Lochia question for postpartum mamas . . . maybe tmi

[Bella Mia]

Ok, to all the ladies who have delivered their precious babes and/or to those of you who remember how long it lasted with previous pregnancies:

How long did you experience the lochia postpartum bleeding?

I'm 2 weeks postpartum and am still needing to wear 1-2 pads a day because of red bleeding. I'm feeling fine and everything but am reading that I *should* only be seeing light stuff by now so I'm wondering if I should call my doc or not.

Any feedback would be great!! TIA

[Catherine12]

That sounds like a little more than I had at that stage with my two, but this sort of thing varies a lot and it is probably nothing to worry about. I'd consult your midwife/doctor just to make sure.

Heavier/redder than normal bleeding can also be a sign that you are overdoing it - does your bleeding change if you are less active for a while?

[gretasmommy]

You know, I remember bleeding or 4+ weeks with G. At discharge, the nurse told me to expect to bleed for 3-5 weeks. I agree that increased bleeding is a sign that you are doing too much, but unless things are picking up or cramping more, I probably wouldn't worry too much. You could always just call and see what answer you get if you are still concerned . . .

[Kothi]

I would just call in case - i remember a lot of bleeding up to ab 3 weeks, but turning brown/clotty by end of 2 ish. I'm sure it all just varies, and if you're feeling good, I would guess it's within the normal range. I'm still trickling at 4+ w/ C/S, so it does just go on & on.

[crazydiamond]

I bled for a full 6 weeks. The flow the entire time was much like a regular period. After 6 weeks, I bled for another 2 weeks but very lightly.

[ilovemygurlz]

If I remember correctly, I bled for about 6 weeks. I'm pretty sure I stopped a little before my 6-week post-partum checkup, actually, so it must've been a little BEFORE 6 weeks, bc I also remember having sex a day or two before my 6-week post-partum checkup lol. I remember I bled on and off towards the end though.

It DOES vary. My mom bled with my brother for 3 weeks and with me for 8 weeks. If you're really concerned though I would definitly call up your doctor and explain to him/her what you're experiencing. It IS true though, it's just like when you have your period, if you notice you're moving around a lot you're going to notice more blood. If you're relaxing a lot you're not going to see that much blood. It's just when you're moving around the more blood comes out of you.

Just take it easy, but call your doctor!

[healthnutmama]

6. Full. Weeks.

With each child.

[anj7]

DD1 - 8 weeks, bright red until the day it stopped. Very weird and annoying.

DD2 - 6 weeks, followed the more 'textbook' way of lochia changing in colour and amount of flow as time progressed.

[kristenyostdc]

This time I only had red bleeding for about a week and now it's just been light pink/brownish. But with my previous 3 pregnancies I bled red blood for at least 4 weeks and then it started to change. I wouldn't worry about it unless it gets really heavy or you start to cramp. Everyone is different. And like the pp said, try not to over do it because it tends to make you bleed heavier.

[Bella Mia]

Thanks for all the replies ladies! Since I'm feeling just fine I am not too worried but it makes me feel better knowing what other people have experienced!