Vaginal bleeding after delivery: When to call the doctor?

The article was professionally consulted by Specialist Doctor I Tran Thi Phuong Loan - Obstetrician and Gynecologist - Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology - Vinmec Phu Quoc International General Hospital

Whether you have a vaginal birth or a cesarean section, vaginal bleeding will happen. This is the body's way of getting rid of blood and tissue in the uterus to help the baby grow during pregnancy. Vaginal bleeding in the first few days after giving birth is usually quite heavy, However, if this continues for a long time, you need to contact your doctor for an examination.

Vaginal bleeding occurs in varying degrees and for different reasons. The most important thing is that mothers need to recognize it in time to prevent dangerous complications.
Normally, the blood will be bright red, and you may see some blood clots for the first few days after you give birth. In the first few days, you will have to use maternity pads, however, for the following days, you will only need to use regular tampons.
You may bleed a little more when you bring your baby home. This could be because you move more. If this happens, try to avoid moving and get some rest.
Sometimes, paralysis also feels the blood when you stand up. This is considered normal because this is how your vagina is shaped. The bleeding in the vagina is like blood flowing in a cup when you lie down or sit and when you stand up, the blood will come out.
After about 10 days, you will notice that the bleeding from the vagina will become less and less. You may experience light bleeding for up to 6 weeks after giving birth. You can only use tampons during this time. Change tampons and clean your vagina often because tampons can lead to infections.

Severe bleeding after giving birth is called postpartum haemorrhage. This condition affects about 5% of women who give birth. Postpartum haemorrhage can occur within the first 24 hours after birth. But it can happen anytime within the first 12 weeks after your baby is born.
Postpartum haemorrhage is a serious condition. It can seriously lower blood pressure. If your blood pressure drops too low, your organs won't get enough blood. This is an emergency, the mother can die. That's why it's important to take a woman to a medical facility immediately if postpartum haemorrhage occurs.
You need to contact your doctor immediately if you have the following symptoms:
Bright red bleeding after the third day after giving birth A blood clot the size of a raisin Vaginal bleeding that wet a lot of tampons birth within an hour and the condition shows no signs of abating or stopping Reduced vision Chills Feeling wet, clammy skin Uncomfortable heartbeat Dizziness Dizziness Fatigue Nausea Dizziness, fainting

Several factors can increase the risk of postpartum hemorrhage. You are at higher risk if you have these factors. Although the cause is unknown, Asian and Hispanic women have a higher rate of postpartum hemorrhage.
The most common cause of postpartum hemorrhage is uterine atony. Normally, the uterus contracts after birth to stop bleeding where the placenta is located. The placenta is an organ that develops in the uterus during pregnancy and nourishes a developing baby. With uterine atony, your uterus doesn't contract as well as it should. This can cause heavy bleeding after you give birth.
You are at high risk for uterine atony if you:
Give birth to multiple children (eg twins) Have a baby weighing more than 3800g -4000g Overwork for a long time Have given birth child many times before. Some other factors can increase the risk of postpartum bleeding, such as:
Uterine rupture - when the uterus is bleeding during labor C-section - the risk of postpartum bleeding is higher than vaginal delivery in the vagina or cervix during delivery General anesthesia - this happens if you have a cesarean section Oxytocin (Pitocin) - a medicine that makes you go into labor Preeclampsia, high blood pressure and high levels of protein in the water Urinating during pregnancy Obesity Other problems affecting the placenta

There are different methods to treat postpartum bleeding. Determining the cause of the bleeding will help your doctor choose the best treatment option for you.
Some measures to help treat postpartum bleeding include:
Medicines to help contract the uterus Massage the uterus Remove the placental fragments still in the uterus Perform laparotomy to find out the cause cause bleeding and stop it Blood transfusion - blood is given to you through a tube in a vein to help replace the lost blood Perform a hysterectomy to remove the uterus Using special medicines to stop bleeding Use X-rays to perform uterine artery embolization, to limit blood flow to the uterus. Insert the inflated Bakri balloon inside the uterus, adding extra pressure to help slow the bleeding. If you notice any unusual problems, you should visit and consult with a specialist.
Reference source: webmd.com