Bleeding after delivery can last for several weeks. Although it is something totally natural and normal, for recent mothers it can be one more complexity of the already hard postpartum. When the baby born the body does not immediately adapt to the new situation, you need a few weeks to remove all the remains of the pregnancy that remain inside.
This is a complex job that begins just after delivery, because after giving birth to the baby, the placenta and all the remains of it that may remain inside have to be expelled. Later bleeding begins that can last for many days or weeks and that your gynecologist or midwife should control to check that everything is developing normally.
Bleeding after childbirth
After giving birth, bleeding begins that is called postpartum lochia. This natural process lasts several days and changes until it completely disappears. During the first 3 days it is a very abundant bleeding. Later, over the next few days the amount of blood decreases that is expelled but this bleeding can last for a few weeks.
Bleeding after childbirth is a necessary physiological process by which the body eliminates all the remains of the pregnancy inside. Through bleeding, the remains of the placenta, the walls that line the uterus and that were formed during pregnancy or the secretions of the uterus, among others, are eliminated. As soon as you give birth, what is known as wrong occurs, which are uterine contractions that cause bleeding for 24 to 48 hours afterward.
Those contractions, on the other hand, are the body's way of contracting the uterus back to its pre-pregnancy state. It is a generally annoying process, because the contractions are similar to those of the birth process, the body is still weak and it starts when you haven't had time to rest yet or get you back But don't worry, in a few hours they will pass and even if the bleeding continues, it will no longer cause you significant discomfort.
How long does postpartum hemorrhage last?
Bleeding after childbirth can last between 4 and 8 weeks, it will decrease and disappear little by little. This bleeding has several phases in which the amount and shape of the hemorrhage changes. In the first days it is very abundant, of an intense red color, with the expulsion of clots and accompanied by the wrongs. This first part of the bleeding can last about 4 or 5 days. In these first days it is advisable to use thick cotton compresses, specific for postpartum care.
Afterward, the bleeding becomes more pink or brown, is thinner, and usually lasts until about the XNUMXth day after giving birth. The last stage is the longest, from that moment the flow becomes more whitish, contains red, white, fat cells or cervical mucus, among others. This part of the bleeding will continue for several weeks, which can be 6 or 8 after giving birth.
Although it is a normal process, it is logical that it causes you disorders since it is constant bleeding for many days at a time when you hardly have time for yourself. If it causes you fear or any doubt, or if you think your bleeding is not normal or lasts too long, it is advisable to consult with the doctor so you can assess if your postpartum is developing normally.
Don't be afraid to talk about it, let alone be embarrassed. Today women have much more freedom to talk about these kinds of things, which are otherwise totally natural and necessary. Talk to your doctor about anything that concerns you about your postpartum recovery, go to check-ups and don't neglect your health. Since in order to take good care of your baby, you first have to recover and take good care of yourself.