Real-life postpartum bleeding vs social media

[rasull]

Bit of background - I had a secondary pph with my 1st born, very traumatic and scary and now I'm 4 weeks postpartum with my 2nd.

I've had a couple of scares this time which have landed me back in hospital - nothing major compared to last time - passed a few big clots, some heavy bright red bleeding end of week 2, beginning of week 3. Both times bleeds stopped pretty quickly, had a scan to confirm nothing sinister like last time (no retained product).

Had a follow up scan last week to reassure me that everything was okay as my anxiety has been pretty bad with it all (any slight feeling down below and I'm panicking) - they found a 12mm anomaly and put me on antibiotics but again weren't concerned. Since the scan the bleeding was almost done and then today after a walk, had a whoosh and a big panic that the bleeding has started again.

With my sane head on, I know it can be normal to bleed up to six weeks after and that exercise can bring it on but my heart breaks every time and I'm left a crying mess!

So, just looking for some real life stories, if people don't mind sharing, of your experiences with pp bleeding. As according to Dr Google and social media, bleeding, once turned to the lochia alba (creamy yellow) should then stop. End of. So this is not helping my anxiety. I know I shouldn't Google/listen to social media but ....(I suppose there is no good excuse)...

Sorry for the long post - hope it helps others too..

Bleeding can come and go. When you say a whoosh, how much are we talking? a full pad? Are you breastfeeding?

A lot of women can bleed for 6 weeks, stop and then get a period.

Try not to panic too much. If you have been checked at the hospital it is unlikely you'll develop a secondary PPH again.

Not a full pad - in my head I know it was just normal, maybe like a medium/heavy period. I just can't cope with the anxiety!
Yep, breastfeeding, which can also increase bleeding?! They joys!!
Thank you for the reassurance 💕

Yeah bleeding can definitely come and go, and 4 weeks isn't very long.
Breastfeeding makes it worse, so does activity so getting gushes when you start walking around is normal.
I had retained products after my first too, horrible experience so I definitely sympathise

I think you need help for your anxiety.

Hi op, so sorry you're feeling this way 💐

I didn't breast feed but I did get told and read it can increase bleeding. Also keep in mind I didn't do it and I bled for about 6 weeks with my second, 2 weeks-ish with my first. Heavy lifting (or any lifting heavier than newborn) used to bring it on. Hope you get sorted

It can come and go and be different for all pregnancies. I bled so much with my first. It went on months. Got a bit better then started up again if I walked for a long period or moved in certain ways.
With my third I only bled 3 weeks!
My second was 8 weeks till it totally stopped and again came and went a bit. Did gush if I moved alot.
I breastfed all of them so I'm not sure that had any impact.
But basically it can really vary and go on for months but still be within the realms of normality.

Thank you for sharing. Definitely helps to hear other real life stories rather than "..it should be this in this many days..." If that makes sense!

Being active makes it start up more. I had bleeding for about 8 weeks after both births. Then had a 3 week break before my periods started back up, regular as clockwork despite ebf. I did need iron tablets!

About 15 weeks for all of mine. No issues with retained placenta. Went pale brown and back to red multiple times. I am not good at resting though. For me, it is normal and healthy to bleed for months post birth.

That's why I reached out on here, to hear real stories. To normalise it. Going through something like a secondary pph with my first child was not a nice experience - I didn't experience "normal" so I don't know what that means for my body. Hearing other peoples experiences helps. Do you have a story to share? It might help more than just myself.

I definitely found being more active could cause more bleeding, and not just at the time, but if I went out for a walk in the morning, the bleeding would be heavier that afternoon than it had been the previous day.

I have a bit of an understanding of how you're feeling. I had a haemorrhage after DD1 (but immediately after, not a secondary one), and in the few hours after DD2 was born I was extremely anxious about the level of bleeding, was it normal, how much was too much etc. I think in the half an hour between birth and being stitched I probably asked the poor midwife to check my bleeding about 5 times.

It's so scary! Glad you are okay. 😊

Thanks for this post. I am currently three weeks post partum and have been worried about my own bleeding. With Ds1 (elective c section) I bled for maybe two weeks and that was that then had lochia for another ten days or so. This time round it stopped very quickly early on and then started again at two weeks post partum lots of blood and clots (but none bigger than the warning signs etc) and stopped again then today it’s started back up but small amounts of red/ pink blood after wiping.

I agree the posts on social media and standard advice is not helpful