Bleeding in the postpartum period, whose technical name is locus, lasts an average of 5 weeks and is characterized by the outflow of dark red blood with a thick consistency and that sometimes presents blood clots.
As the uterus contracts and returns to normal size, the amount of blood that is lost decreases and its color becomes lighter and clearer until it disappears completely. This bleeding is made up of blood, mucus and remnants of tissue from the uterus.
At this stage it is important that the woman is at rest, avoid making any effort and observe the amount of blood that is lost, in addition to the color and presence of clots. It is recommended that women use nighttime tampons and avoid using OB type tampons, as they can carry bacteria into the uterus and thus cause infections.
Warning signs to go to the doctor
You should be concerned about bleeding in the postpartum period and call the doctor or go to the hospital in the following cases:
- Having to change the absorbent every hour; If the blood that was getting lighter, turn red again; If there is an increase in blood loss after the 2nd week; If there are large blood clots, bigger than a pellet ping-pong; if the blood smells really bad; if you have a fever or a lot of abdominal pain.
If any of these signs appear, it is important to contact the doctor, as it may be a sign of infection, indicate the presence of placental remains or be an indication that the uterus is not returning to its normal size, which it can be solved with the use of medications or with a curettage.
How curettage is done
Curettage is a procedure performed by the surgeon during hospital stay that is indicated when there are signs of infection. The procedure is relatively simple, done under anesthesia and recovery is not complicated, however the woman must be hospitalized 1 to 2 days without seeing the baby. See what recovery is like after curettage.
Before curettage, the doctor may recommend the use of antibiotics 3 to 5 days before the procedure to reduce the risk of complications. Therefore, if the woman is already breastfeeding it is important to consult the doctor to find out if she can continue breastfeeding while taking medication to prepare for the surgical procedure, since some drugs are contraindicated during this period.
If it is not possible to breastfeed, the woman can express the milk with her hands or with a breast pump to express milk, which must then be stored in the freezer. Whenever it is time for the baby to breastfeed, the woman or someone else can defrost the milk and give the baby in a cup or a bottle that has a nipple similar to the breast so as not to harm the return to the breast. See how to express breast milk.
How is menstruation after childbirth
Menstruation after childbirth usually returns to normal when breastfeeding is no longer exclusive. Thus, if the baby suckles exclusively on the breast or if he drinks only small amounts of artificial milk to supplement breastfeeding, the woman should not menstruate.
In these cases, menstruation should return when the woman starts to produce less milk, because the baby starts to breastfeed less and starts to take sweets and baby food.
However, when the woman does not breastfeed, her menstruation may come earlier, already in the baby's second month and in case of doubt one should speak to the baby's gynecologist or pediatrician, in routine consultations.
