What happens if lochia does not stop?

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.

When should I be concerned about lochia?

Fever, severe pain or cramping that lasts more than a few days after delivery, and foul-smelling lochia are warning signs of infection, says Dr. Masterson. You should also contact your doctor if you have to change your pad more than once per hour because it's soaked through with blood.

Can lochia last for months?

How long does lochia last? It can vary between people, but lochia typically lasts about six weeks. However, some people have traces of lochia for up to eight weeks.

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 abnormal lochia?

What Is Normal Bleeding After Birth And Labor? | How Much Bleeding After Labor It Too Much? | Lochia

What causes prolonged lochia?

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.

Why am I still bleeding after 2 months of giving birth?

Bleeding after birth may last for a while

Bleeding often lasts for around for four to six weeks, but could last up to 12 weeks after your baby's born . If you're worried, you can talk to a health professional. Bleeding will start off heavy and red to browny red. It will become lighter in colour and flow over time .

Can lochia last longer than 6 weeks?

You will have some vaginal bleeding (called lochia) for 2–6 weeks after the birth. Bleeding sometimes lasts longer than this, but it should have stopped by 12 weeks. This bleeding happens after vaginal and c-section births.

Can lochia last for 2 months?

Yes. It's common for postpartum bleeding (lochia) to last for at least a couple of weeks if not longer than a month. It's different for every woman. Postpartum bleeding typically stops after four to six weeks.

Can lochia last for 4 months?

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.

Why am I still bleeding 6 weeks postpartum?

“Postpartum bleeding is normal for several weeks, up to 6 weeks, following a vaginal delivery,” she says. “The bleeding may also be inconsistent. Just when you think it's done, you'll have another day of dark red bleeding.

Can lochia last for 8 weeks?

Lochia. Lochia is the initial bleeding that lasts for 4-6 weeks and is a normal part of childbirth. During pregnancy, the placenta is attached to the uterine wall.

Is it normal to still bleed 8 weeks postpartum?

One study showed that nearly 50% of women experience a healing bleed, usually around 6 to 8 weeks after the birth of their child. If you're breastfeeding, it's unlikely that bleeding you might experience in this timeframe—between 6 and 8 weeks postpartum— represents a return to fertility (Visness et al., 1997).

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 does the last stage of lochia last?

The third stage of postpartum bleeding is called alba and can last two to six weeks after giving birth. Lochia changes from pink to a light brown to yellowish white color.

Does breastfeeding make lochia last longer?

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.

Why am I bleeding 10 weeks after giving birth?

Postpartum hemorrhage (also called PPH) is when a woman has heavy bleeding after giving birth. It's a serious but rare condition. It usually happens within 1 day of giving birth, but it can happen up to 12 weeks after having a baby. About 1 to 5 in 100 women who have a baby (1 to 5 percent) have PPH.

Is it normal to still bleed 5 weeks postpartum?

After childbirth, some bleeding and spotting is completely normal. And this may last for about four to six weeks. Heavy bleeding after giving birth is called postpartum hemorrhage.

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 can I stop prolonged postpartum bleeding?

Why do I keep bleeding 3 months postpartum?

Other causes of bleeding or spotting in the postpartum phase may include urinary tract infection, thyroid abnormalities, infection or inflammation of the uterine lining, or a piece of the placenta or amniotic fluid sac that hasn't yet come out.

What does the end of lochia look like?

It has a stale, musty odor like menstrual discharge. Lochia for the first 3 days after delivery is dark red in color. 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.

What happens if pieces of placenta is left inside?

If your placenta is not delivered, it can cause life-threatening bleeding called hemorrhaging. Infection. If the placenta, or pieces of the placenta, stay inside your uterus, you can develop an infection. A retained placenta or membrane has to be removed and you will need to see your doctor right away.

Is lochia foul smelling?

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.

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.