Postpartum bleeding is common for all pregnant women (healthy pregnancy) after child birth and is also known as lochia.
Postpartum bleeding is your body’s way of getting rid of excess blood, mucus and tissues from the placenta after giving birth to your child.
This condition is very similar to the bleeding that occurs during your menstruation cycle, but postpartum bleeding is more intense.
Bleeding starts within a few hours after delivery and usually exists for 2-3 weeks. For some women, bleeding lasts for six weeks after giving birth.
It can take on various forms, based on how much time you are into the postpartum. Basically, Lochia begins as a gush or it flows steadily similar to a regular menstrual period. In the beginning, blood clots about the size of grapes will come out.
During the initial days, lochia is a bright red color. After one or two weeks, blood discharge becomes a more brownish red color and takes on a thinner texture.
For the next few weeks, the blood discharge continues to alter from a red shade to pink and finally a yellowish white. As time passes, the discharge should slow down and become lighter.
You need to get plenty of rest, but don’t overdo it. During the initial weeks, use heavy-duty sanitary pads provided by the hospital. As the lochia tapers off, you can use mini pads.
Bleeding after the delivery is not due to any health concerns. This will stop on its own when your body is ready. However, some women experience problems with postpartum bleeding. If you observe any of the below-mentioned symptoms, call your practitioner.
Experiencing any of these symptoms makes your condition worse, but proper care will help you relieve these problems.
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Thanks for educating me about postpartum bleeding..as a father and a husband, i am now aware of what might happen to my wife after delivering our baby. I always do some research about the risks involve during pregnancy and upon giving birth to help us aware of what might happen.