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Postpartum hemorrhage
How many days does postpartum bleeding lochia last?
Postpartum lochia refers to the need for the contents of the uterine cavity to be expelled over a certain period of time after childbirth. Postpartum lochia generally lasts about six to eight weeks and is divided into three stages: bloody lochia, serous lochia, and white lochia. The first stage, known as bloody lochia, primarily involves the expulsion of accumulated blood in the uterine cavity. Postpartum bleeding lochia generally lasts about one week after childbirth. During this week, the amount of bleeding gradually decreases, and the color changes from bright red to dark red and then to black. Generally, it is believed that postpartum bleeding lochia should not exceed two weeks. If bleeding lochia persists beyond two weeks, an ultrasound should be conducted to determine whether there are any remnants in the uterine cavity, along with a vaginal examination to check for any abnormalities in the cervix and vaginal walls.
Postpartum hemorrhage refers to excessive bleeding following childbirth.
Postpartum hemorrhage refers to vaginal bleeding exceeding 500ml shortly after childbirth, or vaginal bleeding exceeding 1000ml within 24 hours after childbirth. Postpartum hemorrhage is a critical situation in clinical practice and is the leading cause of maternal death. For postpartum hemorrhage, it is essential first to identify the cause. Common causes of postpartum hemorrhage include uterine atony, retained placenta or membranes, trauma to the birth canal, and coagulopathy. In cases of postpartum hemorrhage, treatment should start with addressing the cause, such as using drugs that promote uterine contraction, massaging the uterus, and paying attention to cleaning the uterus and suturing any tears. Simultaneous symptomatic treatment should also be administered, which involves the transfusion of blood products to improve circulating blood volume and prevent the onset of hemorrhagic shock.
Can you eat brown sugar after postpartum hemorrhage?
After giving birth, if there is significant bleeding, it is important to promptly determine the cause and deal with it accordingly. Only addressing the specific cause will be effective. Once the bleeding has stopped, one can consider whether the mother can consume brown sugar based on her condition post-delivery. If the birth was vaginal, drinking brown sugar water is permissible as it can replenish energy, aid in recovery, and help with blood formation. However, if the birth was by cesarean section, due to the anesthesia used which affects gastrointestinal motility, particularly in the initial days following the surgery when normal gas expulsion has not resumed, consuming brown sugar is not advisable.
What supplements to take for postpartum hemorrhage?
Normally, if postpartum hemorrhage occurs during childbirth, it is necessary to regulate from multiple aspects. Since postpartum hemorrhage can have a significant impact on the body, causing a noticeable decrease in the number of red blood cells, if the red blood cell count falls below 60g, intravenous blood transfusion is required for symptomatic treatment. At the same time as the transfusion, it is also necessary to consume some donkey-hide gelatin or foods high in iron, such as bird's nest or Sichuan pepper, to assist in the treatment by supplementing qi and blood, which will have a beneficial effect on postpartum recovery.
What should I do if I have postpartum anal fissures that bleed and cause pain?
When experiencing postpartum anal fissures, bleeding, and pain, it is important to use some medications locally to relieve pain and to promote smooth bowel movements. Traditional Chinese Medicine treatments can also be used for sitz baths or fumigation of the anal area. After the sitz bath or fumigation, some traditional Chinese topical medications can be applied; these are generally safe and do not affect breastfeeding women. Moreover, in daily life, it is crucial to drink plenty of water, engage in moderate activities, avoid lying in bed for long periods, and avoid consuming cold, spicy, or irritating foods. Instead, consume plenty of fresh vegetables and fruits to facilitate gastrointestinal motility.
What to eat for postpartum hemorrhage
Generally, postpartum hemorrhage is a very serious and common complication during the childbirth process. Depending on the type of postpartum hemorrhage, the general treatment methods and diet can differ significantly. The most common cause of postpartum hemorrhage is often attributed to insufficient uterine contractions, which increase the likelihood of bleeding. In such cases, once significant bleeding is confirmed, it is necessary to promptly administer oxytocin to facilitate uterine contraction and effectively reduce the occurrence of postpartum hemorrhage. Regarding diet, there are no specific considerations; a light, nutritious diet should be maintained, avoiding spicy and stimulating foods, and close monitoring of vaginal bleeding is also necessary.
What is postpartum hemorrhage?
Postpartum, the endometrium in the uterus sheds, and the lochia is expelled. Typically, this blood flow is slightly heavier than a menstrual period. If there are blood clots, it indicates a higher amount of bleeding, or that the blood is not moving much. If the blood accumulates inside the uterus or vagina for too long without being expelled, it can form clots. The presence of small blood clots is not alarming, but if there are many clots, it is advisable to see a doctor to check if poor uterine contraction is the cause. An ultrasound can determine if there are any residuals. If poor uterine contractions and residuals are ruled out, increasing activity and promptly expelling the blood can be beneficial.
Postpartum Hemorrhage Etiology
The causes of postpartum hemorrhage can be broadly summarized into four main factors: 1) Inadequate uterine contraction. 2) Lacerations in the soft birth canal. 3) Placental factors. 4) Coagulation dysfunction. The most common cause in clinical settings is inadequate uterine contraction. The manifestation of inadequate uterine contraction primarily appears as the placenta and membranes being expelled intact postpartum, no injuries in the soft birth canal, and an unclear uterine contour upon palpation. The uterus becomes firm when massaged and softens when the massage stops. This condition is indicative of postpartum hemorrhage caused by inadequate uterine contraction. Postpartum hemorrhage due to lacerations in the soft birth canal typically presents as immediate bleeding following the delivery of the baby. The blood is bright red and may contain clots, which mostly suggests lacerations in the soft birth canal. If significant bleeding occurs about five to ten minutes after the delivery of the placenta and baby, this is generally considered to be related to placental factors. If the bleeding is unclotted and continuous, this severe hemorrhage might be due to a coagulation dysfunction.
Can I eat donkey-hide gelatin after severe postpartum hemorrhage?
During the entire process of postpartum hemorrhage, it is still necessary to promptly understand the specific causes of the postpartum hemorrhage in order to treat the condition accordingly. Normally, after a major postpartum hemorrhage, it is first necessary to promptly ascertain the specific value of hemoglobin. If the hemoglobin is low, causing severe anemia, it is also recommended to promptly supplement with red blood cells or plasma to improve the blood condition of the body. During major postpartum hemorrhage, oral administration of donkey-hide gelatin can also have a very good regulatory effect on the body, achieving the effect of replenishing qi and blood.
How long will it take for postpartum anal fissure bleeding to heal?
Generally, anal fissures that occur postpartum may heal on their own within about a week. For more severe cases, timely surgical treatment is necessary. The specific recovery time also depends on the physical condition of the mother, such as nutritional status, diet, and everyday habits—whether her diet is balanced, whether she drinks enough water, etc., all of which can affect the recovery and progression of the condition. If postpartum women improve their diet by eating more fresh vegetables and fruits, drinking more soups, and developing regular bowel habits to alleviate constipation, the anal fissures can also improve on their own.