also does not fit into the norm.

Yellow discharge after cesarean section without the presence of a foreign odor is normal only at the end of the first 3 weeks after birth. But if they continue after this time, they are considered a sign of pathology - an advanced form of endometritis, which must be treated under the supervision of a doctor.

Purulent discharge after cesarean section colored in green color indicate the presence of an acute infectious pathology in the uterus.

White discharge from the genital tract is not dangerous until it is accompanied by symptoms such as redness and itching in the intimate area, discharge with a sour odor and a cheesy consistency. Most likely, we are talking about vaginal candidiasis - a frequent companion antibacterial therapy, which must be prescribed after surgical delivery. But only a specialist can give an accurate diagnosis.

By observing how long the discharge is after a cesarean section, assessing its nature, the young mother will understand whether her postpartum recovery stage is being delayed or everything is fine. If deviations from the norm occur, do not hesitate to consult a doctor. The examination and course of treatment that you will have to undergo if necessary are trifles compared to the complications that can arise if you let the situation take its course.

What else should you pay attention to?

A woman should be concerned not only about the changed nature of postpartum discharge, but also about such warning signs like abdominal pain and fever. But last symptom It may also be a variant of the norm if the young mother has not yet established lactation and the first pronounced flow of milk is observed.

Sometimes, due to insufficient care or infection, a woman in the postpartum period develops discharge from the suture after a cesarean section.

This pathology is characterized the following symptoms: hyperemia, fever, swelling and sanguineous or purulent discharge from the suture after cesarean section. If you do not notice this complication in time or self-medicate, the suture will fester and the young mother will need surgical help.

Typically, every woman who has become a mother by cesarean section visits a specialist 2 months after the birth of the baby. During this time, it becomes known how the recovery process is proceeding and whether there are any complications. But the woman will have to monitor whether postpartum discharge is normal on her own in order to seek medical help in time.

Useful video about caesarean section

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

Regardless of how birth occurs (through surgery or naturally), the lining (mucosa) of the uterus requires recovery period. It takes about 5-9 weeks, if everything goes well without complications.

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

Distinctive features

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

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

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

Deadlines

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

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

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

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

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

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

Lochia character

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

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

1. Presence of blood

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

1. Presence of clots

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

1. Mucus discharge

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

1. Pink discharge

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

1. Brown shade

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

1. Purulent discharge

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

1. Watery lochia

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

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

Hue

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

Yellowness

If yellow discharge begins after a cesarean section, it may indicate the following postpartum processes:

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

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

Greenery

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

White lochia

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

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

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

Black

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

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

Quantity

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

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

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

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

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

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

During surgical delivery, manual separation of the placenta occurs, which exposes the vessels of the placental site. Bloody discharge (lochia) in the first 3-4 days of the postpartum period is associated with gradual healing (epithelialization) of the wound surface.

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

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

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

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

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

By day 21, the discharge becomes mucous and transparent.

How long does the discharge last?

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

Pathological nature of discharge after cesarean section

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

Scanty discharge

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

1. Premature narrowing cervical canal leads to disruption of the outflow of secretions from the uterine cavity.
2. Caesarean section as planned (lack of preparation birth canal, the cervix was completely closed at the time of surgery).
3. Violation of the contractile function of the uterus (uterus does not empty).
4. Refusal of breastfeeding (the feeding process contributes to the contraction of the muscle fibers of the uterus).

Clinical symptoms:

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

Diagnostic methods:

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

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

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

Too much discharge

Conditions leading to an increase in the volume of lochia:

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

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

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

Discharge with clots

Reasons for such discharges:

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

Clinical picture:

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

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

Yellow discharge

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

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

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

Purulent discharge

Possible reasons:

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

Clinical manifestations:

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

Diagnostic criteria:

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

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

Hygiene measures after surgery

Compliance with hygiene rules is an important condition in the prevention of postoperative complications.

The following rules must be adhered to:

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

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

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

In pharmacies you can buy special postpartum pads, but in their absence, you can use others (the main thing is that they absorb the secretions well).

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

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

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

Case from practice

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

In the postoperative period, it was diagnosed: on the 3rd day there was extremely scanty bleeding, the patient complained of nagging pain, the size of the uterus exceeded normal.

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

Ultrasound: 100 ml of blood in the uterine cavity.

