Breastfeeding moms may also notice an increase in lochia during nursing sessions, according to the Cleveland Clinic; a spike in the hormone oxytocin causes contractions which can lead to more uterine shedding.
Breastfeeding promotes uterine involution, and can help control postpartum bleeding.
After about a week, lochia is more watery and transitions to a pinkish brown color. The flow is lighter, and you may not fill pads as quickly. Finally, after about 10 to 14 days, lochia changes to a creamy, yellowish-white color. At this point, some people can wear thin panty liners in their underwear.
Breastfeeding makes your body release oxytocin. This makes your womb contract so it releases the lochia blood more quickly (but it will be the same amount of blood overall). Any sort of gentle exercise – even a quick vacuum of the lounge – could also make bleeding heavier.
Lochia is typically heavier and dark red in color for up to 10 days after giving birth, and then transitions into lighter bleeding or spotting that can last for four to six weeks after delivery.
Treatment of Lochia
Nothing needs to be done to treat lochia. You should not do anything to prevent lochia or stop it from happening—it's a normal part of your body's postpartum healing process. By the time your uterus has returned to its normal size, you won't be passing much lochia anymore (if at all).
Lochia that remain red and abundant for longer than usual may indicate delayed involution of the uterus, which may be due to retention of a piece of placenta within the uterus and/or to infection. If placental tissue is retained the uterus remains enlarged and this may show on an ultrasound scan.
Does breastfeeding inhibit healing postpartum? Probably not, but if you have multiple factors (which vary from study to study), it may be important to work with a pelvic floor physical therapist as a preemptive strategy to support your healing postpartum!
Although there may be times when you notice more or less discharge, lochia itself doesn't usually stop altogether only to start up again. Sometimes, the bright red discharge that you had in the first few days after you gave birth may also return.
By about 10 days after the birth, you may have only a small amount of white or yellow-white discharge. At this point, the lochia – called lochia alba – is mostly white blood cells and cells from the lining of the uterus. The lochia will taper off before it stops in another two to four weeks.
Lochia, also known as postpartum bleeding, is vaginal bleeding after giving birth that includes bloody fluid made up of blood, placental tissue, sloughed off endometrial lining and mucous. Normal postpartum bleeding continues for 3 to 6 weeks as your uterus heals and returns to its usual shape and size.
For some women, their lochia can stop or fade and then return, often between week 5 and 8 and it can occur even after a week or more of nothing. While it is possible this is the return of your menstrual cycle, it is unlikely for most women.
Health professionals recommend exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months, with a gradual introduction of appropriate foods in the second 6 months and ongoing breastfeeding for 2 years or beyond. Babies show they are ready to start solids when they: start showing interest when others are eating.
Breastfeeding can help protect babies against some short- and long-term illnesses and diseases. Breastfed babies have a lower risk of asthma, obesity, type 1 diabetes, and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Breastfed babies are also less likely to have ear infections and stomach bugs.
Breast milk is the best food for babies in the first year of life. It helps them grow healthy and strong and protects them from infections and illness. For example: Breast milk has hormones and the right amount of protein, sugar, fat and most vitamins to help your baby grow and develop.
Lochia Alba - The final stage is called lochia alba, and it occurs when the discharge turns yellowish or whitish. There is little or no blood in your lochia and your flow is much lighter. The last stage is the longest, lasting anywhere from 2-6 weeks. There should not be any clots in your lochia at this stage.
Yesterday's blog talked about lochia and what to expect with vaginal bleeding. But what happens when the bleeding is excessive? If you are soaking through a pad in less than an hour, are passing blood clots the size of a golf ball or larger, or are feeling weak, dizzy, or pale, call your care provider immediately.
Occasionally, a week or two after your bleeding seems to have stopped, you may have a sudden gush of bright red blood. This is the normal process of the placental site scab coming off. This too will taper off over a few days.
Think of it as an investment that will pay off greatly as you walk through and beyond the fourth trimester. Prepare for the 5-5-5 rule: 5 days in the bed, 5 days on the bed, 5 days near the bed.
The 555 postpartum rule is a great guideline that suggests five days in bed, five days on the bed, and five days around the bed, adding up to 15 days of taking it easy and allowing yourself to recover gently during this time.
Most people find the first six to eight weeks to be the hardest with a new baby. And, although people may not openly discuss many of the challenges in these early weeks of parenthood (if at all), there are a number of common hurdles you may face at this time.
Can You Get Pregnant Right After Having a Baby? Yes, it is possible to conceive soon after giving birth, even while you are still experiencing postpartum bleeding (lochia). A pregnancy becomes possible when ovulation resumes after delivery. Ovulation occurs about 10 to 14 days before menstruation.
Eventually, the light spotting may turn into a creamy white or yellow discharge. This discharge is caused by white blood cells that are working to heal the lining of the uterus. It is normal for this type of yellow discharge to last for an additional two to four weeks.
Lochia should not smell bad. Foul-smelling lochia may be a sign of infection and warrants a visit to a healthcare provider. It is normal for the bleeding to stop and start, and to experience period-like cramping as the uterus shrinks back to its normal size.