How long does bleeding last after childbirth? Bloody discharge after childbirth: how many days it lasts, types, norm

Bleeding after childbirth is a normal physiological process. It allows the female body to return to its previous state: the uterus is cleansed of afterbirth, lochia and pieces of the placenta. Discharge begins immediately after the birth of the child and continues for about a month and a half.

But sometimes this process becomes pathological. The main criterion for its assessment is the nature and volume of blood loss. It is especially important for women in late pregnancy and those who have recently given birth to know what kind of bleeding is considered normal and what measures to take to prevent complications.

The question of how long postpartum bleeding lasts arises for almost all young mothers. The duration of this process can be from 2 to 6 weeks or even a little more. The duration depends on several factors: the ability of the uterus to contract, blood clotting, the rate of tissue regeneration, etc. In women who are breastfeeding, recovery occurs faster.

It is important to evaluate not only the duration of bleeding, but also the general nature: it should gradually become less profuse. In the first day after birth, the discharge is strong, then it becomes less and less and eventually turns into a brownish “smudge.” This sequence is the norm.

Causes of bleeding after childbirth

Heavy pathological bleeding in the early postpartum period, lasting about 2 hours after the birth of the baby, is caused by the following reasons:

1. Insufficient blood clotting. With this complication, it flows out in a stream without the formation of clots and lumps (thrombosis disorder). To prevent the situation, before giving birth it is necessary to donate blood for a general analysis and stop all medications with anticoagulant effects.
2. Rapid labor activity. It is accompanied by ruptures of the birth canal: the cervix, vagina, and, in rare cases, the uterus are damaged.
3. Placenta accreta. With this complication, the reverse development of the uterus is difficult, which leads to heavy bleeding.
4. Insufficient ability of the uterus to contract. Most often this happens when the walls are greatly stretched (,);
5. The presence of fibroids and myomas in the uterus.

The causes of postpartum hemorrhage in the period from 2 to 6 are:

1. The release of placenta particles remaining in the uterine cavity.
2. The release of blood clots, difficult due to spasmodic contraction of the cervix after surgical delivery (caesarean section).
3. Slow recovery due to inflammation in the pelvic area (high fever is also noted).

Features of postpartum hemorrhage

Symptoms of postpartum hemorrhage can be described in two parameters: the volume and nature of the discharge. There may also be disturbances in heart rhythm, changes in arterial and venous pressure, and deterioration in general well-being.

A blood loss of 0.5% or less of a woman’s body weight is considered physiologically acceptable. If this indicator is higher, then pathological postpartum bleeding is diagnosed. Massive blood loss is its release in a volume of 0.5 to 1% of the mother’s weight. This may lead to a decrease in blood pressure, weakness and dizziness.

When the rate exceeds 1%, critical blood loss develops. It may be accompanied by hemorrhagic shock and DIC (coagulation disorder). These complications lead to irreversible changes in organs.

Heavy postpartum bleeding develops with decreased or absent uterine tone. The more pronounced the atony, the less amenable to treatment. Drugs that cause myometrial contraction eliminate bleeding only for a while. The condition is accompanied by arterial hypotension, tachycardia, pale skin, and dizziness.

Diagnostic procedures

The diagnostic process begins during pregnancy. In modern obstetric and gynecological practice, assessment of the risk of postpartum hemorrhage is based on data from monitoring changes in the level of hemoglobin, red blood cells, and platelets in the blood at different stages of gestation. Coagulability indicators (coagulogram) are taken into account.

Hypotonia and atony of the uterine muscles are diagnosed in the third stage of labor. These conditions are indicated by flabbiness and weak contractions of the myometrium, an increase in the time of the afterbirth stage.

Diagnosis of bleeding after childbirth includes a thorough examination of the integrity of the released placenta, membranes, and examination of the birth canal to identify possible injuries. If necessary, the woman is given a general anesthetic and the doctor manually examines the uterine cavity to determine if there are ruptures, placenta, blood clots, malformations or tumors that could interfere with myometrial contraction.

For bleeding in the late postpartum period, diagnosis is carried out using ultrasound. On the 2nd or 3rd day after the birth of the child, the condition of the pelvic organs is examined. The procedure allows you to identify the remains of the placenta and membranes in the uterus.

Normal bleeding after childbirth

Normal bleeding in the postpartum period is caused by the release of remnants of the placenta and membranes from the uterus. This process is divided into several periods, each of which is characterized by certain characteristics: color and intensity of discharge.

