AIBU to be scared of the blood?

[joojoobean99]

Shamelessly posting here for traffic...

Booked in for an ELCS in 3 weeks time and a bit nervous about it. Have a big fear of blood so midwife has put in my birth plan for my uterus to be cleaned as much as possible to reduce the vaginal bleeding afterwards. Is this likely to have any impact at all? The general consensus seems to be that you bleed just as much after a CS as a VB, but I'm not sure how true that is. MW seems to think if they clean my uterus well enough that there will definitely be less bleeding though. Can anyone share their experience and maybe put my mind at rest?! Fully appreciate that any responses may just confirm my fears though!

[DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen]

I bled for a long time after my section and I had one big 'flood' but it wasn't anything major or scary.

Are you normally scared of periods?

[RainbowPastel]

Less bleeding with a CS. It's the same as a period really. I bled for about 10 days I think. I got an infected womb though so did have a gush of blood in hospital.

[Babyg1995]

I bled alot less with my cs than my vaginal birth.

[Nuttynoo]

Do you have a fear of periods? Because that's pretty much all it is unless you have a serious problem.

[DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen]

I bled for weeks which is normal apparently. I honestly don't think it'll be something you can predict OP but I think you'll be focused on your baby by the time it's born so you won't be so worried. This sounds like general anxiety and your fixating on one thing.

[DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen]

**you're

[aaaaargghhhhelpme]

I had an elective c section (after an emergency one)

Bleeding was just like a period - but lasted longer. Maybe 9 days.

Nothing horrific - no clots or anything. I have to say the elective one was far more civilised. I don't know if they cleaned up in there but it was very organised and relaxed.

Hope you don't find it too stressful

[PacificDogwod]

Sorry, what is your fear?

My experience of blood loss after delivery was the same for VB and CS, and was no more difficult to manage than a period.
I bled a few weeks b/o BFing.

[StillDrivingMeBonkers]

You bleed in the same way that you would after a vaginal delivery.

[TheLegendOfBeans]

I'm so thick I didn't realise I'd bleed vaginally after my CS, so when I stood up and saw a little puddle of blood on the floor I nearly passed out.

BUT

my bleeding was just like a period that went on a bit. Sure you'll need maternity pads to start but I was in them for about 10 days. I used a sanitary pad after that and it was about another 10 days until it'd all gone.

It'll be ok. Just like a period that hangs about a bit too long x

[ShowOfHands]

There's no actual difference between vb and cs in terms of bleeding. You bleed from where the placenta was attached as it leaves a fresh wound. Up to 6 weeks is normal. They will clean out any blood and fluids at the point of the cs so initial flooding might be less but the length and degree of bleeding after those first couple of hours is down to luck. I bled for 6 weeks with my first cs and it was like a heavy period which got lighter and only 2 weeks with my second.

[AfunaMbatata]

Do you not have periods?

[joojoobean99]

To the people asking about if I'm scared of periods, etc - yes I am, as it happens. I faint at the sight of blood so periods are a bit of an ordeal for me. It might sound strange to some but we can't help what we're afraid of.

I was just wondering whether the MW putting in my birth plan for my uterus to be cleaned would make any difference at all...

[Moanyoldcow]

I had a pretty unpleasant CS and that that's trouble stopping the bleeding but consequently it was very well 'cleaned up' as they had to be sure I wasn't bleeding anymore.

I bled very little afterwards, probably for 3 weeks and substantially lighter than my other NCT friends.

[StupidSlimyGit]

I never needed maternity pads after either of my C-sections, it was just like a normal period, no heavier, in fact considering how heavy I normally am I think I actually bled less just for a slightly longer time. I've never had a normal birth so I can't say whether that was what made the difference though.

[PacificDogwod]

Well, statistically speaking lochia after c-section is less than after VB, but there is really no way to predict what is going to happen to you specifically.

V best of luck - with everything.
I hope it will be more easily managed than you fear just now

[AmysTiara]

I didn't bleed that much after my cs.

[RedHelenB]

It's different to a period though more watery.

[justaweeone]

I thought the reason you bled is to do with the site regarding the placenta ?

[Primulas]

I've had two sections and the bleeding afterwards was similar to a fairly light period, though went on for a bit longer. I don't know how much uterus cleaning went on though - I'd have thought that that could make it even lighter.

[bostonkremekrazy]

I barely bled after my CS, I bled heavily during it, and was 'cleaned out' with the suction catheter due to that....

I wore a pad for a week or two, and it was much less than a regular period

hope that helps, and that you can focus on baby and enjoy that. I did find though that when i breast fed sometimes I felt a small gush of blood as baby fed...just to warn you if you are BF baby. It did not hurt but i was aware of it in the first few days.

[Figgygal]

I bled for probably 6 weeks after vb on and off and only maybe 3 post cs

[Tiredtomybones]

I can't remember bleeding after my elcs so it must have been very light.

[Kindoline]

4 DC, one section, bled much less after that. Breastfeeding helps too, everything clamps down a bit quicker