Lochia increases after 10 days of delivery

Mothers should never reject the occurrence of lochia, because lochia discharge is generally good for the mother's health. If the lochia in the mother's body is not discharged cleanly, it may easily lead to some gynecological diseases. For a normal postpartum woman, the time for lochia discharge is generally controlled at about 20 days, at which time the lochia has been completely discharged. But if the lochia suddenly increases more than ten days after delivery, is it a normal phenomenon?

Is it normal to have more lochia after 10 days of normal delivery?

Generally, the lochia after delivery will be discharged in about 20 days. Drinking more brown sugar water in the meantime can help the discharge of lochia. If it is not discharged after a full month, do an ultrasound to check the condition of the uterus during the postpartum check-up. If the lochia suddenly increases after 10 days, it is recommended to go to the hospital for a detailed examination in time for conditions like hemorrhage.

Postpartum lochia refers to the discharge through the vagina of tissues such as blood and necrotic decidua that is shed along with the uterine decidua. It is called lochia. It is a clinical manifestation of the parturient in the puerperium and is a physiological change. Lochia has a bloody smell but no odor. Its color and contents change over time. It usually lasts for 4 to 6 weeks and the total amount is 250ml to 500ml.

The amount of lochia discharged varies from person to person, some people have more, some people have less. Basically, in the first few days after delivery, there is more blood in the lochia, so the lochia will have red or dark red blood clots and a slightly fishy smell. On the third or fourth day after delivery, the color of lochia will gradually fade and turn brown, which is called lochia serous. By the tenth day, the lochia will turn white or yellowish white, a bit like leucorrhea, and is called lochia alba.

When draining lochia, the paper pad used should be soft and must be strictly disinfected to prevent infection. When the lochia decreases and the body tends to recover, the mother should get up and move around appropriately. Keep the indoor air circulating, remove foul air, keep warm and avoid catching cold. Rest in bed, avoid emotional excitement, and keep a good mood.

What should I do if the lochia suddenly increases after a normal delivery?

First of all, we need to identify the cause and provide appropriate treatment based on the cause.

1. Tissue residues. If the B-ultrasound examination indicates a light mass in the uterus, a uterine curettage must be performed. Women who have given birth naturally can undergo a uterine curettage directly. If the woman has had a cesarean section, it is recommended that a uterine curettage be performed under B-ultrasound positioning, which is safer. After the operation, treatment should be given to prevent infection and promote uterine contraction.

2. Poor uterine involution after delivery. B-ultrasound often shows that the uterus is enlarged, there is fluid accumulation in the uterine cavity, and there is a high possibility of blood accumulation. Due to poor uterine contraction after delivery, there is residual fluid and blood in the uterus, which leads to irregular vaginal bleeding. If this is the case, oxytocin must be injected intramuscularly or intravenously, and then Chinese medicine should be used to promote uterine contraction. If necessary, oral antibiotics should be taken to prevent infection. Adherence to breastfeeding is beneficial to postpartum uterine contraction and involution.

3. Puerperal infection. Endometrial inflammation leads to postpartum lochia. If this is the case, routine blood tests will indicate elevated white blood cells and neutrophil ratio, and B-ultrasound examination often shows no obvious abnormalities. Intravenous anti-infection treatment is required. If breastfeeding is ongoing, it is best to use a third-generation cephalosporin antibiotic combined with metronidazole intravenous drip for 3 to 5 days.