Diapers in the postpartum period
What is the placenta and what does it have to do with the afterbirth?
During pregnancy, a completely new organ has formed in your body: the placenta. After birth, this is no longer needed because its only function was to care for your child. During a vaginal birth, the placenta is expelled and born as the uterus contracts (afterpains). After a Caesarean section, the placenta, like the baby, is brought out through the abdominal wall. The placenta is about the size of a human hand and is fused to the wall of your uterus.
What is the placental attachment site?
No matter how it comes out, the placenta leaves a fairly large wound in the uterus, which initially bleeds heavily. This is where the placenta is attached.
What is lochia and what does it consist of?
The blood from this wound at the placenta's attachment point is the main component of the lochia in the first few days. The lochia, or lochia in Latin, accompanies you for several weeks during the postpartum period. It can be used to determine, among other things, how much your uterus has already shrunk. For example, after just three weeks the wound is only about three centimeters wide and the heavy bleeding turns into a lighter discharge.
What does the lochia look like?
In the first few days after birth, the lochia is very heavy and cannot be compared to a normal period. It is possible that solid pieces of clotted blood, known as clots, may even come out - but this is completely normal and no cause for concern.
To absorb this heavy flow, you need special pads for the postpartum period: fleece diapers. These pads are particularly large and very absorbent. Their core is made of fluffy cotton and, unlike normal period pads, they are not coated with plastic on the back to guarantee maximum air circulation.
Why should air get to my vulva after birth?
This is important so that the air can circulate well around your vulva, so birth injuries can heal faster and the risk of bacterial infection is reduced. The absorbent core of the weeks organic fleece diapers is made of 100% organic cotton, which is grown without pesticides or chemical fertilizers and bleached without chlorine or dioxin. They absorb up to 175 milliliters of liquid and provide you with optimal protection during the postpartum period.
Postpartum app
The weeks postpartum app is your resource for the postpartum period. With a tutorial on preparation, daily information after the birth, contraction and breastfeeding trackers and practical checklists, we support you through the first period after the birth.