Postpartum lochia refers to the discharge of blood, necrotic decidual tissue, and other materials from the uterus through the vagina following childbirth, where the decidual lining at the site of placental attachment is shed. Typically, the lochia is red and relatively abundant for the first 4 to 5 days after childbirth; after a week, the volume of lochia gradually decreases and turns brown; after ten days, the color becomes lighter, slowly transitioning from yellow to white, without a distinctive odor. Lochia usually disappears within 4 to 6 weeks postpartum. Postpartum lochia that does not cease indicates that lochia is still present beyond a month after childbirth, with abnormal color and odor.
Qi deficiency type: Lochia does not cease after more than 3 weeks postpartum, with a pale color and no odor, pale complexion, fatigue and lack of energy, poor appetite with loose stools; pale tongue, thin coating, and a fine and weak pulse.
Blood heat type: Lochia does not stop after more than 3 weeks postpartum, with varying amounts, sometimes with blood clots, dark purple in color, lower abdominal pain and distension; the tongue is dark purple or has purplish spots, and the pulse is fine and choppy.
Blood stasis type: Lochia does not cease after more than 3 weeks postpartum, with varying amounts, resembling the color of soy sauce, accompanied by a foul odor, lower abdominal pain and tenderness that worsens with pressure, persistent low-grade fever, dry mouth with little desire to drink, and dark yellow urine; the tongue coating is yellow and greasy or thin yellow, and the pulse is fine and rapid.
It is recommended to perform moxibustion once a day, targeting 2 to 3 acupoints each time, with each acupoint being treated for 30 to 40 minutes. Rotate the points treated, with a 10-day period constituting one course of treatment, and then rest for 2 to 3 days before continuing with the next course. (If time permits and there is a need, more acupoints can be treated with moxibustion. The specific duration should be adjusted according to one's own physical needs.)
1. Maintain cleanliness of the perineal area with warm water sitz baths every evening. 2. Be cautious with raw, cold, and spicy foods. The diet should be light and nutritious. Those with Qi deficiency may consume chicken soup, longan soup, and jujube soup, etc. For those with blood heat, fresh lotus root, pears, cucumbers, watermelon, and tomatoes are recommended. 3. Dietary therapy recipe: Hawthorn Motherwort Paste, raw hawthorn 30 grams, motherwort 50 grams, peppermint 15 grams, add 500 milliliters of water, decoct until it is reduced to 400 milliliters, remove residue, add 800 grams of brown sugar, and make it into a paste. Take 15 grams each time, twice a day for 10 days continuously. This paste is especially suitable for the blood stasis type of persistent lochia.