Bleeding - is it OK? TMI alert - sorry!

[pobletsmum]

DD is 3 weeks old. Had a tricky time since then one way & another. 'Normal' bleeding pretty much stopped after about 10 days, but have continued to have bleeding & gunk (!) from wound (long 2nd degree tear) since then, although this is a different colour to the normal blood loss - a bit more wishy washy. Stitches & wound checked by MW & GP along the way, swab taken approx 10 days after DD born. Have been on metronidazole antibiotics for 4 days due to poor wound healing - VERY, VERY sore! Wound healng much much better in last 3 days - not open & raw on outside now, and gunky bleeding has stopped, BUT last night and this morning, I'm having bright red blood loss again. I feel quite sore today (more inside than out I think, but whole area is still very sore so difficult to say really). So... could it possibly be my periods returning already? I am exclusively breastfeeding. Last time (after DS) I had about 8 weeks bleeding, 1 week off then periods returned despite exclusive bf. OR is it something that needs checking out by GP? I would have rung the GP straight away, but I've been there most days in the last 2 weeks (stitches, mastitis, thrush etc. etc.) and am so embarassed to call again especially if it's just my periods returning. I have been discharged by the midwives so won't be calling them. I thought I'd ask the opinions of you wonderful m'netters before deciding what to do next.

Got to go & feed DD but back soon.

I doubt if it's your period already if you are breastfeeding. (I'm sure someone who knows more about breastfeeding will give some advice here)
How about ringing NHS direct and speaking to a nurse?

Have had bad experiences with NHS direct, and no faith in them whatsoever, but it was a good suggestion thanks.

hard to say - if it seems a lot of blood ie far more than a normal period then get checked asap. if it is more like lochia and increases when feeding or you get a flow when you get up after sitting/lying down for a while then it prob normal. bu tdont be worried about asking midwife/gp for help if you are concerned. unlikely to be straightforward period if you are excl. bf.

Have you been pushing yourself too hard recently? I had red blood appear again after it had become brown and it was because I really needed to rest. Sadly I didn't realise that at the time and only found out on MN when it was too late!

Three weeks is too early for it to be your period.

I think you should contact your GP, especially as you are feeling sore.

Doesn't seem much blood at the moment, more like heavy spotting, but enough to get on a pad. Could it still be lochia even if I haven't had any blood loss like that for about 10-12 days? I really hope that's all it is. I could really do without this right now.

it is possible for lochia to stop and start, I know it did with me.

I haven't been pushing myself too hard the last few days. Days 3,4,5 I did & ended up in a right state so have learnt my lesson!

Im sat here with my legs crossed going ooooohhhh! You sound like me when I had my DTS's in 1981.

I think when this happened to me, I had been rushing around all day trying to be supermum the twins were about four weeks old.

Personally I wouldn't care how many times you have seen the Doctor - if you are concerned go and see him again - thats his job love.

Hope you soon feel better. Good luck

Hi, just to second the vote to go back to your GP- what if it is infection/problem/something not right? Much better to get sorted now than to risk your health with little one needing you loads, and with everything you have had going on its much better to get checked out. Do you have a practice nurse? Mind you, I think seeing the GP who has seen you with everything else would probably be better. Hope it all settles down quick! Good luck

Ok, thanks everyone. I think the general concensus is that there is probably nothing serious wrong, but back to the GP I go! Mumofk - unfortunately I have had dealings with 4 different GPs in the last 2 weeks, due to proper GP being on holiday, part-timers, a locum, and always asking to see a GP the same day, so ending up with the duty GP. Fortunately they're all lovely, and I don't think it's had any adverse effect on my care. I've tried to see the same ones about the same problems where poss, IYSWIM. On the plus side, whoever I see today will have seen me already in the last couple of weeks - I've worked my way through all of them!

I don't know if any of you are still around, but I thought I'd update this post in case anyone is interested. I saw a lovely GP yesterday afternoon. She checked me out, and didn't find anything, which was a relief. She wasn't sure why I've been bleeding again, but said sometimes it does just happen. Bleeding has stopped again now and I'm still trying to take it easy.

Thanks for your suggestions yesterday.

glad your doing ok poblets! And keeping all your GPs busy that's a good way to keep current with them all (but I'm not keen to try it myself...)
Hope its all plain sailing from now!

Great news pob - hope you are feeling loads better

mumofk - no I don't recommend it as a way to get to know them all. The worst thing is that ALL of the receptionists & the dispenser (pharmacy person in surgery) know my name so I just have to smile at them when I turn up at the surgery and they say 'hello pobletsmum, take a seat' . I have joked about installing a camp bed. Would be much easier!