Concerned for Friend... Please help

[Bonnie Rabbit]

One of my best friends told me today about something she's experiencing and it has me concerned. I haven't gone through my OB class and clinical yet so I need some help understanding what is normal after delivery.

My friend had a lady partsl delivery 2 months ago and started her first period (?) post-delivery 9 days ago. She said at first the bleeding wasn't bad, but for the last 3 1/2 days, the bleeding has been pretty bad - at times soaking a super plus tampon in an hour. That sounds pertty bad to me, but I don't really know much about the topic.

She has read through her new mommy books and hasn't been able to find any real solid information about a woman's first period/bleeding after delivery. She called her doctor who seemed concerned about what she is experiencing, and told her if it lasts much longer she should head to the ER. Aside from that worry, she is concerned that they aren't understanding each other because of a language barrier.

I'm just wondering if any of you experts (nurses and mothers :)) can give any advice or point me in the direction for some information I can pass along to her. In advance, I truly appreciate your comments and assistance in helping me help my friend!

[bagladyrn, RN]

Nine days of this kind of bleeding is not within the norm. Tell your friend to follow her doctor's advice and see someone to check this out ASAP.

[LydiaGreen]

From a nursing point of view... I can offer you no advice... I am still in nursing school and have only ever had one placement in maternity and there were NO babies that week (bummer).

From the point of view of having had children myself, I can tell you that this does not sound normal at all. I had a somewhat similar experience. After the pv loss stopped, I had a week or two that seemed normal but then I started bleeding really heavy and passing some huge clots. Although my placenta had looked perfect it wasn't and I had retained some. This can lead to a severe infection, heavy bleeding, anemia, etc. etc. Tell her to go and see her doc ASAP. I am ashamed to admit it but I do not recall the name of the medication that I received but it cleared it up right away and then I was back to normal.

Bleeding as heavy as what your friend is experiencing is not normal.. at least not from what little I know. I've never heard of something like that, from friends and relatives, unless it was due to a complication.

[ladytraviler]

Tell her friend to run, not walk to the ER now. as a L&D, PP nurse this is not normal and can be life threatening.

[Bonnie Rabbit]

Thank you for your replies... I called my friend and she didn't answer, but I'll continue to try to reach her to let her know what you all recommended. Thanks again.

[nessie]

I think your friend should be seen, as I work in obs and gynae, and it sounds to me like she has retained some products , with may not be life threatening but she will continue to bleed heavily thus causing anaemia. Tell her not to panic, but to go back to DR, or her nearest ER and then she will most likely have D&C (scrape of uterus) It is moderately common for this to happen but it will make her feel pretty naff the more blood loss she has, and as we all know, post-natally, you feel pretty grotty and tired anyway. Good luck to her and hope all is well soon:D