Heavy bleeding - first period, lochia or c-section healing gone wrong?

[CJ2010]

I'm 5 and a half weeks post c -section, had very light lochia up until about two weeks ago, then about 3 days ago i started bleeding quite heavily, worse than any period ive ever had, but im not in any pain. It's really heavy, im soaking through Night time sani pads in about two hours. Could this still be lochia or a very bad first period?

I'm starting to panic that my internal stitches have come undone and im bleeding internally or am I just being over dramatic? I dont know, can someone please advise?

I'm not Breast feeding. TIA

[AlpinePony]

The timing would be "right" for first period. My consultant told me 6 weeks is completely normal for first period - I was 6+6. Of course if it doesn't seem normal and/or you are worried - you must phone your mw or the ward and speak to someone!

[tinky19]

I'd get in touch with your gp or mw. I'm sure I was told that if it lightened up but then returned i needed to let them know after my emcs.
Good luck

[VivaLeBeaver]

You're not coming apart inside as the majority of the healing would have been done by now.

However it does sound heavy. Has it lightened up at all from three days ago or have you been soaking through a pad every two hours for the last three days?

I think you ought to speak to someone this evening, probably out of hours dr.

[CJ2010]

Its not as heavy tonight but there are clots in it, which I do get with my period. I'm hoping my body is just having a good clear out! It is worrying me tho, more so because I'm worrying that I could end up back on hospital or something.

Been googling and scared myself. Now worrying that a bit of placenta could still be inside me

[VivaLeBeaver]

Ok, if it was any bits of placenta left it is likely that you would have an infection by now. If it smells really bad or if you have any temp, flu type symptoms then you need immediate medical attention. But I think it's unlikely as you would normally have had problems before five weeks.......hopefully it is just a very heavyperiod.

[QTPie]

Hi

Sorry, meant to reply last night, but my 19 month split his head open - so had to go the A&E to get it super-glued back together.... The joys!

Was you lochia generally very light?

It is VERY unlikely to be retained placenta after a CS - the surgeon has a good look around to check that it is all out.

After my CS, I had very light lochia for two weeks then a sudden heavy bleed with fairly sizeable clots (about 50p size). I panicked and spent a dire few hours in A&E waiting for an obstetrician to check it out. How it was explained to me - in A&E and by my consultant at the 6 week check - is that during a CS, they push open the cervix a bit to help the lochia drain out. Somethines this doesn't work too well or a little blockage happens. The loch builds up behind the blockage until eventually it does come out (possibly with a gush and clots).

Could it be that?

For me, I then went on to have medium period heaviness of bleeding for about 4 weeks. I was breastfeeding and period didn't come back until 10 months.

If you still have concerns (flow not easing off or any smell or odd colour), then see GP or NHS drop-in centre.

QT

[Baileysismyfriend]

I had the exact same thing, was five weeks past section and started bleeding so heavily that I couldnt move too far from the bathroom as I kept leaking. I saw my doctor who spoke to a gynecologist and she thought it was an early period, she was right as the bleeding subsided after a week or so.

I was worried that I had a retained placenta but apparently the risk of this is fairly low with a section and the GP had a prod around my stomach and as there wasnt any pain she ruled it out.

[WiiUnfit]

Sounds familiar CJ, my first period came at 10 weeks (ebf & thus pissed off!) and was extremely heavy! I bled very heavily for a week, my normal period is fairly light & 5 days. If you have a temperature or aren't feeling too well, get yourself to your GP.