I am 5 weeks postpartum as of today, and two weeks ago, my lochia was very light and brown in color. I was hoping it was just about over, but this week, and especially today, I have had a return of the bright red blood with a few small clots. I called my doctor's office last week, and they weren't overly concerned. I haven't been "soaking a pad an hour or passing clots bigger than a golf ball" as the nurse asked, but the bleeding has been heavier than what I would have for a normal period and the biggest of the clots has been about the size of a nickle. I'm beginning to get worried about it. I haven't been any more active than usual, and the heaviest thing I've lifted has been the baby in his car seat/carrier. Has anyone else had this happen? And what was the cause? Did it finally go away on its own? I'm just so tired of bleeding!!
My period after my first daughter was very irregular! I thought I'd be done and then it would 'start' again. It did eventually even out and go back to more like it was before. Unfortunately, they probably won't do anything until you've had, like, six months or so of problems. I would keep a written record in case it doesn't go back to normal, but more than likely it will...just takes time I'm afraid!
A. - This happened to me too after the birth of my 3rd baby, now 6 months old. I too called my doctor and he was not concerned. The bleeding stopped at about 6 weeks postpartum. I would say if it lasts any longer than another week to call the doctor again but I wouldn't be concerned as of yet.
Hi A.,
Doesn't it feel like payback for the nine months when you didn't have a period? It could, in fact, be something like a period. My periods after my fifth child were insane and the bleeding was heavier. The same with my second. It could be your hormones fluctuating radically. I had a full period every other week for six months after I had my second child until they put me on medication to stop it. If you are uncomfortable with it, make an appointment. If nothing else, it is worth the peace of mind. If you can't get in and are still doing this after a week then I would go into an urgent care clinic or ER to get checked out if I was still uncomfortable.
Congratulations on the baby boy!
L.
My bleeding also began to go away at about 4 weeks, and turned brown, and then came back full force and bright red for another 3 weeks! I had occasional clots, too. However, having said that, if you have a gut feeling that something is wrong, if you have unusual cramping, etc., you might want to get a second opinion. Doctors make mistakes just like everyone else, and it's better to be safe than sorry.
Your concern is understandable. I would though wonder if this is your normal period then starting. Since you called your doctor and they were not concerned I would give it a few days. If it gets worse or continues this strongly I would call back and ask to be seen.
I bled more heavily the first few weeks postpartum. It did just kind of fade off after about 4-5 weeks. I did immediately have a period though. It's been 2 years but I'm pretty sure mine was only about a week to 2 weeks after I stopped my postpartum bleeding. It was heavier & nastier than my usual periods & I think it even lasted an extra day or two. But they did straighten out and go back to normal. I wouldn't worry at this point. Of course, if you are really really concerned, call the doctor again but I think it sounds normal. Especially since it's red in color... Good luck & I promise... nobody bleeds forever after having kids. It just seems like it. LOL!
Hi A. I haven't had this problem but wanted to Congratulate you on your new baby boy.
I did basically the same thing with my latest (she's 5 mo. now). It took the longest time (like almost 2 months) to finally be done. I'd stop bleeding for like a day or two, then the next thing ya know... I wouldn't be too worried. I know the annoyingness of it for sure. You really don't have to be lifting heavy things to aggravate it. And yes, baby and car seat is probably even too much. However, we mamas can't very well help that huh! In reality we shouldn't even be climbing stairs for a good while either. I think mine lasted the longest with this one 'cause she's my third and well, there's just things you have to do with the house, other kids, etc. I'm sure it will be done soon. Oh and by the way, my sis-in-law bled on and off for 3 months!
Yes, I know exactly what you are talking about. With my first son, I barely bleed at all. With my second son I bleed for about 8-12 weeks and just like you said it would get lighter and then just when I thought it was done, boom worse than before. It did just go away eventually. Good luck and congrats on your new baby! The second one seems to go so much quicker! My second one will be one soon and it feel like I just had him!:)
I bled pretty much the entire first 6 weeks after my kids. I had huge clots too. You should be going in for your 6 week checkup says, so I'd wait until then and see what your doctor says. Remember, doctors tell you that you can bleed that entire time.
Hi A.,
I have an 11 week old and unfortunately I had bleeding for 6 weeks. Mine was the same. I thought i was done then start all over again. I found that on days when i swept the carpets or was more active the bleeding would get worse. By 6 weeks it went away for good. I only bled for 2 weeks with my first and I too was concerned and called my doctor. They told me that it could last for as long as 6 weeks and typically you will bleed more with your second child. Hang in there, 6 weeks will be here quick.
Clotting is always very scary and not to mention very inconvenient. I had a c-section and in the hospital the next day or 2 i actually passed a clot larger than a softball... I literrally thought I had lost an organ. I had my baby in May and bled regularly until the very last couple days in August!! At that point they were ready to give me a d&c to take out tissue in there to stop the bleeding. They actually gave me a pill of some sort to try to slow the bleeding down. And I think I ended up getting 2 depo shots...
After I delivered my son I hemorrhaged really bad but they got me under control that night and kept me an extra day in the hospital, after that man oh man was it on! I was bleeding clots the size of the palm of my hand. They kept telling me I was just trying to work through my first period. I hemorrhaged about 3 times at home and went to the hospital each time. I even had an emergency DNC done after the first 2 times and that did not help either I still hemorrhaged once after that. Finally it was just like all of a sudden the faucet turned off.... it is just something that your body has to go through to get back to normal if there is anything such as being normal after having a baby :-)LOL! I hope this helps and congrats on your new addition!
Hi A.,
My OBGYN told me his wife was still bleeding at her 6 week check up. He said that some women bleed longer than others. He also said a vaginal birth bleeds longer than a c-section (b/c they can clean out the uterus after a c-section).
Good luck!
Are you breastfeeding? If not, you could have already gotten your period back. Actually, there's a small chance that even if you are nursing it's your period, but it's rare that early. But many women who don't have the natural hormonal suppression through nursing start ovulation within 4 weeks and have their first period soon after their lochia ends.
Unfortunately, it's normal. Your body is cleaning itself out, so to speak. It will go away on it's own in time. I know it's not much comfort, sorry :( You'll be going for your 6 week check soon, bring it up at your appt.
