3 weeks post birth and still spotting

[Chatterbug85]

Hello all,

I’m just wondering if this is normal or not. I gave birth 3 weeks ago and basically the bleeding has pretty much stopped. There were a few days this week where I pretty much just had the occasional yellow/pink come throughout the day, super minimal amount for the whole day. Then yesterday and today I have had a little bit of light pink and light red/pink come away twice throughout the whole day. Like literally not even filling a 5th of a mat pad (still wearing these as they are but more comfortable on my episiotomy).

There is no offensive smell, I don’t have temp or anything like that. I think it’s just seeing a bit more reddish blood has freaked me out a little bit.

Our little family did go and see some extended family yesterday but I was sat down for most of this and then today we had Easter dinner with my parents so I was walking round a little bit more and I have been up and down the stairs a few times today. I have also started to do my pelvic floor exercises today as I have felt that things are a little less tight down below now.

Also as a side note, does anyone have any tips on what is safe to use of the episiotomy scar tissue to help with soreness? As I think the thinner letlet pads I tried this week have rubbed it and it’s just a little bit sore (which is why I have swapped back to the chunky softer mat pads). There is no suspicion of an infection on the episiotomy as there is nothing the smells down there, the scar tissue looks lovely and clean, no redness or inflammation.

I am seeing the health visitor on Tuesday so I will likely double check things with them but since it’s the Easter holidays I can’t even book in with the gp until Tuesday at the earliest but I’m not sure it’s really needed since the bleeding is so small.

Any advice would be great. Thanks in advanced.

I bled for 8 weeks with both mine. GP wasn't worried.

I was spotting for around a month after DC. Seems normal!

I bled on and off for 6 weeks with both my babies. The more I did, the bleeding would start again and then rest slowed/stopped it.
In regards to episiotomy, I had one. The first 3 weeks I could hardly sit as I was so sore. I was allowed a 5min luke warm bath a day with no soap etc for the first 5 weeks.
I stuck with the thick and thin tesco/boots maternity pads. I did find as the episiotomy healed it was sooo itchy esp as the external stitches start to fall out. By 6 weeks I was fine. I don't think you can put anything on the scar but maybe ask and see what they say. I was told no soap or shower gel in bath or shower for 5 weeks.

I’m 12 weeks post birth and also had an episiotomy. I remember around three weeks pp, I’d been out shopping and I think my pad must have been rubbing again my episiotomy and it felt really sore that night when it had been starting to feel better. I bought some fridamom witch hazel foam to help with the soreness. You just spray the foam on your clean pad every time you change it, it’s nice and cool and soothing. It also really helped with healing.

I would say normal to bleed still especially If you've been doing a bit more you may find you will bleed for a few days after a more 'busy' day

I had a fourth degree tear so lots and lots of stitches and three infections. I bled heavy with my first DS and couldn't managed the normal pads as they made my stitches sore so I switched to reusable pads. So much more softer on my poor sore skin. Maybe worth a try?

@babynoname22
I have not heard of reusable maternity pads, are they really that much softer? I will have to Google these, any recommendations?

After all three of my children being born I had spotting until I finished breast feeding.

Can take ages for the bleeding to stop, think mine was 8 weeks too.

I used sweet almond oil or coconut oil downstairs while still having to use pads as it all got very dry and sore!

@Littlebean13
Im pretty convinced it’s rubbing that was causing the soreness. I have read about witch hazel but was never brave enough to try it. So you put it in the pad and it helps the soreness?

@abbs1
I think I have been lucky as I was fine sitting by the end of the 1st week and by the end of the second the episiotomy looked like the wound had closed up nicely, bits only been this week one small spot of it is a little sore. Which is at the end of cut, so the bit closest to my bum. I did think something felt a little itchy today so maybe that is the stitches doing there thing and dissolving.

I had to have and episiotomy with my 1st child and I remember it being more painful then this but not itchy or anything.

They say on average around 6 weeks bleeding post partum. But that means there are people that bleed for 2 weeks, 3 weeks, 8 weeks. It is perfectly normal. I would go to gp if there was a smell/excessive soreness.

If you have done more than normal today since you've given birth then I would expect some soreness.

Its tough going, mind yourself.

@Chatterbug85 yes much softer! I had some bamboo ones from Amazon. Bulky but did the trick. I use modibodi period pants now (thanks to DS1 I can't use a tampon anymore!) for periods and they are also great. Cheeky wipes do reusable pads but there are lots out there! Some offer a trial pack etc

Spritz for bits to help with the soreness. You can spray it directly onto yourself or onto a pad. It saved me, very cooling and soothing.

https://myexpertmidwife.com/products/spritz-for-bits?gclid=Cj0KCQjwxMmhBhDJARIsANFGOSvpPFJR9JmhvWAmRsItsvXG81R_0PZpeuftzYEUNkw4WfQKVpO-5f4aAsWtEALw_wcB

6 weeks
2 weeks
3-4 weeks

Had sex each time as soon as it stopped. Couldn’t believe I felt okay 2 weeks after with DC2. He had had a medical condition which had me at feeding every 2 hours (from start of feed) round the clock for the prev 2 weeks. I think the intensity of 12 feeds a day for 2 weeks maybe made everything contract back down a bit more quickly. Or maybe not.

‘Spritz for bitz’ has Witch Hazel and it’s so soothing.

Naturcare pads were the comfiest.

Pelvic floor…I stuck tiny dot stickers around the house to remind me!

I bled for a bout 8 weeks pp, I didn't have an episiotomy however did tear so needed stitches..... I think the more active you are the more you bleed. I was out daily walking with baby in the pram at 3 days pp and the days I did 'relax' a little more the less I bled

I’ve had 2 x CS and bled for 6-7 weeks with both. Fairly active (as much as you can be with a newborn). Wasn’t concerned myself as flow gradually got lighter and GP wasn’t concerned at 6 week check.

I bled until 9 weeks. By 8 weeks the doctor sent me for a scan because it’s unusual.

I had retained products and an infection. There was no smell, so don’t rely on that as an indicator.

3 weeks is totally normal, unless you’re still passing clots.

@CheekyHusky
nah I haven’t passed any clots since day 5/6 and the last one was golf ball sized but the midwife checked it and said it was just a clot and not any left over placenta etc…

You guys are making me all feel better as I do suffer from health anxiety from time to time and I have my ways of coping but sometimes it’s good to get a little reassurance from others that have been in the same boat.

Yeah just squirt a little on a fresh pad and it helps with the soreness and I’m convinced it helped me heal quicker too. Pretty sure I got mine from asda for around £12.
I was like you and felt a little nervous about trying witch hazel but honestly it was fine!