The Ultimate Guide on How to Stop Postpartum Bleeding Faster

Bringing a new life into the world is a miraculous and joyous event. However, it's important to remember that the postpartum period comes with its own set of challenges, including the often uncomfortable and sometimes prolonged experience of postpartum bleeding. Consequently, many women end up wondering how to stop postpartum bleeding faster so that they expedite the recovery and return to a more comfortable state.

In this article, we will explore practical and safe postpartum bleeding treatments, allowing you to focus on what truly matters – bonding with your newborn and embracing the joys of motherhood.

What is postpartum bleeding?

Postpartum bleeding, also known as lochia, is a discharge of mucus and blood that starts right after childbirth. This is a normal process in which the woman’s body excretes all the extra blood, mucus, and tissues that was necessary to support the pregnancy.

This kind of bleeding lasts longer than a menstrual cycle and contains certain substances one would not find in normal menstrual bleeding. The source of this bleeding is the place where the placenta was attached.

How long does postpartum bleeding last?

In order to understand postparum bleeding duration, we need to understand its stages. It can be broken down into three distinct stages:

1. Lochia Rubra

This is the initial stage and typically lasts for the first few days after childbirth. Lochia rubra is bright red in color and consists mainly of blood, mucus, and uterine tissue.

2. Lochia Serosa

Following the lochia rubra stage, lochia serosa occurs and can last for about one to two weeks. It is characterized by a pink or brownish color and contains fewer red blood cells and more white blood cells and mucus.

3. Lochia Alba

This is the final stage of postpartum bleeding, which can last up to six weeks. Lochia alba is lighter in color, often creamy or yellowish, and primarily consists of mucus, white blood cells, and uterine lining.

The bleeding gradually decreases in volume and changes in color as the weeks pass. However, one can never be sure how long postpartum bleeding will last in a woman as all the bodies and different, and one can expect it to end sooner than four weeks or even longer than eight weeks. It's important for new mothers to monitor the bleeding and be aware of any excessive bleeding or signs of infection, as this could indicate a complication and should be promptly addressed with medical care.

You may also like: What is postpartum hemorrhage?

What causes postpartum bleeding?

Postpartum bleeding can have several causes, and it is essential to differentiate between normal postpartum bleeding (lochia) and abnormal bleeding that may require medical attention. Here are the primary causes of postpartum bleeding:

1. Uterine atony

A medical condition when a woman's uterus fails to contract after childbirth.

2. Lacerations or tears

Lacerations in uterine, vaginal, and cervical areas lead to postpartum bleeding.

3. Retained or trapped placenta

When the placenta is partially detached during childbirth, one can experience vaginal bleeding. This lasts as long as the retained placenta remains in the uterus.

4. Placenta accreta

A condition when the placenta is attached too deeply to the uterine wall, and one needs to get it removed to stop bleeding.

5. Uterine inversion

In this condition, the uterus turns inside out, and the symptom of this happening is postpartum bleeding.

6. Uterine trauma

This happens due to the rupture of the uterus during the cesarean delivery.

You may also like: What Are The Causes and Types of Postpartum Hemorrhage?

How to stop postpartum bleeding faster?

While it's essential to allow the body to naturally recover from postpartum bleeding at its own pace, there are some measures that can help promote a more comfortable and efficient healing process. Here are ten postpartum bleeding treatments:

1. Medication

One can stop postpartum bleeding using uterotonic medication. These medications are usually the first choice, stimulating the uterus's contraction and resulting in the stoppage of bleeding.

2. Uterine massage

Healthcare professionals commonly use this method to stop the bleeding that occurs right after childbirth. By messaging on the uterus, they help in its contraction, which eventually stops the bleeding.

3. Balloon tamponade

To stop bleeding from the uterus, doctors inflate a Bakri balloon inside the uterus to add pressure on the spot from where blood is oozing out.

4. Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding triggers the release of oxytocin, a hormone that can help the uterus contract and reduce bleeding.

5. Uterine artery embolization

In this method, the blood vessel, the source of bleeding, is located, and small particles are injected into it to stop the bleeding.

6. Uterine curettage

Uterine curettage is a method of removing all the remaining pieces of the placenta in the uterus.

7. Surgery

When all the above methods fail to stop postpartum bleeding, doctors need to perform surgical operations such as laparotomy to stop the bleeding. In a laparotomy, the abdomen is cut open, and the cause of the bleeding is located.

Then by applying compression sutures and ligating uterine, internal iliac, and ovarian arteries, they try to remove the bleeding. However, if the bleeding does not stop, a hysterectomy is performed to remove the uterus completely.

You may also like: Postnatal Ayurvedic Care for New Mothers

When should you call your doctor?

A woman needs to consult their doctor in relation to postpartum bleeding when they see any of these symptoms after childbirth:

• Discharge of large clots of blood somewhere around the size of a lemon.

• Experiencing very heavy flow

• Discharge of lochia that does not smell like normal period blood.

• Dizziness, faintness, and breathlessness

• Vomiting or nausea

• Pain and swelling in the vaginal area

• Chills or fever

You may also like: Postpartum Complications: Everything You Need to Know

The Bottomline

the postpartum period can be both challenging and transformative. While postpartum bleeding is a natural part of this process, it doesn't have to be overwhelming or discouraging. Having understood how to stop postpartum bleeding faster and when to contact a doctor, in case things escalate, you can navigate this phase with grace and confidence. Remember, every mother's postpartum experience is unique, and there's no one-size-fits-all solution.The journey of motherhood is filled with resilience, love, and growth, and the challenges you face today are but stepping stones on this remarkable path.

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