Distinguishing between menstruation and lochia after childbirth

Girls may experience vaginal bleeding after giving birth. Many people don’t know whether this vaginal bleeding is menstruation or lochia. Lochia occurs after childbirth, usually within half a month after childbirth. After the lochia is completely eliminated, the woman's body slowly returns to normal. However, for girls who are giving birth for the first time, it is of course impossible to distinguish between menstruation and lochia. So, what are the methods of judgment?

1. The difference between postpartum menstruation and lochia

1. Color symptoms

Postpartum lochia lasts for a long time, and generally there are three periods, including red lochia, pink serous lochia, and white lochia. Red lochia occurs about one week after delivery, while serous lochia occurs within 14 days after delivery, and white lochia lasts until 6 weeks after delivery. Red lochia is similar to postpartum menstruation. The texture and timing of postpartum menstruation are no different from normal menstruation, and there will be no pink or white discharge.

2. Time of appearance

The time of postpartum menstruation is not fixed. If women choose to breastfeed, they usually have menstruation in about six months. If they do not breastfeed, menstruation may come in about 40 days. Postpartum lochia appears 6 weeks after delivery.

3. Duration and quantity

Lochia appears within 6 weeks after delivery, every day, while menstruation lasts for 7 days, once a month, and the amount of menstruation is no different from normal menstruation.

2. How long does it take for a woman to have her period after giving birth?

Postpartum menstruation has a lot to do with the mother's physique, delivery method, diet, physical condition, and whether she is breastfeeding, so the timing of postpartum menstruation is different. If the mother chooses to breastfeed after giving birth, most of the time her menstruation will start around 6-8 months after giving birth. If she does not breastfeed, her menstruation may start around 40 days after giving birth, which can easily be confused with postpartum lochia.

However, there are some individual cases where some breastfeeding mothers do not get their period until about a year after giving birth. This is mainly due to the hormone levels in the mother's body. No matter when menstruation comes, women should not worry that it is caused by disease. The time of postpartum menstruation is not fixed. Women only need to observe whether the amount and color of menstruation are normal. If any abnormality is found, they need to go to the hospital for examination.