Lochiometer after childbirth and cesarean section: signs, treatment
Lochiometer is the postpartum accumulation and retention in the uterine cavity of lochia - secretions consisting of blood, mucus and disintegrated organic structures. This accumulation of secretion provokes an increase in the uterus, hyperthermia and abdominal pain. Uterine scraping is often required to eliminate the lochiometer.
Causes of occurrence
Occurrence of lochiometer after childbirth, treatment and prevention of this condition are among the most pressing issues for pregnant women and women in labor.
After childbirth, a large number of cellular elements of blood (leukocytes and erythrocytes), its liquid part (plasma) and lymph are found in the uterine cavity. After a few days, blood clots and fragments of the decidual membrane become loose and form lochia. Normally, such a secret should be secreted from the uterine cavity into the vagina, then to the outside. The reasons why it ceases to flow actively are mechanical:
- obstacles on the path of secretions;
- deterioration of the contractile activity of the myometrium.
Mechanical obstacles in the way of secretions and the reason for the occurrence of lochiometer can be:
- bends of the uterus in the area of the neck;
- blood clots that block the cervical canal;
- fragments of the decidual membrane;
- detached uterine mucosa.
Poor excretion of secretions indicates a lochiometer - symptoms in the form of abdominal pain are observed later.
The uterus contracts worse under the following circumstances:
- large fruit;
- multiple fruits;
- multiple waters;
- violation of the coordination of labor activity.
Lochiometer after caesarean section appears for the same reasons.
Also, lochiometra can develop with prolonged bed rest and reduced physical activity after childbirth.
Lochiometer signs
Delayed secretions are diagnosed mostly 5-6 days after childbirth - the woman notes that secretions from the uterus have decreased or disappeared. At the same time, the following clinical signs are observed:
- increasing the size of the uterus;
- pains in the lower abdomen of a cramp-like nature;
- discharges from the vagina of a cloudy nature, which have an unpleasant smell.
There are also lochiometer signs that indicate a worsening of the general condition:
- increase in body temperature to 38-40 degrees Celsius;
- palpitations;
- slackness.
Diagnostics
It is not difficult to determine this pathology by the poor discharge of secretions from the uterus in the postpartum period, abdominal pain, and a violation of the general condition of the woman in labor. But the lochiometer after childbirth and cesarean section sometimes needs to be confirmed using additional research methods.
During a gynecological examination, the following are found:
- increased in size, the uterus has a dense elastic consistency and painful sensations in it;
- closure (full or partial) of the internal pharynx.
During the ultrasound examination, it turns out that the uterine cavity is enlarged, blood clots and biological secretions are detected in it.
Complications
In addition to knowing the symptoms of lochiometer after childbirth, you should remember the possibility of complications of the pathology - most often it is:
- metroendometriosis – a combined inflammatory lesion of the mucous and muscular membranes of the uterus;
- pyometra is a purulent variant of lochiometer;
- intoxication syndrome – poisoning of the body by the decomposition products of lochia that have accumulated in the uterine cavity.
Treatment
Lochiometers are based on the following purposes:
- ice on the lower abdomen (for several hours with breaks);
- lying on the stomach two or three times a day;
- spasmolytic agents - to relax the uterine cavity;
- uterotonics - to stimulate contraction of the uterus;
- antibiotics - to prevent infectious complications.
The same methods are used in the treatment of lochiometra after cesarean section.
If there is no improvement within 2-3 days, the accumulated uterine contents are removed with a curette or a vacuum device.
If an advanced purulent process has developed, in severe cases it may be an indication for hysterectomy - removal of the uterus.
Lochiometer prevention after childbirth
Lochiometers are important in prevention:
- proper preparation for childbirth;
- constant monitoring of the general condition of the woman and the intensity of secretions in the postpartum period;
- postpartum gymnastics.
Observation should be continued even after the woman in labor has been discharged from the maternity home.
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