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

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

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

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

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

Nowadays, caesarean section is a common “procedure”. Firstly, the number of women who voluntarily decide to give birth this way is growing. Secondly, the number of pregnancies without complications is decreasing, so caesarean sections are increasingly performed “according to indications”. It doesn’t matter exactly how your baby will be born, the main thing is that he is born healthy, and that the operation or natural birth takes place without complications.

A caesarean section is an operation in which the uterus is surgically cut and the baby is removed from it by cutting and tying the umbilical cord, and removing the amniotic sac and placenta. The incision is then sutured and a sterile dressing is applied to the wound. The woman gradually recovers from anesthesia and another difficult stage– recovery stage. A new mother is concerned about many questions. When can you get up after anesthesia? How to care for a seam? What to eat? And many others.

Both doctors and mothers themselves pay special attention to discharge after cesarean section. After each birth (both natural and by cesarean section), so-called lochia are released from the woman’s vagina (this is postpartum discharge). Many women call discharge after childbirth heavy periods. In fact, there are many similarities: the lower abdomen hurts, and there is red discharge with clots. But such “periods” last much longer, and the nature of the discharge tends to change.

“Normal” discharge after cesarean section

So, discharge after childbirth is already a normal process. The remains of the placenta and dead microparticles of the endometrium along with blood are excreted through the genital tract. In the first 2-3 days after the operation, the discharge is bright red and quite abundant. It is difficult to determine the “normal volume” of discharge, because much depends on how the operation went and what complications accompanied the woman during pregnancy and childbirth. Gradually, the nature of the discharge changes. At first they darken, acquiring a brown tint, and become serous-sanguineous, then they become liquid and lighten. After about 6-8 weeks, the discharge should stop completely.

Discharge with clots and lumps is completely normal, especially after a cesarean section. Typically, after surgery, a woman moves little, so the blood collects in clots and then comes out. Do not be alarmed if during breastfeeding the discharge intensifies and pain appears in the lower abdomen - this is also normal, moreover, it is necessary for a speedy recovery. The discharge is “pushed out” by the uterus itself, contracting, and it contracts thanks to the hormone oxytocin, and oxytocin, in turn, is intensively released into the blood precisely when the baby is latched to the breast. This is how everything is interconnected and clearly thought out by Mother Nature.

When should you sound the alarm?

Unfortunately, the postpartum period does not always go smoothly, especially after a cesarean section. Serious complications occur very often, and postpartum discharge often helps to suspect them, which is why it is so important to know about the norms and “deviations.” So, you need to see a doctor immediately if:

• The discharge stopped too soon. As already mentioned, after a cesarean section they last from 5 to 8 weeks. If for some reason lochia lingers in the uterine cavity, then they become an excellent environment for pathogenic bacteria, which can provoke either hematomas or inflammation in the uterine cavity.
• The discharge lasts for more than 8 weeks, but does not become scarce and does not change color. If the uterus contracts poorly, bleeding can increase, and it is very dangerous for a woman’s life, so if after a week the bleeding has not changed at all, seek help immediately.
• The discharge has an unpleasant odor. In the first 2-3 days, the musty smell of lochia is normal, but if it continues to intensify, then this already indicates pathology.

To avoid all sorts of postpartum complications, after a caesarean section a woman is given antibacterial drugs, and if necessary, oxytocin is administered, which promotes better uterine contractions and, naturally, painkillers.

How to take care of yourself?

And the woman herself must take care of her health after a caesarean section. To avoid problems with discharge, you need to follow these instructions:

• To make the uterus contract better, lie on your stomach from time to time, wear a postpartum bandage, and empty it regularly. bladder and intestines, carry out light massage abdomen, apply ice to the lower abdomen (3 to 5 times a day for 5-10 minutes).
• Carefully observe genital hygiene: after each trip to the toilet, wash the external genitalia with clean warm water; shower daily; in the first 2 weeks after childbirth, it is better to use diapers rather than pads to create a ventilation effect; change sanitary pads every 4 hours; Do not use sanitary tampons under any circumstances.

And most importantly: no “amateur activities”. At the first suspicion that something is “off”, contact a specialist.

We wish you easy recovery and good health!

