Lochia color changes after cesarean section

Postpartum lochia is a sign of the quality of uterine repair. Regardless of whether a mother chooses a natural birth or a cesarean section, lochia is a necessary stage for mothers. If a woman who chooses natural delivery or caesarean section has lochia for a long time, with a large amount of lochia, a strong odor, and a dark red color, she needs to seek medical treatment immediately. Every pregnant mother should learn to observe postpartum lochia to identify her own health status, so what color changes will there be after delivery?

Phase 1

In the 3-6 days after giving birth, the lochia is bright red because it contains more blood, which is called stubborn lochia.

Phase II

7-14 days after giving birth, because the postpartum lochia during this period often contains less blood, and the main components are necrotic decidual tissue and mucus, so it is light pink and is called serous lochia;

Phase 3

2-3 weeks after giving birth, the lochia contains a lot of white blood cells, epidermal cells and some decidual tissue, which is milky white and is called white lochia.

It usually takes about 3 weeks for the lochia to be discharged after delivery. Appropriate consumption of the Chinese medicine preparation of Motherwort granules can help uterine contractions, promote uterine repair, reduce the amount of lochia discharged after delivery, and shorten the time of lochia discharge after delivery.

It is worth noting for expectant mothers that during the period when lochia is discharged after delivery, it is very important to ensure the cleanliness of the private parts. This is because the unrecovered uterus is connected to the outside through the cervix and vagina, making it easy for sexual infection to occur.

Therefore, expectant mothers should wash their vulva with warm water every day after giving birth, once in the morning and at noon, to ensure that the lochia and stains in the private parts are clean; wash the sanitary pads frequently, the sanitary pads should be packed intact, and when changing the pads, do not touch the middle of the sanitary pads with your hands to avoid contamination; wash underwear frequently to ensure the vulva is clean and dry.

Under normal circumstances, the lochia of postpartum women follows three stages and basically stops in about a month. The bleeding usually gradually decreases and gradually becomes fishy, ​​but not smelly. So, how can new mothers identify whether their postpartum lochia is abnormal?

1. Be aware of two situations in which bleeding may increase.

If bleeding increases shortly after a pregnant woman gives birth, it may be caused by poor uterine contractions, birth canal lacerations, placental retention, and coagulation abnormalities. This condition belongs to "postpartum hemorrhage" rather than as simple as postpartum lochia. At this time, most people go to the hospital and can receive proper treatment from medical staff on the spot and turn danger into safety.

Another situation is that the bleeding suddenly increases 2-3 weeks after the pregnant woman gives birth, and even internal bleeding occurs. This may be due to poor uterine repair at the embryo adhesion site, remnants of the embryonic membrane or decidua, or infection of the uterine wound.

2. Be aware that the amount of postpartum lochia may vary.

Abnormal postpartum lochia is generally manifested as dark purple color such as rotten sauce color or pink meat color, with a foul odor. It may also be accompanied by fever, abdominal pain, uterine tenderness, and last too long or recur repeatedly. The causes of this condition are generally cervical erosion, cervical polyps, or even cervical cancer.

If the duration of postpartum lochia is just prolonged, exceeding the normal duration, with a small amount, without an increase in amount or change in color, and is colorless and odorless, it is also considered abnormal. The causes of this condition may be poor uterine repair, poor physical condition and qi deficiency of pregnant women, and endocrine imbalance.

The uterus is a key part of our women and we should pay attention to it. We need to observe whether the changes in our postpartum lochia are normal. If any abnormalities are found, we must seek medical treatment in time to avoid aggravating the condition.