Final answer:
Blood loss during vaginal delivery varies and includes the potential of perineal tears, while blood loss from a C-section involves surgical incisions. Following both types of delivery, women experience a postpartum discharge called lochia. The body prepares for blood loss by increasing blood volume during pregnancy.
Step-by-step explanation:
The amount of blood loss during vaginal delivery can vary from that of a Caesarean section. During a vaginal delivery, blood loss commonly results from stretching and potential tearing of the vaginal canal, cervix, and perineum. In the postpartum period, regardless of the delivery method, women experience a discharge known as lochia, which passes through three stages: lochia rubra, lochia serosa, and lochia alba. A Caesarian section (C-section), being major abdominal surgery, might have its own range of blood loss, along with potential post-surgical complications.
During the afterbirth stage, the placenta is delivered, which also contributes to blood loss. This stage may last from a few minutes to a half hour. Postpartum uterine contractions help to limit the bleeding following placenta detachment. Increased blood volume during pregnancy, by as much as 30 percent or approximately 1-2 liters, serves to manage the demands of both fetal nourishment and waste removal, as the blood volume helps to mitigate the effects of blood loss during delivery.