How long do postpartum bleeding last?

How to make postpartum bleeding stop?
Postpartum bleeding can be the cause of great discomfort experienced by mothers who have just given birth to a child. Besides the physical exhaustion experienced during the process of childbirth, the new mother now has to deal with the restoration of the balance of hormones in her body, as well as the regulation of the menstrual cycle that ceased to exist during the tenure of the pregnancy. There are no drugs that can be administered in order to stop postpartum bleeding, which in itself, is a natural phenomenon. However, when women experience postpartum bleeding stops and starts that are erratic, it is a cause for concern. Postpartum bleeding that is abnormal in nature is generally caused by growths inside the uterus, or an incomplete Dilation and Cutterage (D&C) after the pregnancy, leaving a certain amount of impurities within the uterus itself. There are various home remedies that recommend the consumption of a variety of herbs to stop postpartum bleeding. These practices have been commonplace from times gone by and were used by midwives to ease the deliberations of the new mothers. Ground ivy leaf, when brewed and strained, and the liquid consumed, provides a certain amount of relief from postpartum bleeding. Catnip is another herb that has been well recommended to relieve postpartum menstrual cramping.

Submitted by N on October 12, 2011 at 05:02

What are the causes and symptoms of postpartum bleeding?

Postpartum bleeding refers to the flow of blood that a woman experiences after going through childbirth. The blood that is discharged after delivery is known as lochia and it consists of excess blood, mucus and placental tissue. Postpartum bleeding could last for anywhere between 2 weeks to 8 weeks.

Causes of postpartum bleeding

Postpartum bleeding is a very normal process, through which excess blood and placental tissue are eliminated from the body. After childbirth, the uterus and the placenta get separated and as a result of that, the blood vessels in the uterus remain open. The bleeding of the blood vessels in the uterus leads to postpartum bleeding. After childbirth, as the uterine muscles continue to contract, a higher amount of placenta is expelled and gradually the blood vessels in the area close off.

Symptoms of postpartum bleeding

Postpartum bleeding is much heavier than menstrual bleeding, especially in the first 5 to 7 days. After that the flow of blood reduces to some extent. In the beginning, small blood clot and pieces of tissue may also be seen in the lochia, along with some mucus. After a while the passage of blood clots and tissue should stop.

In case the bleeding is too heavy, or there are large blood clots present, the doctor needs to be informed right away.

Submitted by J on September 15, 2011 at 01:28

Postpartum bleeding can last from anywhere from 2 weeks to 6 weeks.

Postpartum Bleeding

All women, who have a baby, whether by caesarean section or by vaginal delivery, experience postpartum bleeding. This is also referred to as ‘lochia’.

Postpartum bleeding is not only made up of blood. It also contains placental tissue, mucus, excess blood, and any other debris and particles, which are left over in the uterus, after the baby has been delivered. The body needs to get rid of this now-unwanted material, and it does so by means of postpartum bleeding.

Menstrual Bleeding

While it is similar to menstrual bleeding, it is also very different.

While a menstrual bleeding occurs for only 3 to 5 days, or say 7 days, postpartum bleeding starts immediately after giving birth, and may go on for 2 weeks and even extend upto 6 weeks. The color and texture change over that period.

The vaginal discharge of lochia or postpartum bleeding is bright red in the first 7 to 12 days. The flow is heavy and steady. Sometimes, it may also contain small grape-like clots. Gradually, the color becomes a more brownish-red. The liquid becomes thinner and the flow becomes less. After a few days, the color becomes lighter – it’s now pinkish or a yellow-white color. The flow slows down to a mere occasional trickle, till there is only the occasional spotting, before it stops altogether.  This is a signal that your body has gone back to ‘normal’.

You will need to wear sanitary pads during this period of postpartum bleeding. Even if you are used to wearing tampons, it will be better not to use them, because they can introduce bacteria and infection into your uterus.

Since your body is still going through many hormonal changes, it would be better to take as much rest as possible in the first month after delivery.

Sometimes postpartum bleeding can become abnormally excessive. This is called a postpartum hemorrhage and can even lead to death. Look out for signs which indicate that it is not normal and consult your doctor immediately.

•    If your bleeding is so heavy that your sanitary pad becomes soaked in an hour, and you start feeling dizzy or faint, it is cause for worry.

•    Sometimes the blood may gush out. Or the discharge may contain blood clots the size of gold balls. That could also signal some problem.

•    Also look out for a foul odor in the discharge, since this could mean some infection in the uterus.

Submitted by P T on March 17, 2010 at 05:24

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