The first three days after the birth of a child, bleeding is profuse, the volume is more than during menstruation. Color - bright red. Blood comes out of those vessels that were at the placenta attachment site. This condition develops due to insufficient contractility of the uterus in the first days after childbirth. It is considered normal and does not require medical intervention. Postpartum bleeding after a cesarean section may be longer because the incised uterus contracts less well.

Over the next two weeks, the intensity of discharge decreases noticeably. They turn light pink, brown or yellowish white. The uterus gradually contracts, and by the end of the second week the bleeding completely disappears. This option is considered the norm.

In some cases, bleeding is observed in the late labor period. It can be either normal or pathological, requiring medical intervention. If, in the period from 2 to 6 weeks after the birth of the child, light discharge from the uterus with impurities of blood appears, then there is no need to worry. This symptom may be present constantly or may appear and disappear for several days. This intermittent regimen is typical for women who quickly return to sports training or other physical activity.

Sometimes the bleeding disappears by the end of the second week, and then appears for a few days between 3 and 6 weeks after birth. The discharge is insignificant and painless and is normal.

Pathological bleeding after childbirth

A deviation from the norm that requires the help of a doctor is late bleeding with the following features:

• duration more than 6 weeks;
• scanty discharge with ichor is replaced by scarlet blood;
• the woman’s general condition becomes worse;
• bleeding is accompanied by pain in the lower abdomen;
• signs of intoxication appear (fever, dizziness, nausea, etc.);
• The discharge becomes brown or yellow-green in color and has an unpleasant odor.

If there is an intense flow of blood, especially if it is scarlet, you should immediately call an ambulance. Pain, fever, change in color of discharge indicate the development of complications: infectious diseases, etc. Such conditions require the earliest possible diagnosis and treatment.

Treatment methods

Acute postpartum hemorrhage requires first of all establishing its cause, as well as prompt cessation. Treatment uses an integrated approach and often drug therapy must be combined with invasive methods.

To stimulate uterine contractions, a catheter is inserted into the urethra to empty the bladder, and ice is applied to the lower abdomen. Sometimes gentle external massage of the uterus is performed. If all these procedures do not bring results, then uterotonic drugs, for example, Methylergometrine and Oxytocin, are administered intravenously, and injections with prostaglandins are given into the cervix.

Replenishing the volume of circulating blood and eliminating the consequences of its loss is carried out using infusion-transfusion therapy. Plasma replacement drugs and blood components (primarily red blood cells) are injected into a vein.

If examination with the help of mirrors reveals ruptures in the birth canal and perineum, then a local anesthetic is applied and the doctor stitches up the damage. Manual examination and manual cleansing of the uterus is indicated for violations of the integrity of the placenta and hypotonic processes in the myometrium. The procedure takes place under general anesthesia.

If a uterine rupture is detected during a manual examination, then emergency laparotomy, suturing or complete removal of the uterus is necessary. Surgical intervention is also required for placenta accreta and in cases where the bleeding is massive and cannot be stopped. Such procedures are carried out with simultaneous resuscitation actions: blood loss is compensated, hemodynamics and blood pressure are stabilized.

Preventive actions

Prevention of postpartum hemorrhage helps reduce its duration and intensity, and also avoid complications.

Childbirth is a risky undertaking, and expectant mothers who dare to carry and give birth to a child are worthy of respect. But even after passing through this fateful stage in a woman’s life, not all fears and problems are over. A characteristic sign that allows you to determine how well the body is recovering after childbirth is postpartum discharge. How long do they last? How many days does blood flow after delivery and what features of postpartum bleeding should you be wary of?

Discharge in the first 2–3 days after birth

Immediately after childbirth, a mechanism is launched to restore all systems and organs to their previous, “pre-pregnancy” state, with the exception of the hormonal system and mammary glands in the case of breastfeeding. First of all, this process affects the uterus.

After separation of the placenta, it begins to shrink, expelling from its cavity everything that has become superfluous and unnecessary after childbirth and reducing its size. This occurs through periodic uterine contractions, especially intense in the first 2–3 days after birth.

The entire process of restoration of the uterus, or involution, is accompanied by the outflow of postpartum secretions, scientifically called lochia. This is how the uterine cavity is cleansed and its internal mucous membrane is renewed. During the first two to three days after birth, the lochia flow is very abundant and resembles regular blood in consistency.

