I had my baby 11 Sep via c-section and I am still bleeding. I go from bright red blood for a few days similar flow to menstrual cycle then a few days of dark brownish blood with light flow. Is this normal and when should I finally stop bleeding? I am nursing if that makes a difference. My first child was born naturally so a totally different experience than this.
I bled for about 12 weeks after my C-section, on & off. But once it finally stopped, I didn't get a period until DD was 18 months old.
A. :)
I am currently putting together a prenatal, postpartum, and infant care class where I address issues just like this. From my handout:
Now that baby has arrived, you are probably waiting for your body to begin to go back to normal. Well, your body is on its way, but "normal" may take some time to achieve. For the first few weeks, for instance, you will have to deal with postpartum bleeding. Postpartum bleeding is a completely normal part of the postpartum period and, for the most part, goes away on its own. However, bleeding during the postpartum period can sometimes indicate underlying health complications.
Many women do not know that you bleed postpartum for several weeks after having a baby. Lochia is the name given to postpartum bleeding. Whether you have a vaginal delivery or a c-section, you will shed the lining of your uterus, expel blood, mucous, and tissue for several weeks after give birth. The flow and length of time this takes depends on how active you are, what type of birth you had, and whether or not there were complications such as tearing. Lochia is very similar to the bleeding you experience during your menstrual period, however, it is much heavier. It typically begins in the hours immediately following birth and usually continues for up to 6 weeks after birth but in some women may last longer.
Postpartum bleeding can sometimes be annoying to contend with, however, there are some ways to make the going easier:
* Rest as much as you can, and avoid excess standing and walking (this will exacerbate the blood flow).
* Use heavy duty maxi pads to soak up the blood.
* Do not use tampons for at least six weeks after pregnancy. Tampons can introduce bacteria in to the vagina and uterus, causing infection.
Warning Signs
Typically, lochia is not the result of any health complication and will end on its own when your body is ready. However, some women do experience problems with their postpartum bleeding. If you experience any of the following signs, call your health care provider or visit your nearest emergency room:
1.bright red discharge for more than seven days after birth
2.discharge that smells bad
3.fever and chills
4.abnormally heavy bleeding (in which a maxi pad is soaked in less than one hour)
See your physician. It is always best to make sure there is no medical reason for the bleeding.
hi C.,
i also delivered via c-section and had a similar experience /c the bleeding. for me, i had this variation of light-to-heavy bleeding over an 8-week period - it ended about the time i finally started to heal at the incision site. my ob told me that this was a part of the uterus continuing to shrink (/c the help of nursing) and it was a natural process after an average c-section.
i hope you feel better soon *
Are you doing to much? sometimes our body will let us know if we are tring to do to much after surgery. If not sometimes you can bleed up to 6-7 weeks but it is usually just like a period. The bright red bleeding is not always normal so I would either call my OB dr or watch and see what Iam doing before.
My first baby was also born vaginally and my next two were c-sections and I bled a lot more with the second two (not sure why). I remember with my second child (first c-section), I was extremely worried because the bleeding would be very different, just like you described, and it took a long time to stop (a few months). I had two miscarriages inbetween my first two babies, so I was worried my body was shutting down or something, but I found out that it's actually pretty normal. I ended up calling my doctor's nurse. This way I didn't have the drag the little ones in just to hear that everything was ok. I do believe that if anything else should change (fever, dizziness, etc.), you should go in right away.
Also, congrats on getting stationed together with your hubby. Thank you both and your entire family for your service!
If you are still bleeding over 1 month later, you should probably contact your doctor. I recall bleeding for a few days after my c-section, but nothing nearly as long as what you are experiencing. You should contact a physician to make sure everything is okay.
I bled like that for 10 or 12 weeks after my C-section, stopped for a week and then had a regular cycle. My OBGYN wasn't concerned, but ask your doctor to make sure. I didn't nurse the whole time and am not sure if that makes a difference.
J.
I never had a c section, but if it isnt red, seems iron'y to me. Should consult at least a nurse. Your hospital er should have an ask a nurse. When you call, just say, er please, then a nurse will answer, and you could ask them. Especially if your nursing, if your getting to much iron, you wouldnt want baby to get too much either. Id definatly call and ask.
I had two singleton natural births and then a twin birth; first one natural second one c-section, so my experience might be slightly different. I felt like I was going to bleed forever! I breast fed also and it causes your uterus to contract which will increase the flow (one of the benefits to it for me was once I stopped bleeding, for the eight months I was able to breast feed my twins I didn't have a period, YAY!). It really depends on how much of a lining your body built up that needs to be sloughed off. I would not be too concerned about three to five weeks of bleeding. When you go in for your six week post partum checkup if you still have concerns speak with your doctor then, I remember I was still spotting and wearing a pad at mine. I hope this helps with some of your concern. :)
hi there C.: So sorry to read about your difficulty, If I remember correctly, you have approx. 2 months of bleeding is the usual experience. /while I am not happy like you about your condition I would wait a little bit longer. In the meanwhile no green leafy vegetables because they stop your clotting factor.
Anywhere from 4-8 weeks of bleeding is normal. It will change color and consistency over time. If, after 8 full weeks you are still bleeding heavily you will need to be evaluated by your OB.
M
All bleeding should stop by 3-6 weeks postpartum, no matter how you had the baby. You should give your doctor a call. Unless you started your period again already, there should be no bright red blood at this point...or any blood for that matter.
