The yellow discharge after giving birth is the symptom of lochia alba, the final stage of lochia. Lochia alba is a sign that the body’s postpartum healing process is about to end.
During this stage, the postpartum bleed changes from red or pink to yellowish-white. Yellow discharge is the normal discharge after birth.
However, what if it turns green and has a fishy odor? When should I call a doctor?
Scroll down to learn about the abnormal symptoms of watery discharge postpartum!
Is It Normal To Have Yellow Discharge After Giving Birth?
The yellow discharge 3 weeks postpartum is one of the normal signs of postpartum discharge.
It’s a part of the healing process after a C-section, which will finish after six or eight weeks without causing any problems.
This creamy yellow discharge postpartum is the symptom of lochia alba, the final stage of lochia. It starts on the 14th day after delivery.
The normal yellow discharge will smell like menstrual discharge. Sometimes, there is still a little spotting of blood from the vagina.
The reason why it has a yellow color is that white blood cells leave the body after healing your uterus after cesarean delivery.
When the mom has those symptoms, the mom is getting better soon.
It’s also the shedding of the mucous membrane that coats the uterus during pregnancy. This process helps the uterus back to its regular size.
How Long Does Yellow Discharge Postpartum Last?
The yellow discharge postpartum starts from the third week after giving birth.
During this stage, you can expect:
- Whitish yellow discharge lasts from about six to eight weeks.
- Light flow or spotting.
- No extra blood.
The yellow discharge postpartum will normally finish after about six or eight weeks. The final stage of postpartum bleeding after birth doesn’t leave any complications.
However, you should be worried when the yellow discharge postpartum turns green and has a fishy odor.
If you see excessive bleeding coming out with the discharge, it can be a sign of an infection.
Call your healthcare provider when you have a fever, lightheadedness, or irregular heartbeats.
When Should I Be Worried About Watery Discharge Postpartum?
Here are some signs of abnormal discharge postpartum:
- Greenish vaginal discharge
- Foul-smelling odor
- Excessive bleeding or discharge
- Redness, itching, swelling near the vulva
Greenish Vaginal Discharge
The greenish vaginal discharge is one of the symptoms of a vaginal infection. Yeast infections and vaginosis infections frequently cause it.
It can also indicate STDs such as trichomoniasis, gonorrhea, or chlamydia. You’ll probably have other symptoms, such as difficulty urinating.
Foul-Smelling Odor
The yellow discharge postpartum should smell like menstrual blood. It shouldn’t have a bad or fishy odor.
If your discharge smells bad, you could have an infection. You may think about uterine infection or a rip in the perineum after birth.
In addition, the foul-smelling odor in lochia alba can result from other reasons, including:
- Leftover placental tissue:
After giving birth, some placenta fragments may be left in your uterus after birth, causing endometritis.
- Bacterial infection:
Bacterial infection in the vaginosis or urinary tract may produce an unpleasant odor.
- Poor hygiene:
Poor hygiene, such as infrequent pad changes or improper perineal cleaning, may result in foul-smelling odor.
Other signs that may come with foul-smelling odor in lochia alba may include:
- Severe pain or cramping
- Increased vaginal discharge
- Fatigue
- Fever
When you see those symptoms, consult a doctor immediately to protect the mother from severe complications. They can identify the root problem and provide suitable treatment.
The following are some typical remedies for lochia alba odor:
- Antibiotics: Antibiotics are a common treatment for almost all infections. When the infection is controlled, you can get rid of the smell.
- Proper hygiene practices: This may help diminish the yellow discharge’s odor postpartum. It would help if you learned how often to change the pads and how to clean the perineal region.
- Removal of leftover placental tissue: Your doctor may require you to conduct surgery to remove the leftover placental tissue from your body. As a result, that treatment will control the endometritis and eliminate the foul-smelling odor of the discharge.
Excessive Bleeding Or Discharge
When you have lochia, you will have Vaginal Bleeding in the first few days after birth. Call your doctor if heavy bleeding continues after that and is accompanied by other signs of postpartum hemorrhage:
- Bright red bleeding
- Big blood clots
- Continuous and non-stop bleeding
- Painful and swollen vagina
- Foul-smelling discharge
- Blurred vision
- Rapid heartbeat
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Chills
- Clammy skin
- Faint feeling
Some of the causes of abnormal bleeding are:
- Uterine inversion
- Uterine rupture
- Retained placentas
- Postpartum depression
- Uterine atony
Postpartum Hemorrhage can lower your blood pressure and cause blood loss. It may result in death if left untreated.
Redness, Itching, Swelling Near The Vulva
Postpartum Hormone change is one of the main causes of postpartum vaginal dryness and itching. After vaginal delivery, estrogen and progesterone levels drastically decrease.
In addition, if you suffer from red, itchy, and swollen skin, you may have a perineal infection.
It may worsen if you experience persistent pain, liquid coming out from the wound, and an unusual smell, generally known as a puerperal infection.
To avoid an infection, you need to:
- Wear breathable underwear and clothing
- Dry your genitals after exercising, swimming, or showering,
- Add fermented foods and yogurt to your diet
FAQs
What Are Signs Of Postpartum Infection?
Symptoms of postpartum infections commonly include:
- Greenish birth discharge
- Redness, Itching, Swelling Near The Vulva
- Bright red bleeding
- Big blood clots
- Continuous and non-stop bleeding
- Painful and swollen vagina
- Foul-smelling discharge
- Blurred vision
- Rapid heartbeat
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Chills
- Clammy skin
- Faint feeling
What Are The 3 Different Types Of Lochia?
You’ll undergo three postpartum bleeding stages: lochia rubra, lochia serosa, and lochia alba.
- Lochia rubra
Lochia rubra is the first stage of postpartum bleeding. It comprises blood, mucus, uterine lining, and placental tissue.
During lochia rubra, you will have bright red or pink discharge in the first 3 to 4 days postpartum. There may also be more blood clots than in the menstrual periods.
- Lochia serosa
The blood will turn from bright red to brownish or pink during lochia serosa. Lochia serosa usually lasts two to four or six weeks after delivery.
- Lochia alba
Lochia alba is the final stage of the postpartum period, which lasts about 12 days to six weeks. It has a creamy yellow color without bloody discharge.
What Happens If Lochia Does Not Stop?
Postpartum discharge doesn’t last forever. It should stop after six to eight weeks postpartum. Require postpartum care if your lochia doesn’t stop and comes with the following symptoms:
- Greenish vaginal discharge
- Redness, Itching, Swelling Near The Vulva
- Bright red bleeding
- Big blood clots
- Continuous and non-stop bleeding
- Painful and swollen vagina
- Foul-smelling discharge
- Blurred vision
- Rapid heartbeat
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Chills
- Clammy skin
- Faint feeling
Conclusion
The yellow discharge after giving birth (lochia alba) is normal postpartum bleeding. Every mom experiences this postpartum recovery process.
The normal yellow discharge postpartum smells similar to the smell of menstrual blood. There is no blood clot in the discharge.
During the lochia alba, the mom needs to avoid doing extensive and tiring activities.
Understanding proper hygiene and having a healthy, balanced diet will help to speed up postpartum recovery.
Contact your medical care provider if you have the accompanying symptoms during the stages of lochia, such as:
- Greenish vaginal discharge
- Foul-smelling lochia
- Excessive bleeding or discharge
- Redness, itching, swelling near the vulva