In fact, this is how it is, and during this period, blood mainly comes from the genital tract from ruptured vessels at the site of attachment of the separated placenta. How much of it is released these days is judged by the rag pads given out in maternity hospitals on the first day after birth. Normally, it lasts for 2 hours before the next shift.

Therefore, do not be surprised when medical staff, in the first hours after birth, insist on using such “rags” instead of comfortable, highly absorbent and modern pads, which make it difficult to determine how much blood has been lost. Such heavy bleeding lasts no more than 3 days. Gradually, with the help of contractile movements of the uterus, the injured vessels are drawn deeper into the cavity and, due to the process of thrombus formation, the exposed arteries and vessels are blocked.

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Discharge 3–7 days after birth

After the first days, heavy bleeding subsides and is replaced by lighter or brownish discharge mixed with blood clots and mucus, reminiscent of normal menstruation. It is difficult to predict how long the period of such lochia will last. This process is individual in each specific case and depends on the body’s inherent rate of healing and tissue regeneration. In practice, there are cases of complete cessation of postpartum discharge at least a week, maximum 2 months, or 8 weeks after birth.

It is also impossible to say how long the recovery process takes during repeated births, based on the experience of previous ones. Typically these values ​​vary with each subsequent birth. A sign that everything is going well is that bleeding after childbirth gradually decreases in volume, becomes similar to spotting after menstruation, the nature of the discharge is mucous and becomes light in color, with blood clots appearing more and more rarely. The smell is not pungent or putrid.

First period or abnormal bleeding?

How many days after giving birth will my period come? If you breastfeed according to all the rules of breastfeeding, then your first period may not appear soon, and you can no longer confuse it with bleeding. It’s a little more difficult when breastfeeding is mixed or absent altogether.

In this case, menstruation may come as early as a month after childbirth, immediately after the end of postpartum discharge. If you experience pain, the body temperature rises, and the discharge has an unpleasant odor, then perhaps dangerous pathological bleeding after childbirth, caused by a disruption in the postpartum recovery process, is disguised as menstruation. In any case, if you have doubts about the reasons for the appearance of spotting 1–1.5 months after birth, you should consult a doctor.

Pathological bleeding

Pathological bleeding after childbirth can occur either immediately after delivery or several days or even weeks later. In the maternity hospital, doctors closely monitor the woman’s condition, and if there is the slightest suspicion of bleeding, measures are taken to prevent the serious consequences of this pathology. The most common cause of bleeding in the early postpartum period is the lack of normal contractile activity of the uterus. In this case, the bleeding is called hypotonic.

Bloody, brown and white discharge before period

There is an absolute inability of the uterus to contract, when its tone is in a state of atony (relaxation and complete absence) and the muscle fibers completely lose the ability to contract. The uterus itself does not respond to any physical or medicinal influences - massage, application of cold or injections of oxytocin, which stimulates the contractile activity of the uterus and other drugs.

Such hypotonic bleeding usually occurs immediately after childbirth or cesarean section, is widespread and poses a significant threat to the woman’s life. It is often not possible to eliminate such bleeding using conservative methods; seconds count, and if the volume of blood loss exceeds 1 thousand ml and no mechanisms to stop it help, then the uterus is amputated. To be fair, we note that this condition is quite rare.

A much more common reason that causes bleeding after childbirth in the early period (up to 2 hours after birth) is uterine hypotension. In this case, uterine tone and the ability to contract are also reduced, but the organ itself reflexively reacts to external influences. In a hospital setting, doctors successfully cope with this disorder. Other, less common causes of bleeding in the early period after childbirth are bleeding disorders, inexperience and errors of the obstetrician in suturing vessels during cesarean section, retained placenta and uterine rupture.

In the late postpartum period (from 2 hours to 6–8 weeks after birth), the appearance of bleeding is almost always a consequence of the remains of various tissues in the uterine cavity and inflammatory processes. The reason, again, is decreased uterine tone and a sluggish recovery process. As a result, stagnation of secretions with the remains of various tissues - placental, amniotic membranes, endometrium, old blood clots - systematically or constantly occurs in the uterus.

