How long does yellow discharge last after pregnancy?

After having a baby, you may have some type of vaginal discharge for six to eight weeks. In the first few days after giving birth, it is normal to bleed, similar to a heavy period, followed by light bleeding or spotting for up to two weeks. During this time, the discharge may be light red, pink or brown in color.

Eventually, the light spotting may turn into a creamy white or yellow discharge. This discharge is caused by white blood cells that are working to heal the lining of the uterus. It is normal for this type of yellow discharge to last for an additional two to four weeks. It may be heavier in the mornings or while breastfeeding.

This process is happening because the body is shedding the mucous membrane that lined the uterus during pregnancy. It also helps the uterus return to its normal size.

Do not use tampons

When experiencing bleeding or yellow discharge after giving birth, you should use only pads. Do not use tampons. Tampons can cause infections or damage the vagina while it is healing. The hospital should provide patients with heavy-duty pads to use for the first few days. Nothing should go inside the vagina for at least six weeks after giving birth.

When should I be worried about discharge after giving birth?

Bloody or yellow discharge after birth may have an odor similar to menstrual blood. However, the discharge should not smell foul or fishy. If your discharge has a foul odor, you may have an infection and should contact your provider.

Also contact your provider if you are still bleeding heavily one week after giving birth or your bleeding has slowed down or stopped and suddenly starts again.

Get emergency help right away if:

• You have sudden, extremely heavy bleeding (soaking a pad within an hour and/or passing large blood clots).
• Your bleeding is accompanied by a fever, pelvic pain or tenderness.

The post Is it normal to have yellow discharge after birth? appeared first on Norton Healthcare.

In March 2019, Abbey learned she was pregnant. She worked with Kathryn Kersting, M.D.,  OB/GYN with Advocates for Women’s Health, a Part of Norton Women’s Care, during her entire pregnancy, including delivery. Abbey called her pregnancy “textbook,” with no issues. She knew she wanted to breastfeed, but as she did research about it, she began to feel anxious.

“I would read things, and I was like — I know I want to breastfeed, but I’m just going to wing it, and I’ll get there when I get there,” Abbey said.

Breastfeeding journey uncovers tongue-tie issue

According to Abbey, daughter Adalynn was born in November 2019 without complications, at Norton Women’s & Children’s Hospital. Abbey began her breastfeeding journey soon after. Adalynn had trouble latching on one side, so lactation consultant Natalie Brown, R.N., IBCLC, RLC, worked with Abbey to address the issue.

“She helped me learn how to use the nipple shield,” Abbey said.

Abbey went home from the hospital feeling confident about breastfeeding. However, she was experiencing a lot of pain. She had never planned to pump, as she wanted to nurse exclusively, but in talking to Adalynn’s pediatrician, they suggested that Abbey pump and offer Adalynn pumped milk afterward to see how much she would take. In doing so, Abbey said she experienced an overflow of breastmilk.

“I thought everything was fine,” Abbey said. “But I was in a lot of pain, and I thought that’s how it was supposed to be, without having done this before. Two weeks after Adalynn was born, I went to my OB to get checked, and she saw what my nipples looked like. They looked like they had holes. And she was like, ‘Oh my gosh, no! This isn’t right.’”

Abbey’s obstetrician referred her to lactation consultant Tina Martin, LPN, IBCLC, RLC. Tina performed a functional  breastfeeding assessment and weighed Adalynn before and after a feeding to see how much milk she took in. In working with Tina, Abbey learned Adalynn was experiencing breastfeeding difficulties from a posterior tongue-tie. A tongue-tie, also called ankyloglossia, is fairly common, affecting about 5% of newborns. A tongue-tie is more common in boys and frequently runs in families.

With a tongue-tie, the frenulum (stringlike tissue that attaches the tongue to the floor of the mouth) is tight, short or thick and can impede the tongue’s movement. The tongue can be  prevented from sticking out past the gums, look heart-shaped, or have difficulty  lifting up to the hard palate. A tongue-tie can pose issues for breastfeeding, because a baby may not be able to open their mouth wide or extend the tongue enough to adequately cup the breast tissue. Also, the tongue’s tightness may keep the baby from doing the necessary movement required to create a vacuum for removal of milk from the breast.

