Stopped bleeding post-partum, had sex, now crampnig + passing clots???

[Ashelen]

Alright so I know there's a reason they tell you to wait 6 weeks to have sex...and having sex was stupid. we did use a condom, it didn't break, I'm not AT ALL concerned about pregnancy. we didn't even have full intercourse but we did penetrate for a few minutes...it didn't hurt at all. I stopped bleeding about 2wks post-partum, completely, and then last night we had very gentle penetration for a few minutes...today I'm cramping and passing jelly-like clots of blood and my vaginal discharge is tinged with bright red blood. Did I overdo it? am I just starting my first post-partum period?

I'm only 3 1/2wks postpartum (4wks next wednesday)...but I keep forgetting it hasn't been that long; I feel so NORMAL. I hurt so bad for so long with my daughter I kept assuming that pain would remind me to be careful and take it easy, but I keep pushing myself and overdoing because I honestly forget that it's only been a few weeks...last night was a perfect example.

I just really think I may be starting my first period and the sex kick-started it, but should I worry? the cramps hurt like HECK and the clots are thick and jelly like...sorry this is TMI but I rolled one in my fingers and it didn't break up like normal clots do, it was very solid and well-formed...and it concerns me because they missed some placental tissue after my daughter was born and I had a horrible infection that they TOLD me had caused so much scarring that I would never conceive or carry full-term again...one baby later, obviously that wasn't the case, but that's what this clot reminded me of..placental tissue. I have an appointment with my OB on monday to get tests done before they give me the Mirena coil, but I hurt quite bad and I just don't know if I should worry or not.

Hopefully someone's had this happen and can reassure me that it's normal...

thanks ladies!!!

[LosingMyMindInGA]

I hope you are feeling better this morning and that Josh finally got into the house.  LOL.  Joe does that crap, he's always locking his keys in his vehicles.  I do remember not long after we moved in this house I was unloading groceries and had put my keys on the counter...Abby got peeved at me and shut the door and locked me and the other kids out.  I was freaking LIVID.  She REFUSED to open the door.  So Joe told me to go down to the basement and just bust out the already cracked window.  So I did and had Alex crawl throguh and go unlock the door..  I was so mad I couldn't even look at Abby for awhile.  Anyway...hope you are feeling better adn things have calmed down.

[Sunkissed19]

haha (laughing at josh locking himself out). Im glad it was nothing too serious but im sorry about the cysts...been there done that! I hope ur home from the e.r. now and trying to get some sleep! Matthew slept through the night last night....here's to round 2?! i hope so :)

[Ashelen]

Oh man...a shot of rocephin in the butt and about 5 other antibiotic pills (not to mention a percocet) later....Waiting for DH to break the doorknob off of our front door so he can get inside the house to get the keys to start the van to come get me from the hospital.

Sigh. seriously, DH? I mean I've locked myself out before, but that was before we knew that the door locked automatically. He blames the kids' screaming and says that he was nervous and upset and trying to get them loaded and calmed down...but I don't know he'll hopefully get the doorknob broken off soon. (considering that replacing a doorknob would be cheaper than replacing a window, not to mention safer until we get a replacement).

[Ashelen]

Thanks girls, hurts like the blazes at the moment and I want to go hooome (still at the ER) but glad I know what's going on at least...I was sooo afraid I had another bad infection like last time.

I'm so sorry about the rambling in my replies, Jen...I really don't know where my head was today lol.

Cassie-- thanks, he's such a snuggly little baby :)

[Limonada]

I'm sorry I wasn't around to get your update and wish you well before you headed to the ER - we were visiting the in-laws.  I'm so happy that you got it checked out and that it's nothing really serious!!!  ((hugs))  

Btw....I saw your mesage and your response to my journal (thank you :-))  I'll respond soon....I just have to go and make Lou and I some dinner and stuff....talk soon :-)

[JoyRenee]

Most likely not a period. You would need 20 consecutive days of non-bleeding to consider a new bleed your period. There just aren't enough hormonal changes in less than 20 days of non-bleeding for you to be having a new cycle.

Post-partum recovery can be fine one day and painful the next. So sorry you're having some issues at the moment but in no time you'll be back in the saddle!

[LosingMyMindInGA]

BTW I absolutely ADORE that pic of Grey.  He's so freaking cute I just wanna reach through the computer and scoop him up and kiss him all over!

[LosingMyMindInGA]

So glad you went and they figured out the problem. Take it easy ( as much as you can) and get better.  

[Ashelen]

thanks hon...turns out I have several cysts on each ovary as a result of the hormones during labor & delivery, so that's gonna be fun for a few days (or maybe weeks). I've also got some sort of mild cervical infection nothing too bad but they're gonna shoot me up with antibiotics before they send me home (yuck I hate antibiotic drips).

glad I went and got it checked out and it wasn't TOO bad but not looking forward to these cysts running their course.

