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• April 29, 2013 10:27 p.m.

  Maylene, your bleeding sounds heavier than usual. I recommend that you talk with your health care provider again. Our periods can be different after we have a baby but yours does seem out of the ordinary.

  - Mary@Mayo

• April 28, 2013 1:20 a.m.

  I just have a quick question I am a mother of one and my son is six months and since i gave birth i soak maxi pads in an hour or two i went to my OB but they told me its normal and they prescribed birth control and yet im still bleeding heavily idk what to do its my first child and im 19 is this normal?

  - Maylene

• February 13, 2013 4:15 p.m.

  After the birth of my 5th child(2001) I soaked through bed pads about once a hour for the first 8 hours in the hospital. I also passed large clots and because it was my 5th birth not much was said from the staff, they said it was expected(more bleeding). Upon returning home on day two, I noticed I had lost all my baby weight which never happened with my other kids, which was quickly followed by a 20# weight gain and ultimately a diagnosis of hypothyroidism. A year later, an endo diagnosed me with adult growth hormone deficiency(AGHD) and I was on GH shots 6x week for a few years. I now (2013) have problems with similar symptoms of AGHD and after reading about sheehan syndrome wonder why in 2001 it was not noticed as a possible cause of my excessive bleeding that might have damaged my pituitary.

  - Tamara

• January 30, 2013 5:52 a.m.

  my wife 24 years old primi 34W + 5D was admitted in hospital with complaints of increased bleeding P/V and lower abdominal pain. USG showed retroplacental clot and absent baby cardiac activity, we gave arround 7 units blood o+ve, doctors was induced labour and she delivered still born baby, placents report says normal and increase of sudden high B.P,this was happened 2nd of dec 2012, she finished 2 cycle of periods,still minor bleeding also available from the date of delivary.but past 3 days she have heavy back pain and light brown bleeding, why suddenly heavy back pain came. when bleeding will stop. please give your advice.

  - Karthik

• July 23, 2012 2:30 a.m.

  @Jamie I had the same experience with postpartum bleeding in 1977. Terrible blood loss after childbirth. I was in shock and when I woke up they were pressing on my abdomen (worse pain of my life). I was in ER recovery for 12 hours. I saw my doctor 30 days later with pain and bleeding and he gave me some kind of pill for relief. I don't remember if he told me to expect heavier expulsion to remove placenta. Anyway, I continued to bleed heavily in pools and clots until I had lost so much blood I couldn't stand and my husband had to carry me to the car. ER packed me until I could be seen by dr. When he unpacked me, clouts poured out and I thought I was dying. Emergency D&C saved my life. Next day in recovery, I found my roommate from childbirth was in next room. If this is so rare, why where we both there for same condition?

  - Mary

• May 13, 2012 5:02 p.m.

  I had my daughter March 23rd. I am 7 weeks postpartum and still bleeding. It seems to slow down and stop for a day or a few hours, then start all over again. I didn't bleed this long with my son. I am breastfeeding, and everyone keeps telling me this is not normal. What is going on? The bleeding isn't abnormally heavy, and there is no odor or anything. Sometimes I'm cramping, and still passing small clots. Any ideas/thoughts?

  - Heather

• May 8, 2012 1:57 p.m.

  i had my baby feb.28,2011. and i am still bleeding, what should i do/

  - a.suton

• April 18, 2012 1:41 p.m.

  I had my third baby 13 months ago and I experienced two postpartum hemorrhages. After delivery, I would not stop bleeding, and several nurses pressed and pressed on my stomach to get out massive clots. I spoke with the anesthesiologist for a probable D & C. My doctor came back and did a uterine sweep (that hurt worse than delivering), and was told to watch for any bleeding. I lost over 2 liters of blood. Following her birth, I continued to bleed, but it just looked different- like it had nasal mucous mixed with. (Sorry- but that is the best way to describe it.) When she was three weeks old, I was nursing her and I looked down and saw a pool of blood in my lap. I called my husband, called the physician's exchange, and prepared to go to the ER. As I walked across the room to go change clothes, blood poured out of me- it splattered all over the walls. I called my husband back, panicked, and he called an ambulance. (I wanted him home to care for my three kids.) I went into shock. Blood kept pouring out of me. My blood pressure dropped. I needed oxygen. I ended up getting blood, platelets, and having an emergency D & C where a small piece of placenta was found. I think about it every day- how close I came to dying and leaving my precious family. I think my doctor made the wrong call- not to do the D & C in the hospital following the birth, but I also think that every indication was that the extreme bleeding had stopped. I thank God I am here to finish raising m

  - Jamie

• April 16, 2012 12:36 p.m.

  Bleeding in post partum can vary. Some women stop in 2 weeks and others may bleed for 5-6 weeks. Some women start their period at 6-8 weeks post partum. I think you are concerned about this and should talk to your doctor again. There may be other reasons for the bleeding.

  - Mary@Mayo

• April 12, 2012 5:08 p.m.

  I HAVE DELIVERED MY BABY 9 WEEKS AGO AND STILL HAVE NOT STOPPED BLEEDING. I HAVE RECIEVED MEDICATION FROM MY DOCTOR TO STOP THE BLEEDING BUT IT HAS NOT STOPPED. IS THIS NORMAL TO HAVE BLEEDING THIS LONG?