Especially for beremennost.net Tanya Kivezhdiy

There will definitely be some discharge after a caesarean section. Postpartum discharge - lochia - does not stop throughout the entire period of uterine recovery.

What kind of discharge is there after cesarean section?

After childbirth, the uterus is damaged and takes some time to heal. Surgical childbirth significantly prolongs the recovery time compared to natural childbirth. During the postpartum period, women secrete lochia, which consists of:

• blood;
• dead particles of the mucous membrane of the genital organs;
• mucus from the cervical canal.

Over time, the bleeding stops, the volume of the lochia decreases, and they become denser. The color of the discharge gradually changes because the wound surface heals. Lochia changes color in stages:

• bright red;
• red;
• bloody-serous;
• red-brown;
• dark brown;
• brown;
• light brown;
• yellow;
• yellowish-white;
• serous-sanguineous;
• colorless.

If the discharge contains pus, green clots, or remains bright red for too long, you should immediately consult a doctor.

Yellow discharge after cesarean section

These lochias contain more and more mucus, but sometimes streaks of blood may appear. The yellow tint is associated with a large number leukocytes in secretions. Leukocytes - white blood cells - protect a person from infections. The female body is weakened during the recovery period, the protective environment of the genital organs is not restored, therefore additional measures against infection are necessary.

The discharge becomes more and more scanty, “smearing”, serous-sanguineous and, finally, colorless. This means that lochia has stopped and the woman’s reproductive system has recovered after childbirth. In postpartum women who have undergone surgery, this moment comes later, because their muscle fibers are so damaged that they prevent the uterus from recovering faster.

Bloody discharge after cesarean section

At first, the lochia is bright red with clots because it contains a lot of red blood cells. In fact, at this time the most intense blood loss occurs; the woman’s hemoglobin drops sharply. Gradually the color turns into bloody-serous. This means that there are fewer red blood cells, plasma, serum and leukocytes ooze from the healing walls of the organ. Then the color will darken, become red-brown, brown.

Some women are surprised that after surgery there is blood coming from the vagina, because the stitch is on the stomach. They do not take into account that the wall of the uterus was also cut, and when the child was removed, the mucous membranes of the organ were damaged. The uterine scar prolongs lochia by an average of 20 days (compared to women who gave birth naturally). Surgery significantly complicates the process of contraction of the uterus, which in a short period should restore its previous size, shrinking almost 20 times.

Mucus discharge after cesarean section

Colorless, transparent mucus comes out of the cervical canal. This normal discharge, the so-called, which appear every day in every healthy woman. The cells of the mucous membranes of the genital organs are constantly renewed, dead particles of the epithelium are removed with the help of mucous secretion. Normally, there may be no discharge at all; it may be whitish.

At the moment when the lochia loses its color, the postpartum period is over, the uterine mucosa has regenerated, and the postpartum woman can completely devote herself to the role of mother.

Brown discharge after cesarean section

Lochia becomes brown when the volume of discharge decreases significantly. The color then begins to lighten to light brown and yellow.

To quickly get rid of discharge, you need to move a lot and monitor regular bowel cleansing, which sometimes has to be stimulated with glycerin suppositories or enemas.

How long does the discharge last after a caesarean section?

The maximum duration is 56 days. Upon discharge from the maternity hospital, the doctor on duty conducts an examination in a gynecological chair, takes a smear for microflora, and conducts a conversation. It is better to think through the questions in advance, the answers to which are of concern. The main thing should be: “When should I start worrying about prolonged bleeding?”

Sometimes, a few days after the bleeding stops, bleeding resumes. This may be the start of menstruation, which for the first time after childbirth lasts longer than the woman is accustomed to. Another reason for “intermittent” lochia may be that contractility the uterus is broken.

If a woman in labor feels great, but the discharge does not stop, it is better to consult a doctor. The check will not take much time, but it will be possible to avoid hospitalization in case of complications. It's better to contact antenatal clinic in a timely manner.

Women with prolonged bleeding after a caesarean section are seen immediately without waiting, even if she feels well. More often this is done by the doctor on duty in a separate office. First, they conduct an examination on a chair, then they do an ultrasound (immediately, out of turn). If the examination results are satisfactory, hemostatic agents and antispasmodics are prescribed. For example, an infusion of water pepper and No-shpa.

