Bleeding after birth

[Bodinga]

I am still bleeding fresh red blood more than 8 weeks after giving birth.

After a fairly quick birth, I had a fairly big pph losing 2 and a half litres of blood leading to theatre and transfusion and anaemia etc.

4 weeks ago GP said it was probably my period despite exclusive b/feeding but there has been no change in colour/flow etc. Then was given progesterone and antibiotics just in case.

Yesterday, carried car seat a bit and bleeding has gone quite heavy again.

Anyone had a similar experience? I am getting a bit down about it now as have baby, 3 years old and 4.5 year old all at home to look after and just want to get back to normal.

What happened at your 6 week check? Did you mention it then?

It's true that being suddenly more active (carry the car seat more etc) can make the bleeding heavier after it's been lighter but if it's still bright red and the quantity hasn't changed since the birth, then I would go back to the GP and ask for some tests/examination.

It is unusual if excl BF not to have a period for months and months. Everyone is different of course but due to the unchanging amount/colour of what doesn't seem like usual lochia, I'd defo go back.

Thank you for the reply.

Have got my check on Monday (at 8 weeks) but have seen GP twice already. Lochia had almost stopped when Midwife discharged me at 4 weeks but then it started again and has been non stop with intermittent tummy pains.

Will see what happens on Monday - am due to get some blood tests back then too.

I had this I was told by my MW it meant I was doing to much if the blood does not change or goes back red sit down for a day and see if it changes colour and amount.

I bled for ages after DC5. I was suprised as I had only bled for about 3 weeks with the others (apart from DC1). It seemed to go on for ever.

I dont think I had any pain though although I was pretty bloated. I found with all my babies that the bleeding got worse the more I did.

Hope you get some answers on Monday.

i would get checked out. I bled very heavily for more than 8 weeks post partum, and it turned out to be a uterine infection that was causing the bleeding. The bleeding finally ceased at 11 weeks after several attempts at antibiotic treatment. I didnt get properly diagnosed for a long time because I didnt know what post birth bleeding was supposed to be like. Collapsing in tesco made us realise I wasnt well. I did feel dreadful but didnt know any thing else to compare it to.

Dont want to hear of you being poorly so do go back to your docutor and query it. I had to tell the hospital how many pads an hour I was still soaking through and information like that.

Incidently, despite exclusive breast feeding for 6 months and breast feeding on demand for 18 months, my periods returned 2 weeks after post partum bleeding stopped.

Thank you all.

By way of an update the GP is sending me for a scan to rule out anything left in the uterus or any cysts or something like that??. Hope not as went to theatre after initial pph so I would hope that everything was removed then. On plus side, blood tests didn't reveal any problems and blood count is normal.

At least its progress and I am in the system now.

You could always spend the whole day in bed and see if complete rest (other than baby feeding etc) makes a difference. You could then tell GP that when you go, if bleeding has lessened.

Nice excuse to let your DP give you a nice rest

I had similar with DS1 - bright red blood for over 10 weeks - stopped for a few days, then I went horse riding and it came back. I was sent for a scan then (approx 11 weeks) and there was no sign of retained placenta, and eventually it did stop soon afterwards of its own accord. Hope it clears up for you soon - agree that it's the last thing you need when you're getting to grips with a newborn and coping with toddlers too!

I still laugh when I think of the single pack of maternity pads I bought from boots pre-birth .