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Bleeding usually occurs suddenly, is profuse and lasts several days, or can also occur one-time. With reduced immunity and other predisposing factors, the microkingdom actively begins to flourish in the uterine cavity - in the rich nutrient medium of postpartum secretions, pathogenic and conditionally pathogenic microbes multiply, triggering inflammatory phenomena.

The tissues that die during their activity are torn away from the uterine wall, which is accompanied by bleeding. Before starting medical procedures aimed at eliminating bleeding and the reasons that caused it, it is determined how much blood is lost and, if necessary, measures are taken to replenish blood loss. Late pathological bleeding after childbirth is also a consequence of injuries to the birth canal with impaired suturing technique and general diseases.

As you can see, bleeding after childbirth occurs differently for each woman. On average they last 4–6 weeks. But a week, and even 2 months are no exception to the rule.

If, as their volume decreases, increased bleeding suddenly appears, then it is necessary to sound the alarm.

Childbirth is always accompanied by blood loss. This is a natural process that usually does not exceed the physiological norm. But sometimes after childbirth, uterine bleeding develops, which threatens the life of the young mother. This is an emergency situation and it requires prompt and coordinated work of a gynecologist, midwife and anesthesiologist. Why is hypotonic bleeding dangerous? And what to do if it develops a month or two after discharge from the hospital?

Physiology of blood loss

For each woman entering the maternity hospital, the doctor must calculate the physiologically acceptable blood loss. To do this, mathematically find 0.5% of body weight. For example, for a woman in labor weighing 68 kg, this volume will be 340 ml. Blood loss of 0.7-0.8% or more is considered pathological.

During childbirth, the volume of lost blood is most often calculated by collecting it in a special tray. It is placed under the buttocks of the woman in labor, and bloody discharge flows freely into it. Additionally, weighing of diapers is used.

Other methods for assessing blood loss are also used, but in practice, assessment of the clinical condition and hemodynamic parameters is most often used. There are three degrees of severity of the condition:

• 1st degree - there is weakness, rapid heartbeat up to 100 beats per minute. The skin becomes pale but remains warm. The pressure is low, but not lower than 100 mm Hg. Art. Hemoglobin was not critically reduced, to 90 g/l.
• 2nd degree - weakness increases, severe tachycardia over 100 beats per minute is disturbing. Systolic pressure decreases to 80 mmHg. Art. Pale skin becomes damp. Hemoglobin decreases to 80 g/l.
• 3rd degree - state of shock, skin pale and cold. The pulse is difficult to palpate and becomes thread-like. The pressure is critically low and urine production stops.

The condition of acute blood loss is very dangerous in the postpartum period. This is due to the peculiarities of hemostasis in a pregnant woman.

Dangerous symptoms in the delivery room

After giving birth, the woman remains in the delivery room for 2 hours under the supervision of medical staff. During this period, hypotonic bleeding most often occurs. It is characterized by a sudden onset against the background of apparent well-being and a rapid course: in a short period of time, a postpartum woman can lose up to a liter of blood. Such a volume can be critical and lead to rapid decompensation, the development of hemorrhagic shock and death.

Therefore, in order to notice unfavorable signs in time, have time to respond to them and reduce the time for providing assistance, the patient does not shift from a chair to a couch or gurney: medical care will be provided in a gynecological chair if a critical situation develops.

How long does bleeding last after childbirth?

It all depends on individual characteristics. It continues directly in the delivery room, when transferred to the ward, and even during the first day it looks like liquid blood. By the second day, it is no longer blood, but lochia, thicker in consistency, containing a mucous component. Over the next four days, the discharge decreases, first becomes dark brown, and then gradually becomes lighter. Lochia continues to be released for another month.

Signs of bleeding in the early postpartum period are difficult to determine on your own. It is accompanied by weakness, which already worries a woman after childbirth. There may be a feeling of chills, but this is also a nonspecific symptom. After muscle tension during the period of pushing, a postpartum woman may experience a period of muscle tremors, which is difficult to distinguish from a state of severe blood loss.

While the patient lies motionless, blood can accumulate in the uterine cavity, gradually stretching it. When pressing on the uterus, a large amount of blood is released through the abdominal wall, sometimes with large clots. Gradually, normally this amount should decrease. But this does not happen with the development of pathology.

Blood pressure measurement is required. With a significant decrease in it, as well as an increase in signs of tachycardia, a conclusion is drawn about significant blood loss.

