Lochia after induced abortion
Release time : 11/05/2025 09:30:04
Nowadays, many expectant mothers choose to induce labor during difficult pregnancies. This inevitably leads to various conditions postpartum, one of which is postpartum lochia. Let us explore what postpartum lochia is.
What is lochia after induced labor? After induction of labor, you will find that your body is abnormal. So what is the so-called abnormality? Should it be or shouldn't be? According to experts, after childbirth, as the decidua of the uterus, especially the decidua at the placental attachment, is shed, tissues containing blood, necrotic decidua and other tissues are discharged through the vagina called lochia.
What is postpartum lochia? If the vaginal discharge persists for two weeks after childbirth, if it is sanguine in color, abundant in amount, and accompanied by foul odor, or sometimes contains necrotic tissue or membrane-like substances, and the uterus has not yet fully regressed, this should raise suspicion of retained placenta or membranes within the uterus. There is always a risk of significant hemorrhage at any time. It is essential to seek immediate medical attention.
Postpartum endometritis or myomitis can occur due to the development of puerperal infection.
At this time, the patient presents with fever, lower abdominal pain, increased vaginal discharge with a foul odor, and other symptoms. This type of lochia is not only foul-smelling but also has a color that is not normal-it is cloudy and malodorous instead of being bloody or serous.
Some female friends say, two days after giving birth, there is still some bloody liquid flowing out of the vagina.
Although the doctor told her, it was "lochia," which is normal.
However, seeing that the red mucus was mixed with blood clots, I couldn't help but feel uneasy.
If women friends are still worried, they can go to the hospital for a consultation.
The duration of lochia after childbirth is actually quite normal. It depends on the type: 1. Bloody lochia: bright red, containing a large amount of blood, sometimes with small clots.
There is a small amount of placental membranes and necrotic decidua.
2. The color is light red with a significant amount of mucous.
A small amount of blood, but with a considerable amount of necrotic decidua tissue, cervical mucus, myometrial exudate, and bacteria.
The serous lochia persists for about 10 days, with the serous component gradually diminishing and leukocytes increasing, transforming into white lochia.
3. White lochia: Thickened and whiter in color.
Contains a large number of white blood cells, necrotic tissue, decidua, epidermal cells, and bacteria.
White lochia persisted for 3 weeks before it was cleared.
Normal lochia has a bloody smell, but no odor, and lasts for 4 to 6 weeks. The total amount is about 250ml-500ml, with large individual differences.
By observing lochia, paying attention to the changes in its quality and quantity, color and smell, and the status of uterine involution, we can understand whether uterine recovery is normal.
Generally speaking, the lochia should be completely gone around three weeks after childbirth.
However, if two weeks after delivery, lochia is still bloody, in large quantities, accompanied by a foul smell, sometimes exudes rotten meat-like matter or membrane-like matter, and the uterine involution is very poor. At this time, consideration should be given to the possibility that there may be a placenta or membrane-like membrane left in the uterus, and major bleeding may occur at any time.
When a puerperal infection occurs postpartum, it can cause endometritis or uterine myositis.
At this time, I would recommend that you go to the hospital for a detailed examination. Some women who are physically weak may have bleeding that lasts six weeks.
If the lochia continues to flow after this time period and its volume does not decrease, it is referred to as "lochia incomplete," also known as "lochia persistent" or "lochia uncontrolled."
Is it normal for postpartum lochia to persist? It is generally considered normal for the amount of bleeding to be less than that of a menstrual period and to last no more than 15 days after childbirth.
Postpartum pain in some women may be caused by not resting properly, infection, or poor recovery of the uterus. If the symptoms persist, it is necessary to visit a hospital for examination to rule out pathological conditions and not to overlook them.
After a woman undergoes an induced abortion, she may feel weaker and will also experience lochia.
Under normal circumstances, the lochia following a vaginal delivery typically does not exceed the menstrual flow and lasts no more than 15 days.
Continuous lochia after induced labor, which means that the abortion is not clean. Under normal circumstances, doctors recommend curettage after induced labor. If there is no curettage, incomplete abortion may lead to continuous lochia after induced labor.
Generally, the amount of bleeding after induction of labor is no more than the amount of menstruation, and it is normal for the period to not exceed 15 days.
After induced labor, lochia continued. It may be that the uterine repair effect is not good. You need to go to the hospital for examination to rule out pathological conditions. It is recommended to do a B-ultrasound examination for symptomatic treatment.
What should I do if postpartum lochia continues? For the continuous treatment of postpartum lochia, the main principles should be replenishing deficiency and removing blood stasis. Tonifying deficiency mainly focuses on nourishing qi and blood, and removing blood stasis should be combined with qi regulating drugs. When qi is taken and circulated, the blood will flow.
