Yellow discharge after childbirth is quite common. For many women, this raises a lot of questions: is this normal or should I see a doctor? More about this in our article.
Week after birth: discharge and color
To young mothers, especially those who gave birth for the first time, everything seems strange and incomprehensible. Not only does one have to learn a new role - to be a mother, learn to breastfeed, it is also necessary to monitor your body. For example, yellow discharge after childbirth scares newly born women. It is worth knowing the physiological side of their appearance.
When a woman gives birth to a baby, her body begins to change rapidly. It is no longer necessary to carry the baby in the womb, but because everything returns to the pre-pregnant state.
Postpartum discharge lasts long enough: from two weeks to one and a half months. The reason for such a long process is the release of the placenta, which was firmly attached to the uterine wall. Now it forms a wound that will heal. This is what causes postpartum hemorrhage. As a rule, the discharge with it is bright red. However, the shades of each particular woman can vary: from dark brown to light pink.
Their color depends on how long the discharge after childbirth lasts. At the very beginning, they are brighter, burgundy, and after a couple of weeks they are already lighter.
Vaginal secretion after childbirth changes its consistency. Any deviations, such as color and number of secretions, alarm every new mother.
Yellow discharge: normal or not?
It is believed that a woman who is breastfeeding her baby passes the postpartum discharge stage much faster. The uterus contracts more intensively, and therefore rather returns to the postpartum state. However, during this period, girls need to be as careful as possible in terms of their hygiene. Yellow discharge may appear just when this rule is not respected. In addition, doctors strictly prohibit the use of anything other than pads. For example, tampons. They delay the normal process of cleansing the uterine cavity. With normal menstruation, this is not critical, but immediately after the birth process, blood should flow out unhindered.
In most cases, the yellow color of the discharge is the norm. Especially at the end of the time. Blood mixes with secretion, sometimes acquiring a yellowish tint. If there is no smell, pain or itching, then most likely you should not worry.
It happens that even at the final stage of postpartum discharge, a woman notices on laying a streak of blood. This is also the norm, as the uterus needs a long enough time to heal.
Duration
Every still inexperienced woman in labor is interested in how many days the discharge goes after childbirth. Uninformed women panic when they last longer than regular menstruation. This stems from ignorance of the physiology of the process. Menstruation has the goal of freeing an "unused" egg. Lochia cleanse the uterine cavity, contributing to its early reduction. Therefore, their duration is much longer. Normally, it is from three to eight weeks. In some girls, especially young ones, this process can go faster. In the case when the discharge lasts longer than it should be, you should consult a doctor. It is possible that this process was complicated by bleeding.
There are times when a woman gives birth with internal breaks. However, she can not actively move and even sit to avoid damage to the seams. However, not everyone manages to abide by such a strict rule. In this case, the seams are torn and begin to bleed.
The closer to completion the process of isolating lochia, the brighter they become. Soreness in the abdomen disappears, secretion becomes less profuse. If the discharge is yellow a month after birth, you should not be scared. This is a normal phenomenon that predicts the imminent end of lochia.
Pathology
Yellow discharge in some situations can signal diseases of the genitourinary system. The mother's body is more vulnerable to various infections. You should be wary if some of the following symptoms have been added to such secretions:
- Stomach ache. Especially cutting. At the very beginning, this is normal, as the uterus contracts. But, for example, in a month this phenomenon is most likely a pathology.
- Bad smell. This may indicate an infectious disease.
- Greenish-yellow discharge after childbirth with an admixture of pus suggests that the girl urgently needs to see a doctor. There is probably inflammation.
- Itching and severe burning.
- Too long (more than two weeks) discharge, which are yellow.
- Body temperature over 37.
To the doctor immediately!
If a woman is attentive to her health, then an infection that could get into the vagina will be cured quickly enough. However, if you start this process, then the consequences can be disastrous. The most harmless disease is cervical erosion in the initial stage. But if it is not diagnosed and not treated on time, it can go into a malignant form.
Reduced immunity of a young mother can lead to thrush or colpitis. In this case, the highlight will be not just yellow, but also a curdled consistency.
Endometritis
The presence of pathologically prolonged yellow discharge may indicate endometritis. This disease is characterized by inflammation of the mucous membrane covering the uterine cavity. Everyone who has experienced endometritis knows how difficult it is to get rid of it.
In addition to unusual discharge, a woman complains of pain in the lower abdomen, which can radiate to the back. If you notice such symptoms in yourself, be sure to consult a doctor.
Recommendations
In order for none of the women to encounter troubles associated with secretions after childbirth, experts recommend strict observance of hygiene rules. The uterus is completely cleansed of the baby’s vital products in the womb, and therefore the blood that comes out does not look like menstrual blood at all. For this reason, precautions after the birth of the baby should be observed more carefully.
- Use only gaskets; tampons are prohibited. Today, pharmacies sell special postpartum hygiene bags. They allow the skin to breathe and can absorb quite a lot of blood.
- Hygiene products should be changed as often as possible. This is best done once every three hours or, if necessary, earlier.
- Be sure to wash yourself several times a day. In the presence of external gaps, you can use a weak solution of potassium permanganate or a decoction of chamomile.
- Underwear should be as comfortable and natural as possible.
- Yellow discharge after childbirth is usually a common occurrence only if they do not last long. Therefore, to prevent infection from entering the vagina, take a shower, not a bath.
- You should refrain from sex. An open wound in the uterus during intercourse can become very sick and begin to bleed more profusely.
- Be vigilant if the lochia is over after a month and a half and suddenly resume again. Perhaps this is not postpartum discharge, but the onset of bleeding.
Conclusion
Information about how many days the discharge goes after childbirth, information about their nature and physiology is extremely necessary for primogenous women. If you notice that you have too much yellow lochia, a burning sensation appears in your vagina, and your health worsens - immediately consult a doctor. This probably indicates an infectious disease that has begun.
In the case when no concomitant symptoms are observed, you should not be scared. Yellow discharge in most cases is the most common version of the norm and does not affect the health of a young mother.