Bleeding/Irritation- Normal?

[Voltige]

I only had heavy bleeding for about 36 hours after the birth. I am now 11 days postpartum, but still have pretty much the same amount of bleeding I had a week ago. It's sort of red/orange in color and comes in spurts- like after I stand up from nursing. I can go hours without any bleeding at all, but end up needing to change my pad after one of these spurts- not so much from volume but in order to stay dry.

Which bring me to my other question. The dampness really irritates my vaginal area. I am starting to wonder if I have a yeast infection (I have a call in to my midwife). It feels burning/itchy unless I've just showered and dried well with a hair dryer. However, it does not feel internal at all, it's just the tissue surrounding my vaginal opening. Could it still be irritated from the birth 11 days ago? Otherwise I feel I am healing well, even with a 2nd degree tear and sutures. They don't bother me at all anymore.

I was on abx for 7 days due to my retained placenta and procedure needed to remove it. So I could be candidate for yeast/thrush- although Remi and I have no other symptoms.

Thoughts?

[Ianthe]

i would get checked to make sure they got all the placenta.. are you feeling sick too?

[Voltige]

Originally Posted by LizzyQ

i would get checked to make sure they got all the placenta.. are you feeling sick too?

No, I feel pretty good! Tired, but generally good.

[channelofpeace]

If you are on antibiotics, I would definitely get checked for a yeast infection. It is possible that it could just be normal healing, but it wouldn't hurt to know either way.

My bleeding is much the same is yours. I bled like a heavy period the first 2 or 3 days then it slowed and just comes in gushes every day or two now.

[maxwill129]

I'm 3 weeks PP and I still have the same amount of bleeding I had the first week PP. I, too, can go a length of time with no bleeding and then I start up again. I remember this happened after all my babies. My second child I bled for the full 6 weeks (and then took a week off and then started AF!). I would talk to your midwife just to make sure, though.

[sarahwg]

Thanks for this post...I had a similar question. 3 weeks PP and still have the occasional bleeding, usually after I am quite active and moving around a lot. I didn't remember it lasting this long with my son but I've heard it is in the realm of normal. I was just surprised that it seems to come and go!

I still don't have a desire to pee though. I go and regularly but I never have the urge. I guess it take time for the bladder to get back to normal?

As for the OP, I had a burning externally during my whole pregnancy that went away immediately with birth. I think I had an external yeast infection so I treated it with one drop of tea tree oil and in a bit olive oil or diluted apple cider vinegar just rubbing them on the irritated area. Both seem to keep the irritation minimum but it never went away so I am curious to see what you find out!

[Voltige]

Little update:

I talked with the midwife and she said the bleeding is completely normal. It can come in gushes and then nothing for quite a while, then more little gushes. Nothing to be alarmed about. She said as long as there are no large clots or *bright* red blood everything is fine. Some women bleed longer than others. I guess I am just one of them.

As for the yeast, she suspects I have it. Said a culture would not be accurate because I am still bleeding. She called in an rx of diflucan, just one dose, to treat it. Given that I've taken a course of abx, it could also be useful to head off thrush. I just hope I'm less sore and irritated down there soon. I feel SO good otherwise!!

[aestesfl]

Originally Posted by sarahwg

I still don't have a desire to pee though. I go and regularly but I never have the urge. I guess it take time for the bladder to get back to normal?

That is me too! I haven't had the urge to pee since I gave birth. I can go 8 hours or so and not even think about it. I try to remember to go often and I always pass some urine. I am drinking a ton and have lots of milk. It's so strange after feeling like I had to pee all the time when pregnant!

[akichan]

Hijack

Does anyone feel raw, almost like they have diaper rash or something on their vulva? I'm trying to change my pad often but I'm not bleeding heavily, so I wonder why I feel so sore down there (and not yeasty, just . . . raw).

[Ianthe]

Originally Posted by akichan

Does anyone feel raw, almost like they have diaper rash or something on their vulva? I'm trying to change my pad often but I'm not bleeding heavily, so I wonder why I feel so sore down there (and not yeasty, just . . . raw).

did you tear?

I did, and i feel raw (and swollen).

[Voltige]

Originally Posted by akichan

Does anyone feel raw, almost like they have diaper rash or something on their vulva? I'm trying to change my pad often but I'm not bleeding heavily, so I wonder why I feel so sore down there (and not yeasty, just . . . raw).

Yes!! And after one treatment of the diflucan it's gone 24 hours later. I suspect I have/had yeast. Hopefully it's going/gone for good now. If yours does not clear up, talk to your care provider.