Still bleeding 15 days after birth - normal?

[LaTristesse]

Getting bored of bleeding now, is this normal?! Only doing one pad a day and one at night, and it's just like a period really, nothing heavy (brownish red, sorry tmi...)
I had a natural 3rd stage if that makes any difference, and my notes say I lost 400ml during delivery.
Any ideas?

Yes.

I bled for 16 weeks after ds was born. I was obviously worried at that point but my doctor wasn't and said it is normal for some people to bleed longer than others. I didn't have any infections and it stopped eventually.

I certainly bled for at least15 days I think it was probably a month with at least one of mine

Pretty sure that is normal. I bled for aaaaaages after DD. I think if you overdo it you can make it worse though? Take it easy on the lifting and carrying etc if you can.

You can bleed for 6w or more LaTristesse - don't worry If it eases off and then becomes heavy again it's a sign you're doing too much.

I also bled for more than 6 weeks with my DCs. Oh, and breastfeeding can prolong it and/or make it heavier. Hope that helps and congratulations on the baby!

Normal!

Have you been having RLT? Meant to reduce bleeding (and encourage milk supply, among other things....)

Between 4ish and 6 weeks it was just a bit of yuck not actual bleeding. Sorry you've probably still got a while to go.

6 weeks is standard I'm afraid.

Yep 6 weeks here too.

Grr, thanks ladies! Feel better that it's normal at least. I have a 2 yr old too Sasa, so lifting etc is pretty unavoidable, but I'll try to take it easy. I think the worst bit about it is having to use pads; I hate them!

I bled for around six weeks after DS1 - got progessively lighter though.

One MW explained lochia to me as like catching up on all the periods that you missed during pregnancy - not strictly accurate but does make some sense (and I bled for roughly the same time as 9 consecutive periods).

Yup its the mother of all periods

I don't think its quite as bad as nine periods, with ds locia lasted about 6 weeks with dd it was about 4 weeks. I think the second time the locia was heavier but did not last as long. Sitting down and relaxing is not an option when you have an older child.

6 weeks here too

The placenta leaves a wound as big as a dinner plate, it's hardly surprising it takes a wee while to heal.

I bled for six weeks both times.

Six weeks with DD1 and DD2 but 12 weeks with DS

Yes it's normal. I remember buying a HUGE pack of maternity pads thinking that the would definitely be enough, then sending DP back to the shop for another wodge of them a wee bit later .

As long as it's not lots of fresh red blood or smells 'off' you're fine. Fed up but fine

I think I bled for about four weeks afterwards, it had definitely stopped by the time I had the six week check up. It was a pain though as I had stitches and needed to keep clean and dry!

Just be aware that if you suddenly get a load of fresh red blood, get checked over. It happened to me at 4 weeks and turned out to be retained placenta and membranes. This needs treating to avoid a nasty infection.

I've never given birth, so I don't know what the aftercare is like but I'm pretty surprised the midwife doesn't warn women about this though!

I already knew about locchia (is that what it's called) as I have a million older cousins who've had kids, but it's understandable that lots of first-time mothers don't have such frank discussions with other women. Am I being overly optimistic in the NHS's ability to educate and give good advice?