How long does discharge last after a cesarean section and what does it depend on?

It’s normal to have questions regarding the healing process following a cesarean section, particularly with regard to postpartum discharge. This discharge, called lochia, is the body’s method of recovering from childbirth. It happens to a lot of new mothers, so it’s good to know what to anticipate.

The length and volume of discharge can differ from individual to individual. It might last a few weeks for some women, but it might last longer for others. Being aware of the typical patterns of lochia and the variables that affect it will make you feel more comfortable while you heal.

The duration of the discharge can vary depending on a number of factors, such as your level of activity, whether you are nursing your baby, and how quickly your body heals from surgery. Being aware of typical behaviors and when to consult a doctor are essential for feeling secure during this period.

What are the discharges associated with?

It makes little difference how a woman gives birth; following both natural and surgical births, her genitalia release a substance known as lochia, or postpartum discharge. They are an indication of the uterus’s reversible development, which is a time-consuming and intricate process.

The uterus grows larger and bigger during pregnancy, and this growth is fairly intense. Consequently, by the time the baby is born, the weight of the small female reproductive organ—which typically weighs no more than 50–70 grams—has increased by over 500 times. The uterus is a muscular organ, and as such, its smooth muscles stretch, resulting in this remarkable increase.

Once the baby is born, it should return to its original size. However, this does not occur instantly. The uterus is still large in the early hours following childbirth and cesarean section, but it already has an elongated shape and strongly resembles a deflated balloon. The uterus’s internal contents, or lochia, are released in part through contractions.

The placenta, which supplied the fetus with nourishment and protection, is severed from the uterine wall, to which it has successfully grown a dense blood vessel network over a nine-month period. In natural childbirth, the "baby’s place" is born on its own; in surgical childbirth, a surgeon removes it after the baby is extracted and the umbilical cord is severed.

The network of vessels that has already developed into a connection between the mother’s body and the developing fetus is upset in both situations. Bleeding following childbirth is linked to this. The presence of a surgical incision on the uterine wall complicates matters further after a cesarean section. There is additional bleeding from the incision wound.

This controls the volume and hue of the discharge following a cesarean section. They are not like the typical postpartum ones. After a cesarean section, lochia are more common and might have more blood clots in them. During the first few days, lochia may occasionally get worse. This is because the uterus contracts during these periods. Contracting medications will be given to the woman because a scarred uterus will involute more slowly without them.

Medical staff closely monitors discharges from the maternity hospital because the doctor can learn a lot from the nature of the lochia. Following discharge, the woman will need to keep an eye on her own discharge at home. This is crucial in order to identify any potential issues and take appropriate action.

Duration is normal

In the first 8-10 hours after the operation, the woman must strictly stay in bed, after which it is imperative to get up, sit down, start walking, so that lochia does not stagnate. Heavy bloody discharge usually lasts no more than five days. At the end of the first day, the edges of the wound on the uterus begin to stick together, fibrin threads help stop bleeding at the site of attachment of the placenta. Therefore, the next day, blood clots appear in the discharge. They should not frighten the new mother. They mean that hemostasis is normal, and the processes of blood clotting and rejection of blood clots proceed correctly in the future.

The discharge with clots increases as the uterus contracts. In the first three days, the woman is given both contraction drugs and painkillers to keep her from experiencing acute pain. The discharge’s composition and consistency change by the fifth day. Clear, bloody lochia is now replaced by a discharge that contains more serous serum. This might resemble mucous ichor on a pad.

A week later, the discharge thickens even more because the endometrium, the inner layer of the female reproductive organ, is starting to regenerate and the cervix is producing a lot of cervical mucus. Women may notice brown inclusions in their discharge around the same time that have a small worm-like appearance. Since the surgical suture material did not directly penetrate the uterine tissues, the female body rejects and expels these tips to the exterior as the internal scar heals.

Four weeks following surgery, there is a noticeable reduction in the amount of lochia; some people may even develop brownish daub. Additionally regarded as normal are yellowish discharges that are uniform in consistency, moderate in volume, and free of an overpowering stench. After eight weeks following the procedure, the discharge gradually returns to normal and becomes transparent.

