What causes lochia blood clots?

It is still quite hard for mothers. After giving birth, the body has to go through all kinds of struggles and discomforts. Many mothers ask, why can’t the dirty blood be discharged completely after giving birth? Is this a disease? The mothers were panicking. Actually, there is no need to rush. This is called lochia. Lochia can be discharged cleanly.

What causes lochia blood clots? The editor summarizes a few points. Hope this helps other moms.

The blood and mucus discharged from the vagina of women after childbirth. After delivery, with the shedding of the uterine decidua, especially the decidua at the placental attachment, tissues containing blood, necrotic decidua and other tissues are discharged through the vagina, which is called lochia.

1. Lochia Type:

1 Red lochia

In the first week after delivery, the amount of lochia is large and bright red. It contains a large amount of blood, small blood clots and necrotic decidual tissue, which is called red lochia. Bloody lochia lasts for three to four days, the amount of uterine bleeding gradually decreases, the serous fluid increases, and it turns into serous lochia.

2 Lochia serous

After one week to half a month, the amount of blood in the lochia decreases, and there are more necrotic decidua, cervical mucus, vaginal secretions and bacteria, which makes the lochia turn into light red serous fluid. The lochia at this time is called serous lochia. Serous lochia lasts for about ten days, the serous fluid gradually decreases, the white blood cells increase, and the lochia turns into white lochia.

3 White lochia

After half a month to three weeks, the lochia no longer contains blood, but contains a large number of white blood cells, degenerated decidua, epidermal cells and bacteria, making the lochia viscous and white in color, so it is called white lochia. The white lochia lasted for three weeks without any bleeding.

Second hazard:

1. Postpartum lochia that is not completely discharged may lead to local and systemic infection, and in severe cases, sepsis may occur.

2. Improper lochia can easily induce late postpartum hemorrhage, or even massive hemorrhage and shock, endangering the life of the mother.

3 The residual lochia caused by cesarean section can easily cause wound infection, rupture or poor healing, and even require hysterectomy.

Three Diagnoses

1 Normal lochia has a bloody smell, with a total volume of about 500 to 1000 ml, but it is not smelly. Generally speaking, lochia will clear up in about three weeks after delivery.

2 If two weeks after delivery, the lochia is still bloody, large in amount, accompanied by a foul odor, and sometimes contains rotten meat-like substances or fetal membrane-like substances, and the uterus is poorly restored, then you should consider that there may be residual placenta or fetal membranes in the uterus, and heavy bleeding may occur at any time.

3 When postpartum puerperal infection occurs, it can cause endometritis or myometritis. At this time, the mother will have symptoms such as fever, lower abdominal pain, increased lochia and foul odor. The lochia at this time not only has a foul odor, but also is not normal bloody or serous in color, but a turbid, dirty earthy brown color.

Ladies, what do you think about lochia blood clots? Is everything clear now? Don't panic too much. Lochia and blood clots are normal and will usually be discharged after a few weeks. But physical health cannot be neglected. If the lochia is not discharged completely, you should go to the hospital for examination and consult a doctor. Don't miss the best time for treatment. If serious abnormalities occur, it will be very harmful to the body.