daft question of the week - what IS all the blood, I mean, where's it from....

[bohemianbint]

We were talking about it recently and it dawned on me that I have no idea where the blood comes from during/after childbirth. I didn't haemorrhage and there didn't seem to be that much, but there was some...so what is it that actually bleeds?

Is this a very silly question?

I may be wrong, but I think it's a combination of a very heavy period (the lining of the uterus is shed) as well as bleeding from the site where the placenta comes away.

Aaaahhhh...Thanks.

Isn't it strange, we all take it for granted that there will be blood, but have no idea why...

It's possible to tear blood vessels as well, which can lead to additional blood loss.

Would it be fair to say that most uterine blood loss during/immediately after childbirth is from the site of the placenta, while the heavy period (lochia?) is slower and lasts (much) longer?

also if you tear