Any new mother will develop dark lochia. In this case, there is no need to worry, since brown discharge after childbirth indicates restoration of the body and involution of the uterus. Such profuse postpartum discharge is called lochia. They will appear regardless of whether the woman gave birth herself or had a caesarean section.
Signs of pathology and norms
Parts of the placenta and blood, as well as endometrial tissue, which exit through the vagina, remain in the mother’s body. In the first few days after birth, spotting appears. They have a characteristic metallic odor, and sometimes blood clots appear, which is also normal.
Then, on the 4-7th day, the accumulations in the uterus become lighter and gradually acquire a brownish-pink color.
After two weeks, the lochia acquires a white-yellow hue.
By the 5th–6th week, the discharge should completely stop.
You should pay attention to the abundance and odor of the accumulations emanating from the uterus. If the lochia smells sour or even slightly rotten, this is a reason to immediately consult a doctor.
A non-standard change in the color of lochia is also considered a pathology. If they turn from brown again to scarlet and abundant, immediately contact a gynecologist. The change may indicate new bleeding.
Spotting light discharge after childbirth (without odor) is the norm, but mucous brown lochia, as in the photo below, indicates the presence of infection.
Pathology is often accompanied by the following negative manifestations:
- temperature increase;
- pain and itching in the perineum;
- weakness;
- nausea, frequent vomiting;
- pus or whitish flakes in the lochia;
- constant desire to sleep.
Dark brown lochia in the first two months after childbirth is the norm, this is how the body cleanses and restores itself.
Brown discharge after childbirth 3 months
As mentioned above, postpartum discharge is typical for up to 6 weeks, but this is a rare case. If the discharge does not stop 12 weeks after the baby is born, then it may be menstruation or the formation of an inflammatory process. The nature of the discharge is very important, it can be dark or light beige, but if you see black discharge, you should urgently call an ambulance.
If you notice white discharge and mucus predominates in it, then this may be postpartum thrush. If there are few of them and they are mostly transparent, then you should not be afraid, these discharges are considered completely natural. Stretching discharge that has neither color nor odor in most cases indicates the period of ovulation.
If a woman does not breastfeed, then after 3 months her menstrual cycle may normalize, and discharge will mean the arrival of her critical days. Standard menstruation will be accompanied by all known symptoms, such as pain in the lower back and lower abdomen, as well as increased breast sensitivity.
If bleeding is accompanied by fever or severe malaise, it is necessary to urgently call an ambulance. Only a specialist can make a correct diagnosis.
After 3 months, only those discharges that do not cause discomfort and are colorless and odorless are considered normal. In other situations, you need to go to the hospital and have an ultrasound done to find out everything about the condition of your body.
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Brown discharge 4 weeks after birth
Scarlet lochia becomes a brown discharge a month after birth. This is a normal process, which indicates that the uterus has practically cleared itself, only the remnants of coagulated blood come out.
Brown lochia in the first month signals the normal restoration of the reproductive organ.
If white or yellow mucus is noticeable in the lochia, this is also not a cause for concern. The observed processes in the postpartum period indicate involution of the uterus and its covering with a membrane, which is natural.
It is worth paying attention to the abundance of lochia: there should not be many of them, and they should not cause discomfort. The difference between the discharge in the first days and a month later should be noticeable.
Discharge during lactation is brown
27.04.2020
After delivery, all women begin lactation. For some, it disappears some time after childbirth (a week or two), while for others, it persists for six months or more. Such mothers are called lucky, because they can give their child the most valuable thing - breast milk, which contains a huge amount of useful substances necessary for the normal development of a small organism. However, during lactation, women are faced with one problem - atypical vaginal secretion, which for certain reasons changes its character. So what kind of discharge should women experience during breastfeeding? And is the change in their character related to the development of pathological processes in the body? Now you will find out everything.
Immediately after delivery, women experience heavy bleeding that continues for 4–7 weeks. They arise due to the fact that during childbirth the placenta departs from the walls of the uterus and the baby passes through the birth canal, which leads to serious damage, which results in bleeding.
Brown discharge 8 weeks after delivery
The duration of recovery of the entire body, including the uterus, depends on many factors. This happens individually for each woman in labor. Normally, brown discharge stops 2 months after birth.
At the very end of cleansing the uterus, the lochia should acquire a whitish-yellow tint and no odor. When the body recovers normally, by the end of the fourth (less often the fifth) week, the rejected material acquires a spotting character. If brown discharge is observed two months after giving birth, this is a reason to consult a doctor.
