What is lochia? Lochia is the vaginal discharge you have after giving birth. It contains a mix of blood, mucus and uterine tissue. It has a stale, musty odor like menstrual period discharge and can last several weeks. Lochia is heavy at first but gradually subsides to a lighter flow until it goes away.
Lochia is typically creamy white to red in colour, but it's not to be confused with your actual period. The main difference between lochia and your period is that lochia will be lighter and more watery. It may also have a sweet smell and, unlike your period, lochia's flow will increase when you exert yourself.
You'll go through three postpartum bleeding stages: lochia rubra, lochia serosa and lochia alba.
How long do you bleed after giving birth? 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.
Lochia is the menstrual period-like discharge women experience after giving birth. It's made up of the mucous membrane lining the uterus during pregnancy, as well as red and white blood cells being shed. Women will experience bleeding after a vaginal birth as well as after a cesarean delivery.
Breastfeeding can make the bleeding redder or heavier at first. You can also get cramping like menstrual period pain, called afterpains. This happens because breastfeeding causes your womb to contract and shrink . Afterpains can be more intense if you've had twins or more.
You may notice the bleeding is redder and heavier when you breastfeed. This happens because breastfeeding makes your womb contract. You may also feel cramps similar to period pains. The bleeding will carry on for a few weeks.
Lochia will become less heavy after a week or so, and the color will become a more watery-pink or brown. If you are breastfeeding, you may notice that you pass more lochia while feeding, since the uterus is contracting in response to hormone shifts activated by nursing or pumping.
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).
It may not seem like much, but taking a short walk can help tremendously during your postpartum recovery. “I encourage patients to be getting up and walking around almost immediately after delivery,” Prager says. “Even if it's a 10-minute walk around the block, it can be extremely helpful for the healing process.
Yes, it is possible to conceive soon after giving birth, even while you are still experiencing postpartum bleeding (lochia).
How long do first periods after delivery last? Most women return to their normal cycle soon after giving birth. If your period was 'normal' prior to pregnancy, it will occur every 21 to 35 days post pregnancy, while the bleeding may last anywhere between 2 to 7 days.
Every woman bleeds after they give birth
This bleeding is known as lochia. The lochia is a combination of mucous, tissue and blood that your womb sheds as it replaces its lining after you've given birth (UHS NHS Foundation Trust, 2020).
Lochia may smell similar to a menstrual period and have a stale, musty, or metallic odor. Lochia occurs in three stages and is a normal part of healing after giving birth. Keep in mind that there are complications to look out for, such as infection or hemorrhage.
Can Postpartum Bleeding Stop and Start Again? 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.
Brace yourself…the first period after giving birth is typically heavier than normal because there is extra blood in your uterine lining that needs to be shed. You may enjoy easier periods due to physical changes in the uterus and cervix, although some folks experience stronger cramps.
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.
This is known as lochia. It's how your body gets rid of the extra blood and tissue in your uterus that helped your baby grow. Bleeding is heaviest the first few days after your baby is born. But if heavy bleeding continues after that, you may need to call your doctor.
During your postpartum checkup, your provider will check to see that your uterus is returning to its pre-pregnancy size. If your uterus isn't decreasing in size as it should (a condition called subinvolution), your healthcare provider may order an ultrasound to see what's happening.
In those first few weeks postpartum, your cervix is still somewhat dilated, regardless of whether you had a vaginal delivery or a c-section. There's a theory – though no research has confirmed this – that tub water could travel into your uterus, introduce bacteria, and cause an infection.
One thing that often surprises my patients is that you should not drive for two weeks after delivery. All deliveries, whether vaginal or cesarean, involve some blood loss. This blood loss could cause some weakness which could impair your driving ability.
If your postnatal bleeding (lochia) gets heavier or changes colour (becomes pink or red) after activity, you could be overdoing it. You're also likely to feel very tired. Listen to your body. Pace yourself and make sure you get plenty of rest too.
Vaginal bleeding after a c-section is a normal part of the childbirth process. Your body will expel leftover mucus, tissue and blood. This substance is called lochia. The bleeding will likely be heavy at first and then lessen over time.
Don't drink alcohol, use street drugs or use harmful drugs. All of these can affect your mood and make you feel worse. And they can make it hard for you to take care of your baby. Ask for help from your partner, family and friends.
No, you are not – although it greatly depends on a number of factors too. Some women start ovulating soon after having a baby, and they are certainly fertile during that time, but that is not the case in general. Most women are less fertile after delivery.