Yellow discharge after childbirth is quite common. For many women, this raises a lot of questions: is this normal or should I see a doctor? Read more about this in our article.
A week after childbirth: highlights and their color
For young mothers, especially those who gave birth for the first time, everything seems strange and incomprehensible. Not only do you have to learn a new role - to be a mother, learn to breastfeed, but you also need to take care of your body. For example, yellow discharge after childbirth scares women who have recently given birth. It is worth knowing the physiological side of their appearance.
When a woman gives birth to a baby, her body begins to change rapidly. It no longer needs to be carried in the womb, and therefore everything returns to the pre-pregnancy state.
Postpartum discharge lasts long enough: from two weeks to one and a half months. The reason for such a long process is the exit of the afterbirth, which is firmly attached to the wall of the uterus. Now a wound is formed in it, which will heal. This is what causes postpartum hemorrhage. Typically, dischargesit is bright red. However, the shades of each individual woman may vary: from dark brown to light pink.
The color of the discharge after childbirth also depends on how long it lasts. At the very beginning they are brighter, burgundy, and after a couple of weeks they are already lighter.
Vaginal secretion after childbirth changes its consistency. Any deviations, such as the color and amount of discharge, alarm every new mom.
Yellow discharge: normal or not?
It is believed that a woman who breastfeeds her baby passes the stage of postpartum discharge much faster. The uterus contracts more intensively, and therefore more likely to return to the postpartum state. However, during this period, girls need to be as careful as possible in terms of their hygiene. Yellow discharge may appear just when this rule is not followed. In addition, doctors strictly forbid the use of anything other than pads. For example, tampons. They delay the normal process of cleansing the uterine cavity. With normal menstruation, this is not critical, but immediately after the birth process, the blood should flow freely.
In most cases, yellow discharge is normal. Especially during the completion of lochia. The blood mixes with secretions, sometimes becoming yellowish. If there is no smell, pain or itching, then most likely you should not worry.
It happens that even at the final stage of postpartum discharge, a woman notices streaks of blood on the pad. This is also normal, because the uterus needslong enough to heal.
Duration
Every still inexperienced woman in labor is interested in how many days the discharge goes after childbirth. Uninformed women panic when they last longer than normal periods. This comes from ignorance of the physiology of this process. Menstruation has the goal of releasing an "unused" egg. Lochia also cleanses the uterine cavity, contributing to its speedy contraction. Therefore, their duration is much longer. Normally, it is from three to eight weeks. For some girls, especially young girls, this process may be faster. In the case when the discharge goes longer than the prescribed period, you should consult a doctor. It is possible that this process was complicated by bleeding.
There are times when a woman gives birth with internal tears. At the same time, she can not actively move and even sit in order to avoid damage to the seams. However, not everyone manages to follow such a strict rule. In this case, the stitches are torn and begin to bleed.
The closer to completion the process of highlighting lochia, the lighter they become. Soreness in the abdomen disappears, the secretion becomes less abundant. If a month after the birth, the discharge is yellow, you should not be afraid. This is a normal phenomenon that predicts the imminent end of lochia.
Pathology
Yellow discharge in some situations may signal diseases of the genitourinary system. The body of a woman in labor is more vulnerable to various infections. You should be wary if some of the following signs are added to such secretions:
- Pain in the stomach. Especially cutting ones. At the very beginning, this is normal, as the uterus contracts. But, for example, in a month this phenomenon is most likely a pathology.
- Bad smell. This may indicate an infectious disease.
- Greenish-yellow discharge after childbirth mixed with pus suggests that the girl urgently needs to see a doctor. Probably inflammation.
- Itching and intense burning.
- Too long (more than two weeks) discharge that is yellow.
- Body temperature over 37.
See a doctor immediately
If a woman is attentive to her he alth, then the infection that could get into the vagina will be cured quickly enough. However, if you start this process, the consequences can be disastrous. The most harmless disease is cervical erosion in the initial stage. But if it is not diagnosed and treated in time, it can turn into a malignant form.
Reduced immunity of a young mother can lead to thrush or colpitis. In this case, the discharge will not just be yellow, but also of a curdled consistency.
Endometritis
The presence of pathologically prolonged yellow discharge may indicate endometritis. This disease is characterized by inflammation of the mucous membrane covering the uterine cavity. Everyone who has experienced endometritis knows how difficult it isget rid of.
In addition to unusual discharge, the woman complains of pain in the lower abdomen, which can radiate to the back. If you notice these symptoms, be sure to see a doctor.
Recommendations
In order for none of the women to face the troubles associated with discharge after childbirth, experts recommend that hygiene rules be strictly observed. The uterus is completely cleared of the waste products of the baby in the womb, and therefore the blood that comes out is not at all like menstruation. For this reason, precautions after the birth of the baby should be observed more carefully.
- Use only pads, tampons are prohibited. Today, pharmacies sell special postpartum hygiene bags. They allow the skin to breathe and can absorb quite a bit of blood.
- Change of hygiene products should be carried out as often as possible. It is best to do this once every three hours, or earlier if necessary.
- Be sure to wash yourself several times a day. If there are external breaks, you can use a weak solution of potassium permanganate or chamomile decoction.
- Underwear should be as comfortable and natural as possible.
- Yellow discharge after childbirth is usually normal, only if it doesn't last long. Therefore, to avoid infection in the vagina, take a shower, not a bath.
- You should refrain from sex. An open wound in the uterus during intercourse can become very sick and start to bleed.more abundant.
- Be vigilant if lochia ended in a month and a half and suddenly resumed again. Perhaps this is no longer postpartum discharge, but the bleeding that has begun.
Conclusion
Information about how many days the discharge goes after childbirth, information about their nature and physiology is essential for primiparous women. If you notice that you have yellow lochia for too long, a burning sensation has appeared in the vagina, and your he alth has worsened, contact your doctor immediately. This probably indicates the onset of an infectious disease.
In the case when no concomitant symptoms are observed, you should not be afraid. Yellow discharge in most cases is the most common variant of the norm and does not affect the he alth of a young mother in any way.