The main causes of the pathology:
- Inflammation in the uterus.
- Fibrous node.
- Infantilism of the uterus.
- Poor blood clotting.
- Bend of the uterus.
- Presence of placenta remains in the uterus.
In the latter case, urgent hospitalization and cleaning are required, and then further observation in a hospital. A dangerous sign is the unpleasant smell of lochia, since most often the repulsive aroma indicates the beginning of the inflammatory process.
What does spotting mean?
The baby decided to be born, the birth was successful, there were no visible complications, but after two months there is still spotting? If there are no disturbing symptoms, such as fever, abdominal pain and general deterioration of the condition, we can talk about slow contractions of the uterus. That is, the organ has not yet returned to its previous size, has not been cleared of ichor, mucus, or exfoliated epithelium. Each woman has her own rate of shrinkage and cleansing of the uterus, and much depends on how enlarged it was during pregnancy.
Bloody discharge 2 months after birth is normal if it gradually decreases and is not accompanied by unpleasant sensations.
To improve uterine contractions, you should breastfeed regularly - this process activates the production of oxytocin, which stimulates smooth muscles. In addition, doctors advise lying on your stomach more often. However, after giving birth, women do this with pleasure, because they were deprived of this opportunity for many months.
Cold compresses in the first weeks after childbirth also contribute to the contraction of the uterus, which means its rapid return to normal. A sign that everything has returned to its original state is transparent discharge, which may immediately have a yellowish color.
Brownish lochia in the third month after birth
In the vast majority of cases, brown discharge should stop 3 months after birth. If this does not happen, an inflammatory process is suspected.
There are a number of other reasons for prolonged spotting:
- Infections or illnesses experienced during the postpartum period may be accompanied by thin brown discharge. Sometimes a woman becomes infected with sexually transmitted infections, and their nature can be either fungal or bacterial. An additional sign of the development of the disease is the appearance of an unpleasant odor.
- Weight problems also lead to abnormal dark discharge after childbirth. It is worth noting that this applies to both thin girls and ladies with extra pounds. Therefore, young mothers are not recommended to suddenly lose weight; this can also cause disruption of the menstrual cycle.
- Sometimes brown discharge occurs due to the use of contraceptives or as a result of the use of intrauterine devices to protect against unwanted pregnancy.
- Hormonal activity or hormonal imbalance. For a woman who has recently given birth, this may be the norm, but it won’t hurt to visit a doctor.
- Onset of pregnancy. This option should also not be excluded, even if a little time has passed since birth (one or two months).
When brown discharge indicates an ectopic pregnancy or a lack of progesterone, in either case an urgent visit to the gynecological office is required.
An ectopic pregnancy must be terminated urgently, as it can be life-threatening. And the second reason indicates the risk of miscarriage, since brown discharge is the main sign of endometrial detachment.
If you are wondering why your periods are not coming three months after giving birth and none of the above reasons are suitable to explain the disorder, do not look for the reason on the Internet, be sure to undergo an examination.
Pathological pink discharge
The main pathologies that provoke the appearance of pink fluid are:
- Hyperplasia
is a benign proliferation of cells in the reproductive system, often found in pregnant women and during menopause. At the same time, the tissues of the uterus grow, its size increases, often these processes are accompanied by pink and brown “spotting”, but heavy bleeding may also begin, which already indicates oncology. - Body and cervical
polyps are formed due to a malfunction in the hormonal system, stress and depression. These are benign formations that do not manifest themselves in any way, with the exception of pink secretion. - Cervical erosion
- the cause of this pathology can be rough sexual relations, birth injuries or abortions. In this case, at the site of desquamation of the epithelium (delamination of cells from the surface), inflammation occurs. The disease is asymptomatic, making itself felt only during examination on the gynecological chair and pink discharge after sexual intercourse. If measures are not taken to treat erosion in time, it can develop into cervical cancer. - Neoplasms
- with tumors, the leucorrhoea is initially transparent, released in large quantities, after which it becomes brighter, red and even brown. - Inflammation of the cervical canal
- during the inflammatory process there is an unpleasant odor, pus is secreted, and pain is felt in the lower abdomen. - Endometriosis
is a pathological growth of the mucous membrane lining the uterus, accompanied by increased symptoms of PMS and vaginal secretion of pink, and sometimes even black, which appears before menstruation.
It is dangerous to ignore such symptoms, as well as to self-medicate.
