Clots are also a concern. If they're larger than a softball then you should call your doctor.
thanks guys, its not as heavy anymore. Is that the only concern post partum?
Heavy bleeding can be normal on some level, but be careful. As Gina said, if you are bleeding that much in 1 hour, you should call your doc. After I had my 2nd, I started passing clots and waited to call anyone. My husband was so scared he called 911. The hospital said that if I hadn't gone to the hospital I would have probably bled to death overnight. Not saying that to scare you by any means, but just monitor it. If it is too heavy, call your doctor. When I called my doc originally, I wasn't really honest about how much I was bleeding and I should have been. Def don't lift anything heavier than your baby or climb stairs. When I leave the hospital, they always tell me not to lift anything heavier than my baby for the whole 6 weeks (until my doc gives me the okay). That will increase your bleeding. I am one that bleeds for the whole 6 weeks, but I don't bleed heavy for the entire 6 weeks.
You shouldn't be bleeding through a pad in an hour, if you are make sure you call your doctor right away!
When I had my son, I bled for 5 weeks straight! For the first week it was horribly strong and awful. Than after that week some days would be heavier than others. Depended on what I did during the day...but I had one of the worst tears (had a really big baby naturally) so I was told to rest and be off my feet for a good 2 weeks. So if I tried to do anything I would bleed more, so I tried to take it easy. But still, some days were heavier than others. However, I finally stopped bleeding during my 5th week postpartum. Than 2 days later I started cramping really bad, followed with headaches. Than I started bleeding....it was my period! 1 week postpartum seems really soon to have your first period so its prolly just from your activity. Make sure your resting and taking care of yourself!
I agree with the other posts, if you've recently increased your activity level then it's probably your body telling to rest more. If you have any doubt contact your OB/GYN, i'm sure they'd be happy to relief your concern. Take it easy and enjoy your new baby.
Cleaning will definitely make the bleeding heavier. And the bleeding will fluctuate. Most women bleed for about 2-3 weeks after giving birth. And even some women bleed for the whole 6 weeks post partum (my sister did). Definitely take it easy and get someone else to do all the heavy cleaning or cleaning that requires a lot of bending, reaching or lifting (dishes, vacuuming, laundry).
It is a concern if you are soaking a pad in an hour. I believe it is normal to fluctuate pp bleeding especially with activity.