Traditional Chinese medicine has long been researched for the condition of prolonged lochia after childbirth. The specific prescription "Postpartum Lochia Paste" is a traditional Chinese medicine specifically used to treat this condition.
Postpartum lochia cream is a traditional formula that, in conjunction with the application of blood-consolidating and stasis-resolving agents, achieves balance through its dual functions of promoting fluid elimination and invigorating the body. Its unique use of herbs for enhancing qi and nourishing yin aligns with the pathophysiology of female vulnerability, thus enhancing the overall therapeutic efficacy. Consequently, this formula has been highly regarded by Chinese medical practitioners for centuries, continuing to be widely used today without any signs of decline.
The lochia usually lasts for about a month.
The lochia is sanguinous during the first week, then becomes serous from the second week until it turns white in the third.
It is recommended that women take medications to accelerate uterine contraction after induced abortion.
Following an induced abortion, one and a half months later, it is necessary to undergo a follow-up examination to observe the recovery of the uterus and determine when it has returned to normal before engaging in sexual activity.
Indeed, ultrasound examination is crucial. If an intrauterine mass is detected on an ultrasound, a curettage is necessary. For vaginally delivered women, this procedure can be directly performed. However, for cesarean delivery patients, it is advisable to perform the curettage under ultrasound guidance for safety reasons. Postoperatively, it is essential to administer anti-infection and promote uterine contraction treatment.
B-mode ultrasound often indicates that the uterus is enlarged, with fluid or blood accumulation in the uterine cavity. Given the poor contraction of the uterus postpartum, residual fluids and blood may be present, leading to irregular bleeding from the vagina. In such cases, it is essential first to administer intramuscular oxytocin or intravenous oxytocin, followed by the use of traditional Chinese medicine to promote uterine contraction. If necessary, oral antibiotics should also be prescribed to prevent infection.
Persistent breastfeeding is conducive to postpartum uterine contraction and reabsorption.
Indications for uterine inflammation leading to postpartum lochia are elevated white blood cell count and neutrophilia in the routine complete blood count (CBC) test, as well as no obvious abnormalities on ultrasound examination. Treatment with intravenous antibiotics is indicated if there is a need for fluid resuscitation due to infections. If breastfeeding is involved, ceftriaxone-based antibiotics combined with metronidazole should be administered via intravenous drip therapy for a treatment duration of 3 to 5 days.
Post-Abortion Care: Following a Cesarean Birth Following a cesarean birth, there are numerous considerations to take into account. After all, your health is of utmost importance. Below are some key points that you should be aware of and pay close attention to during this period. Please review them diligently and keep in mind the importance of self-care.
Post-abortion surgery requires hospitalization for 3-5 days, paying attention to the condition of uterine contraction and preventing major hemorrhage.
Due to the significant physical trauma associated with miscarriage surgery, patients are required to rest for at least two weeks post-procedure.
It's not advisable to sit or stand for long periods of time, especially not to engage in high-intensity work. It is best to rest as much as possible by taking frequent breaks.
Due to the excessive bleeding during induced abortion surgery, it is important to pay attention to increasing nutrition post-operatively and avoid eating cold, spicy, and stimulating foods. It is advisable to consume more nourishing and blood-activating foods.
After surgery, it is necessary to wear loose-fitting clothes. It is important to clean the vulva thoroughly every day and night for the first month.
If there is any lochia, it is best to use sanitary paper instead of diapers. The sanitary paper has better breathability than diapers.
Regularly change underwear, and wash the discarded underwear with hot water, then sun-dry it for disinfection.
Postoperative 3 days, hot water showers can be used, but not baths. However, the room temperature should not be too low.
After the surgery, avoid sexual intercourse before the next menstrual period. Prior to sexual activity, both partners should clean up thoroughly. Post-sex, it is essential to take contraceptive measures. If you wish to conceive, ensure that there is at least a year's gap between the surgery and conception.
Otherwise, it can cause significant harm to the body. Women must cherish their own bodies.
Postoperative care should include maintaining warmth, keeping the room temperature appropriately high.
If it is summer, don't let the air conditioner or fan blow at each other.
Keep your feet, abdomen and head warm.
Soak your feet in hot water every night, and use a hot water bag to apply your abdomen.
You can do some exercise three days after surgery to help drain lochia and recover the uterus.
Pay attention to the vaginal bleeding after surgery. If the bleeding lasts for a long time or the bleeding is not clean, seek medical attention promptly.
One month after surgery, you should go to the hospital for a re-examination to check the recovery of the uterus.
Only by having a good body can we have the capital for revolution and have a happy family. Therefore, I hope that my friends will not only know how to take care of themselves in the future, but also learn how to truly love themselves.
* The medical part covered in this article is for reading and reference only.
If you experience discomfort, it is recommended to seek medical attention immediately. The diagnosis and treatment should be based on a face-to-face consultation with a medical professional.