Bleeding will tend to be heavier in the morning too. This is because blood pools when you lay down sleeping. Wash your hands thoroughly before and after using the toilet and changing your maternity pad.
Avoid touching your stitches or any wound dressings. You should also remove your jewellery and watch before washing your hands, and keep your nails short. In the end, trust your judgement. If you have any worries about your bleeding after you give birth, talk to a health professional.
This page was last reviewed in March Our support line offers practical and emotional support with feeding your baby and general enquiries for parents, members and volunteers: You might find attending one of our Early Days groups helpful as they give you the opportunity to explore different approaches to important parenting issues with a qualified group leader and other new parents in your area.
Make friends with other parents-to-be and new parents in your local area for support and friendship by seeing what NCT activities are happening nearby. NHS Choices. Your pregnancy and baby guide. Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Patient Information Factsheet: Blood loss — what to expect after the birth of your baby.
When it comes to content, our aim is simple: every parent should have access to information they can trust. All of our articles have been thoroughly researched and are based on the latest evidence from reputable and robust sources. We create our articles with NCT antenatal teachers, postnatal leaders and breastfeeding counsellors, as well as academics and representatives from relevant organisations and charities.
Read more about our editorial review process. This may also be accompanied by pain in the pelvis or lower abdomen, feeling feverish and uterine tenderness. The most common cause at this stage is an infection, retained placenta or membranes, or the uterus not returning to its normal size. Unsure if your bleeding is normal? Trust your gut, advocate for yourself or designate an advocate for you, and always err on the side of caution and contact a medical provider.
Be Alert Excessive bleeding with clots after birth can be a sign of postpartum hemorrhage. Helpful Tips Stock up on maternity pads If something feels off, trust your gut. What is it? How common is it? Everyone who gives birth expels lochia. How long does it last? First few days. Bodily does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The resources on our website are provided for informational purposes only. You should always consult with a healthcare professional regarding any medical diagnoses or treatment options.
How To Prepare. Bathroom C-Section Vaginal Birth. Related Articles. Password Forgot Password? Login Create an account. Reset Password Enter your email and we will send you an email to reset your password. Create an account. First Name. Having a baby comes with a lot of physical changes to your body. Some of them can be quite surprising, like heavy vaginal bleeding after giving birth. Bleeding after delivery is perfectly normal. Use this guide to understand what lochia is, what causes postpartum bleeding, and what to expect with normal or not normal blood loss the weeks after childbirth.
Lochia, also known as postpartum bleeding, is vaginal bleeding after giving birth that includes bloody fluid made up of blood, placental tissue, sloughed off endometrial lining and mucous. Normal postpartum bleeding continues for 3 to 6 weeks as your uterus heals and returns to its usual shape and size.
The blood in lochia comes mostly from the area where the placenta detached itself from the uterine wall during birth, leaving a wound that needs to heal. The endometrial lining, which thickens during pregnancy, also sloughs off, similar to when you have your period. How long does postpartum bleeding last? How much blood loss is normal and what does the color of blood mean? Learn about the different stages below, including how long you can expect to bleed and what to expect during each stage.
Postpartum bleeding is heaviest the first few days after baby is born. Blood will be a dark or bright red and will be very heavy.
It is normal to see clots in your lochia during this stage. Normal blood clots are smaller than a quarter or a small plum. You may feel cramping and uterine contractions as your uterus returns to its usual size.
If you have large clots—larger than a quarter—you should consult your doctor. Your blood flow will lighten. Its color will change from light red to a watery pink or pinkish brown.
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