Why the bleeding doesn't stop

The causes of postpartum hemorrhage are a decrease in uterine contractility. This is influenced by several risk factors:

• large fruit;
• diseases of the blood coagulation system.

Frequent childbirth also increases the risk of excessive postpartum blood loss. If a woman has a gap between births of no more than two years, and more than four births, then hypotension must be prevented.

The immediate cause is most often the retention of parts of the placenta or fetal membranes in the uterine cavity. To prevent this condition, after the birth of the placenta, the midwife carefully lays it out on the diaper, blots away the blood, aligns and matches the edges. This allows you to assess whether all parts have separated from the walls of the uterus and come out.

The retention of any parts in the uterine cavity disrupts its contractility. The vessels to which the placenta was attached do not collapse and bleed. The release of active substances that prevent blood clotting from the placenta is also important.

Sometimes blood loss in the postpartum period is a consequence of tight attachment or. In the first case, the villi are woven into the tissue of the uterus and can be separated manually. But in the second case it is impossible to do this. The only way to save the woman is to perform a hysterectomy.

Emergency care for postpartum hemorrhage includes mandatory manual examination of the uterine cavity. The purpose of this manipulation is as follows:

1. Determine the presence of placenta or membranes in the uterine cavity.
2. Determine whether the organ has contractile potential.
3. Determine if there are ruptures in the uterine wall.
4. The ability to identify organic abnormalities that can cause bleeding, for example, a myomatous node.

The sequence of actions of a doctor during a manual examination includes the following steps:

1. The volume of blood loss and the woman’s condition are assessed.
2. The external genitalia are treated with antiseptics.
3. Anesthesia and reducing drugs are given (or the administration of uterotonics is continued).
4. The hand is inserted into the vagina and carefully into the uterine cavity.
5. All clots and parts of pathological tissue are gradually removed.
6. The tone of the uterus is determined. It should be tight.
7. The arm is removed and the birth canal is assessed for damage that could also cause bleeding.
8. The condition of the woman in labor is re-evaluated. Blood loss is compensated using solutions of crystalloids and colloids. If necessary, transfusion of blood plasma or formed elements is performed.

Additional steps to stop hypotonic bleeding after manual examination include the following:

1. Introduction of additional cutting measures. Typically, a solution of methylergometrine is used for this purpose. It is administered while maintaining an oxytocin drip.
2. Oxytocin can be injected into the cervix to improve its contractility.
3. Tampons soaked in ether are inserted into the posterior vaginal fornix. The bleeding should stop reflexively.
4. Blood loss is assessed and compensated.

The uterus does not always respond to ongoing activities and its contractility. This condition is called atonic bleeding.

If blood loss continues after manual examination, the following tactics are used:

1. On the posterior lip of the cervix there are a lot of receptors that are responsible for contractility. Therefore, sutures with a thick catgut ligature are used in this area according to Lositskaya. The bleeding should stop reflexively.
2. If ineffective, clamps are applied to the uterus, passing them through the vagina. This is due to the anatomical location of the uterine artery.

But if in this case the condition continues to deteriorate, the only way to help is surgery. During it, it is possible to save the organ if the intervention is carried out in a short time and special intraoperative methods are used.

Blood loss can be stopped reflexively by ligating blood vessels according to Tsitsishvili. To do this, the vessels that pass through the round ligament of the uterus and the ovarian ligaments are ligated. A more outdated method is electrical stimulation. The last resort is . It is resorted to when previous manipulations are ineffective, and if the loss is more than 1200-1500 ml.

Bleeding in the room...

The postpartum period can be complicated by bleeding a few days after birth. There are symptoms that should alert a woman. The first sign is a decrease in the number of lochia. They become scarcer or... You should definitely inform your doctor about this.

Previously, postpartum bleeding develops when the cervix is ​​blocked by clots that do not allow the lochia to flow normally. They stagnate in the uterine cavity and lead to its subinvolution. This symptom is clearly visible on ultrasound.

Diagnosis is mandatory for all women in the postpartum period to exclude this pathology. On ultrasound, signs of subinvolution are:

• expansion of the uterine cavity more than 1 cm;
• discrepancy between the size of the organ and the postpartum period;
• presence of homogeneous contents in the cavity.

After a long absence of discharge, sudden bleeding may begin. Therefore, treatment is carried out immediately after diagnosis. To do this, it is necessary to eliminate from the uterine cavity the remains that prevent it from contracting. By the third day, the cervix begins to form, so the procedure cannot be performed only with your hands; a surgical instrument is required.

