Differences in Puerperal Blood & Menstrual Blood

April 30, 2023By Nona Woman

Knowing the difference between postpartum blood and menstrual blood is important for every woman. The reason is, the two are often equated even though they actually have different characteristics. Postpartum blood (or puerperal blood) and menstrual blood can also provide important information about the health condition of a woman's body.

Therefore, in this article we will discuss in detail the differences between puerperal blood and menstrual blood and how to recognize each of these blood types. So you can better understand the condition of your body and take the right steps to maintain health. Keep reading this article to find out the important differences between these two types of bleeding!

Differences in Puerperal and Menstrual Blood

Puerperal bleeding and menstrual bleeding can be distinguished in several ways. Among the ways to distinguish it can be seen from:

Occurrence Time
If you have just given birth, you must be familiar with the terms puerperal blood and menstrual blood. In the world of health, these two blood types have significant differences. Puerperal blood consists of remnants of pregnancy tissue, blood, and mucus that comes out of the uterus after delivery. Usually, the puerperium will last 4-6 weeks after the birth of the baby. However, you should still pay attention to the condition of your body and consult a doctor if there are excessive complaints.

Meanwhile, menstrual blood appears after the postpartum period stops and only lasts for 3-7 days. Even though the duration of menstrual blood is shorter than the puerperium, not all women experience menstruation regularly. There are several factors that can affect the menstrual cycle, such as stress, unhealthy eating patterns, and genetic factors.
Blood Color
In the first three days after delivery, puerperal blood will appear with a very striking fresh red color. However, until the 19th day, the color of puerperal blood will turn brownish and can be mixed with white cells and tissue debris.

Usually, after the 10th day, the mother will start seeing a whitish discharge known as lochia. Unlike puerperal blood, menstrual blood also starts with a fresh red color. However, the color of menstrual blood will turn darker, such as dark red, black, or brown towards the end of the menstrual period. Don't worry, this discoloration is normal in a woman's body.

When a woman undergoes a Cesarean delivery, the amount of postpartum blood that comes out tends to be less than a normal delivery. However, the duration of the bleeding may last from several weeks to a full month. In addition, the color of puerperal blood in mothers who give birth by Cesarean section will usually change from red, to brown, yellow, and finally clear. This is normal for women who have had cesarean deliveries.

Things to Do When Puerperal Blood Comes Out

After giving birth, maintaining the health and cleanliness of the vaginal area is very important for a mother to avoid infection during the recovery period. It is important for mothers to use the right pads when experiencing postpartum bleeding, such as disposable organic pads from Nona Woman. Available in four sizes, namely panty liner, regular flow, heavy flow, and overnight flow.

Nona Woman's organic pads are designed to be thin, hypoallergenic and highly absorbent to prevent leakage. Made from organic USA cotton and free of chlorine, white dyes, artificial fragrances, parabens, and SES, these organic pads are also environmentally friendly by using recycled paper as their packaging. In addition to using the right pads, maintaining cleanliness is also very important. Always wash your hands before and after changing pads to prevent the spread of bacteria.

In addition, postponing intercourse with your husband until the bleeding is over and paying attention to the volume of blood that comes out and the condition of the body is a good way to speed up recovery after giving birth. If the mother experiences excessive bleeding or shows suspicious symptoms, immediately go to the hospital to find out the cause. By maintaining health and taking proper care, mothers can recover quickly after giving birth.