The birth of a child is a joyful and exciting moment. But with the advent of the baby, one should not forget about one's own well-being. In the first days after childbirth, a woman becomes more vulnerable. The body has experienced severe stress, and it needs strength to recover. Doctors pay special attention to the condition of the reproductive organ. The uterus for the first week decreases in weight from one kilogram to three hundred grams. By the end of the recovery period (in 1-2 months), it will have a mass of only 70 grams. But it doesn't always happen that way. It is not uncommon for blood clots to remain in the uterus after childbirth. What to do in this case? You will learn about the methods of treatment in today's article.
Diagnosis and symptoms of uterine clots
In all maternity hospitals, newly-made mothers are sent for ultrasound and gynecological examination before discharge. These manipulations are necessary to assess the condition of the woman. If a clot remains in the uterus after childbirth, then an increase in the organ is noted. woman complainingon painful sensations in the lower abdomen, the temperature may rise and malaise may occur. All these symptoms indicate that the newly minted mother needs medical help. What to do if there are clots in the uterus after childbirth?
Manual separation of residues and massage
As you already know, every woman who has given birth is given an ultrasound. During the examination, the doctor can determine the location of the lumps of mucus. If there is a clot in the uterus, massage is performed after childbirth. Its purpose is to increase the contractility of the genital organ to expel mucus. Massage is carried out every 2-3 hours. The doctor presses on the lower abdomen, pushing the clots to the mouth of the uterus. The procedure is recognized as quite painful, but it is indispensable.
Gynecologists also use manual separation of clots. The mouth of the uterus in the first three days after birth is open by 8-12 centimeters. This distance allows easy manipulation without the use of expanders.
Medication: drugs
If a clot is found in the uterus after childbirth, then the woman must be prescribed drugs that enhance the contraction of the muscular organ. Most often it is "Oxytocin", "Hyfototsin", "Dinoprost", "Ergotal" and others. Some maternity hospitals practice the prophylactic use of the described remedies. But the attitude of doctors to this approach is ambiguous.
In addition to drugs that reduce the uterus, a woman is prescribed antibacterialdrugs. At the same time, the question of the possibility of further breastfeeding is being resolved. Opinions of gynecologists differ here. Some experts are sure that it is necessary to take antibiotics in order to prevent the inflammatory process. Other doctors say that breastfeeding should be continued as it promotes natural uterine contractions.
If a pathology is detected, it is forbidden to take antispasmodics that relax the muscles.
Cleaning clots in the uterus after childbirth: surgical treatment
If the remains of the fetal membranes or placenta are determined in the cavity of the genital organ, then the woman is prescribed gynecological curettage. It is made under anesthesia. Depending on the complexity of the operation, it can be local or general.
During the procedure, the doctor introduces instruments into the uterine cavity, which cleans the mucous membrane. This operation obliges the woman to stay within the walls of the medical facility for another 1-2 days.
Folk remedies to reduce the reproductive organ
Is it acceptable to use grandmother's recipes if there is a clot in the uterus? After childbirth, taking various herbs can be quite dangerous, since not all remedies are allowed during lactation. Many substances can cause an allergic reaction in a child. If you are not breastfeeding, then you can try to get rid of the pathology with the help of herbs. But remember that gynecologists do not recommend doingself-medication. And prolonged exposure to clots in the uterus can lead to infection or sepsis.
- Decoction of nettle. It is known that this plant helps to increase the contractility of the uterus. You need to brew nettles in the amount of 4 tablespoons per half liter of boiling water. Take an infusion of 100 ml three times a day.
- Shepherd's bag. This herb also has the ability to activate the work of the muscular organ. Boil two glasses of water and dip 4 tablespoons of herbs into it. Leave to cool, strain. Drink this amount throughout the day.
- Blood red geranium. Take 2 teaspoons of the herb and pour in 400 milliliters of chilled water. Leave the preparation overnight, and strain in the morning. Drink throughout the day.
There is an opinion that large doses of vitamin C cause contractions of the reproductive organ. Therefore, if there is a clot in the uterus after childbirth, women try to consume foods containing it. These are lemon, cabbage, parsley, oranges and so on.
What can a woman do on her own?
If clots are found in the uterus after childbirth, what should I do? By following simple tips, a woman can independently provoke the release of mucus. Ask the doctors at the maternity hospital about these methods. Here are some suggestions.
- Breast your baby more often. Stimulation of the nipples and sucking movements of the baby contribute to the production of natural oxytocin and uterine contraction. In the first days after childbirth, this is especially noticeable. Oncethe baby begins to suckle the breast, the reproductive muscle organ contracts.
- Lie on your stomach. The abdominal wall and muscles after the birth of the baby do not immediately return to their original state. Therefore, an inflection of the uterus may occur, which is why clots form. To prevent this from happening, lie on your stomach more often.
- Be active. If you have no contraindications, then you need to move more. Walk, walk, carry your baby in your arms. The higher the motor activity, the faster the uterus will contract.
- Use the means at hand. After childbirth, in the absence of contraindications, tighten the stomach. To do this, you can purchase a special bandage or use a sheet.
- Do Kegel exercises. Rhythmically squeeze and unclench the muscles of the vagina and anus. It might not work well at first. But such gymnastics not only promotes the release of clots, but also speeds up the recovery process.
- Watch your stool and empty your bladder more often. After childbirth, a woman practically does not feel the urge to urinate. But you need to urinate. Bladder and bowel contractions also increase uterine tone.
Special situations: caesarean section and induced delivery
What to do if a clot is found after a caesarean section? The uterine cavities after childbirth in this way are reduced a little differently. The fact is that the muscle layer is injured. Therefore, in the place where the incision is made, the tone will be reduced. As a result, clots appear. But cleaning after a caesarean section can bedangerous enough. What to do in this situation - only the doctor decides, based on the individual characteristics of the patient and the result of the operation.
It is not uncommon for clots to form after an early induced delivery. In these cases, lactation is not getting better, and hormonal failure occurs in the body. Therefore, the uterus contracts badly. With artificial delivery, a woman must be prescribed drugs based on oxytocin for prevention. When clots are detected, one of the correction methods described above is selected.
Summarize
If a woman develops uterine clots after childbirth, treatment should only be done by a gynecologist. Never try to get rid of lumps of mucus on your own. If you are breastfeeding, it is strictly forbidden to take any medication without first consulting a doctor. Have a speedy recovery!