It is thought that following a cesarean section, discharge should continue for two months, although variations of up to two weeks are permissible.

Deviations

The act of having a cesarean section carries inherent risks regarding potential complications that may arise either early or later. Additionally, it disrupts the natural order of things, which puts an immense burden on the female body during the recovery phase. Early complications typically show up during the course of their stay in the maternity hospital. These include profuse lochia, bleeding from compromised hemostasis resulting from damage to the vascular bundle during the dissection, fever, and changes in the color and smell of discharge when the wound or uterine cavity becomes infected.

The bleeding is uniform, prolonged, and does not increase or stop if the uterus contracts poorly or does not contract at all. After a few days, the discharge can occasionally stop abruptly. Such cases call for immediate medical attention, which the laboring woman will undoubtedly receive. Following discharge home, the woman is solely responsible for overseeing the discharge. In which circumstances should you exercise extra caution? any that fall outside of the typical range. Here are a few justifications for seeing a doctor right away:

• bloody discharge stopped, but after a few days it started again, it is quite profuse;
• blood clots appeared again 10-12 days after the operation;
• a high body temperature has risen or a subfebrile temperature lasts for several days;

• there is very little discharge in the first days or it completely stops 1-2 weeks after surgery;
• a green, gray, brown, black substance with an unpleasant odor is secreted from the vagina;
• lochia has been going on for more than 10 weeks and does not end;
• the woman notices flaky inclusions in the discharge, the discharge has become very thick, itching in the perineum has appeared;
• there is severe pain in the abdomen;
• bleeding or other discharge comes not only from the genitals, but also from the area of ​​​​the external suture on the abdomen.

Pink mucus or a watery discharge that appears a few weeks after surgery could be a sign that the internal scar is having trouble healing. This occurs both with the early onset of sexual activity following surgery and with the woman’s body rejecting the suture material used by the surgeons due to an autoimmune reaction. Any time following surgery, a saturated discharge of yellow and green is indicative of a clear infection, most likely purulent. Usually, when they’re around, body temperature increases.

Thicker, white, flakes-filled discharge can also be an indication of vaginal microflora imbalances and post-surgical thrush. Watery, nearly colorless, and abundant discharge can be a transudate that leaves when the blood supply to the uterus is disrupted. A visit to the doctor is required in each of these situations. Self-medicating is not appropriate.

The length and type of postpartum discharge following a cesarean section can vary greatly, usually lasting four to six weeks. This fluctuation is contingent upon variables like the mother’s general state of health, the rate at which her body heals, and the existence of surgical complications. New mothers can better plan for and handle their recuperation during this time by being aware of these factors.

Advice

These are some crucial pointers for recently gave birth women.

• In the maternity hospital, use only sterile hospital pads for the first three days. No store-bought pads, because they do not guarantee that pathogenic microflora will not get into the vagina.
• When washing in the maternity hospital and after discharge, you should avoid getting water into the vagina, since this increases the likelihood of infection. You should also not douche.
• Pads for lochia discharge after a cesarean section should be changed more often than during normal menstruation. Pads in the maternity hospital – every three hours, sanitary pads at home – every 2-3 hours.

• It is strictly forbidden to use tampons instead of pads.
• You can have sex only after the discharge has ended in the absence of other complications, that is, not earlier than 2 months after surgery.
• It is forbidden to lift weights over 3-4 kilograms, squat, jump, fall. If such actions were nevertheless committed, and then the discharge increased or their nature changed, you should immediately consult a doctor.

Following a cesarean section, postpartum discharge is a normal aspect of the healing process. The average duration is four to six weeks, though each woman’s experience may differ. The length of the procedure depends on a number of factors, including the individual’s health conditions, surgical complications, and the efficiency of the uterus’s contractions.

Any changes in the discharge’s color, quantity, or smell should be closely monitored as they may indicate an infection or other problems. The best course of action to ensure a proper recovery is to get in touch with a healthcare provider if something feels off.

Every woman’s body heals differently in the end, so it’s important to practice patience and self-care. Getting plenty of rest and adhering to your doctor’s instructions will facilitate a more seamless recovery following a cesarean section.

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