How to distinguish lochia from menstruation

Lochia is the discharge from the vagina after a woman gives birth. It is the process by which the uterus expels excess substances. Menstruation is a normal physiological phenomenon for women and a manifestation of normal uterine metabolism. Many people cannot distinguish between lochia and menstruation. In fact, it is not difficult to distinguish between the two, because menstruation is red, and lochia can appear in other colors besides red. Here we will introduce the differences between lochia and menstruation.

1. How to distinguish lochia from menstruation?

In fact, only bloody lochia is similar to menstruation, or slightly more than menstruation, and sometimes contains blood clots. Lochia serous and lochia alba are quite different from menstruation and are not difficult to distinguish.

Generally speaking, if the color of the secretion changes from red to light red and then to white after 3-5 days, it proves to be lochia, otherwise it may be menstruation.

The onset of postpartum menstruation is related to whether or not the woman breastfeeds, the length of breastfeeding, the age of the mother, and the ability of the ovarian function to recover. There are also great individual differences in the resumption of menstruation after childbirth. Some women may resume menstruation one year after delivery. Generally speaking, for mothers who are not breastfeeding, menstruation usually resumes 6-10 weeks after delivery, and ovulation resumes on average around 10 weeks after delivery. The menstrual cycle of breastfeeding mothers is delayed, and some women do not have menstruation at all during the postpartum period. On average, ovulation resumes 4-6 months after delivery.

2. Classification of lochia

1. Bloody lochia

It is named because it contains a large amount of blood, which is bright red in color, large in amount, and sometimes contains small blood clots. Microscopically, a large number of red blood cells, necrotic decidua and a small amount of fetal membranes were seen. Bloody lochia lasts less than 3 days. The bleeding gradually decreases, the serous fluid increases, and turns into serous lochia.

2. Lochia

It is named because it contains a large amount of serous fluid and is light red in color. Microscopically, there are a lot of necrotic decidual tissues, intrauterine exudate, cervical mucus, a small amount of red blood cells and white blood cells, and bacteria. Serous lochia lasts for 4-14 days, the serous fluid gradually decreases, the number of white blood cells increases, and it turns into white lochia.

3. White lochia

It is named because it contains a large number of white blood cells, is white in color and has a viscous texture. Under the microscope, a large number of white blood cells, necrotic decidual tissue, epidermal cells and bacteria were seen. The white lochia lasts for about 3 weeks.

Although every parturient has lochia, the amount discharged is different for each person, and the average total amount can reach 500 to 1000 ml. The duration of discharge varies from woman to woman. Normal women usually need 2 to 4 weeks, while a few women can last 1 to 2 months.

3. How to prevent lochia from continuing to occur?

1. Actively treat various pregnancy-related diseases before delivery, such as gestational hypertension, anemia, vaginitis, etc.

2. For patients with premature rupture of membranes and prolonged labor, antibiotics should be given to prevent infection.

3. After delivery, the doctor should carefully check whether the placenta and fetal membranes are complete, and if there are any residues, deal with them in time.

4. Persistent breastfeeding is beneficial to uterine contraction and the discharge of lochia.

5. Observe the color, amount and smell of lochia every day after delivery. Normal lochia should be odorless but have a bloody smell. If an odor is found, it may be an abnormal situation and you should go to the hospital for treatment in time.

6. Measure the degree of uterine contraction regularly. If you find that the uterine contraction is poor, you should go to the hospital and follow the doctor's advice for appropriate treatment.

7. Keep the vagina clean. Because of the discharge of lochia, women should change sanitary napkins frequently to keep clean. It is best to temporarily refrain from sexual intercourse to reduce the occurrence of infection.

8. If you suspect that there is placenta residue, you should go to the hospital in time and receive treatment under the guidance of a doctor.