What color is the late stage of lochia?

The term lochia is not well understood by many young people, but for female friends who have given birth, this term will not feel unfamiliar. To put it simply, lochia refers to the waste discharged from a woman's vagina, that is, secretions, but this is very different from normal leucorrhea. So the question is, what color will the lochia be in the later stages?

The discharge from the vagina after childbirth is called lochia. Under normal circumstances, it is completely discharged 4-6 weeks after childbirth. In the first few days after delivery, the amount of lochia is relatively large and the color is bright red, so it is called red lochia, also known as bloody lochia, which generally lasts for 3-7 days. After 3-5 days, the amount of blood contained decreases and the lochia turns light red, called serous lochia. 10-14 days after delivery, the lochia is white or light yellow, called white lochia. Normal lochia has a bloody smell, but it is not foul. The lochia duration of women who have cesarean section is longer than that of women who have vaginal delivery. You'd better go to the hospital for an ultrasound examination.

treat

Treatment is based on the cause, beginning with ultrasound and blood HCG examinations to exclude residual tissue and trophoblastic disease.

1. Tissue residue

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 postpartum uterine involution

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 recovery.

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.