Langsung ke konten utama

Puerperal Blood, These Are the Facts

For several days after giving birth, women will generally experience blood coming out of their genitals. This is what is referred to as puerperal blood or lochia. Puerperal blood or lochia similar to heavy menstruation, only the amount is more. Puerperal blood from the vagina is the body's way to remove the lining of the uterus and blood after childbirth. This is something that happens to every woman after giving birth.

The Origin of Puerperal Blood

When the fetus is in the uterus, the placenta functions to feed the fetus. The placenta attaches to the uterine wall and contains arteries and veins. When the placenta is released from the uterus, there are parts of blood vessels in the uterine wall where the attached placenta is torn, then begin to flood the uterus with blood. After the placenta has been removed, the uterus will contract until the torn blood vessels close and reduce bleeding. The remaining blood in the uterus will continue to come out for at least 2-6 weeks after delivery. During this time, the puerperal blood or lochia will change from day to day:
  • The first day, blood is bright red or brownish red because lochia contains quite a lot of blood.
  • Days 2-6, puerperal blood will be more runny and dark brown or pink.
  • Days 7-10, blood color is the same or becomes light brown or pink.
  • Days 11-14, blood color is the same or getting younger, plus the presence of white or yellowish white liquid. This is because puerperal blood consists mostly of white blood cells lining the uterus. However, if you have started to become active, the color of puerperal blood may become reddish than before.
  • Weeks 3-4, if it still comes out, puerperal blood will be paler or creamy white.
  • Week 6, the amount of puerperal blood that comes out is getting smaller and brown, pink, or creamy yellow.
If you give birth by Caesarean section, usually the amount of puerperal blood that comes out will be less. However, the duration is still a few weeks and the color of the blood will change from red, brown, yellow, to clear.

What to do?

Just provide pads like when you menstruate. Change pads regularly and always wash your hands before and after. It is recommended not to use tampons because they can transmit bacteria into the uterus that are still healing and causing infection. In addition, clean the vagina and perineum (the area between the anus and vulva) to prevent infection, and take a shower at least once a day.

When to call a doctor?

If symptoms occur that are not common in puerperal blood, it is advisable to immediately contact a doctor or go to the hospital emergency room (IGD):
  • Puerperal blood smells unpleasant.
  • You have a fever or cold.
  • The blood that comes out of the vagina remains large and bright red after a week of giving birth, or for four days after giving birth even though there is plenty of rest.
  • The bottom of one or both sides of the abdomen feel pain when pressed.
  • Puerperal blood that comes out suddenly becomes so large that you have to replace more than one bandage in one hour.
  • There are lots of big blood clots coming out.
  • You feel dizzy and faint.
  • Your heartbeat becomes fast or irregular.
Puerperal blood that comes out after delivery is a natural thing experienced by all women giving birth. However, do not hesitate to consult a doctor if there are things you want to ask related to puerperal blood.

Komentar

Postingan populer dari blog ini

Often delirious during sleep, this is probably the cause

Delirious during sleep can be quite embarrassing, especially if you say something that should be secret. Come on, know the causes behind this condition so you can prevent it. Delirious is a common condition. About 66% of people have experienced it. This condition is more common in children (ages 3-10 years). When delirious, you are not aware of what you say, so this condition is usually known from a partner or roommate. Why are some people often delirious? Many think delirium is done when someone dreams. This assumption is apparently not quite right, because delirious can occur at any stage of sleep, from just sleeping to completely sleeping. Even so, the types of delirious can be different. Delirious like normal and reasonable speech can occur when someone hasn't been asleep for a long time. While delirious which contains chaos and murmurs can not occur clearly when someone is asleep (deep sleep). Although the exact cause of delirium is unknown, the following conditions ca...

Low Hb Risk when 9 Months Pregnant and Tips to Overcome It

Low hemoglobin (Hb) levels are common in pregnant women. Even so, you need to be vigilant if you experience low Hb when 9 months pregnant or close to giving birth. Understand the risks and how to overcome them, so that your child can be born healthy. Low Hb (anemia) can occur throughout gestational age, including during 9 months of pregnancy. Pregnant women in the last trimester are said to have anemia if their hemoglobin level is less than 11gram / dL. This condition is usually known during routine blood tests during pregnancy or from complaints felt by pregnant women, such as always feeling very tired. Low Risk of Hb during 9 Months Pregnancy During pregnancy, blood production will increase to support fetal growth and development. This amount should be followed by an increase in hemoglobin (Hb) levels, as an oxygen-carrying protein in red blood cells. But if you lack iron, folic acid, or vitamin B12, then the hemoglobin level does not increase, so anemia can occur. This condit...