Prolonged bleeding after childbirth

[tirednewmummy]

I had my ds almost 12 weeks ago by emergency c-section. I had proper bleeding for a week afterwards then spotting for another 6 weeks. Then 7 weeks post-birth I had a bright red bleed for a few days then 2 weeks off then another bright red bleed for a few days then about 5 days off then more bright red bleeding. It seems to be getting heavier each time. I started taking the mini-pill at 7 weeks as I was still breast feeding. Now I've stopped breast feeding and I've started taking the combined pill. I went to see my gp this morning. He doesn't think its anything relating to the birth and he said I should just give it time and that the pill should settle it down eventually. I am so depressed about this though. I just want my body to go back to normal. Anyone have any experience of this. Before pregnancy my periods were really regular and no problem.

Bumping for you.

Hi. Sorry to hear your bleeding is getting you down I'm a gp and it sounds to me like this bleeding is almost certainly hormonal and not related to the c-section. The only real cause of bleeding that could be related to the delivery at this point in time is an infection, and that would most likely be associated with pain, smelly discharge and feeling unwell, and the blood would probably be darker in colour. It certainly doesn't sound like that. After pregnancy and having a baby your hormones are all over the place for some time, and that can affect your periods. The pill that you're taking works by giving you hormones to override those produced by your own body, which then prevent you from ovulating each month. If the level of hormone in the pill isn't high enough, then you can get erratic bleeding instead of a usual monthly withdrawal bleed. Your gp is right in that this will settle with time, as your body and natural hormone production goes back to normal after the pregnancy, but equally if this persists and is upsetting you then it would be worth either coming off the pill for a time or changing to a pill with a different hormone content. Usually one or two gps in a practice specialise in women's health - not wanting to generalise but these are more likely to be the female gps. To discuss this in more detail with one of them, have a look at your practice leaflet at the qualifications of the gps in your practice - if they have done a diploma in obstetrics and gynaecology they will have DRCOG after their name, or DFFP (family planning). Most importantly, try not to worry - this is so common after having a baby. Don't forget to check your smear status though - it's always a good idea to get that up-to-date following having a baby as it is easily forgotten. Hope this is helpful. xx

Sounds exactly as if you were me writing this - except that I'm at 17 weeks post emergency c-section and i havent changed from the mini pill even though i have just stopped breastfeeding about a week ago. Does anyone have anything else to add to this...

I bled for almost 14 weeks after having dd by a c-section. I found that if I pushed myself physically I bled FAR more than if I took it easy, eg sitting on the sofa = light bleed, but pushing pram up steep hill = a bit of pain and very heavy bleed. Unfortunately I felt well so did a lot of exercise hence the long bleed. Doctor wasn't worried so I just got used to it.

HTH