Post partum bleeding

[L J]

I gave birth to my son via UC 4 weeks ago tomorrow. I am still bleeding heavily. I feel fine, I'm back to normal, so to speak, if quite sleep deprived. Because I also did a UP, my husband and my mother are encouraging me to "go get checked out" because they think bleeding this long is abnormal. My mom says she only bled a couple of days after having me... but that was 20 years ago, so I think her memory may be faulty.

Anyway, can someone here reassure me that I am perfectly normal and there is no reason to sound alarm bells yet?

FWIW- I am certain the placenta came out intact, and I haven't been running a fever at all. No uterine cramps or pain past day 3. I didn't tear, so I know the bleeding is internal instead of an external wound possibly reopening.

[copykitten]

Are you bleeding bright red or is it pinkish/yelowish/clear? How my midwife explained it is the first 4 days will be bright red, after that it will become lighter pink and then a yellowish clear discharge. If you feel you need checked out, do so for your own peace of mind. I have had a bleeding issue since my daughter's birth (born 10 before your Henry). I hemmoraged at her birth and needed a blood transfusion. At four weeks, I thought my bleeding was all but over when I started passing large clots and bleeding bright red again (sorry if tmi). After an episode of blood gushing down my legs, I went to the ER where they told me I was starting my first postpartum period. I believed there was truely something wrong with me, so I asked my midwife for an ultrasound and they found "something" that shouldn't be there and is causing my bleeding. So here I sit, waiting till my appointment on Monday to find out what they are finally going to do about this. Sorry that was so long, but it was just my rambling way of saying if you feel you need to be seen, do it. I hope you start feeling better and get some peace of mind.

[lizabird]

Seems to me that 4 weeks of heavy bleeding is too much, and I would check in with your dr/imdwife to find out what's up. I can't remember how long I bled with ds#1 but it was quite a lot and lasted longer than I expected, though I know it wasn't still heavy at 4 weeks. With ds#2 It as much less and at my 2 week post partum visit I was barely bleeding at all. Anyway, for peace of mind, I would ask about it. Chances are if you're feeling just fine, it's not a problem, but I'd still call and ask my midwife if it were me.

[JanB]

Agree that four weeks of heavy bleeding does sound excessive. I would get it checked out; it could be normal but then again, maybe not. I bled for about 5 weeks after each of my births, but only about 1 week of that was heavy bright red bleeding, and then it changed to a very light flow.

[Sagesgirl]

Define heavy. I bled for about 8 weeks after all of my kids (c-section & vaginal) & can say that for two of the three it was still heavy at week four. I usually have very heavy periods, and I'd say the two experiences were comparable.

Honestly, before coming to MDC, I didn't know that there were women who stopped bleeding after a few days to a week. Every pregnancy book I read said that up to 8 weeks of bleeding postpartum is normal, and what little my cousins talked about it certainly made it sound as if they bled for a long time after birth.

Admittedly, if this is your first child you don't know what's normal for you yet, but I believe you are within the range of normal, and frankly how long your mother bled after having you is really a nonissue. If it would make you feel better and really calm your husband, then make an appointment.