What to do if lochia is not discharged completely

Lochia is a physiological phenomenon that women experience after childbirth, and it is also the uterus expelling some residues. It is normal to have lochia after childbirth. Of course, the lochia will be discharged within a certain period of time. If the lochia is not discharged for a long time, it may indicate that the mother has certain health problems. Here we will introduce to you the reasons and treatment methods for postpartum lochia not being discharged completely!

1. Three reasons for postpartum lochia

1. Tissue residue

Due to uterine malformations, uterine fibroids and other reasons, the pregnancy tissue may not be completely removed, resulting in some tissue remaining in the uterine cavity. At this time, in addition to the unclean lochia, the amount of bleeding varies, with blood clots inside, and is accompanied by intermittent abdominal pain.

2. Uterine infection

Uterine infection may be caused by taking a tub bath after delivery, using unclean sanitary napkins, or having sexual intercourse before a full month after delivery. At this time, the lochia has a foul odor, there is tenderness in the abdomen, and it is accompanied by fever. A blood test shows an increase in the total white blood cell count.

3. Uterine contractions

It may be due to failure to get a good rest after delivery, or due to poor health and illness, or due to prolonged delivery, which consumes Qi and blood, leading to weak uterine contractions and continuous lochia.

2. Diagnosis of lochia

1. Three weeks after delivery, red lochia is still discharged from the vagina.

2. If the lochia has a foul odor, or is accompanied by low fever, lower abdominal pain, poor uterine involution, or uterine tenderness, there is a uterine cavity infection.

3. When B-ultrasound examination shows that the uterus is poorly involuted and there is tissue in the uterine cavity, it is the placenta or placental residues.

If you notice excessive or prolonged vaginal bleeding, or if the blood has an unusual odor, you should go to the hospital for examination as soon as possible. If the situation is serious or placenta residue is found, if the residue stays for too long, uterine curettage can be performed under B-ultrasound to remove it as completely as possible in one go. Exclude infection, placental retention and other lesions.

3. Prevention of postpartum lochia

1. Actively treat various pregnancy diseases before delivery, such as pregnancy-induced hypertension syndrome, anemia, vaginitis, etc.

2. For patients with premature rupture of membranes and prolonged labor, antibiotics should be given to prevent infection.

3. After delivery, carefully check whether the placenta and fetal membranes are complete. If there are any residues, deal with them in time. Check the placenta and fetal membranes. Lay the placenta flat with the mother facing up, and pay attention to whether the lobes can be aligned and whether there are any defects. Then lift the fetal membrane to check whether it is intact, and pay attention to whether there are abnormal blood vessels passing through the fetal membrane. If there are broken blood vessels, it means that there may be an "accessory placenta" remaining in the uterus. If the placenta is incomplete or most of the fetal membranes remain, it must be removed under strict disinfection or with instruments entering the uterine cavity to prevent postpartum hemorrhage or infection. If a small part of the fetal membrane remains, uterotonics can be used after delivery to promote its natural expulsion.