Postpartum bleeding................?

Question

This question is going to be TMI for many people...

My baby is 12 days old and I'm still bleeding...the blood is still very red...but there is dark red (bloody) mucous that strings through it....I notice it mostly when I wipe....but it is alot when I wipe.I'm wiping at least 7 times and still blood....this is not my first cihld, and I dont' believe that I ever bled in this way before....so I am a bit concerned!!!

and also, how long does it take for your stomach to become 'soft' again?

My stomach is still on the hard side.....stretch pants when I sit hurt my stomach and they are pants that I wore when I was pregnant.........I can't wear anything except for my maternity clothes...

and I KNOW it takes a while for you to get back to pre-pregnancy size...I'm not asking that....I just don't remember my stomach being so hard for so long after, and I also think i can still feel my uterus under my belly button...is that where it should be 12 days after vaginal birth?

Answer 1

CONGRATS on the birth.  I have had 2 children.....postpartum bleeding with the second was much worse than the first..........however; I was 21 with my first and 30 with the second!  With the second I bled for 6 weeks, the first 2 1/2 weeks were much like you described.  As for the belly.........it'll take some time.  All those organs in there have been through chaos!  Give it another week before you call your ob.  In the meantime, enjoy that baby!!!  Congrats again

Answer 2

I bled heavily for 2 weeks or so post partum. My blood looked similar for a few days and then darkened.

That hardness your feeling is your uterus. It hasn't gone back to regular size. I would worry that the blood is still bright red. You may have left over placenta still inside.

I suggest making an appointment with your OB.

Answer 3

I bled heavily for 2 weeks after giving birth and then a lighter flow for like another week. And I also had the dark red mucous strings, my doc said it was normal, just blood clotting. If you're still bleeding heavily in a few more days, call your doc just to be sure. But i'm sure it'll settle down soon. And it also took my uterus weeks to return to normal size.

Answer 4

I have given birth 4 times.... every time my post-partum bleeding was different. With my last one, I bled for almost 5 weeks. My uterus was under my belly-button for a couple of weeks, but it didn't hurt. If you are really concerned, call your doctor or the nurses that took care of you in the hospital.

Answer 5

More than likely, you are okay - but to be safe, call your doctor.  In the hospital, my uterus was hard and distended the night my daughter was born (she was born in the AM), and there actually was a problem...TMI, but I couldn't pee, and my bladder was causing my uterus not to contract and shrink properly, so that had to be delt with asap... I don't know what the outcome could have been, I didn't ask, as I was too busy trying to avoid a cathader (AND I DID - hot shower).  

My advice would be to call your doctor, just to make sure everything is good inside and out (in case there is an issue with the stiches that is bleeding, as well).  Take care, and I hope it all works out great.  Congrats on the baby!

Answer 6

Regarding the bleeding issue...yes, bleeding still is very normal. The "strings" are probably thin clots of blood. For more TMI, blood clots can be very large and scary. But they're normal. I continued to bleed up until 6 weeks postpartum with my second baby.

Don't worry, but mention it to your doctor just for peace of mind.

Your belly size...I would say is because of that fact that this is your second baby. Your uterus is going to take more time to return back to its (close to) original size because it's lost some elasticity from being stretched twice.

If you're breastfeeding, that will cause small uterus contractions that will help "shrink" it. They can be slightly painful though.

Good luck, and enjoy that baby!

Answer 7

Call your doctor, you may be having a problem that needs attention. He/She will be able to tell you.