bleeding after a C-section

SmilingBluEyes · Sep 16, 2003

i can share both personal experience w/my section and taking care of others who had them ------

it can vary as much as people do.

but: I bled about 2 weeks after mine; it was like a heavy period for about 7 days and lightened up considerably after that, but i discharged at least 2 weeks.

most women i care for however, do seem to lighten up on their bleeding MUCH faster; within 2 days. they seem to have a very scant light flow within about 48 hours after delivery.

remember: if you are suddenly bleeding more heavily, your body is telling you something. likely you are doing TOO much and need to settle down. keeping pad counts is essential if you are bleeding a lot. you should not be filling pads all day within a few days after your csection. if you are, report this to your doctor, along with the size and frequency of any clots you are passing.

hope all is well and that this helps!!!

shelbabyrn · Sep 16, 2003

Thanks SmilingBluEyes! It does help. My friend had a C-section 2 1/2 weeks ago. She had the normal bleeding for about 6-7 days, stopped for a day or two and then started bleeding heavily again. She says the blood is bright red and now she has pain in her right side when pressure is applied. I told her this is not normal and she needs to call her doctor. She did, but the doctor's office kind of blew her off and didn't call her back. Should I be worried?

SmilingBluEyes · Sep 16, 2003

yes she needs to call her doctor.

this is not normal.

have her call back with a pad count and tell them AGAIN her concerns.

i wish her well!

Dave ARNP · Sep 19, 2003

Also can depend on the skill of the surgeon and their technique!

David Adams, ARNP

-ACNP, FNP

jolee · Oct 15, 2010

So is it normal to have bled lightly?? I jus had a cesarean 7 days ago n the second day i bled lightly til ths day i dnt even use up the whole pad i can wear one pad all day long and it still not full is that normal or shuld i bleed more?

klone, MSN, RN · Oct 15, 2010

Yes, it can be normal to bleed lightly, as well. Like the person above you mentioned, some of it also depends on the skill/thoroughness of the surgeon. If they cleaned your uterus out really well, there will be less bleeding.

Trauma Columnist · Oct 15, 2010

We can't provide medical advice - so please contact your provider.