“In December, we got her tongue clipped. I remember the doctor telling me, ‘You might not notice a difference right away; it sometimes it takes a few weeks to see a difference because they’re not used to it, they have to exercise it,’” Abbey said. “At first, I didn’t notice a difference, except she kept making this clicking sound even more because she didn’t know what to do with her tongue. But soon after, she was a completely different baby, just amazing at nursing.”

In January 2020, Abbey returned to see Tina.

“She showed me exercises that I can do to help [Adalynn] figure out what to do with her tongue,” Abbey said. “And I mentioned to her that I wanted to wean off of the pump. So we talked and she told me to just cut out one pumping session at a time and go longer periods between pumping. I did that, and it took me two months to completely wean off of the pump, where I was exclusively nursing. And I got to donate 3,000 ounces that I had stored that [Adalynn] didn’t use. I was able to finally exclusively nurse without the pump, and her tongue-tie was fixed.”

While weaning off of the pump, Abbey needed extra support as she became concerned about a suspected clogged milk duct or mastitis.

“I got my first clogged duct, and I woke up at four o’clock in the morning with it, and I was freaking out thinking it was mastitis,” Abbey said. “I called my OB/GYN office’s after-hours line and I spoke to Regina Mash APRN, CNM, certified nurse midwife with Advocates for Women’s Health] for 15 or 20 minutes. She suggested that I try gravity nursing, where you kind of go over top of [the baby] and let her do it. And the clogged duct was gone within 30 minutes. I remember I talked to Tina pretty late one night because I thought that I was getting a fever or a clogged duct at one point. You can call in the middle of the night and talk to somebody if you need to, which is an amazing comfort.”

For other mothers, Abbey suggests finding out what your OB/GYN’s office offers in terms of lactation consulting.

“It was a support system for me,” Abbey said. “Everyone’s different, and some people have issues and others don’t. Know what resources there are to help you, so that if you need that help in the middle of the night, you can get it.”

Adalynn is approaching her second birthday, and according to her mother is very independent.

“She started crawling at 5 months old, and ever since then when she learned she could do things herself, she just goes,” Abbey said. “She won’t touch a bottle, so I think weaning her might pose a challenge. I’m definitely not complaining; it’s what I wanted.”

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Monitoring your health during this period is important because pregnancy can increase your risk for conditions that will build up over the years and can become life-threatening. Increased potential for stroke, cardiovascular disease and Type 2 diabetes can be traced back to pregnancy.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as many as 50,000 women experience severe unexpected issues because of pregnancy, and 700 women a year die as a result of pregnancy or pregnancy-related complications.

“Women can have complications from childbirth up to a year after delivery,” said Lyndsey D. Neese, M.D., obstetrician and medical director of quality for women’s services at Norton Healthcare. “Women also can experience long-term health consequences related to their pregnancy.”

For women who experience preterm delivery, gestational diabetes, hypertension or preeclampsia during pregnancy, there is a greater risk for arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease. The build-up of fats, cholesterol and other substances in and on the artery walls can break free into the bloodstream, causing strokes and heart attacks.

A study by researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health found that around 40% of women did not attend a visit with their medical provider after childbirth.

“It’s incredibly important that women attend their postpartum visit with their medical provider,” Dr. Neese said. “We actually call this the ‘fourth trimester,’ and during this visit we can look at any potential issues and set up additional exams as needed.”