A curette is used to remove remnants of membranes and clots. It is carefully used for scraping. After the procedure, a solution of oxytocin or methylergometrine is administered intravenously to improve contractility. Be sure to compensate for blood loss with special saline solutions.

The duration of discharge in this case should correspond to that during normal childbirth.

...and on the operating table

In most cases, there are no emergencies during a caesarean section. But sometimes the variant anatomy of the location of organs and vessels can lead to careless injury to one of them, and, as a result, to internal bleeding, which appears already on the operating table.

Very rarely, it is caused by suture dehiscence in the postoperative period. Then the postpartum woman experiences all the symptoms of hemorrhagic shock:

• the skin turns pale;
• cold sweat appears;
• tachycardia is observed;
• blood pressure drops sharply.

Symptoms of irritation of the peritoneum due to bleeding may also appear. The clinical protocol in this case provides for the only way to stop the bleeding - abdominal surgery, which will allow you to find the bleeding vessel and bandage it.

The woman is usually in serious condition. Replenishment of blood loss is possible with blood substitutes, colloid and crystalloid solutions, plasma, and formed elements. Sometimes they collect their own blood that has spilled into the abdominal cavity and return it back to the bloodstream through a vein.

After discharge home

Bleeding in the late postpartum period occurs after discharge home. Its symptoms are similar to the processes occurring during uterine subinvolution. The secretion of lochia suddenly stops, and after a while a cramp-like pain in the abdomen appears. Blood clots come out of the genital tract, causing blood retention in the uterus. After this, heavy bleeding most often begins.

If such symptoms appear, you should immediately seek medical help. Treatment is no longer carried out in the maternity hospital, but in a gynecological hospital. The correct tactic is. Oxytocin drips must be prescribed.

To continue therapy at home, oxytocin tablets are prescribed.

The development of bleeding in the late postpartum period - a month or 2 months after birth - is an alarming symptom that may be a sign of a placental polyp. This is a neoplasm that occurs in place of the remaining placental villi. They are covered with fibrin clots and connective tissue and initially look like a flat formation. Bleeding is the main symptom of this pathology. Its consequences can be severe anemia, endometritis, sepsis and infertility in the long term.

The diagnosis is made on the basis of ultrasound of the pelvic organs. Further tactics include carrying out, during which you can finally verify the presence of a pathological formation and remove it. In some cases, they are limited to separate diagnostic curettage followed by histological examination of the resulting material.

Prevention is easier than cure

Prevention of bleeding in the postpartum period consists of proper management of pregnancy and childbirth. The anamnestic and clinical data of a particular pregnant woman is assessed and a risk group for the development of bleeding is established. Such women in labor need special attention. Already during childbirth, they are prescribed oxytocin, but not with the aim of enhancing labor, but to reduce the risk of massive blood loss. Preventive measures include examination of the child's place, a thorough inspection of the birth canal and suturing of existing ones.

Restoration of the menstrual cycle

Sometimes menstruation begins while breastfeeding.

How to distinguish between periods and bleeding after childbirth?

You need to focus on the normal volume of blood lost during menstruation. On average for all days it should be no more than 100 ml. In this case, menstrual blood can come out in small mucous clots - rejected by the endometrium. In the first, second, sometimes third periods, the intensity of discharge is a little greater, but gradually this process should decline.

The duration of menstruation after childbirth may differ from that before pregnancy. Normally it is 3-7 days. If this period lengthens, as well as if there is heavy discharge that does not decrease in accordance with the days of the cycle, you should consult a doctor.

The problem of bleeding in the postpartum period remains relevant, regardless of the level of development of medicine. Sometimes it is impossible to predict how the uterus will contract, how tightly the placenta is attached and whether it will be able to be completely released on its own. Therefore, women who decide to experiment with childbirth should also remember about the risk to their own lives, in which only a few minutes are allotted for medical assistance.

Virginity... The cause of so many worries and troubles was this small fold of the mucous membrane, even for modern girls, devoid of prejudices...

Bleeding after the first sex and pain in different girls can be strong, weak or practically absent. The amount and nature of blood lost during defloration is associated with the individual characteristics of the structure of the hymen. Since at the age of 20-22 years there is a restructuring of the connective tissue base of the hymen with a subsequent decrease in the number of elastic fibers, defloration after a girl reaches 22-25 years of age is always more painful, accompanied by greater hemorrhages and takes longer to heal. Thus, from this point of view, the most favorable age for defloration is 16-19 years.