[Sunkissed19]

oh yikes Ivy! goodluck...please update us when you get home! i hope your ok!!! sending lots of love!

[Ashelen]

going to the ER as soon as Kahlan wakes up...belly swelling worse + pain not better...definitely warrants a looksee. wish me luck.

[Ashelen]

Thanks ladies and I know you're right...I should've waited, and will be from now on lol.

I bled for about 5 1/2wks with my daughter, I know I was just slowing down when I went to my 6wk-post-partum...this time I hardly bled. I kept asking the L&D nurses if it was normal and they said yes, but today I noticed that my abdomen is swollen and I'm feeling cold chills...I'm seriously starting to wonder if I've got a bleeding/clotting issue going on. If I start to tank tonight I"ll be going into the ER but for now just gonna hold off until my appointment tomorrow, but I don't think this is normal.

Thanks again ladies!

update on the bleeding..it's pretty much gone except for a few chunks in the toilet when I pee (sorry tmi) but the cramping is pretty continuous...and with the abomen swelling I'm definitely concerned.

[LosingMyMindInGA]

My PP bleeding has always stopped and started for about 6-7 weeks.  With or without clots. The cramping usually lasted a 4-5 weeks and was much worse in the beginning but tapered off.

[Limonada]

I'd be surprised it it's your period, too.  I still haven't had mine return yet, and I'm 6 months PP!  With Daniel, AF didn't come back until I'd stopped breastfeeding completely.  I know that every woman is different, though.

This time, I bled, off and on, for 7 weeks PP, more or less.  A couple of times I thought I was done - at about 3 weeks PP I stopped bleeding for about 5 days - but then it came back.  Maybe that's what's happening with you?  With Daniel, I bled for 4 weeks straight and then I was done, but like I said with Gil it was more off and on, and my GP told me that was normal.

If the cramping and clotting continues, I'd consult with your doctor, especially because of your history.  And maybe hold off on actual penetration until you're at 6 weeks PP (I know...in the heat of the moment it can be hard!!)

[Michele, Katy, TX]

Ashelen, I just wanted to let you know that having a period that quickly, especially if you are breastfeeding, is rare.  You can't say never of course, but it is rare.  I have breastfed all of mine and didn't have periods for a while with all but one.  I always bleed for 6 weeks; every time.  With baby #3, I bled for 6 weeks, stopped for two and then started having regular periods when she was 8 weeks, but that was still 8 weeks pp.  It really is rare to have a period that quickly after giving birth given the fact that you lose a lot of blood when you give birth and then after.  It is your body of course and you can do whatever you feel comfortable doing.  Just be careful okay??  Take care.

[Ashelen]

thanks girl that's exactly what I needed to hear! I figured it was one of the two (stirred up by sex or first period post-partum) and I just wanted to make sure SOMEbody had a similar experience and I wasn't crazy, lol. The heat pack is helping, but if it still hurts like this tomorrow I may call the doctor just because I want to be on the safe side...my discharge is still tinged with red and I'm still passing small clots but as long as the pain doesn't get worse I think I can hold off until monday now that I know I'm not absolutely insane with my theories on what is probably happening, LOL.

Thank you sooo much for answering it helped a lot! Like I said I was BARELY ready for sex 6wks post-partum with my daughter just because I tore so bad and the pain was so intense...so I never thought I would run across the problem of having sex TOO soon, lol. but this L&D were ridiculously easy and I really do forget it's been only 3 weeks!

[rebekah385]

I don't know exactly what to tell you since every women's body is slightly different after having a baby, but i will tell you i have had similar stuff happen with me before after having a baby. I am currently pregnant with baby #4 and with my last 2 babies my Dr told be that it is ok to have sex before 6 weeks as long as you have stopped bleeding and you take it easy! as long as you are confortable and it is not causing pain, it is usually ok. I waited about 3 or 3 1/2 weeks postpartum and then had sex and it was'nt painful or anything, but I did get cramps and blood and some clots after. I asked my Dr and in my case and maybe yours the Dr said it was probably caused by your uterus contracting (a lot like it did when have sex while pregnant) only you can't really feels it and that kinda starts things up again and you get rid of anything that is still left in there. I have alos found that for me the first postpartum period is very heavy and has lots of clots, so that could be it too. I breastfed all of mine and still got my first period within 5-6 weeks post-partum and it sucked! if you are still worried call your Dr offce and ask, also if you take anything for pain take tylenol not ibeprofen, because ibprofen thins your blood and will make you bleed more! Good luck and if you have any questions feel free to pm me or just write back on here!

[Ashelen]

*bump* owie :( heat pack helping a little but really hurtin...just bad post-partum period???