Postpartum complications to watch for

The CDC’s Hear Her campaign lists symptoms women and their families should look for up to a year after childbirth:

• Severe headache that won’t go away or gets worse
• Dizziness and/or fainting
• Vision changes such as seeing spots or blurred vision
• Fever over 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit
• Swelling in hands that makes it hard for you to bend fingers; swelling in face that makes it hard to open your eyes or your lips and mouth are swollen
• Swelling or pain in your leg that may be red, swollen or warm. You may or may not be able to stand or walk.
• Thinking about hurting yourself or your baby
• Trouble breathing or tightness in chest and/or throat
• Chest pain in the center of your chest or that travels to your back, neck or arm
• Fast heartbeat
• Throwing up (more than you would during morning sickness) and unable to drink anything for more than eight hours or eat anything for more than 24 hours
• Sharp and/or sudden stomach pain that gets worse or doesn’t go away
• Vaginal bleeding or discharge
• Extreme tiredness that may come on suddenly

The post Unexpected health issues after pregnancy can have long-term consequences appeared first on Norton Healthcare.

Jan. 23 has been set aside to educate the community and reduce maternal mortality statewide. The alarming rate of maternal mortality and the racial gap in pregnancy loss and pregnancy-related deaths are nationwide public health concerns.

Norton Women’s Care has joined the effort to help ensure every expectant parent has a healthy pregnancy and delivery and can be assured that if issues arise they will have the appropriate medical treatment.

Among the steps Norton Women’s Care has taken to improve outcomes while reducing maternal morbidity and mortality:

• An ongoing initiative to reduce Cesarean sections.
• Hemorrhage carts located in labor and delivery and mother and baby units
• Norton Maternal Opiate and Substance Treatment (MOST) Program
• Drills with new, state-of-the-art patient simulator “Victoria” for all obstetrics staff and providers focusing on obstetric emergencies
• Implementation of emergency obstetric hypertension and hemorrhage protocols and supplies at Norton Healthcare facilities where there is not a labor and delivery unit
• Partnership with Park DuValle Community Health Center to provide quality OB/GYN care in underserved areas

Norton Healthcare’s childbirth quality report is also available online.

The post Kentucky sets Maternal Health Awareness Day in effort to reduce pregnancy-related deaths appeared first on Norton Healthcare.

“Soreness in the vaginal area usually will begin to ease over six to 12 weeks after birth,” said Kenneth J. Payne, M.D., OB/GYN with Norton OB/GYN Associates. “Change your pads promptly and often. Be extra careful to wash your hands before and after to reduce the chance of infection. If you have concerns, please contact your provider.”

To ease discomfort while you’re healing:

• Soak in warm water a few times per day. This can be in a tub or a sitz bath — a round, shallow basin that fits over the toilet seat. Warm water alone will boost the blood flow around the affected area, promoting healing.

If approved by your provider, Epsom salts, witch hazel, vinegar or baking soda can be added to the water to reduce itching and inhibit bacterial growth.

• Sit on a pillow or padded ring.
• Take any nonsteroidal medications, such as ibuprofen, as prescribed by your provider.
• Use a squeeze bottle to pour warm water on your perineum after you urinate.
• Placing a chilled witch hazel pad between a pad and the wound will decrease discomfort.
• Talk to your doctor about using over-the-counter pain relievers, or a numbing spray  (Dermoplast).

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Waiting at least six weeks after childbirth to have sexual intercourse is best. You’ll need to get clearance from your provider, because there are risks to having sexual intercourse too soon after giving birth.

Having sex too soon increases the risk of hemorrhage and uterine infection. A cesarean section is major surgery, and your body will need at least six weeks — and likely eight weeks — to heal.

Give your body time to heal after giving birth

Any vaginal tears, especially those repaired surgically, will need time to heal. Regardless of the time frame, you should wait until postpartum discharge has stopped before resuming sexual intercourse.

Postpartum discharge typically lasts about two weeks and is initially mostly bleeding from the area where the placenta detached from the uterus. It also contains tissue from the uterus, as well as bacteria.

It’s quite normal to be fatigued and to experience vaginal dryness, pain and low sexual desire after giving birth.

Be alert to insomnia, severe mood swings, loss of appetite, overwhelming fatigue and a loss of interest or pleasure. These could be signs of postpartum depression. Contact your provider if you experience these symptoms.

