post partum bleeding

How long is normal to bleed post partum? When does it all let up and stop? I am 4 weeks postpartum now and I thought a few days ago that I was all but finished bleeding and yesturday it started back, only this time with clots in it and much brighter red, almost like a period. But, I am breastfeeding and thought this wasn't supposed to happen for quite some time. I am starting to wonder if it's ever going to end.

[girliegrl1723]

it will end. and as far as i know, what you're describing is normal. i thought i was never going to stop bleeding. after i had my son, now almost 7 months, i was soooo angry that nobody warned me about how you feel for the weeks AFTER giving birth. i was miserable. i bled and bled and hurt and hurt. did you have vaginal birth? for me, the tearing/episiotimy and hemmoroids (hemorrhoids) were the worst! ANYWAY - back to you. i was concerned around the same as you when i was still bleeding and passing clots and i even called the dr. a couple of times. the assured me it was normal and as long as any of the clots passes weren't golf-ball size or larger, that i was just fine. i think the bright red bleeding came and went for about 5 weeks and at the 6 week point, when you're suppose to be all better, i was still spotting brown blood. i don't think i felt "back to normal" until he was at least between 2 and 3 months old. if you are really concerned though, call the doctor, maybe they will want to see you. hope this helps. good luck.

[girliegrl1723]

everyone's different. thats why i said, if you're worried, call the dr. but i am living proof that not everyone stops bleeding within 1-2 weeks.

[anxiousmomtobe?]

I stopped bleeding in under 2 weeks with both babies.  Vaginal births with tearing, lots of stitches.  I think I would mention this to your doc.

[2songbirds]

[2songbirds]

I bled for a full 4 weeks, then as soon as it stopped, exactly when the baby was 1 month old, I got my period, and I was BF'ing and bottle feeding. I didn't think it would've come back so soon. Now, I haven't had a period since that first one on june 10th and am only BF'ing only 3 times a day. I've been spotting and cramping a lot, but no AF.

They say it's normal to bleed/spot on and off for 6 full weeks. I did with all 3 of mine for 4 weeks, longer with my 2nd. I think that was 6 weeks off and on.

[Crritter]

I bled and was barely done when I had my 6 week check up.  Right at 2 weeks though I had really bad cramping again, felt kinda like early labor at first then felt just like my m/c.  I doubled over with heavy continuous cramping and bled very heavily.  I began to pass clots the size of the palm of my hand.  I called my friend first since I didn't have it with my first one I didn't think it was normal, but things are different after you've had one baby.  She told me to call ASAP and I did call my Dr. who was on call that night.  Almost midnight, but she assured me that if the bleeding slowed down from the gushing then I was probably okay.  She had me come in that following Monday as this happened on a Friday, but told me if the bleeding began to gush again and not slow down within a 1/2 to go straight to the ER.  I was fine, but she told me I overdid it.  That and your uterus is not as strong right after baby so it may not break things down as well.  It sounds normal, but if you are concerned, call your Dr.