MemorialCare - Your Guide to Postpartum and Newborn Care

PERINEUM The perineum is the area between your vagina and rectum. During a vaginal birth, it stretches and may tear. So, you may have tears and lacerations in your perineum. These tears, along with any vaginal tears, can cause pain and tenderness for several weeks. During the first 24-48 hours, icing can help discomfort. Keeping the area clean and dry can help relieve pain, prevent infection, and promote healing. You can learn about perineal care on page 9. Though it’s not the norm, some people have an episiotomy during birth. This is the term for a cut made at the opening of the vagina to help let your baby out. If you had an episiotomy, your perineum may be especially sore. You’ll have stitches and it will take time to heal. The stitches will dissolve on their own. So, don’t worry—they won’t need to be removed.

VAGINAL DISCHARGE After giving birth, you can expect to have a bloody vaginal discharge, called lochia , for a few days. This is part of the natural healing process for your uterus. For the first few days, lochia is bright red, heavy in flow, and may have small blood clots. It has a distinct smell that women often describe as fleshy, musty, or earthy. Because blood collects in your vagina when you’re sitting or lying down, this may make lochia heavier when you stand up. You may also notice a heavier blood flow after too much physical activity. If you do, you should slow down and rest. You may have less lochia if you had a cesarean birth. Over time, the flow gets less and lighter in color. But expect to have this lighter discharge for up to 4-6 weeks. You’ll want to use pads (not tampons) until your lochia stops. Tampons can increase the chance for infection in your uterus.

First 1-3 days

• Bright to dark red • Heavy to medium flow • May have small clots

About days 3-10

• Pink or brown-tinged • Medium to light flow • Very few or no small clots

About days 10-14 but may normally last longer

• Yellowish-white color • Very light flow • No clots or bright red color

WARNING

Call your nurse or health care provider immediately if you:

• Soak through more than 1 pad in an hour • Have a steady flow that continues over time • Pass clots the size of an egg or larger after the first hour • Have bright red vaginal bleeding day 4 or after • Notice your lochia has a bad odor • Have a fever of 100.4° F or higher • Have severe pain in your lower abdomen If you can’t reach your health care provider, go to an emergency room or call 911 .

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Your Guide to Postpartum and Newborn Care