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Mary M. Murry, R.N., C.N.M.
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Mary M. Murry, R.N., C.N.M.
Mary M. Murry, R.N., C.N.M.
Mary Murry is a certified nurse-midwife in the Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn.
Murry, a Cincinnati native, has been a nurse-midwife practitioner for more than 20 years and is an instructor at the College of Medicine, Mayo Clinic. She was a contributing reviewer and writer of the "Mayo Clinic Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy" book.
Her research interests include adult female survivors of sexual abuse, women's perception of pain in labor, and obesity in pregnancy.
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Pregnancy and you blog
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Feb. 4, 2010
Postpartum bleeding: How much is too much?
By Mary M. Murry, R.N., C.N.M.
After your baby is born, you'll have bright red, heavy bleeding. Although any vaginal bleeding can seem like too much after an entire pregnancy without a period, postpartum bleeding can be downright shocking.
For the first day or two, you'll probably need to wear a hospital-grade pad. As the bleeding slows, you should be able to wear a commercial pad. Even then, however, you may feel a small gush of blood when you stand up. The gush may even overflow your pad. After all, your vagina isn't straight — it's shaped more like a cup. When you're sitting or lying down, the blood pools in the cupped area. When you stand up, the blood may feel as though it's pouring out. Occasionally, you may pass small blood clots as well.
Postpartum bleeding is usually heaviest right after delivery. Don't be alarmed if your bleeding seems to increase when you bring the baby home, though. Simply being up and about sometimes increases postpartum bleeding. Increased bleeding can also be a sign that you've tried to do too much, however. If you soak a pad — front to back, side to side — in an hour, go to bed. If the bleeding continues at the same rate after you've rested or you pass clots larger than golf balls, call your health care provider or return to the hospital.
I recently had a close and personal experience with excessive postpartum bleeding. My grandson Liam was born two weeks ago into my loving hands. Labor and delivery proceeded smoothly, but things didn't go as expected after Liam's birth. My daughter had what's referred to as a retained placenta — a rare condition in which part (or all) of the placenta remains in the uterus for too long after delivery. A retained placenta can cause heavy bleeding and low blood pressure. A mother who has a retained placenta may even pass out or go into shock. Thankfully, we were able to control my daughter's bleeding and prevent other complications.
Should you experience excessive postpartum bleeding in the hospital, count on your health care team to do everything they can to stop the bleeding. If you're concerned about excessive postpartum bleeding when you're recovering at home, contact your health care provider or seek emergency medical care.
16 comments posted
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
February 21, 2010 4:18 p.m.
I had a retained placenta a year and a half ago when I gave birth to my daughter. My physician was also apparently able to control the situation. He said he had to manually remove my placenta. My bp dropped a bit and I felt lightheaded but seemed to recover quickly. We are trying for our second now. Can this happen to me again? Am I more susceptible to this occurring again?
- Christine
16 comments posted