Postpartum Section Bleeding (Lochia)

[ER20]

How long did you bleed (lochia) for after a C Section?

My baby is 4 weeks old, still bleeding, although it is now dark.

Wound was infected last week so I asked when I saw a midwife for that & they said it’s normal to still bleed but wondering how long to expect it to go on for? I know everyone is different.

Thanks I’m advance.

6 weeks both times for me.

Hi. I’ve had 2 ELCS, the last one was 3 weeks ago. Both times I held for a week, then stopped, then it’s come back in fits and starts, sometime heavy. My wound did not get infected. However, with my first, I went back to maternity triage when DS was a month old. They did cervical check (closed), scan (couldn’t see anything, no retained products) and gave me a broad spectrum antibiotics just in case. It resolved itself after 5 weeks, which I understand is kind of a long time after a section. I’m hoping the same this time. Triage did tell me if it didnt resolve soon to ask GP for mini pill (BF’ing) as they thought it might be hormonal.

First time round I think I got aenemic as I felt dizzy and hot every time I had a gush of blood. This time around, I had iron infusion in hospital post section as I was very low, and lo and behold I don’t have the dizzy spells.

6-7 weeks post partum, would come and go definitely worse if I walked more that day.

@nutellamagnet thankyou, that’s reassuring.

@Blondiecub0109 I’m the same, go a couple of days with nothing then it starts again but doesn’t last long. Thankyou for replying.

@Numnumcookie Thankyou, I’m the same, glad to know it’s normal.

I’ve had 3 and all mine lasted 4-5 weeks. Try not to worry OP and congratulations on your new baby!

About 7-8 weeks in total. It stopped after 4-5 weeks but then came back!

it depends on procedure - when I had my ELSC with DS4 the surgeon told me to expect less lochia than with my previous babies because they'd stitch up the wound site left by the removed placenta.

I had hardly any bleeding after the first few days, it stopped completely by 3rd week.

so I would be alarmed by it, especially after an infection.
don't let them fob you off, get checked asap.

6-8 weeks both times. Had the "oh that's finished now" moment at about 4 weeks only for it to reappear and ruin my day (and pants).

6-7 weeks after emergency section and 3 weeks with planned section

@Willwebebuyingnumber11Thankyou ☺️

@Hopeislost Thanks for replying, it definitely lulls you in to a false sense of security doesn’t it, I’ve had a few days in a row with none then it comes back.