When should I be worried 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.

What are the signs of abnormal lochia?

How do I know if my lochia is normal?

Lochia (vaginal 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.

How much lochia is too much?

If you are soaking through a menstrual pad in an hour or less, it may be a sign of abnormal or excessive bleeding after birth and you should call your doctor right away. Another sign of excessive postpartum bleeding is passing blood clots larger than a plum. Keep an eye out and talk to your doctor if you're concerned.

Does breastfeeding make lochia worse?

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.

When should I worry about postpartum bleeding? Can postpartum bleeding stop and start again?

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 should lochia look like after 2 weeks?

In the first few days after you've given birth, lochia can be bright red in color with a heavy volume. After about a week or so the discharge may be pinkish or brownish in color and the volume may be less. About two weeks later the discharge may become light brown or yellow in color and the amount will be much lighter.

Can lochia bleeding stop and start again?

Conclusions: Lochia lasted substantially longer than the conventional assumption of 2 weeks. It was common for postpartum bleeding to stop and start again or to be characterized by intermittent spotting or bleeding. Return of menses is rare among fully breast-feeding women in the first 8 weeks postpartum.

Why is my lochia red again?

If bright red spotting reappears after your lochia has already lightened up, it could be something called eschar bleeding. This is caused when the scab left behind from your placenta dissolves. This happens around the 10-day mark postpartum, and should only last for a few hours.

When assessing lochia what signs would indicate infection?

Foul-smelling lochia typically indicates an infection and needs to be addressed as soon as possible. Lochia should progress from rubra to serosa to alba.

Why does lochia turn yellow?

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.

What is foul lochia?

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.

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.

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.

Why am I suddenly bleeding bright red 4 weeks postpartum?

This is all a normal part of the postpartum transition of the uterus. 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.

When is postpartum bleeding not normal?

Fever Or Chills

Other symptoms that accompany postpartum bleeding might be cause for concern, too. “If you have a temperature greater than 100.4, you should call your doctor, particularly if you are having heavy bleeding or passing clots, as that could be a sign of an infection inside the uterus,” Dr.

When does placenta scab fall off?

By 14 days postpartum, a placental scab forms and you may see an increase in red bleeding when the placenta scab falls off, which may go unnoticed because the uterus is already shrinking.

What does placenta scab bleeding look like?

The bleeding will taper from dark red to brown to yellow. In the first few days after the birth, you might notice that you pass some small blood clots. As you recover, you will notice that the bleeding might get heavier if you've had a busy day. This is normal.

What does the end of lochia look like?

At first, lochia will look dark red and the flow may be heavy. After about four to 10 days, the lochia should lighten and look pinkish or brownish in appearance. After 10 to 14 days, the lochia should become similar to spotting, like what you may notice just before or after your period.

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.

Can you walk too much postpartum?

Starting with a daily brief walk after the first week or two is perfect. Watch for overdoing it, which is not hard to do early on. A good way to tell if you are doing too much is if your bleeding gets heavier or brighter red within a few hours of moving. Postpartum bleeding after exercise shouldn't change too much.

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.

What are complications of lochia?

Complications. In general, lochia has an odor similar to that of normal menstrual fluid. Any offensive odor or change to a greenish color indicates contamination by organisms such as chlamydia or staph saprophyticus.

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.

Is it normal for lochia to get heavier?

It may get heavier around day seven for 24 hours. It will gradually change colour, becoming a brownish colour and then yellowish as your womb heals and returns to its pre-pregnancy size .