Vaginal bleeding after birth is relatively normal. It might not be something you're blasting all over social media, but it may be something you're concerned about. Let's talk about it!
All Women Bleed After Giving Birth
Vaginal bleeding after giving birth is called lochia. The lochia is a combination of tissue, mucous, and blood the womb is shedding to replace the lining after the massive event of giving birth. It's like a self-cleanse
Vaginal Bleeding Can Last A While
For some women, their lochia can last longer than six weeks. Typically, the bleeding lasts somewhere around 24 to 36 days. The lochia starts off heavy being a red to brownish-red color. With time the flow becomes lighted, and the color lightens up as well.
Blood Clots
Blood clots are common after giving birth. If you experience any clots, don't be shy; let your doctor or midwife know about anything going on. It helps them keep track of how yours doing and if there's anything to be concerned with. Passing a lot of larger clots can be a sign that something serious is going on. It's better to be safe than sorry.
How Much Is Too Much?
When you pass many large blood clots or lose more than a pint of blood within the first 24 hours after giving birth, you must seek medical help. Unfortunately, those are symptoms of primary postpartum hemorrhaging. 5 in 100 women experience PPH after birth.
Severe postnatal blood loss can cause exhaustion, but it can also be life-threatening. Please, don't hesitate to get help quickly. The faster the treatment is, the less of the risk of a major hemorrhage is!
The medical staff will want to check to ensure all of the placentae are out.
Risk Factors For Primary Postpartum Haemorrhage (PPH)
Pre-labor Risk
Previous PPH
BMI or Body Mass Index above 35
Pregnancy of Twins or Triplet
Placenta Previa
Pre-eclampsia or High Blood Pressure
Anemia
Blood Thinning Medication
Growths Surrounding Womb
Blood Clotting Issues
During Labor Risk
C-section Birth
Induced Labor
Episiotomy
Retained Placenta
Vacuum-assisted or forceps used
Baby Larger Thann 9 Pounds
First Baby Over 40 Years Old
Labor lasting more than 12 hours
Elevated Temperature During Labor
Requiring A General Anaesthetic
So much goes on with a woman's body before, during, and after pregnancy. You have to consider that an entire, tiny human being was growing inside of you while you ran about living your normal life. It can be an emotional rollercoaster of an experience and the changes you'll be facing are mostly normal.
Oftentimes, your body will return back to what was once the normal of your life. Some things may never return to normal and it's ok to learn how to deal with these new things. There is a lot of available help out there so anything you need, whether it's emotional, physical, or mental, there's something for you!