The uterus returns to its previous size much faster in those women in labor who often breastfeed their babies, lie on their stomachs, and also move a lot. During feeding, the woman feels that the uterus begins to contract more intensely. The discharge at this moment intensifies. They are also stimulated by walks and small physical exercise. The cessation of discharge is a sign of involution, i.e. full recovery uterus.

When should you worry?

• After 8 weeks of continuous bleeding.
• If the volume of discharge has changed dramatically. When the bleeding intensifies so much that no hygiene products can save you, or, conversely, stops abruptly (lochiometra - delay, accumulation of lochia in the uterus), you need to sound the alarm. If the contractility of the uterus is reduced, it must be stimulated. Sometimes doctors recommend taking No-shpa for several days in case of unexpected disappearance of lochia. This drug reopens the cervix, which has closed prematurely, blocking the passage of discharge. They become locked inside and accumulate, which leads to internal inflammation.
• With daily increasing pain in the lower abdomen.
• With the occurrence of itching in the genital area. This is a symptom of thrush - vaginal candidiasis.
• High temperature, low blood pressure, increased heart rate, cold skin – obvious signs inflammatory process. By the way, we must not forget that during lactation it is better to measure the temperature in the bend of the elbow.

Possible causes of unpleasant symptoms:

• An unprofessional operation (for example, leaving parts of the amniotic sac or placenta in the uterus). If after childbirth there are some foreign pieces left inside that even an ultrasound scan before discharge from the hospital did not detect, then they will begin to decompose and the inflammatory process will begin. Antibiotics will not help a woman in this situation; these particles (or a tampon forgotten by surgeons) will have to be removed. In the “best” case, the uterus is “cleaned”; in the worst case, a repeat operation is performed.
• Inability of the body to recover on its own after childbirth (for example, poor contractility).
• Bend of the uterus.
• Cervical spasm.
• Infection.

It is important to take timely measures to stop the development of complications after surgery. Otherwise, the young mother risks ending up in the hospital for a long time, leaving her newborn baby at home.

Care after caesarean section

In addition to the mandatory hygiene procedures dressings are done daily. You should not douche or take a bath to avoid infection. The seam should not be wetted for some time. Rubbing with a damp terry towel can help.

Special gymnastics that strengthens the abdominal muscles, which they begin to do in the maternity hospital, should also remain the rule. It is recommended to perform exercises after each feeding, ending with the heaviest feeding, when you need to lie on your stomach for a while.

You cannot immediately refuse a postpartum bandage. It is necessary for the wound to heal faster, because a “sagging” belly stretches the skin and prevents the edges of the wound from quickly healing.

If during the dressing it was noticed that the seam began to separate, classes should be stopped. Signs of inflammation and “swelling” of the suture should also cause concern. You should immediately contact your gynecologist so that he can prescribe new medications for dressings. Usually, a thick layer of Levomekol ointment is additionally applied to the seam. The main thing is to immediately apply for medical care, otherwise you might end up in the operating room again.

The cessation of discharge indicates that it is possible to resume intimate relationships, A pathological changes in the uterine area was avoided. And when the baby turns 2 months old, you can pamper yourself by taking a bath.

Now some pregnant women seriously believe that a caesarean section is best method childbearing and insist on surgery. If there are no indications for surgical intervention, then it is unreasonable to demand it. For a healthy woman in labor, surgery will never be better than natural childbirth. Any operated mother will confirm this.

The birth of a child is a great stress for the female body. This process entails a number of not very pleasant consequences. For young mothers, especially if this is their first birth, many aspects are alarming. For example, this is yellow discharge from the genital tract. How normal are they? In what period should they appear and when should they end? How to distinguish between normal limits and signs of disease?

What is normal yellow discharge after childbirth?

The postpartum period inevitably includes quite a long discharge, they are called lochia (from Greek word lochios – “pertaining to childbirth”). They go through several stages.

Immediately after the placenta is rejected, the inner layer of the uterus is a large wound. The organ begins to cleanse itself and restore the endometrium: therefore, in the first 2-3 days, the mother begins to have copious amounts of bloody discharge from her vagina (ordinary pads often cannot cope with this). They are bright red in color because injured vessels bleed.

Immediately after the placenta is rejected, the surface of the uterus looks like a large bleeding wound

By the way, in the first couple of hours after birth, approximately 300 milliliters of blood flows out. All this time, the mother must remain under observation in case massive bleeding begins.

