Having a baby is a joyful and exciting moment. But with the advent of the baby, one should not forget about one's well-being. In the first days after birth, a woman becomes more vulnerable. The body has experienced severe stress, and it needs strength to recover. Doctors pay special attention to the condition of the reproductive organ. The uterus in the first week decreases in weight from one kilogram to three hundred grams. By the end of the recovery period (after 1-2 months), it will have a mass of only 70 grams. But this does not always happen. There are frequent cases when after birth there are blood clots in the uterus. What to do in this case? You will learn about treatment methods in today's article.
Diagnosis and symptoms of clots in the uterus
In all maternity hospitals, new mothers are sent for ultrasound and gynecological examination before discharge. These manipulations are necessary to assess the condition of a woman. If there is a clot in the uterus after childbirth, an increase in the organ is noted. A woman complains of pain in the lower abdomen, temperature may rise and malaise may occur. All these symptoms suggest that the newly mummy needs medical attention. What to do if clots remain in the uterus after childbirth?
Manual residual separation and massage
As you already know, every woman who gives birth has an ultrasound scan. During the examination, the doctor can determine the location of the lumps of mucus. If there is a clot in the uterus, massage is performed after childbirth. Its purpose is to strengthen the contractile ability of the genital organ to expel mucus. Massage is carried out every 2-3 hours. The doctor presses on the lower abdomen, pushing the clots to the mouth of the uterus. The procedure is recognized as quite painful, but you can not do without it.
Gynecologists also use manual separation of clots. The uterus in the first three days after birth is open at 8-12 centimeters. This distance allows easy manipulation without the use of expanders.
Medication: drugs
If a clot is found in the uterus after childbirth, then the woman is necessarily prescribed drugs that enhance the contraction of the muscular organ. Most often these are Oxytocin, Gifotocin, Dinoprost, Ergotal and others. Some maternity hospitals practice the prophylactic use of these agents. But the attitude of physicians towards this approach is ambiguous.
In addition to drugs that reduce the uterus, a woman is prescribed antibacterial drugs. In this case, the question of the possibility of further breastfeeding is decided. The opinions of gynecologists here differ. Some experts are sure that it is necessary to take antibiotics in order to prevent the inflammatory process. Other doctors say it is necessary to continue breastfeeding, as it contributes to the natural contraction of the uterus.
If a pathology is detected, it is forbidden to take antispasmodics that relax muscles.
Postpartum Clot Cleansing: Surgical Treatment
If the remains of the membranes or the placenta are determined in the cavity of the genital organ, then the woman is prescribed gynecological curettage. It is produced under anesthesia. Depending on the complexity of the operation, it may be local or general.
During the procedure, the doctor introduces instruments into the uterine cavity, which cleans the mucous membrane. This operation obliges the woman to stay in the walls of the medical institution for another 1-2 days.
Folk remedies for reducing the reproductive organ
Is it permissible to use grandmother's recipes if there is a clot in the uterus? After childbirth, taking various herbs can be quite dangerous, since not all drugs are allowed during lactation. Many substances can cause an allergic reaction in a child. If you do not breast-feed, then you can try to get rid of the pathology with the help of herbs. But remember that gynecologists do not recommend self-medication. A prolonged presence of clots in the uterus can lead to infection or sepsis.
- Nettle broth. It is known that this plant helps to increase the contractility of the uterus. Nettle need to brew in the amount of 4 tablespoons per half liter of boiling water. Take the infusion of 100 ml three times a day.
- Shepherd's bag. This herb also has the ability to activate the work of a muscle organ. Boil two glasses of water and dip 4 tablespoons of grass there. Leave to cool, strain. You need to drink this amount during the day.
- Blood red geranium. Take 2 teaspoons of grass and fill with 400 milliliters of chilled water. Leave the workpiece overnight, and strain in the morning. Have a drink during the day.
It is believed that large doses of vitamin C cause contractions of the genital organ. Therefore, if there is a clot in the uterus after childbirth, women try to use products containing it. These are lemon, cabbage, parsley, oranges and so on.
What can a woman do on her own?
If clots are found in the uterus after childbirth, what should I do? With the help of simple tips, a woman can independently provoke the release of mucus. Ask the doctors at the maternity ward about these methods. Here are some guidelines.
- Put your baby to your chest more often. Stimulation of the nipples and sucking movements of the baby contribute to the production of natural oxytocin and the reduction of the uterus. In the first days after birth, this is especially noticeable. As soon as the baby begins to suckle, the reproductive muscular organ contracts.
- Lie on your stomach. The abdominal wall and muscles after the baby is born do not immediately return to their original state. Therefore, an uterine inflection may occur, which is why clots form. To prevent this from happening, more often lie on your stomach.
- Lead an active lifestyle. If you do not have contraindications, then you need to move more. Walk, walk, carry your baby in your arms. The higher the motor activity, the faster the uterus will contract.
- Use improvised means. After birth, in the absence of contraindications, tighten the stomach. To do this, you can purchase a special bandage or use a sheet.
- Perform Kegel exercises. Rhythmically squeeze and unclench the muscles of the vagina and anus. Perhaps at first it will turn out badly. But such gymnastics not only promotes the release of clots, but also accelerates the recovery process.
- Watch your stools and empty your bladder more often. After childbirth, the woman practically does not feel the urge to urinate. But it is necessary to urinate. Contraction of the bladder, intestines and increase uterine tone.
Special situations: cesarean section and artificial birth
What should I do if a clot is detected after cesarean section? The uterine cavity after childbirth this way is reduced a little differently. The fact is that the muscle layer is injured. Therefore, in the place where the incision was made, the tone will be reduced. As a result, clots appear. But cleaning after cesarean section can be quite dangerous. What to do in this situation - only the doctor decides, based on the individual characteristics of the patient and the result of the operation.
Often clots form after artificial birth in the early stages. In these cases, lactation does not improve, and hormonal failure occurs in the body. Therefore, the uterus contracts badly. With artificial delivery, a woman is necessarily prescribed drugs based on oxytocin for prevention. When clots are detected, one of the correction methods described above is selected.
Summarize
If a woman forms clots in the uterus after childbirth, treatment should be carried out only by a gynecologist. Never try to get rid of lumps of mucus on your own. If you are breast-feeding, it is strictly forbidden to take any medicine without prior medical advice. I wish you a speedy recovery!