Brown discharge after childbirth is an absolutely normal and natural phenomenon. In a young mother, the uterus is cleansed, resulting in blood clots, mucus and other brown discharge. However, in some cases, they may signal some kind of deviation.
Why arise
Brown discharge is called lochia. This is a secret, consisting, as a rule, of blood cells, dying epithelium and plasma. In addition, mucus may also be present in their composition, as a result of which these brown discharges become thick. After childbirth, after 2 months, the lochia brighten and become light yellow at the end of the term. As a rule, they appear already on the fifth day and last for one week. In women who have had a caesarean section, lochia can be seen a little later.
First steps
Brown discharge after childbirth can be seen already in the first hours. They arecopious and contain a lot of blood. Sometimes doctors have to apply ice to women in labor on the stomach so that the uterus contracts as quickly as possible and the bleeding stops. Otherwise, a woman risks losing a lot of blood. Despite the fact that this phenomenon does not pose a he alth hazard, it is extremely undesirable for the weakened body of the woman in labor and threatens to lower blood pressure and dizziness.
Separately, it should be noted the bleeding resulting from the rupture of stitches after childbirth. In such cases, the woman may experience pain, and doctors will have to re-treat the tears.
How to avoid bleeding
In order to avoid open bleeding, the following rules should be observed:
- Sometimes the uterus doesn't contract enough. In this case, a compress with ice is placed on the woman's stomach. Such procedures are carried out no more than four times a day and only for a short time.
- Lactation helps to shrink the uterus and restore its size. In addition, it has been observed that women who have already had childbirth feel quite severe pain in the lower abdomen. Thus, due to natural feeding, there is a rapid contraction and cleansing of the uterus.
- It is extremely important to empty the toilet as often as possible, even if there is no desire.
During the first three days, if you strongly press down on the lower abdomen, then the woman will have brown discharge. After childbirth (in the first days) this is especially noticeable. If you lie with your back up, then the cleansing process will become muchmore intense. Therefore, women in labor are advised to occasionally roll over and stay in this position for a while. In this position, pressure occurs, which ultimately improves the tone of the uterus. It is also a great way to prevent blood loss.
Deviation from the norm
Sometimes brown discharge after childbirth is accompanied by some disease. For example, a woman may experience thrush after some time. It is characterized by the following symptoms: cheesy discharge, redness of the labia and quite severe itching. This disease occurs if the birth was difficult enough and the woman in labor needed antibiotics.
Pain and fever often signal an infection. An unfavorable symptom is also considered a sharp cessation of yellow-brown discharge a month after childbirth or the appearance of abundant blood. Such phenomena indicate insufficient cleansing of the uterus, as a result of which parts of the placenta remained.
Color and character of lochia
As a rule, at the very beginning, the lochia are red, but already on the third or fourth day they begin to darken. By the end of the second week, they brighten and in the last days become absolutely yellow. Lochia does not have an unpleasant or repulsive odor. Sometimes a whole month after giving birth, brown discharge goes unevenly. That is, their intensity occasionally increases and for several days they are plentiful. However, such symptoms should not frighten a woman, as they are quite normal.
By smellbrown discharge after childbirth can identify some diseases. For example, if there is a specific smell of sour milk, then most likely the microflora has been disturbed as a result of the action of antibiotics. A slightly soapy smell reminiscent of fish may be associated with the appearance of thrush. The usual smell of blood is considered normal. However, if there is a slight mustiness, then it can also be considered normal, provided there is insufficient hygiene. This odor occurs when a woman doesn't change her pads often enough.
When the smell is rotten enough, there is likely to be some sort of inflammation. If at the same time there was an increased body temperature and pain in the lower abdomen, then, most likely, such diseases could develop: postpartum peritonitis, colpitis or endometritis. The smell of urine does not bode well either. Perhaps there was damage to the tissue of the bladder, and urine entered the uterus. And sometimes there are fistulas that are in close proximity to the bladder and vagina.
