Is it my period or lochia?

Lochia is typically creamy white to red in colour, but it's not to be confused with your actual period. The main difference between lochia and your period is that lochia will be lighter and more watery. It may also have a sweet smell and, unlike your period, lochia's flow will increase when you exert yourself.

Is it menstruation or lochia?

Lochia and menstrual blood are similar in that the bleeding subsides before going away. The biggest difference between the two types of discharge is that lochia lasts much longer. A typical period lasts about one week. Lochia lasts about six weeks in most people.

Can I get my period during lochia?

While you are experiencing lochia, your flow will act like a typical period: starting heavier, then gradually getting lighter. However, if the amount of blood increases after a few lighter days, consider slowing down your activity level for a few days so your body can rest and heal from childbirth.

Is this my postpartum period?

Your first period after pregnancy is also called a postpartum period. When it occurs depends on whether or not you breastfeed. Your menstrual cycle may be different after you have your baby.

What color is your first period after giving birth?

During the first four weeks postpartum, you will notice a pink-brown discharge called lochia. This is totally normal. Even though it might look like a period, it isn't – just the natural process of your uterus shedding blood, mucous, and tissue after you've given birth. Just be sure to wear a pad and change it often.

Your First Period After Childbirth | Oakdale ObGyn

How do I know if it's my period or postpartum bleeding?

About a week after you've given birth, you'll likely notice a discharge called lochia. Lochia is typically creamy white to red in colour, but it's not to be confused with your actual period. The main difference between lochia and your period is that lochia will be lighter and more watery.

Is it normal for lochia to turn red again?

Can Postpartum Bleeding Stop and Start Again? Although there may be times when you notice more or less discharge, lochia itself doesn't usually stop altogether only to start up again. Sometimes, the bright red discharge that you had in the first few days after you gave birth may also return.

Why is my lochia red again?

If bright red spotting reappears after your lochia has already lightened up, it could be something called eschar bleeding. This is caused when the scab left behind from your placenta dissolves. This happens around the 10-day mark postpartum, and should only last for a few hours.

Is bright red blood 6 weeks postpartum normal?

“Postpartum bleeding is normal for several weeks, up to 6 weeks, following a vaginal delivery,” she says. “The bleeding may also be inconsistent. Just when you think it's done, you'll have another day of dark red bleeding.

When should I worry about lochia?

Fever, severe pain or cramping that lasts more than a few days after delivery, and foul-smelling lochia are warning signs of infection, says Dr. Masterson. You should also contact your doctor if you have to change your pad more than once per hour because it's soaked through with blood.

Is lochia heavier than a period?

Lochia is typically heavier and (often much) longer-lasting than your menstrual cycle. It also has some components that you won't find in a basic menstrual period, like mucus and tissue from your uterus, mostly from where the placenta was attached.

Can you get period 4 weeks postpartum?

If you're not breastfeeding, your period could return as soon as four weeks after giving birth, although that's not typical. Six to 12 weeks is about average. Most new moms are back on track by week 24 postpartum.

What does abnormal lochia look like?

Bleeding that soaks more than one pad an hour. Blood clots that seem abnormally large (bigger than a plum) A continuous flow that does not seem to stop.

Is lochia still red at 4 weeks?

“Bleeding after both a vaginal delivery and a cesarean can last sometimes up to five or six weeks. If you're still bleeding after six weeks, you should discuss this with your physician,” Lopez says. Rest assured that, for the most part, lochia should taper off significantly by that six-week mark.

Why am I suddenly bleeding bright red 4 weeks postpartum?

This is all a normal part of the postpartum transition of the uterus. Occasionally, a week or two after your bleeding seems to have stopped, you may have a sudden gush of bright red blood. This is the normal process of the placental site scab coming off.

What postpartum symptoms should not be ignored?

In general, warning signs of serious health conditions include chest pain, trouble breathing, heavy bleeding and extreme pain. If you have any of these signs or symptoms, call your provider right away. If you think your life is in danger, call emergency services (911) or go to the emergency room.

What happens if lochia does not stop?

Lochia that remain red and abundant for longer than usual may indicate delayed involution of the uterus, which may be due to retention of a piece of placenta within the uterus and/or to infection. If placental tissue is retained the uterus remains enlarged and this may show on an ultrasound scan.

When does the placenta scab fall off?

By 14 days postpartum, a placental scab forms and you may see an increase in red bleeding when the placenta scab falls off, which may go unnoticed because the uterus is already shrinking.

Why did I stop bleeding and started bleeding again postpartum?

Postpartum bleeding stopped and started again

That's because during the first six weeks post-birth, you don't stop bleeding entirely. Instead, you might notice your lochia increase in volume or even return to the bright red bleeding you experience in the first week after giving birth.

How long should your first period last after giving birth?

How long do first periods after delivery last? Most women return to their normal cycle soon after giving birth. If your period was 'normal' prior to pregnancy, it will occur every 21 to 35 days post pregnancy, while the bleeding may last anywhere between 2 to 7 days.

Can lochia come back after first period?

For some women, their lochia can stop or fade and then return, often between week 5 and 8 and it can occur even after a week or more of nothing. While it is possible this is the return of your menstrual cycle, it is unlikely for most women.

What should bleeding look like 4 weeks postpartum?

Days 7–10: The flow and the color may become lighter. Days 11–14: There may only be light bleeding, and the blood may still be dark brown or pinkish-red. Weeks 3–4: The fluid that passes may be creamy white and the flow may be much lighter than before.

Why did I get my period 5 weeks postpartum?

One of the most obvious causes of postpartum bleeding is that the body hasn't recovered fully from birth yet. This is usually noticed as bleeding with increase in activity in the first 6 weeks.

What does placenta scab bleeding look like?

The bleeding will taper from dark red to brown to yellow. In the first few days after the birth, you might notice that you pass some small blood clots. As you recover, you will notice that the bleeding might get heavier if you've had a busy day. This is normal.