Bleeding After Birth: What’s Normal and When to Worry

Losing clots of blood after birth is perhaps one of the lesser talked about topics linked to childbirth. However, it is crucial to know about after birth clots, normal or abnormal bleeding patterns, and what to expect, so you can seek medical attention to keep yourself safe if you present with any symptoms.

What to Expect from a Blood Clot Post-Pregnancy

Postpartum bleeding, also known as lochia, is a short-lived phase of a woman’s postpartum recovery. After the labour, blood will be shed from the lining of the uterine wall following the detachment of the placenta.

Postnatal blood clots and bleeding will last for up to 6 weeks postpartum. If you experience any heavy bleeding beyond the first week, speak to your doctor for a check-up if there are any symptoms to address.

Stages of After Birth Clots

Up to 24 hours after birth: After birth clots, especially after breastfeeding, will be lost quite heavily, to begin with, and bright red. The clots may be larger (golf ball) and you will need to use thick maternity pads to manage the bleeding initially.

First-week postnatal blood clots: The heaviness will ease off slightly and mimic a flow similar to a period. Any after birth clots will be much smaller in size (no larger than a grape) and be a darker brown/red or pink/red.

8-14 days after birth clots: The postnatal blood clots will have stopped and your postpartum bleeding will be much less than it was in the first week. You may also have a thick creamy discharge with spotting of brown or red through it.

2-6 weeks after pregnancy blood clots: As you reach the 6-week mark, the bleeding will have stopped completely or you may see some spotting. There may be times when you see the bleeding start again, such as after nursing, exercising or first thing in the morning. Your period may return during this time as well.

When Postpartum Blood Clots Are a Concern

Within the first 24 hours, keep an eye on your pads after childbirth as this will give your midwife and doctors an indication of your after birth clots and whether they are slowing down in line with their expectations.

To begin with, some clots after labour may be larger. In preparation for labour, your body clots the blood so you don’t lose so much of it during childbirth after birth clots are usually no bigger than the size of a golf ball and will reduce in size over a few days.

Postnatal Blood Clots and When to Worry

If you pass any postnatal blood clots that are larger than a golf ball or you experience frequent or severe pain, you must be seen by a healthcare professional so they can treat you accordingly. Other symptoms that suggest you need medical help with a blood clot after birth are fever, heavy bleeding, or dizziness.

Bleeding That Stops and Starts Again

It is common to have stopped bleeding after giving birth and then start again. The reason for this can be increased movement or resuming physical activity again after childbirth. This can dislodge some after birth clots that weren’t lost earlier.

Also, your body will be undergoing a huge hormonal shift which can cause postnatal blood clots to start up again. If you’re breastfeeding, it is normal to experience a small gush of blood after a feed or pumping. In the moments after you have given birth, and begin to breastfeed for the first time, this sends a signal to your body to shed the blood that’s been in your uterus for the last nine months and prepare for breastfeeding your baby!

However, it is important to note that although overexertion can cause a temporary increase in bleeding, you may also have postpartum blood clots that need addressing. Be mindful of any symptoms that could suggest you are experiencing after birth clots, rather than abnormal periods after birth.

Periods After Giving Birth

After giving birth, your periods will be irregular, and take some time to adjust to your “normal” flow and timeline. This is especially true for mums who experience their first period after a c-section, and also for nursing mums who may have abnormal periods after pregnancy due to exclusively breastfeeding.

The difference between lochia (after birth bleeding) and a period can be distinguished by the colour and how long it lasts. Lochia is made up of postpartum bleeding and discharge, basically, all the types of fluid that were in your uterus for the last nine months are now being flushed out. Lochia can last for up to 6 weeks whereas a menstrual period will only last for up to a week.

If you introduce birth control after pregnancy, this may also cause you to have irregular periods after birth due to hormonal changes. If you have concerns with your menstrual cycle or postpartum bleeding patterns, it is best to consult your doctor for further advice.

Postpartum Recovery

The initial recovery period immediately after birth can take up to 6-8 weeks to return to normal activities, and a bit longer if you had a c-section. You will want to stock up on some postpartum essentials, like pads and supportive undergarments. You may also want first aid items for caring for stitches after birth.

If you have had a c-section, your postpartum recovery will look slightly different as you will need to avoid strenuous activity to avoid damaging the stitches on your lower abdomen. Investing in comfortable underwear for postpartum, where the lining sits above your incision, will help it heal without irritating the wound. A postpartum support belt can also help to support your movements and stabilise your core after birth or a c-section.

Suppose your c-section wound is bleeding heavily (needing to replace the dressings more often than advised), smells, is painful, or the stitches have been damaged. In that case, you need to consult a doctor for urgent treatment in case you are at risk of infection or further damage to the wound.

Conclusion

As women, we embrace our menstrual cycle every month and it can feel like a love-hate relationship at times! Postpartum bleeding is a phase that will pass and will often fizzle out and return to normal without any complications. This guide has given you insight on the signs to look for if something isn’t right with your recovery and after birth clots, and when to seek medical advice when in doubt.