Very often, the doctor requires to put underwear not the usual pads, but fabric diapers. This is required so that the doctor can assess the nature of brown discharge and menstruation after childbirth. Thus, the doctor will be able to diagnose any diseases in a timely manner.
How to avoid infection
In addition to stopping bleeding, it is important to prevent infection. Unfortunately, very often after childbirth, women are faced with thrush. This disease is due tofor weakening the immunity of the woman in labor, as well as as a result of the entry of fungal spores into the vaginal cavity. In order to avoid such troubles, personal hygiene should be observed. First of all, it is required to take a shower daily using a neutral alkaline soap. In the first month after childbirth, it is strongly not recommended to take a bath. In addition, women during this period should not douche and use homemade candles.
Thrush can also appear as a result of using conventional pads. The fact is that they contain flavors, fibrous substances and other extra components that irritate the labia and lead to the appearance of thrush. Doctors advise using only gauze pads or regular diapers, which must be ironed with a hot iron before use. In addition, after visiting the toilet, a woman should definitely wash herself with warm water.
Brown discharge at 2 months
After giving birth, they can last more than 50 days. Despite the fact that this period is quite impressive, but it is quite natural. If there was no bleeding during this period, and the whole process gradually disappeared, then there is usually no cause for concern.
In rare cases, the secret appears even for two and a half months. Sometimes yellow or brown discharge after childbirth after 30 days is so insignificant that a woman simply does not notice them. If they do not smell, then there is no cause for concern.
Diagnosis of pathologies
In order to diagnose diseases in time, you should take blood and urine tests, as well as a smear on the flora. In addition, at the initial stage, it is imperative to undergo an examination by a gynecologist, after which the necessary tests will be directly prescribed. As a rule, a complete diagnosis is not complete without an ultrasound examination of the uterine cavity.
How to treat
Any inflammatory processes require intensive treatment with antibiotics and other anti-inflammatory drugs. In addition, you will most likely need an anesthetic that relieves pain and provides the woman with comfortable treatment conditions. Among the most common drugs prescribed by a gynecologist are Ampicillin, Oxytocin, Paracetamol and No-shpu, and Metronidazole is also often prescribed.
As a rule, all the listed drugs (except "Oxytocin") are taken from 3 to 10 days. Unfortunately, women have to stop lactation so as not to harm the baby. The drug "Oxytocin" is used to stimulate uterine contractions, as well as increase lactation.
Folk remedies
There are some traditional medicine recipes that are used as disinfectants against infection. In addition, some of them help cleanse the uterus and stimulate the process of its contraction.
For example, medicinal decoctions of several herbs can be used to wash the labia. However, it should be remembered that the firsta month after childbirth, in no case should you douching. In addition to external use, decoctions can be taken internally. The composition of plants recommended for the preparation of infusion contains anti-inflammatory and tonic substances. For example, nettle contains a lot of vitamin A, which contributes to the restoration of tissues of all internal organs. In addition, nettle has long been used as a hemostatic agent.
Chamomile also has anti-inflammatory properties and very often acts as a natural antiseptic. Oak bark has astringent properties and sage contains female hormones. To prepare the decoction, you will need powdered oak bark and dry herbal raw materials. All components are taken equally and filled with hot water at the rate of 1:10. The infusion can be prepared in a thermos or in a water bath. These methods are much better than ordinary brewing in a cup or simmering in a saucepan over low heat.
Use the decoction in doses, in small quantities and no more than three times a day. In addition to the above herbs, you can also use birch buds and St. John's wort inflorescences. In addition, tea tree essential oil has excellent wound healing properties. A few drops are added to warm water and used for washing.
Treatment of thrush
If unpleasant brown discharge after childbirth after 2 months is still associated with the appearance of thrush (which happens quite often), then Nystatin is prescribed for its treatment or"Pimafucin". After the approval of the gynecologist, you can use candles "Livarol" or "Mikrazim". It is advisable, before starting treatment with traditional medicine, also consult with your doctor.
