Postpartum Bleeding

Postpartum Bleeding – General Information

After a woman gives birth to a child she is usually expected to present some vaginal discharge, which is usually known as Postpartum Bleeding or lochia. During the first days, this discharge should be bright red, just like the one which appears during the menstrual period; however, in this case the discharge contains not only blood, but also small pieces of tissue from the interior of the uterus. In most of the cases, this problem disappears in five to ten days and, in what concerns the color of the discharge, it should gradually turn to pink, yellow-white and eventually white. In addition, during the last days, the discharge should contain only a few white blood cells, also collected from the uterus.

In order to deal with Postpartum Bleeding efficiently, women should be aware of a few simple things which they should do. First of all, they should rest as much as they can during the day and they should sleep at least eight hours each night. Secondly, women should know that they can use only sanitary pads in order to control the discharge, as tampons are forbidden for at least two months. This is because the tampons can significantly increase the risk of an infection in the uterus or the vagina. However, the most important thing which should be known about Postpartum Bleeding is the fact that this is a normal reaction of the body after a woman gives birth. This is how the body eliminates the excess mucus, blood and placental tissue.

Postpartum Bleeding – Symptoms

Even though Postpartum Bleeding is not considered to be a disease, it usually heals on its own and it does not cause severe problems, some women may experience more severe signs and symptoms which may indicate the presence of a more serious complication, such as postpartum hemorrhage. The most common signs and symptoms which have been reported and which need special attention include: a dark red discharge which lasts for more than a week after birth, severe fever, frequent chills, fatigue, heavy bleeding, dizziness or the presence of a discharge which smells quite bad. In what concerns the heavy bleeding, a woman can measure the quantity of blood in the discharge by how long it takes for a pad to be soaked; if the period is shorter than one hour, she should seek for medical advice as soon as possible.

Another sign of a complication is the reappearance of a red discharge after the first one disappeared. However, this may be just the result of the lack of sleep or rest so the mother should firstly try to rest for a whole day and then announce the doctor is the discharge didn’t stop. Considering all these, it is extremely important for a woman who just gave birth to a child to know how to evaluate her medical condition and to notice any signs and symptoms which may indicate a complication. Just like any other diseases, Postpartum Bleeding should be treated carefully in order not lead to the appearance of a more severe complication.

Postpartum Bleeding – Treatment

If you notice the appearance of one or more of the signs and symptoms presented above, you should consult a doctor as soon as possible in order to obtain a sure diagnosis and benefit from the best treatment. In order to determine exactly the medical condition of the patient, the doctor will probably choose to perform a physical examination; he will also need to know specific details about the symptoms which the patient complains about. In addition to these, he may recommend the sufferer one or more of the following tests: a blood count, in order to evaluate the levels of hematocrit and hemoglobin and to give information about a possible coagulation disorder. An ultrasonography should also be performed as it can reveal any abnormalities or complications in the interior of the uterus.

If the doctor decides that the patient does suffer from Postpartum Bleeding, he has to determine exactly the stage of the disease and the possibility of further complications. If the mother presents only a mild type of Postpartum Bleeding, the doctor will probably recommend her to get as much rest as possible. This means that she is not allowed to walk or even stand for a long period, as this will increase the quantity of blood discharged. In addition, the mother is advised to use maxi pads in order to soak up the blood. One important thing which should be mentioned is the fact that the tampons are completely forbidden for about two months, as they can lead to the appearance of an infection, by introducing bacteria in the uterus and the vagina. In some rare cases, the doctor can prescribe some medications in order to reduce the feeling of discomfort of those who suffer from Postpartum Bleeding.

In what concerns the more severe cases of Postpartum Bleeding, the doctor has to choose carefully the treatment he will administrate to the sufferer. First of all, if the patient loses a high quantity of blood, she may need a blood transfusion. However, this procedure must be done carefully, as the blood can be infected with certain viruses. After the patient is stabilized, the doctor has to perform an uterine massage in order to stimulate the natural contractions of the uterus, as this will stop the excessive loss of blood; this massage must be carefully performed, as it can result in an uterine inversion. The next stage of the treatment consists in the administration of certain drugs in order to control the bleeding and maintain the contraction of the uterus. Another important step which must be performed is an examination of the uterus in order to determine whether the placenta was eliminated completely. Any placental tissue which remains in the interior of the uterus can result in excessive bleeding.

If these steps are performed correctly the patient’s condition should improve significantly; however, most doctors recommend those women who suffer from Postpartum Bleeding to consult an obstetrician in order to obtain more information about their medical condition and to be aware of any further complications which may appear.