What does infected lochia look like?

How do I know if my lochia is infected? The biggest sign of infection is foul-smelling or greenish-colored vaginal discharge. Contact your healthcare provider as they may want to check for infection.

What does infected lochia smell like?

Lochia is vaginal discharge that occurs in the days to weeks after giving birth. Also known as postpartum bleeding, it contains blood, mucus, pregnancy tissue, and amniotic fluid. Lochia may smell similar to a menstrual period and have a stale, musty, or metallic odor.

What does abnormal lochia look like?

Bleeding that soaks more than one pad an hour. Blood clots that seem abnormally large (bigger than a plum) A continuous flow that does not seem to stop.

When should I be worried about lochia?

Your blood loss (lochia) is too heavy: although variable for the first few days the amount should gradually decrease over time. If it becomes heavier than it was initially or continues as a heavy or moderate loss for longer than a week, contact your midwife or GP straight away.

What is foul-smelling lochia?

Yes, lochia can have a distinct odor, similar to menstrual blood. But if your lochia has a foul smell or you come down with fever or chills, call your doctor. That can be a sign of a postpartum infection.

THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF LOCHIA | NCLEX REVIEW

How do you treat lochia infection?

Treatment of Infections of the Uterus After Delivery

If the uterus is infected, women are usually given antibiotics by vein (intravenously) until they have had no fever for at least 48 hours. Afterward, most women do not need to take antibiotics by mouth.

How do you clean lochia?

Gently pat dry with clean toilet paper or clean wipes. Change the sanitary pad after every void or bowel movement, or at least 4x a day. Both lochia and feces are a medium for bacteria. If you have delivered vaginally, soaking in a bath tub can also help with cleaning and wound healing.

Does lochia turn yellow?

A few small blood clots, no larger than a plum, are normal. For the fourth through tenth day after delivery, the lochia will be more watery and pinkish to brownish in color. From about the seventh to tenth day through the fourteenth day after delivery, the lochia is creamy or yellowish in color.

How do you know if you're overdoing it postpartum?

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.

What are the 3 different types of lochia?

Three types of lochia color patterns were identified: type 1--rubra-->serosa-->alba sequence (n = 20); type 2-rubra-->serosa-->alba sequence with prolonged rubra phase and short serosa and alba phases (n = 11); and type 3-with two rubra phases (rubra-->serosa/alba-->rubra-->serosa/alba sequence with near-equal duration ...

When assessing lochia what signs would indicate infection?

Lochia with offensive odour may indicate infection. It is possible for red lochial discharge to still be present at 6–8 weeks. It is more common also after instrumental delivery. Seek medical help if concerned.

Is it normal for lochia to turn red again?

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.

What should lochia look like after 2 weeks?

After 10 to 14 days, the lochia should become similar to spotting, like what you may notice just before or after your period. For the remaining days or weeks, the lochia will look more like watery mucus and will be white or yellow in color. It may also become very irregular.

How do I know if I have an infection in my uterus?

Pain — ranging from mild to severe — in your lower abdomen and pelvis. Unusual or heavy vaginal discharge that may have an unpleasant odor. Unusual bleeding from the vagina, especially during or after sex, or between periods. Pain during sex.

What does yellow lochia mean?

The body goes through many changes after having a baby, and having some yellow discharge after birth is normal. This type of discharge is called “lochia.” It is part of the body's way of healing itself after delivery, and it is a normal part of recovery after a vaginal birth or cesarean section (C-section).

What is the last stage of lochia?

Lochia alba

Finally, the lighter bleeding of the lochia serosa stage will fade into discharge; the lochia color will now be more yellowish but can sometimes be mixed with a bit of spotting. This is the final lochia stage, called lochia alba, and it may last for up to six weeks after delivery.

How long should you be on bed rest postpartum?

Many midwives recommend a full week of bed rest, but Brewer understands that a week isn't always possible for most women (especially if you have other children). Try for at least a few days, if you can.

How much activity is OK postpartum?

For most healthy women, the Department of Health and Human Services recommends at least 150 minutes a week of moderate-intensity aerobic activity — preferably spread throughout the week — after pregnancy. Consider these guidelines: Take time to warm up and cool down. Begin slowly and increase your pace gradually.

How long should a woman rest postpartum?

No matter how you delivered your baby, the postpartum recovery period is generally considered to be the first six weeks after childbirth. This doesn't mean that at six weeks you'll magically bounce back to pre-baby condition.

What postpartum symptoms should not be ignored?

In general, warning signs of serious health conditions include chest pain, trouble breathing, heavy bleeding and extreme pain. If you have any of these signs or symptoms, call your provider right away. If you think your life is in danger, call emergency services (911) or go to the emergency room.

How long does lochia odor last?

“The postpartum body brings smells that may be confused with sweat-related body odor,” says Dr. Alagia. “This includes a vaginal discharge called lochia, which is a mix of amniotic fluid, tissue, and blood. It usually passes through the vagina up to six weeks post-birth.”

What to do if lochia does not stop?

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.

What are the signs of sepsis postpartum?

Sepsis is a severe infection which affects the entire body; the first signs are usually a rise in your temperature, heart rate and breathing. You may also feel unwell, have chills and flu-type symptoms, abdominal pain in your tummy and diarrhoea.

What is sepsis in postpartum period?

Sepsis that occurs during pregnancy is called maternal sepsis. If it develops within six weeks of delivery, it is called postpartum sepsis or puerperal sepsis. Sometimes incorrectly called blood poisoning, sepsis is the body's life-threatening inflammatory response to infection.