Thus, a rupture of an ordinary, thin hymen is accompanied by slight bleeding for several hours and moderate discomfort. The tensile hymen can expand to the diameter of the penis, tightly covering it and remain intact. Loss of virginity with a thick (fleshy) or rigid hymen is usually accompanied by heavy bleeding (up to heavy bleeding over the next 3-7 days) and severe pain. Hemorrhages in this case are also observed immediately and continue over a longer period of time.

To learn more,
the influence of one or another hymen on the defloration process:

HOW LONG DOES BLOOD BLEED AFTER THE FIRST TIME?

Below is a description of the condition in case of violation of the average hymen, which does not have any anatomical and physiological features. This description cannot be transferred to a specific person. To do this, you need to undergo an examination by a specialist.

In the first two days, the hemorrhage has a rich dark red, red-violet, red-blue color, and is often located along the entire circumference of the hymen or is localized only near the ruptures. The hymen acquires traumatic swelling either all over or only at the edges of the tears. Also these days, small blood clots and traces of blood at the entrance to the vagina can be seen at the edges of the ruptures. Subsequently, on the 3-5th day, a whitish-yellowish fibrinous coating is observed at the edges of the tears. Hemorrhages in the hymen quickly fade and the edges of the tears usually heal within 1.5-2.0 weeks.

The thinner the hymen, the faster the hemorrhages disappear. By the end of the 3rd week after defloration, only traces of the former hemorrhage can occasionally be seen in the form of alternating sections of the hymen of a heterogeneous reddish tonality. The thin hymen scars and heals after defloration in just 5-7 days. Thick and fleshy ones take longer to heal - by the end of the third and even fourth week.

Any physical impact in this area during the healing period (gynecological examination with a speculum, sexual intercourse, etc.) leads to repeated injury to the hymen, bleeding of varying severity, pain, as well as inflammation of the vulva. The addition of a purulent infection increases the healing time.

DEFLORATION WITHOUT BLOOD

The man himself most often does not feel the moment of rupture of the hymen, so some of them, not seeing blood, begin to ask various questions in their thoughts or out loud. The real situation is that not all girls have a hymen. But if it does exist, then it will not necessarily rupture during the first sexual intercourse, or it is not necessary to immediately expect the appearance of blood. In some cases, the hymen may be absent from birth or lost due to careless masturbation, as well as active participation in certain sports. In this case, when deflowering, there is no blood or pain.

IS THERE A LOT OF BLOOD AT YOUR FIRST SEX?

Doctors recommend abstaining from alcohol abuse before losing virginity for the simple reason that it dilates blood vessels. As a result, there may be much more blood. If the following symptoms are present: the pain is severe and does not go away, the bleeding after defloration immediately became intense or does not stop for a day, purulent discharge from the vagina appears, discomfort when urinating, the temperature rises - you must immediately consult a gynecologist!

WHERE YOU CAN GO
WITH THESE QUESTIONS IN MOSCOW?

The only radical and guaranteed way to avoid possible bleeding during the first intimate relationship is to perform a small operation to cut the hymen. In our clinic, this is carried out under sterile conditions, absolutely painless and psychologically comfortable. If you don’t want to experiment with first sex or are afraid of possible troubles, this option is the best way out!

How to check why there is bleeding or avoid these problems during your first sex?

• Make an appointment with a specialist,
• At the reception, discuss the situation,
• Find out what you can do and how.

Discharge after childbirth is quite normal, the only question is its type and quantity. These are a kind of blood cells, remnants of plasma and epithelium of the walls of the uterus. This can only be explained by the fact that childbirth is called a rather complex physiological process, which is accompanied by ruptures and many microtraumas.

After the placenta is separated from the uterus, there are still many blood vessels, epithelium and other blood cells that are unnecessary for the woman’s body. This is exactly what is released after childbirth, only for some this discharge is not strong and tolerable, while for others, medical attention is required. A completely natural picture is heavy discharge in the first few hours after birth. Within normal limits, about half a liter of blood can come out, but during this period, when excess comes out, strict control is necessary.

Severe blood loss should not be allowed, because in this case the consequences will be even more serious. As a general rule, the bleeding and clots should become less severe over time. After a month, these should only be the slightest ointments that do not pose a threat to the woman.