Composed of lochia initial stage erythrocytes predominate. Due to contractions of the uterus (by the way, they intensify during breastfeeding), the vessels are drawn into its cavity and gradually become thrombosed.

From about 4 to 7 days, the discharge gradually decreases in volume and becomes lighter, becoming similar to ichor: at first it acquires a red-brown tint, which eventually becomes yellow (for some mothers, this period stretches for two weeks). These discharges are also called serous. The content of leukocytes in their composition is already growing. Blood clots in the lochia are a variant of the norm - these are particles of the uterine mucosa.

The last stage of lochia is just discharge yellow color, which on average lasts about a month. Their shade can vary from yellow-white to yellow-gray. In this case, the discharge should not be abundant, too thin or thick, bright or have an unpleasant odor. As for the latter, normally there should be virtually no smell (slightly musty odor, while bloody lochia at the first stage smells like regular menstruation).

Postpartum discharge at the last stage acquires a yellow tint

If everything in the female body proceeds normally, then by the end of 6–8 weeks (everyone has their own regeneration rate), the lochia stops, and the woman observes the usual clear mucus.

Table: the nature of postpartum discharge at various stages

A woman who has had a caesarean section should keep in mind that after this operation the discharge from the birth canal will be longer. Due to the presence of a suture on the uterus, the organ cannot contract as intensely as during natural childbirth, and therefore recovers more slowly.

After the second and third births, the uterus usually contracts faster.

Signs of pathological yellow discharge

Sometimes yellow discharge in a woman who has recently given birth may have signs that deviate from the norm or be accompanied by alarming symptoms.

1. Too much bright color or dark yellow, close to green.
2. The discharge resembles pus.
3. Unpleasant putrid smell. It is quite pungent and may resemble the smell of fish.
4. Lochia is too abundant and at the same time sticky or smearing, reminiscent of jelly.
5. Itching and burning in the vaginal area.
6. Pulling pain in the lower abdomen.
7. General malaise.
8. Increased body temperature (to low-grade or high levels).

If yellow discharge is accompanied nagging pain in the lower abdomen, then most likely we are talking about pathology

Possible causes of pathology

The appearance of the above signs (at least some of them) indicates pathological process in the female body. Mom should immediately contact a gynecologist for an accurate diagnosis.

If yellow discharge becomes unnatural or appears unpleasant symptoms, mom should definitely visit a gynecologist

Let us indicate the probable options.

1. Endometritis is the most common disease in the postpartum period. It is an inflammation of the lining of the uterus. In this case, the woman observes purulent yellow discharge that has an unpleasant odor (sometimes there is an admixture of blood in it). They acquire a green tint if the pathology is already advanced. Endometritis develops because the blood in the uterus is an ideal environment for the proliferation of bacteria, and the healing of the mucous membrane does not occur as quickly as on an external wound (after all, the temperature inside the organ is about 38 degrees, plus a humid environment). With this disease, as a rule, the body temperature rises and pain appears in the lower abdomen. Often this pathology develops in the mother while still in the maternity hospital (in this case, the woman quickly receives help), but it can also occur a month after the birth of the child.
2. Inflammation of the appendages fallopian tubes or ovaries. These diseases can be associated with endometritis or develop independently. At the same time, the mother feels pain in the lower abdomen, in the lumbar region (it can even radiate to the legs), and her temperature rises. If a woman does not seek medical help in a timely manner, acute stage After two or three weeks, the pathology will become chronic, and this is already fraught with problems with subsequent conception (the occurrence of adhesions, etc.), even up to infertility. In addition, the purulent process can develop into an abscess with a breakthrough of pus into abdominal cavity(peritonitis occurs - inflammation of the peritoneum, which can even lead to death).
3. Inflammatory cervical erosion. The cervix is ​​very often injured during childbirth. The damaged area can be affected by an infection (for example, staphylococcus), and then the pathological process begins.
4. Vaginal diseases: colpitis or vaginosis. Main sign- unpleasant sensations of itching or burning in the vagina. Yellow discharge becomes more abundant and may change its structure (more sticky or cheesy in nature).

