Postpartum Bleeding: What Do You Need To Know

by Prapti Chauhan Prapti Chauhan

Once you deliver your baby, you’ll enter into a whole new world of physical and emotional changes, just like your pregnancy days. After all, becoming a mum for the first time is full of challenges. You might be facing depression, appetite issues, and several weeks of bleeding.

Read this article to know what is postpartum bleeding:

What is Postpartum Bleeding

You might have a normal or vaginal delivery or an emergency c-section, it’s not uncommon for you to bleed vaginally after you’ve given birth to your little one. This bleeding is also known as Lochia. It is in this way your body releases additional blood and tissue which helped in the baby’s development, while he or she was getting nurtured inside you. In this condition, you might bleed heavily for the first 2-3 days post-delivery. After a few days, the bleeding would start reducing and might even stop. The colour of the blood might even change from dark red to brown to yellowish-white, within a few weeks. The blood might even smell like your menstrual period. Moreover, in this way, the uterine lining is also getting restored.

In case you had a caesarean delivery, you might bleed lesser than if you give birth vaginally.

What Causes Postpartum Bleeding?

Through vaginal bleeding, the uterine lining gets repaired slowly as discussed earlier. This phenomenon is also known as Uterine Antony. That is, the uterus squeezes to where the placenta, (an essential organ for the nourishment and development of the life inside you) was.

Other than the above, you are more likely to undergo this condition when:

You give birth to more than one baby
Your baby weight more 8 pounds 13 ounces
You’re in labour longer than expected
You’ve given birth many times before

That’s not the end! There are several other reasons for postpartum bleeding:

Uterine Rupture

During labor, pressure builds as the baby passes through the mother's birth canal. As a result of this pressure, the uterus may tear giving rise to postpartum bleeding, after the delivery of your baby.

Vaginal Tears

The skin cannot stretch enough to accommodate your baby's head as it passes through your vaginal canal.

Painful Contractions

Some of you may experience painful contractions after you’ve delivered your baby. This may be accompanied by large blood clots which give rise to heavy bleeding post-pregnancy.

How to Treat Postpartum Bleeding?

You just need to ensure about taking care of the hygiene:

Keep sanitary napkins stocked
Try not to use tampons or menstrual cups to keep postpartum infection at bay
Try not to have sexual activity during this time
Try not to do heavy physical exercises
Avoid swimming in the public pools
Try to keep your private areas clean
Visit the bathroom quite often
Take more iron with your diet

Undoubtedly postpartum bleeding is a serious problem. And, if it takes more than just a few weeks for the bleeding to stop, consult your doctor immediately.