  - kelly

• January 30, 2012 6:01 p.m.

  I'm in week 7 postpartum and haven't stopped bleeding. Also all-over body ache. Doctor gave me antibiotics and it's doing nothing. Still bleeding -- still aching. I have to go back to work next week. Should I get a second opinion?

  - Alex

• July 23, 2011 11:35 a.m.

  About 5days after a C-section my daughter noticed a vaginal odor. She had not bled much after birth. 21-days later she passed alot of blood w/clots. Also a tissue like substance was hanging out. We took her into ER. The nurse pulled the substance out, it was at least the size of a grapefruit. Then a sonagram was taken of uterus & looked fine. Blood work was normal. She was sent home after & told to keep regular office visit w/doctor which is in five days. What is the cause of such a thing? She was given a shot for her blood type late in pregnancy, don't know if one was given after C-section though. Could this have caused any trouble?

  - sandra

• March 9, 2011 12:27 p.m.

  I am six weeks postpartum and I am still having bright red bleeding at least 3-4days out of the week. I will bleed bright red and heavy for a few days and then it will seem like it is ending just to start again a few days later. It has been this was since I gave birth. Should I be concerned?

  - Tracy

• March 1, 2011 5:01 p.m.

  When I had my son 1 1/2 years ago, I experienced a postpartum hemmorage, about 2 hrs after giving birth, leading to a D&C & needing a transfusion of 2 units of blood & 1 unit of plasma. After looking further into my family history, we discovered a history of this on my mothers side. My dr. was concerned I may have a blood disorder, because there was no retained placenta and the family history. I am now pregnant with my 2nd child and wanted to know if they can do testing to see if I have a blood disorder while pregnant. The nurse I spoke to at the drs. office seemed to think they couldn't. I am confused and worried. Any info. you could provide would be great. Thank you!

  - Tabby

• February 2, 2011 4:40 p.m.

  I had my second c section 16 days ago. I have not had much bleeding /discharge since I came home. Today I had a couple big gushes of blood. Filled a pad in about an hour. Not much since. Just wondering if this is normal or should I worry.

  - kim

• December 2, 2010 1:05 a.m.

  When I was 5 weeks post-partum, I had spotting which began after an orgasm and that lasted a couple of days. I thought that possibly it was my first post-partum period, although I am exclusively breast-feeding. Today, 8 weeks post-partum, I, again, am experiencing bright red spotting all of a sudden after an orgasm. Although I barely noticed it earlier today, I now got up from bed and felt a little bit of discharge exit my vagina and am concerned because it is bright red. I have been sexually active with my husband several times post-partum. Both times that I've experienced the spotting have not been from intercourse.

  - Sofia

• November 5, 2010 9:36 a.m.

  Kara, bleeding for this long is not right. Sometimes our post partum bleeding continuing can be from hormonal birth control or an IUD. It can also be from a retained piece of placenta or membrane. I would recommend that you find a third provider who is willing to do some testing to find out why you are bleeding so much.

  - Mary@Mayo

• October 3, 2010 11:29 p.m.

  I gave birth to my daughter almost 7 months ago and am still bleeding. Some days it is bright red and heavy and the next day it my be light spotting and dark (almost brown). I have been to two separate doctors and neither have a reason.

  - Kara

• September 4, 2010 12:43 p.m.

  I'm concerned about a young mother who is experiencing postpartum bleeding nearly six months since giving birth. Surely this can't be right. She has seen her doctor, but I feel she should be referred to the hospital specialist. She didn't have these symptoms with her first child - now three years old.

  - Sue

• August 24, 2010 11:51 a.m.

  Mark, the problem may have resolved by now. In case it hasn't, I would have it looked at. There can be infection present or unusal swelling that makes it so uncomfortable for her to sit. Any time there is bad smelling discharge, discomfort that is not getting betteror fever, it is best to get it checked out.

  - Mary @ mayo

• August 13, 2010 11:16 p.m.

  My wife gave birth 19 days ago and did natural birth. She tore and had to have 5 layers of stitches. In the past two days she has developed a fishy odor and it has become very uncomfortable for her to sit for any substantial time. Should we proceed to the E R, or wait another ten days for her doctor appt.?

  - Mark

• May 11, 2010 2:51 p.m.

  Hayley, I hope you have gone to the doctor about this. It does not sound right. If it is a blood clot, it might pass on its' own. If it is something else, you will need medical care. If you still have the huge dark red blob hanging out, go to the doctor now.

  - Mary @ mayo.com

• May 8, 2010 3:56 p.m.

  I am concerned after reading this. I gave birth 5 days ago, and I have a huge dark red blob- looks like a raggety/ torn blood clot hanging out of my vagina. Is this normal?

  - Hayley

• April 9, 2010 5:49 p.m.

  I've seen a lot of conflicting lengths of time to expect lochia to retain its bright red character prior to switching over to pinkish, brownish, or yellowish. What is the longest length of time for it to remain bright red and still be considered normal and not of concern - presuming the mother is in otherwise good health, not passing clots and active?

  - Nicole

• March 22, 2010 1:27 p.m.

  Yes Christine, you are more likely to have it happen again. The good thing is that you know what occurred and can let your health care provider know so if any precautions are needed at the time of delivery, they can be prepared.

  - Mary@Mayo