Post-natal bleeding- what's normal and what's not?

[Smurfy23]

Dd is now 7 weeks, labour was completely normal with no tears or anything requiring intervention. First few weeks also normal in terms of bleeding- heavy at first and then died down. Hasnt gone away but has been light. Am no longer breastfeeding and havent been for.about 2 weeks or so now. In that time I've had what seemed like 2 "periods" where bleeding would suddenly get a bit heavier for a few days and then die down- the last time was over a week ago.
Then 3 days ago was watching tv when suddenly had very strong stomach cramps and period pain and felt like I was bleeding- went to check and there was a lot of blood and blood down my leg from pulling pants down. Eased off after about an hour. Last night also had cramps and bleeding was a bit stronger and tonight then same and bleeding seems heavier too. Put a pad on about 20 mins ago and it needs to be changed again.

Is this normal or do I need to see someone? I dont want to trundle up to see GP to be told I'm just on my period but at the same time....

Annoyingly have had my 6 week check so cant ask then

[GruffalOH]

I had some sudden heavier bleeding several weeks after birth. They had me straight back into hospital to be checked for...something serious... can't remember what it was... I didn't have whatever it was, and my bleeding was just a random fluke, but they were adamant they wanted me in immediately to check me. I'd get seen if I were you. Or at least call to talk to someone. Hopefully it's nothing!

[Fortheloveofscience]

No, not normal you need urgent checking. How do you feel in yourself?

[Sexnotgender]

Definitely get checked. I had a postpartum uterus infection, wasn’t fun!

[M0reGinPlease]

Get checked. ASAP. Could be nothing but if it's serious you need to be seen now. Speaking also as someone who's had a post partum infection.

[RubaiyatOfAnyone]

Echoing above, definitely get checked - i had (unknown to me) retained placenta which led to sudden heavy bleeding/clots and an infection.

[HarryRug]

I bled after both DC for 6 weeks and 8 weeks respectively. Both times GP prescribed antibiotics and that cleared it up. Get yourself to GP tomorrow. Congrats on your baby!

[Smurfy23]

Do feel a bit light headed every now and then....ok reckon it's a GP one or 111? Thanks all!

[Sexnotgender]

Call 111 and speak to someone.

[Sexnotgender]

Needing to change a pad after 20 minutes is not good.

[MaverickSnoopy]

Doesn't sound normal to me and I've had 3 babies with varying amounts of bleeding. This sounds much more than anything I ever had (incidentally I had a post natal infection, just not with lots of bleeding).

[mamandematribu]

Do speak to a doctor for advice.

[Cacaca]

Are you passing clots? I had this a week after birth, phoned triage who wanted me straight in. Luckily my clot was in my pad so they wanted to see it. Got admitted as soon as I arrived at hospital, put on medication for high blood pressure and had to wait for the morning for a scan as they were very concerned about my blood loss. The normal ultrasound scan wasn’t very clear so needed an internal scan which showed there was still placenta remaining. The consultant gave me 2 options - manage with antibiotics which he wasn’t happy to do as he told me there was a high chance of being readmitted as an emergency due to high blood loss or the surgical procedure to remove the remaining placenta. The procedure was done the following day and I was discharged a few hours later - I felt so much better after this had been done. I’d put my tiredness and lack of energy down to having just given birth - clearly not the case.

Please phone triage for advise - my experience of them on 3 occasions is very positive - I was never made to feel I was wasting their time and always taken seriously.

[Fortheloveofscience]

Definitely 111. Not to alarm you, but don’t be surprised if they send you to A&E.

[M0reGinPlease]

Bit unnecessary that, @RubaiyatOfAnyone

Good luck OP and keep us posted.

[Blahblahblahnanana]

A&E if you’re soaking pads

[RubaiyatOfAnyone]

Sorry @M0reGinPlease, i did wonder before posting it, but it was genuinely true and i had no other symptoms before except prolonged and irregular bleeding. I’m probably still a bit ptsd about it, but you’re right i shouldn’t foist it onto other people’s situations. I’ll ask mnhq to remove my comment. Sorry again.

[Curtainly]

Definitely 111, just in case.

[Blahblahblahnanana]

It’s A&E if soaking pads, or ring the postnatal ward. (I work in maternity)

[Smurfy23]

Thanks- rang 111 who advised seeing someone but no out of hours available so have gone into a and e to be on the safe side. Thanks all for your advice. Am hoping its nothing serious but also that I'm not wasting anyones time!

[Blahblahblahnanana]

@Smurfy23 you’re not wasting anyone’s time. Hope ever is ok.

[Blahblahblahnanana]

*everything

[FelixFelicis6]

Not wasting anyone’s time - glad you’ve gone

[stophuggingme]

Do hope you’re ok OP
This does sound as though it requires medical attention. You’ve done the right thing

[Sexnotgender]

Hope you’re ok, you’ve done the right thing.