MemorialCare - Your Guide to Postpartum and Newborn Care

VAGINAL BLEEDING (LOCHIA) After giving birth, you’ll have a bloody vaginal discharge called “ lochia ” that lasts a week or two or sometimes longer. This is part of the natural healing process for your uterus.

The best way to contain lochia and protect your clothes is with large, super-absorbent pads. Be sure to change pads frequently to prevent infection and irritation. To lower infection risk, avoid tampons, reusable menstrual cups or disks, and douches until your health care provider tells you it’s OK. Appearance At first, lochia appears bright red, is heavy in flow, and may contain small blood clots. It has a distinct smell that people often describe as fleshy, musty, or earthy. You may have less lochia if you had a cesarean birth. What to know • Blood collects in the vagina when you’re sitting or lying down, making lochia heavier after you stand up • Because too much physical activity can increase blood flow, you should slow down and rest often • Lochia decreases and lightens over the first few weeks but may continue for 4 to 6 weeks

Physical Changes

Your body goes through many different changes during pregnancy—some you can see and others you may not notice. After giving birth, you will experience different kinds of changes, including some with the potential to become serious or even life-threatening. Understanding how to manage postpartum physical changes and challenges makes it easier to prevent infection and help your body heal. You’ll also want to pay attention to how your body is working and learn how to recognize the warning signs of a potential complication. UTERUS Over the course of your pregnancy, your uterus enlarged to contain your growing baby. And it will take a few weeks to return to pre-pregnancy size and weight. After you give birth, your health care provider will check your uterus regularly to make sure it is returning to normal size. This is done by pressing on your abdomen. Checking your uterus may cause some discomfort, so be sure to take deep breaths and try to relax before it happens. “Afterbirth pains” are normal belly cramps you may feel as your uterus shrinks back to pre-pregnancy size. They may be stronger during breastfeeding if you had multiples or if this isn’t your first baby. Cramps usually go away on their own by the end of the first week after childbirth. What can help • Empty your bladder frequently SCAN + PLAY

FIRST 1 TO 3 DAYS

• Bright to dark red

• Heavy to medium flow

• May have small clots

• Use relaxation and breathing techniques • Take pain medication as directed by your health care provider

ABOUT DAYS 3 TO 10

• Pink or brown-tinged

• Medium to light flow

• Very few or no small clots

Uterus

ABOUT DAYS 10 TO 14 (MAYBE LONGER)

Bladder

• Yellowish-white (no bright red)

Cervix

• Very light flow

Vagina

• No clots

Pre-Pregnancy

Postpartum

5 Your Guide to Postpartum and Newborn Care