tmi alert, but is this normal after birth?

[happynappies]

My dd is three months old now, and am bf, but she's slept through the night for a couple of weeks and just experiencing my first proper period post-birth. Dd is my fourth, and have never had such a heavy period in my life. Tmi... but really? The products I used to use which would last some time are useless, keep flooding after just an hour. Can't understand what is going on. Does this sound normal? I did have what I thought were 'heavy' periods after my third, but not on this scale. Really keen to hear if others think this is ok.

My first period post Dd was also horrific. And products were also useless, I was having to double up with towels and ended up using maternity pads again!

I am pleased to report however that number 2 was back to normal (not that they're ever pleasant but you get my drift hopefully!?)

My advice would be to go to your gp. I had very heavy bleeding 4 weeks after giving birth which my doctor said was just my first period. After a couple more days of literally gushing when I stood up and passing huge blood clots (sorry, that def is tmi) had to call doctor out. Was sent to hospital and given a couple of scans where they found i had some retained placenta. Had to go under general anaesthetic and they removed it. Problem solved instantly and could finally be rid of those whopping big maternity pads!! It may turn out that it is just the return of your periods but best to get checked.

My first period (after my fourth) wasn't for about 9 months. I flooded through everything and wore super flow tampons and maternity pads at the same time, but still flooded within the hour every time. They lasted for a couple of weeks at a time as well. My GP prescribed some tablets that stop the bleeding and recommended I give myself 5 days and then take them, to reduce the length my periods were lasting. My periods continued like this until I got pregnant again (when Dd was 13 months). Never had this with any of my other children and am really hoping for it to not happen again after this one.

Hopefully it is just going to be for your first few cycles and then will settle down. Best to go to your GP about it though, if only to make sure you don't end up anaemic. My GP seemed to think heavy periods were more likely the more children you have, but I'm not convienced as most people in my extended family have 4 or more children and have not had such problems.

Thank you v much for your replies, am thinking a trip to the gp anyway as I want to get the coil fitted, no #5 for me so hopefully that should sort things out but I will ask about it, this is just too grim!

Go to the GP. A friend of mine had this and she went on to majorly haemorrhage which resulted in a hysterectomy and almost killed her. It's likely to be nothing but it would be best to check.

My first period after DC4 was 18 months post-birth and foul. But I think it was only my 5th in 8 years? Perhaps i'd just forgotten

My first one after ds4 was so heavy for me and lasted 10 days. By about period 3 they were back to normal