Tend and Befriend
Tend & Befriend – The Podcast for Pregnancy, Birth & Beyond
Hosted by Deborah the Doula, a birth professional with over 20 years of experience, Tend & Befriend is your go-to source for evidence-based insights, real birth stories, and expert advice. After two decades in the birth world, I’ve learned a thing or two—and I want to make sure you have access to that knowledge.
Join me as we dive into the topics that matter most during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. Whether you're preparing for labor, navigating new motherhood, or reflecting on your own birth journey, you'll find support, wisdom, and connection in every episode.
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Tend and Befriend
Understanding Lochia: Your Body's Natural Healing Process After Childbirth
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Postpartum bleeding, or lochia, is your body's natural healing process as your uterus returns to its pre-pregnancy size. We explore the science behind this important recovery phase and what every new mother should know about supporting her body during this time.
• Uterus shrinks from watermelon to pear size in about six weeks after delivery
• Lochia progresses through three distinct phases: rubra (days 1-4), serosa (days 5-10), and alba (final phase)
• Bleeding occurs as the wound where the placenta attached heals
• Breastfeeding releases oxytocin that stimulates uterine contractions and speeds healing
• Cesarean deliveries may experience lighter bleeding as some uterine lining is removed during surgery
• Warning signs include bright red bleeding that returns after lightening, large clots, foul smell, or soaking pads hourly
• Postpartum hemorrhage affects 1-5% of births in Canada and requires immediate medical attention
• Rest, hydration, nutrition, and self-compassion are essential for supporting recovery
Take time to heal and remember that every body is different. If you have concerns about your postpartum bleeding, always reach out to your healthcare provider.
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Hey Mamas, you're listening to Tend and Befriend, a podcast about women's mental and physical health. This is Debra. I'm a mom of two, a labor and birth coach and birth advocate, a health professional, and today I'm your host. Let's dive into today's episode. Let's dive into today's episode. Any information you hear or that is suggested or recommended on these episodes is not medical advice. Your doula and I'm here to share evidence-based insights to support you on your journey through pregnancy, postpartum and beyond. Whether you're a new listener or a loyal fan, I'm so glad that you're here Today.
Deborah Koumoutsidis:We're diving into an important topic that affects every postpartum mom the connection between postpartum bleeding and uterine healing. Bleeding after childbirth, also known as lochia, is a normal part of recovery, but understanding what's happening in your body and what's considered normal can help you feel more confident during this stage. Let's unpack the science behind uterine healing and what to expect with your postpartum bleeding. Postpartum bleeding, or lachia, is the body's way of clearing out the uterus after delivery. It consists of blood tissue and mucus that once lined your uterus during pregnancy, and Canadian guidelines indicate that lachia is a sign of your uterus healing as it returns to its pre-pregnancy size a process known as involution and in a week after you delivered your baby, your uterus will be half the size it was just after you gave birth, and after two weeks it will be back inside your pelvis. On average, the uterus shrinks from the size of a watermelon to that of a pear in about six weeks. During this time, the blood vessels that supported the placenta seal off and tissue from the placenta site gradually sheds. There are three distinct phases of lochia Lochia rubra, which are from days one to four. This is the heaviest phase, with bright red blood and small clots. It's normal to experience moderate to heavy flow during this time. There's lochia serosa, which is from days five to 10. And the bleeding lightens and turns pink or brown as the uterus continues to heal. Then we have lochia alba the discharge becomes yellowish or white and tapers off, signaling the end of the healing process. It's important to remember that everyone's timeline is slightly different, but the general progression should follow this pattern.
Deborah Koumoutsidis:Let's talk about how bleeding relates to the uterine healing. After the placenta detaches from the uterine wall, the site where it was attached becomes a large, open wound. The bleeding is essentially your body's way of shedding excess tissue and healing that wound. Research from the Canadian Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology highlight the importance of uterine contractions during this process. These contractions, often referred to as afterpains, help compress blood vessels and minimize bleeding. This is why breastfeeding can sometimes increase your cramping. It releases oxytocin, which stimulates uterine contractions and speeds up the healing process.
Deborah Koumoutsidis:However, certain factors can impact the healing process, such as postpartum bleeding tends to be lighter for those who've had a cesarean delivery, because some uterine lining is removed during your surgery. Some uterine lining is removed during your surgery and resuming physical activity too quickly can increase bleeding as your body redirects energy away from the healing. Understanding these connections can help you make decisions that support your recovery. So I'm one of those women who didn't understand this with my first baby and I went back to physical exercise a little too early, which caused some minor complications, but I didn't make those mistakes the second time around. It's important that we know those things.
Deborah Koumoutsidis:It's also crucial to know when bleeding might be a sign of something a little more serious. You want to call your healthcare provider if you experience any of these following things Bright red bleeding that resumes after it has already lightened. Passing clots that are larger than a golf ball or a plum. A foul smelling discharge, which could indicate an infection, heavy bleeding that soaks through one or more pads for two consecutive hours, symptoms like fever, dizziness or a racing heartbeat. And one specific concern is postpartum hemorrhage, which affects approximately one to five percent of births. In Canada, this is defined as losing more than 500 milliliters of blood after a vaginal birth or 1000 milliliters after a cesarean birth. If you suspect this, seek immediate medical attention.
Deborah Koumoutsidis:Here are some simple steps that can take your support to the next level. Rest your body needs time to recover, so avoid heavy lifting and overexertion. Hydration Staying hydrated helps to maintain good blood flow and aids in healing. Nutrition Focus on nutrient-dense foods that are rich in iron, vitamin C and protein to support tissue repair and prevent anemia. Breastfeeding If it's part of your plan. Breastfeeding can help your uterus contract and heal more quickly. And, as always, be kind to yourself. Healing takes time and every body is different. Understanding the connection between postpartum bleeding and uterine healing can give you peace of mind during recovery. Remember, lachia is a natural part of your body's healing process, but knowing what's normal and when to seek help is key. Until next time, take care and keep tending to yourself and those you love. Talk soon. Talk to you soon. Okay, let's talk soon.
