Bleeding: TMI/Venting

JoDoc · December 2013

I had my adorable little boys on November 19th. Currently they are 5 weeks old. My first selfish thought when I got my positive pregnancy result was "Woo Hoo! No period for 9 months!! Yay!" What people don't tell you is that after you give birth you bleed for 4-6 weeks. Really? WTH! 4-6 weeks straight! Like THAT'S enjoyable! I thought 5 days straight was annoying. Ugh!

Ok, that's my vent, now on to my question and TMI. I have been bleeding now since they were born. I knew that would happen (when they told me in the hospital after they were born) but I have some questions. (First off, know that I have my recheck scheduled for January 3rd, so will be seeing my doctor soon) At what point does the bleeding diminish? It is still as heavy as it was on day 9. It was dark, dark red in color and at times thick. I'd have to wipe probably 4 times before I'd be "clean". Then on Christmas Eve it changed to a lighter flow and bright red, so I assumed it was my regular menstrual cycle. I did have horrible cramps, like I'd never had before. This lasted about 3 days, then I went to the bathroom and had a bowel movement. While I was pushing for that, I felt clots passing from my vaginal area. I mean, I had felt that same thing in the hospital, I knew that's what it was. I passed probably 5-6 large ones (I'd passed quite small ones before and didn't feel them pass, but saw them in the toilet), so the fact that I felt them tells me they were large. 30 minutes after passing all of those clots I realized I had NO cramps anymore. The bleeding is back again and is darker now, not the bright red like it was for 3 days.

Is this normal? Have you passed clots this late after giving birth? Have they been large like mine seem to be? I tried seeing how large they were but the water was so dark from the blood that I couldn't see them. I'd say, based on those I passed while in the hospital, they were about the size of a large marble, or small golfball. Bad descriptions, I know, but the best I can do. Any thoughts?

TheDairyQueenx3 · December 2013

My first (singleton) I bled for 13 weeks dark and heavy and passed clots the size of a golf ball or bigger. Checked for retained placenta but there was absolutely nothing. I was just one if the lucky ones I guess lol. The last three weeks of it was because I wasn't resting properly and went to working out right away so where the placenta was attached started bleeding. Breastfeeding is what caused my cramping with both my twins and my singleton. With my twins I bled for 4 weeks and 2 days stopped then 3 days later started up with what I think was my period but not too sure since we are exclusively breastfeeding so I guess in a month we will see! But post partum bleeding is odd it can start and stop several times for up to 8 weeks (6-8weeks is considered normal) my cramping also was because my uterus was laying slightly crooked from my last twin comin out super fast it caused it to become tilted so when it moved back it was awful cramping. That lasted for maybe two or three days. It is normal to go from brown to bright red to a wired white/clear mucous to deep red again. As long as you don't soak a pad in under 60-90 minutes you should be ok.

CNYBride05 · December 2013

I had something similar and at 4 weeks pp, had a d&c to remove retained placenta. I'd call your doc on Monday. Good luck and feel free to ask me any questions.

nblondheim · December 2013

Oh my...the things I also didn't know and get to look forward to!! Thanks for the heads up!

rcnavywife · December 2013

I agree with pp's. Give your doctor a call. Might be retained placenta.

jocie2581 · December 2013

I bled for nine weeks. My ob said as long as you notice the flow getting lighter every two weeks it's fine. I passed a few ice cube sized clots initially and towards the end of my bleeding.

LottaLattes · December 2013

I kept bleeding like that and asked my ob, said it was normal. Passed a large clot at week 8, which was frickin disgusting, and it finally tapered off. I would assume yours will taper too now, but if not ask your ob. Good luck and take care. I won't mention that despite EPing, I got my first PP period 6 weeks later, so annoying.

raraavis28 · December 2013

I bled off and on for 3 months (though it was much lighter by 7 weeks-ish) and definitely passed some large clots in those first weeks. It was scary but the doc assured me it was normal. It would usually happen after BFing or pumping. It never hurts to give your doctor a call. GL!

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