There is a certain amount of bleeding after giving birth which is called Lochia.
It’s your body’s way of getting rid of all the extra mucous, blood and fluids that it collected while you were pregnant and carrying your baby.
It’s perfectly natural to have some bleeding and discharge for up to 6 weeks after you give birth to your baby — whether you had a vaginal birth or cesarean birth.
Lochia will be bright red to start out during the first 5 to 10 days. Then, it will level off to pink, and then finally to a yellowish white color.
Don’t be surprised if there are also some blood clots. This is normal.
Check out these tips for dealing with the bleeding after giving birth:
- Wear heavy-duty sanitary pads. In this case, there will be enough discharge that thin maxis aren’t going to cut it.
- Don’t wear tampons — because they can cause infections. And let’s face it, you don’t want one of those!
- Rest as much as you can. If you do a lot of walking, this can increase the flow of the discharge.
If you have any of these symptoms contact your doctor:
- Your discharge smells. If your discharge smells bad, then this could indicate an infection or some other problem.
- You have bright red discharge for longer than 10 days.
- You’re having a discharge flow that soaks a heavy-duty sanitary pad in less than an hour.
- You’re shivering and/or you have a fever.
Other Ways Your Body Changes After Giving Birth
What To Expect From Your Body After Childbirth
Things No One Tells You: Bleeding After Birth
Post-Partum Bleeding: How Long Does It Last?
How Much Will You Bleed After Birth?
Your Body’s Physical Changes After Childbirth
My favorite things to write about are topics that have to do with pregnancy, weddings, saving money, living green, and life with dogs. When I’m not writing, I love to spend time with my husband, read, create 3D artwork and Native American beadwork.