Photo gallery: diseases accompanied by characteristic yellow discharge

With colpitis, the vagina is affected by bacteria, which is accompanied by a burning sensation and profuse yellow discharge. With endometritis, there is inflammation of the uterine mucosa. The cervix damaged during childbirth is a hotbed for the development of infection.

Treatment of pathology during lactation

If we are talking about endometritis, then it most often requires hospitalization of the woman. In this case, the child will have to be weaned. The mother is prescribed antibacterial drugs, usually in the form of injections (in severe cases, two different antibiotics at once) and additional procedures: administration of oxytocin for better uterine contractions, taking immunomodulators. Local therapy can be used - vacuum aspiration to clean the organ cavity, as well as enzymatic curettage of the walls of the uterus - their treatment with special enzymes to dissolve dead tissue.

Most often, endometritis involves hospitalization of a woman and the appointment strong antibiotics which is incompatible with breastfeeding

If the pathology was identified at a very early stage, then the doctor can select a gentle antibiotic that is compatible with breastfeeding. But this issue is resolved with each mother purely individually (the woman’s health is put in first place here). The same goes for treatment. inflammatory diseases appendages, ovaries and fallopian tubes and colpitis.

For vaginosis, a nursing mother is usually prescribed therapy in the form of antifungal suppositories that are safe during lactation (for example, Pimafucin) or taking oral tablets with the same effect (Pimafucin, Flucostat). Restoration is also required normal microflora vagina.

In case of erosion, the source of inflammation is treated with antibiotics and local means with antimicrobial action. The doctor selects medications taking into account the safety of the baby if he is breastfed.

As for cauterization of erosion, it in itself is harmless to the child. However, sometimes a woman needs pain relief, and some drugs for local anesthesia incompatible with lactation.

Video: a gynecologist talks about the symptoms and treatment of endometritis

Important hygiene rules during the postpartum period

In the postpartum period, when a woman's genital area is especially vulnerable, intimate hygiene must be very strict.

1. The first couple of weeks after delivery (while wounds and microcracks are healing and stitches, if any, are not removed) should be washed in the morning and evening, as well as after each visit to the toilet. In this case, the mother’s hands should be cleanly washed, and movements should be carried out from the pubis to the vagina, and then to the anus. The stream of water does not need to be directed directly into the vagina, so as not to wash out the beneficial microflora. Also, washcloths and sponges are not used: they can further injure the perineum. After washing, the labia are carefully blotted with a towel or cotton diaper: they need to be changed daily or use disposable options. The movements should again go from front to back.
2. Intimate hygiene products must be tested, it is best to purchase them at a pharmacy: they must have a neutral pH level and anti-inflammatory properties. At first, you can use baby soap with an additional antibacterial effect.
3. If a woman has stitches in her perineum, care for her genitals should be more thorough. There is no need to touch the seams with your hands. After each wash, they are rinsed with a weak solution of furatsilin or potassium permanganate (infusions made from herbs with an antiseptic effect - chamomile or calendula - are also suitable for this purpose).
4. During lochia, a woman, of course, cannot do without pads. You need to purchase well-absorbing discharge: night, “maxi” or special postpartum. They should be very soft (no mesh) and unflavored. In the first days after the birth of a child, hygiene products should be changed every 2–3 hours, because blood discharge is a fertile environment for development pathogenic microbes. Sometimes in the maternity hospital the mother is offered to use a diaper instead of a pad so that the doctor can assess the nature of the discharge. Tampons are strictly prohibited.
5. A woman should wear underwear only from natural fabric, well permeable to air. In no case should it be tight-fitting to the body: this will create a “greenhouse effect” and can damage the seams. Panties should be changed every day or use disposable postpartum underwear.
6. Within eight weeks after birth (this is the maximum period normal discharge) Mom is not allowed to take a bath, go to the bathhouse, or swim in the pool or pond. During all these procedures, infection can easily penetrate the internal genital organs, especially since the cervix is ​​still slightly open.
7. There is no need to douche without a doctor's recommendation.
8. A woman should beware of hypothermia: the genital area is already weakened, and this can be an impetus for the development of the disease.
9. In addition to direct hygiene of the external genitalia, a woman should always keep her entire body clean, especially her breasts when breastfeeding. Showers should be taken twice a day, especially in hot weather. You should also monitor the condition oral cavity: after all, through teeth affected by caries, this is a constant presence of infection in the body. Nails should be cut short.
10. Mom needs to change bed linen as often as possible.
11. Intimate life is strictly prohibited for the first one and a half to two months after childbirth (until the natural discharge ends).

