Postpartum bleeding is normal after you deliver your baby.
The bloody discharge you have is calledlochia.
Lochia may last for four to six weeks, but it should be less bloody after two weeks.
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It can come and go for about two months.
Excessively heavy and uncontrolled bleeding after giving birth is calledpostpartum hemorrhage.
It is more likely with a cesarean delivery (C-section).
Other factors can also make someone more likely to have postpartum hemorrhage.
If it happens, you need treatment as soon as possible to stop the bleeding.
This is when theplacentadetaches from the wall of the uterus and is expelled through the vagina.
The placenta isn’t the only tissue that’s no longer needed after your baby is born, though.
Blood cells and excess fluid and tissue will be gradually cleared from your body in the weeks after delivery.
Bleeding is also the result of the uterine wall healing in the area where the placenta detached.
As that tissue heals, bleeding slows.
Extremely heavy bleeding can signal trouble with the healing process.
This is a medical emergency and requires immediate treatment by a healthcare provider.
This will include checking the height and tone of your fundus, the top portion of your uterus.
A fundus that feels too soft can be a sign that you are at risk of postpartum hemorrhage.
Even with normal amounts of bleeding, cramping and discomfort can make the recovery process more difficult.
Your doctor may suggest stool softeners to help increase your comfort.
Your doctor will also give you advice on when to call or go to the hospital after delivery.
You may experience bloody discharge called lochia for up to two months after giving birth.
Sometimes heavy bleeding may occur, which needs to treated as soon as possible.
A Word From Verywell
Bleeding is a normal part of the recovery process after childbirth.
As the uterus shrinks back to its normal size, extra tissue and blood leaves through the vagina.
This bloody discharge may last for two months.
In some cases, the bleeding can become more severe, leading to postpartum hemorrhage.
This requires emergency medical care.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does postpartum bleeding last?
How do you stop postpartum bleeding?
When should you worry about postpartum bleeding?
Immediately after delivery, your healthcare team will monitor you closely for hemorrhaging.
Generally, most mothers can tolerate up to a liter of blood loss.
How long after postpartum bleeding will I get my period?
When your period returns after you give birth can vary, and it depends on whether you are breastfeeding.
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Stanford Children’s Health.Postpartum hemorrhage.
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Postpartum hemorrhage.
American Academy of Family Physicians.Postpartum hemorrhage: Prevention and treatment.
Cleveland Clinic.Pregnancy: Physical changes after delivery.