How long does blood flow normally?

Many women begin to panic that there is too much bleeding and all this lasts up to two months. We hasten to reassure you that this is the norm. There are cases when the postpartum period subsides already in the third week and the discharge becomes weaker. But, for the majority of those who give birth, the discharge continues for 7-8 weeks, and all this time in the form of regular periods.

What kind of discharge is normal?

You can argue about this issue for a long time, because every woman is an individual and it is wrong to look up to someone else. Many gynecologists believe that severe bleeding can last for 5 days and no more. If this period is prolonged and the heavy clots do not stop, you should seek help.

Some people think, on the contrary, that heavy discharge can be normal even for two weeks, only during this time you need to monitor the blood level in the body and hemoglobin. All these norms and limits are related exclusively to the composition of the secretions and their nature. That is, there are cases when the discharge after childbirth is brown. This means that the concentration of red blood cells in the blood is low enough that it does not pose a threat to the body.

If bright blood flows for quite a long time, then this is a signal that some changes have occurred that are not normal. Within normal limits, in the first days after childbirth, the discharge can and should look like real blood - bright and thick, and in subsequent times it is a brown discharge in the form of ointments, also called lochia. Later it may be yellowish discharge, which is also normal and does not pose any health hazard.

Such phenomena are explained by the fact that over time after childbirth, the concentration of red blood cells becomes less and less, and ointments become less noticeable. No matter how long this period lasts, remember that in any case, consulting a doctor after childbirth is more than important.

In what cases should you consult a doctor?

• heavy discharge for two months;
• at first the discharge was normal, but by the second month it began to intensify;
• there is pain during ointments;
• the blood flows more and more every day;
• re-bleeding began after a while.

The reason for visiting may be the unpleasant smell of discharge. Normally, there should not be excessive odors, since such phenomena may indicate the presence of some kind of infection in the uterus, which caused ruptures during childbirth, in particular, improper disinfection.

In general, gynecologists do not recommend self-medicating after childbirth and guessing why various ailments appear. The most varied symptoms can be indicators of different diseases, since it is after childbirth that a woman’s body is most vulnerable to infection. Time passes and the reason only gets worse, so it is better to seek help immediately.

What happens in the uterus

Since it was already said earlier that after childbirth there should be a natural release and cleansing of the uterus from excess. Such discharge is called lochia, which consists of blood cells, fragments of the uterine mucosa, and also clots of mucus. If the discharge is the most abundant in the first days, this is good. The natural cleansing process is going well.

Be prepared for the fact that at first it will be difficult even to get out of bed, as the blood may simply “gushing out of you.” This is explained by the fact that the muscles of the uterus tense and, accordingly, forcefully push out everything unnecessary. Therefore, it is not recommended to put extra pressure on the stomach and move a lot. This can only increase blood flow.

Discharges change their appearance due to their contents. Initially, this will be the type of real blood - a high content of red blood cells, uterine lining and blood clots. After discharge they acquire a brownish color, and in recent days they turn completely yellow. Such a natural process is considered quite normal, especially if all this lasts no more than two months. During this time, the uterus is completely cleansed, and its reproductive function begins to gradually renew itself. Thus, preparing yourself for the readiness of a new fertilization. If the cleansing period is delayed and the discharge does not stop, you should seek help from a doctor.

What to do to avoid bleeding?

After the birth has been successful, there is a possibility that heavy bleeding may occur. Therefore, no matter how much time has passed, strict control is necessary. Help from a doctor is good, but it is recommended to do some other exercises on your own:

• You need to regularly turn over onto your stomach, which will facilitate timely emptying of the uterus from birth secretions. Better yet, just lie on your stomach more, at least half the time;
• It is recommended to go to the toilet more often, even if there is no special urge. This is useful because when the bladder is full, it puts pressure on the uterus, promoting its contraction;
• You can place a cold heating pad on your lower abdomen, which will help relax the blood vessels and reduce bleeding;
• It is not allowed to load the body with heavy physical activity and, accordingly, lift something heavy.

It is beneficial to breastfeed your baby as long as possible, that is, for as long as possible. This is explained by the fact that when the baby sucks the breast, the mother’s body produces oxytocin, which promotes contraction of the muscles of the uterus. At this time, there may be painful cramping sensations and the discharge intensifies.