Blood after childbirth in most cases is natural process, regardless of whether the birth was artificial or natural. During the bleeding, the uterus should return to normal. However, during this period there is a possibility of pathological hemorrhage. If this process is not recognized, it can lead to a large loss of blood, which threatens a sharp deterioration in the woman’s well-being, and sometimes even fatal. To prevent this from happening, you need to know how much blood flows after childbirth and what color it should be. There is a big difference between induced and natural childbirth. So, during a caesarean section, the uterus takes longer to recover, so the hemorrhage takes a long time. Below we will consider the question of how much bleeding occurs after a cesarean section.

After childbirth, a discharge called lochia occurs. They consist of blood, remnants of the placenta and particles of the upper layer of the uterus, which separated from it during labor. In the first 2-3 days after a cesarean section, the discharge is scarlet in color. In addition, the bleeding will be quite intense. Approximately 1 pad change every 2 hours will be required. However, this is conditional, since a lot depends on individual characteristics women and how successfully the operation was performed. No doctor can tell you exactly how much blood comes out normally. The first days after surgery, the discharge will be accompanied by a large number of clots. This is a normal process after such a long break between menstruation.

Gradually the color of the bleeding changes. 5 days after birth, the blood takes on a brownish tint. The intensity of discharge becomes average. The pad lasts for 3-4 hours. Many people are concerned about the question, how long does bleeding last after childbirth?

On average, hemorrhages after cesarean section last 1, 5 or 2 months. After 8 weeks they should stop. At the end, the discharge is dark in color and has a spotting character. If bleeding continues for too long, consult a doctor.

Complications after caesarean section

Situations often occur when complications arise after a caesarean section. This may be due to the fact that the uterus contracts poorly, the operation was not very successful, etc. If any problems arise after an artificial birth, you should immediately consult a doctor.
The following situations may be the reason:

You should also consult a doctor if the bleeding does not stop within 3 months after birth.

Bloody discharge in urine after cesarean section

Sometimes it happens that bleeding after a cesarean section has stopped, but after some time blood appears in the urine. This indicates that some pathology is developing in the body. Typically, blood in the urine occurs for the following reasons:

• Inflammation of the bladder (cystitis). This pathology accompanied by bloody discharge in the urine, even with clots and pain in the lower abdomen. Cystitis develops due to surgical intervention, and caesarean section is one of them. Its occurrence is also provoked by local hypothermia, inflammation of the vagina, improper personal hygiene, etc. In any case, if blood appears in the urine and pain in the lower abdomen, consult a doctor.
• Urethritis. This disease develops due to an inflammatory process that affects the walls of the urinary canal. As a result, blood appears in the urine, even with clots, and when urinating, a cutting pain occurs in the lower abdomen.
• Endometriosis. With this pathology, growths form on the walls of the bladder. Such formations arise from tissue that is rejected by the uterus during menstruation. After a cesarean section, these tissues are rejected due to bleeding. As a result, blood appears in the urine, sometimes with clots, and severe pain in the lower abdomen when urinating and appear frequent urge to urination.

In addition, blood in the urine occurs due to anemia, poor blood clotting, etc.

Prevention of pathological bleeding

In some situations, pathological hemorrhages can be avoided.
Follow these rules:

• Go to the toilet whenever you need to. The fact is that a full bladder prevents the uterus from contracting.
• Put the baby to the breast as soon as the need arises. When feeding, the uterus contracts, therefore, it will quickly return to the state it was in before childbirth.
• Change the gasket more often. In addition, it is advisable to use personal hygiene products without fragrances.
• Tampons cannot be used. The fact is that they prevent lochia from leaving the uterus, therefore, they create favorable conditions for reproduction harmful microorganisms in the uterus.
• Every time after visiting the toilet, wash yourself with warm boiling water. Under no circumstances should you take a bath while lying down for 8 weeks.

Any bleeding after a cesarean section should be treated with full responsibility. Care should be taken to monitor any changes in blood color, odor, or intensity of bleeding. If you have the slightest suspicion of pathology, consult a doctor.