What is the ruling regarding yellow discharge and intermittent bleeding that began forty days after childbirth and the insertion of an IUD? Is prayer obligatory with this discharge, and how should one perform ghusl for it? What is the reason for its occurrence?

The maximum duration of postpartum bleeding (nifas) is forty days. Any bleeding a woman experiences after these forty days is considered istihadah (irregular bleeding), and she must observe the rules applicable to a woman in istihadah. She should refer to her previous habit (of menstruation) or rely on a valid distinction (between menstrual and non-menstrual blood). Otherwise, she should observe six or seven days, counting them as menstruation. During the period of istihadah, she is obligated to perform ablution (wudu') for each prayer and may perform as many obligatory and supererogatory prayers as she wishes, while taking precautions. The reason for this (ruling) reverts to people of experience and specialization.