How long should you bleed for after birth - should I be concerned?

[Bky]

I gave birth 6 weeks ago now, had what I imagine to be normal post birth bleeding, which went brownish and watery after a week or so.

About a week after that it went bright red again and have been constantly bleeding bright red ever since.

Is this normal, I have just read somewhere else that it probably isn't and wondered what other people think?

I had EXACTLY the same and had an infection for which I had to have antibiotics. Best go get checked out.

Are you bottle feeding? If so it is probably a period. Having said that I had a five day long bleed at about 7 weeks, no pain or signs of infection so although I was bf I assumed it was a period, never had another one until she was 9 months though. If you have any pain or loss is smelly get it checked out straight away, probably best to see someone anyway if you are worried about it.

Could it be a period even though it's been constant and red and fairly heavy (heavier than my usual periods were)for four and a half weeks?

I was breastfeeding and had a period at around 6 weeks both times. If it is prolonged, clotty or smelly ask gp to check.

You might possibly have some small part of the placenta/sac still in place. Ring the midwife/labour ward and ask to come in to be checked.
It could be normal but you don't want to risk it just in case x

I bled for about 7 or 8 weeks, it gradually got less, unless I did something active, or lifted something, or exerted myself, iyswim, when it would go redder for a bit. Definitely get it checked out if you're worried, but it may well be natural.

I bled for 11 weeks. GP said he couldn't do anything if I was bf. Eventually passed a small lump of what I presume was placenta and it stopped. GP didn't seem that worried though.

Mine came and went a few times. First it went brown and nearly stopped while ds was still in hospital (at about 2 weeks), then it started again when he started demand feeding, then it stopped again and started again when I started some serious walking with the pushchair. It is not an exact science. Do you feel aenemic, very tired. How heavy is it? (how many pads do you get through?)

With ds1 I bled quite strongly for almost 6 weeks, went to gps for six week check sans pad thinking it had stopped and bled through my jeans .

Midwife told me 2nd time around that if you "are doing too much" (quite difficult to define that) you will bleed more red and stronger, if that makes sense.

I was told when your post natal bleeding stops and restarts it means you are doing too much.

did you have the injection for plcenta?
this caused me to bleed heavy for weeks
with 2 other dcs non injection I had very little bleeding

Oh Lord I bled for ages - then it stopped - strated again - stopped - started again. Didnt stop wearing those nasty towels for about 12 weeks! i think i over did it a bit - was out walking all the time etc (after c section!)

With my first i bled for 12 weeks. It stopped after about 2 and then came back bright red but much lighter for 12 weeks. I took the mini pill which made it worse as well. Saw GP and i was referred for a scan but by the time the appointment came through it had stopped! I wouldn't worry unless it's heavy, has clots or smells funny (and if you feel unwell).

I bled for ages both times, and both times it would go down to nothing and then start up again.. Got it checked first time and was told it was just one of those things..