Lochia - TMI

[anonymousk]

Can any of you experienced mamas give me the lowdown on lochia? I am now 14 days pp and bleeding red/rust colored blood about as much as day 3 of a normal period for me. It seemed like it was lighter before and has gotten heavier the past few days. Is this normal? What should I do about it? I had my sutures out last Thursday and they didn't ask about it specifically and I was so nervous about the suture stuff that I didn't think to ask.

[finnegansmom]

I bled enough to wear a pad or a pantyliner for 6 weeks. A full 6 weeks.
It did come and go, especially the first month or at least couple of weeks.
I do know, that if the bleeding is bright red, like fresh blood, it means you might be over-doing it and to slow down. I definately had days where I had this, the first week or so, when I was hauling a vacuum up a flight of stairs or mopping since I had no one to help me out...
What color is it? brown or rust is OK. Bright red at this point, I might call your Dr, especially if there are clots.

[Snugglebugsmom]

How much rest are you getting?
Try just hanging out at home for a day or so, and see if that makes a difference in your bleeding.
I'm only 5 days postpartum, and my bleeding had gone down dramatically in the first few days. I told dh it was like the end of my period, and thought I could start using my cloth pantyliners again in a couple of days.
I've been moving around more in the house, though, and so now my bleeding has become a bit heavier again.
From experience I can tell you that it really is necessary to take your postpartum recovery seriously. I think you had a c-section, since you mentioned sutures. That is major surgery, so it is even more important for you to rest, rest, rest, as much as you possibly can. It will, in the end, shorten the time of your bleeding.
Don't forget to drink water and continue taking your prenatal vitamins and iron.
Good Luck!

[Spark]

I always found a direct correlation between how much I did or overdid & how much I bled. If I did too much, I'd bleed too much.

[Emily12581]

I bled for 7 weeks staright. Some days lighter than others. I did have a polyp that needed to be removed 7 weeks PP, and that may have contributed, but I heard 4-5 weeks in normal.

[anonymousk]

What exactly are we talking about when we say rest? I have been trying so hard to be good - not picking up anything, only going up and down the stairs once a day, I still haven't driven anywhere and I have nothing to read in the house. I have been to the doctors, my in-laws, church, a couple trips to the store, and yesterday a funeral - all with DH and never out for more than 4 hours at a stretch. So are we talking bedrest rest? Or putting away the laundry rest? I am just so tired and frustrated and Auggie is up for an hour every 2 hours all night and DH is going back to work part time this week after having had 2 weeks off to be with us and I really don't want to be stuck in the house all week or have anything else go wrong right now.

Sorry. Sleep deprived.