blood loss after birth, what is normal?

[TwoBlue]

Hi all

As many of you know i had my second little boy on the 25th November...

I dont remember how long is normal to keep bleeding after the birth..
it is now almost 2 weeks and not only has my loss not slowed down but if anything its getting heavier ??
Is this normal??
Should i see my doc about it or how long should i wait before i check if its ok...?

Thanks for any advice

[drewid]

Hi there

It varies for everyone, I think I was told anywhere up to 6 weeks. Definitely 2 weeks is still quite normal, and still normal to still be heavy as well. I seem to recall that mine seemed to drift off over a day or two and then got heavier and then disappeared. So maybe you are nearing the end? Fingers crossed for you anyway. It sure is a nuisance!

I don't think you should worry yet, perhaps if it stays heavy for another week then I might ask the question.

[stormanet]

heya nic :) congratulations :)

Look If you are at all concerned I'd phone your doc to check. That's what they are there for.

K

[Crazy Monkey]

I had my after birth bleed for about 4-5 weeks... It too was heavy, then light, then heavy again... I spent the day at my hospital with the lactation consultants and asked them about it and they said as long as it doesn't have an off odor, it is OK...

I wouldnt worry too much at the moment, but if you are concerned, get in contact with your hospital, OB or GP...

[WeThree]

i always bleed heavily after giving birth, and i find with each one it worse. if you are concerned, or are still having a bit of clotting with it, go see your doc cause it may be that some of the placenta has not come away which can be dangerous, 'speciallt if you are feleing a bit sick, feverish etc (im just saying for your own peace of mind, im sure its not that, not trying to worry you :) )

[Lallas' Mum]

Hi Samsmum,

Congrats on the birth firstly.
Everyone is different of course but I found just like some of the other Mums that my bleeding varied in flow for about 4-5 weeks with both my children. Apparantly as your uterus keeps contracting down it can push more blood out as it contracts which is why the flow varies sometimes. The other thing that can happen is you can have your period return which can also increase the flow again. (That isn't too common though).
The thing to really watch for as mentioned by coopsntilly is fever or flu-like symptoms or any clots (large chunks of blood) being passed. This can indicate that some of the placenta may still being inside which can lead to infection.

It is always best to have these things checked - just to be sure. It also makes you feel so much more relaxed to know for sure that all is fine.

[Kassiasmum]

Hi there,
Firstly congrats. As the others have said, it varies for every person. As well as the fever/flu like symptoms, as someone else said, keep an eye out for any odour as this means you have an infection. I had this but no other symptoms. Follow what you think is right for you, I was still bleeding heavily and clotting at 6 weeks, went back to the hospital twice only to be told that I had my period, which I knew was wrong, ended up going private and had retained membraines. Who knows what would have happened if I hadn't seen a private ob.

Good luck and follow your instincts.
Tracey

[Shazbutt]

Mine went on for 6 -7 weeks after having both my girls.....it'd get lighter for a few days then come back bright red and heavy again, and then slow again....i got worried at first, but apparently its quite normal. Like the other mums said, as long as you have no other symptoms and no clots, then you should be right....

It sure makes up for those 9 period-free months doesn't it!! :rolleyes:

[Terrible2+1cutie]

Anywhere up to 6 weeks is normal, i bled though on and off for about 4 months and ended up getting tablets from the doctor to control my bleeding, if you are concerned though see your doctor.

Catherine

[jaydensmum]

Its different for everyone with how much blood you lose. Normally the bleeding goes for about 6-8wks after birth. It can vary though. I had bleeding for 7wks after birth. Its really heavy the first couple of weeks then its starts to lighten a bit. It goes from being a very heavy period to a heavy period, normal period, light period then a very light period to nothing. Im trying to describe what the flow is like by comparing it to a period. Sorry if ive confused you even more. From what it sounds like everything sounds normal to me. If you are worried about it, go to your doctor or the babys health clinic for advice. Like everyone has said its important to note if you are having clots. Its normal to have little ones for a while but not when they are big. If that happens then ring up the hospital for advice.

jaydensmum

[TwoBlue]

thanks all for your advice

it sounds like all is normal right now,only small clots if any and no odour or flu like symptoms and at least i know to look out for that now

like shazbutt said sure makes up for 9 "bleed free" months :rolleyes:

[Angelmist♥]

like shazbutt said sure makes up for 9 "bleed free" months :rolleyes:

Exactly, as if you don't have enough to worry about with a new bub, you get to leak from just about every place in your body as well ;)

[draught]

Tracey
i was just going to add that I found I bleed a lot more after DD2 than after DD1 so that might be another factor to take into account.

[TwoBlue]

Exactly, as if you don't have enough to worry about with a new bub, you get to leak from just about every place in your body as well ;)


LOL so true Nara !! :o

and thanks Theresa i had wondered if that may be part of it too, bit like those rotten afterpains... no trouble after Samuel but this time *ouch* :eek:

[tyler's mum]

i bleed pretty heavey and had clots for 3weeks, then it sloe down all up i bleed for 5weeks,,, see your doc if you are worried i did,,, they say you can bleed up to 9weeks

[Kamaikia]

Wow I think I got off really lucky - it all ended after nine days for me - thank god. :)
I wouldn't be worrying yet - 6 weeks is supposed to be average - not nice but its your bodys' way of cleaning up the mess bub made :D

[AM]

Gee, i must have gotten off easy as well... only bled for a week or so.

Do you know how to feel where your fundus is?
My midwife showed me how to do this, and also to massage my uterus firmly to encourage it to shrink back, and I'm sure that is what really cut down my bleed time.

[bubbles28]

Hi Tracey, I bled very heavy for 6 weeks and then got my period 4 weeks later and every month since then. I was fully BF too.
I think everyones body are different. I would just keep an eye on your iron intake though as it is easy to become iron deficent, as I did.
Hope all is well

[Michele Crocker]

Hi,

I have been told it is normal to bleed for up to six weeks after giving birth. I was also worried when I passed some clots at four weeks but I have been told that this can happen. Bubs is nearly six weeks old and all I am getting is spotting now. This is a nuisance as I still got to wear pads.

Michele
Mother of Christopher, Luke, Melissa, Jayden and Ashleigh(5 weeks)

[Miaow]

My blood loss lightened up pretty fast until about 2 weeks where i had a sorta heavier gush when I rang the hospital they said it sounded a little strange but unless the blood flow was particularly heavy ie soaking a pad within 3 hours that it should be ok they also asked about large clotting, stomach pain and flue like symptoms which can show problems - luckily the bright blood stopped striaght away I had done some lifting that day. Now 24 days after birth its pretty much stopped altogether though is still around at night a little im able to do with just using panty liners rather than pads.

[Kaileysmum]

Hi, I agree with the 6 week thing. Mine went away around 3 weeks for a few days then came back. I wouldnt worry, unless it go's over the 6 week mark and is still dark.