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Worrying about a new baby is normal. Is she eating enough? Is he sleeping too much? Germs!

And you’re not going to get enough sleep.

Does the worry consume you? Are you able to sleep when baby sleeps? Are you having panic attacks? Are you fearful something will happen to baby? Do disturbing images pop in your mind?

It’s important not to dismiss postpartum anxiety symptoms or confuse them with the slew of changes your body goes through after birth.

If you feel you are having anxiety-related symptoms that are causing you difficulty, this may be postpartum anxiety.

“Having a baby is a time of transition. Some situational anxiety is not uncommon,” said Amanda B. Hettinger, M.D., psychiatrist with Norton Women’s Mental Health Services. “However, if this is causing more disruption in your daily activities and does not feel like it is getting better, I would highly recommend being evaluated. Treatment can be very helpful.”

Postpartum anxiety symptoms can include:

• Constant worry or nervousness
• Insomnia and fatigue
• Extreme attention to the baby
• Disrupted appetite
• Dizziness, hot flashes, vomiting or nausea
• Thoughts of catastrophic events or worry regarding the future
• Distraction; inability to concentrate

New moms who have previously experienced mental health symptoms may notice their symptoms worsen after delivery. New anxiety-related symptoms after childbirth could include panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder.

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How Substance Abuse Affects Pregnancy

Before talking to your loved one about substance use disorder, learn about how alcohol or drugs affect pregnancy for both mother and her baby. With that information, you can begin to have a dialogue and say that you want to help your loved one have a healthy, happy pregnancy.

When a woman is pregnant and has substance use disorder, the baby can be affected by those substances as well. A baby whose mother was using opiates (such as heroin or oxycodone) while pregnant may experience symptoms including:

• Pain
• Screaming
• Excessive sucking
• Tremors
• Agitation
• Seizures

If a woman is dependent on alcohol, the newborn may experience fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS). It can cause slow growth, facial abnormalities and brain disorders, including developmental disabilities. Newborns with NAS or FAS require specialized care in the hospital.

Substance use during pregnancy can lead to:

• Miscarriage
• Premature birth
• Baby with low birth weight
• A child with behavioral issues
• Neonatal abstinence syndrome
• Fetal alcohol syndrome
• A lifetime of learning disabilities for the child
• A child who struggles with substance dependence throughout life

How to Get Help for a Pregnant Loved One

Pregnancy provides an important opportunity for friends, family and OB/GYN physicians to identify a substance abuse issue in women and get them help. Women with substance use disorder can face a lot of challenges in getting the help they need for both substance use and pregnancy. Support is critical, because perceived stigma may discourage these women from seeking care.

You can help a loved one by having a conversation. While it may a difficult conversation, you can help provide the support your loved one needs to find help. Here are some steps you could follow to frame and start the conversation:

• If possible, find the window of time that she is able to listen and not under the influence, but not in active withdrawal, to have the best chance of an effective conversation.
• Try to remain in a supportive role, speaking on the benefits and how treatment will make her feel better, protect the baby and reduce her feelings of fear and guilt.
• Instill hope in her and explain that you know of specialized services offered for women experiencing pregnancy and substance use disorder.

Treatment services designed specifically for pregnant women can be hard to find. Many programs to treat substance use disorder may be reluctant to accept pregnant women, partly due to lack of knowledge about pregnancy and the unborn baby’s development. Norton Healthcare has a program specifically designed for pregnant women who find themselves in need of specialized care and support. The Norton Maternal Opiate and Substance Treatment (MOST) program offers knowledgeable, supportive staff members who are skilled in caring for pregnant women with substance use disorder and their babies.

The Norton MOST Program offers:

• Individualized care catered to each woman’s needs, along with access to community resources and ongoing support to promote parenting and long-term sobriety
• Compassionate care focused on the health and well-being of both you and your baby
• Education about the possible dangers of using alcohol or illegal substances during pregnancy and how to the prevent them

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