If you breastfeed, oxytocin will cause lochia to taper
off to zilch much faster; this is because uterine contractions
caused by the hormone shrinks the uterus back to normal
size thereby reducing the blood loss
Your doctor needs to be informed:
• If lochia starts to smell foul (it should have
fresh blood like smell), it means you have an infection
and you may be given antibiotics to treat it
• If flow becomes bright red again, it means you
are over-exerting and need to take it easy
• If the bleeding is very heavy or with clots
or tissue, it means not all of your placenta or membranes
was expelled. You will be given medicines to help flush
them out of your system and occasionally a D&C to
remove the remnants
• If there is no bleeding since delivery
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