If brown lochia lasts a long time
If the discharge does not stop 4 months after giving birth, the first thing you should do is consult a doctor. After examining the cervix, the gynecologist will refer the woman for tests and ask for an ultrasound, and after receiving a complete picture, he will prescribe therapy.
Recommendations for stopping prolonged bleeding:
- Sometimes it is advisable to apply ice to the lower abdomen. This promotes rapid contraction of the uterus, which means the discharge will come out faster, and its intensity will gradually decrease. Follow this recommendation only with your doctor's permission, otherwise you may harm yourself.
- Gynecologists advise not to use artificial formulas; it is better to choose breastfeeding your baby. This process activates the production of oxytocin, a substance responsible for uterine contractions.
- You cannot endure the urge to go to the toilet and pain in the bladder area for a long time, so it is important to empty it on time. Only in this case will the restoration of the pelvic organs be accelerated.
- Girls should not forget about the rules of personal hygiene. You need to wash yourself at least twice a day. Moreover, a shower is preferable to taking a bath. It is not recommended to use intimate hygiene products (gels) in the first months.
- You can wear one pad for no more than two hours, regardless of how full they are. Ignoring this recommendation leads to the development of pathogenic microflora.
ATTENTION! Brown discharge six months after childbirth is a reason to urgently consult a gynecologist for help, as such a process can be very dangerous.
Childbirth is stressful for the body of even a completely healthy woman. After the baby is born, the reproductive organs undergo changes, which may be accompanied by brown lochia. Although the process is normal, it should not be ignored. Any doubts regarding the consistency, color or smell of lochia should be discussed with your doctor.
Discharge after childbirth after 2 months: causes and solution
Let us immediately note that with discharge that appears after the birth process, the uterus begins to make intensified contractions. How long this process will take depends on the individuality of each organism. After a woman gives birth, her body undergoes self-cleansing and at the same time it gets rid of remnants of tissue and mucus. Those who have already passed this period know that it is when the uterus contracts that involution occurs and the abdomen begins to shrink.
The uterus must undergo cleansing in no more than 2 months. Be sure to pay attention during the entire postpartum period to the nature and duration of the discharge. Please remember that they may change color. Initially, the discharge looks more like menstruation, but it can change its color to yellowish-white, and it should not have a characteristic odor.
If the body recovers normally, then discharge from the uterine area stops after 4 weeks. It is considered normal if by this time only spotting spots sometimes appear. It is rare, but it happens that the process is delayed for 6 weeks.
Why does my child have trouble falling asleep at night?
If the process of uterine contraction is prolonged, then you should go to the clinic to see a doctor, who will be able to identify the cause through an ultrasound.
The consequences can be different; there are 6 reasons for prolonged discharge:
- The presence of an inflammatory process in the uterus;
- Formation of a fibrous node;
- Uterine infantilism;
- Poor blood clotting;
- The organ was bent;
- The placenta did not come out completely.
In the latter case, a complete gynecological diagnosis and cleansing of the uterus under inpatient observation is required. The presence of a characteristic odor in the discharge can also be dangerous. This is a signal that the inflammatory process has begun. Since postpartum discharge is considered an excellent environment for the development of pathogenic bacteria, if abnormalities are detected, you should immediately contact a gynecologist.
Can there be brown discharge after a cesarean section: normal or pathological?
An equally concerning issue is the duration of discharge after a cesarean section. Every young mother needs to know whether the process has taken too long or is going within the permitted limits.
The normal duration of discharge can be considered to be from 7 to 9 weeks. So if 2 months have passed and the discharge is still present, it is not dangerous to health.
There is no reason to panic if it ends quickly or, on the contrary, if the discharge lasts for about 10 weeks. Yes, the deadline has already passed, but it should be taken into account that each organism is special. If you do not observe an unpleasant odor or a large number of lochia, then there is no reason to think about deviations. Although it is better to consult your gynecologist.
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Be careful, there is a special reason for joy if the discharge ends almost immediately after childbirth. Such a quick result often indicates the appearance of an inflammatory process that requires cleaning.
You should definitely consult a doctor if the timing is outside the normal range. This period is either less than 5 weeks or more than 11-12. Both the first and second indicators are dangerous.
In the first case, perhaps the endometrium could not come out for certain reasons and there is a chance of fester. In the second option, an inflammatory process or endometritis may begin.
A sudden cessation of discharge and continuation after a certain period of time can be considered dangerous. This is evidence of serious deviations.