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Is Heavy Bleeding 4 Weeks After Child Birth Normal?

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Posted on Thu, 10 Nov 2016
Question: is it abnormal to bleed this much 4 weeks post partum (pad has been on for 6 hours)?
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Answered by Dr. Jacqueline Brown (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Yes- your bleeding is normal

Detailed Answer:
Hello, and I hope I can help you today.

It is not unusual to bleed on and off as much as a heavy period for up to 6 weeks after a vaginal delivery and 8 weeks for a Caesarean section. The bleeding tends to get heavier during breastfeeding, as the hormones that stimulate your breasts to release milk also cause uterine contractions. You also will typically see heavier bleeding in the morning, as blood can accumulate in the vagina overnight and then flow out all at once when you are upright because of gravity.

Signs to watch out for is sudden onset of bright red blood that is heavier than a typical period, or bleeding with clots that necessitates changing more than 1 pad per hour.

So there is no reason to be concerned about the amount of bleeding you have seen on your pad over a 6 hour time period in only 4 weeks after delivery. Your uterus really does not shrink down to a non-pregnant size until at least 6 weeks postpartum, and you can expect at least some irregular bleeding during that time.

I hope I was able to adequately answer your question today and that my advice was helpful. If I can be of any further assistance please do not hesitate to contact me.

Best wishes,

Dr. Brown
Note: Revert back with your gynae reports to get a clear medical analysis by our expert Gynecologic Oncologist. Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee
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Answered by
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Dr. Jacqueline Brown

OBGYN

Practicing since :1996

Answered : 1425 Questions

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Is Heavy Bleeding 4 Weeks After Child Birth Normal?

Brief Answer: Yes- your bleeding is normal Detailed Answer: Hello, and I hope I can help you today. It is not unusual to bleed on and off as much as a heavy period for up to 6 weeks after a vaginal delivery and 8 weeks for a Caesarean section. The bleeding tends to get heavier during breastfeeding, as the hormones that stimulate your breasts to release milk also cause uterine contractions. You also will typically see heavier bleeding in the morning, as blood can accumulate in the vagina overnight and then flow out all at once when you are upright because of gravity. Signs to watch out for is sudden onset of bright red blood that is heavier than a typical period, or bleeding with clots that necessitates changing more than 1 pad per hour. So there is no reason to be concerned about the amount of bleeding you have seen on your pad over a 6 hour time period in only 4 weeks after delivery. Your uterus really does not shrink down to a non-pregnant size until at least 6 weeks postpartum, and you can expect at least some irregular bleeding during that time. I hope I was able to adequately answer your question today and that my advice was helpful. If I can be of any further assistance please do not hesitate to contact me. Best wishes, Dr. Brown