Is it normal for lochia to stop and start again

Do you have questions about what exactly goes on with your body after giving birth? Postpartum bleeding is not something we talk about all that much but it is something you definitely need to know about. The first thing to know is that the initial bleeding after birth is called lochia. Lochia is the initial bleeding that lasts for weeks and is a normal part of childbirth.

During pregnancy, the placenta is attached to the uterine wall. Following the birth of your baby, the placenta will detach from the uterus and be expelled.

This leaves an open wound on the inside of the uterus. A nurse, doctor, or midwife will probably press on or massage your uterus to help it contract down; this helps to reduce the size of the wound and limits bleeding. There are three kinds of lochia. Lochia rubra is the bright red, heavy bleeding that characterizes the first days. It is common to have large-sized clots and the bleeding will be bright red. The colour should first darken to a deep red, then turn brown or pink.

If bright red bleeding returns or persists past the fifth day, please contact your medical care provider. Lochia serosa is the second stage of lochia and is generally brown or pink in colour. This discharge contains some red blood cells, but far fewer than Lochia rubra. This stage usually lasts days postpartum. If it persists past that point, it can indicate a problem and should be addressed by your medical care provider.

Lochia alba is usually very light pink, white, or yellow in colour and contains very few red blood cells. This stage can last several weeks and is the body shedding the remaining fat, epithelial cells, and microorganisms that your body produced during pregnancy. Because lochia is caused in part by an open wound, nothing internal should be used.

That means no tampons or menstrual cups as both reusable and single-use menstrual products can introduce bacteria to the vagina, and therefore the uterus. For the first days, we recommend using some form of adult diapers. We create our articles with NCT antenatal teachers, postnatal leaders and breastfeeding counsellors, as well as academics and representatives from relevant organisations and charities. Read more about our editorial review process. Bleeding after birth: 10 things you need to know.

Read time 7 minutes. Breadcrumb Home Life as a parent Your body after birth Bleeding after birth: 10 things you need to know.

Email Post Tweet Post. Bleeding after birth may last for a while Bleeding typically lasts around for 24 to 36 days Fletcher et al, Heavy flow that probably soaks one maternity pad every few hours, with one or two clots or several smaller ones. Day 2 to 6: Darker brown or pinkish red blood. Moderate flow with 7 cm to 12 cm stains on your maternity pads and smaller blood clots.

Day 7 to Darker brown or pinkish red blood, becoming lighter. Variable but lighter flow, with less than a 7 cm stain on your pads. Days 11 to Darker brown or pinkish red blood, becoming lighter. Lighter flow, you may have some sanitary towels that are hardly stained.

Week 3 to 4: Paler, possibly a creamy white blood loss. Lighter flow. Week 5 to 6: Brown, pinkish red, or creamy yellow stains, possibly for several weeks, and possibly only on some days. Show references. Information you can trust from NCT When it comes to content, our aim is simple: every parent should have access to information they can trust.

If you've started on the progestin-only birth control pill the "minipill" or gotten the birth control shot Depo-Provera , you're likely to have spotting for a month or more, and that's perfectly normal. Here's what happens: When the placenta separates from the uterus, there are open blood vessels in the area where it was attached, and they begin to bleed into the uterus.

After the placenta is delivered, the uterus continues to contract, which closes off those blood vessels, dramatically reducing the bleeding. If you had an episiotomy or tear during birth, you may bleed from that site as well until it's stitched up. Your caregiver may massage your uterus and give you synthetic oxytocin Pitocin to help it contract. Breastfeeding, which prompts your body to release natural oxytocin, also helps your uterus contract. That's why you may feel cramps, or afterpains , when you nurse.

Occasionally, the uterus doesn't contract well after delivery, resulting in excessive blood loss called a postpartum hemorrhage. In the beginning, use heavy-duty sanitary pads. The hospital will send you home with some, and you can stock up on more if you need to. As your lochia tapers off, you can switch to minipads. Don't use tampons for at least six weeks, because they make it more likely that you'll get an infection in your healing vagina and uterus.

Pee often, even if you don't feel the urge to go. In the first few days after you give birth, your bladder may be less sensitive than usual, so you may not feel the need to urinate even when your bladder is quite full. In addition to causing urinary problems, a full bladder makes it harder for your uterus to contract, leading to more afterpains and bleeding.

If bright red spotting reappears after your lochia has already lightened, check in with your midwife or doctor. Yes, lochia can have a distinct odor, similar to menstrual blood. But if your lochia has a foul smell or you come down with fever or chills, call your doctor. That can be a sign of a postpartum infection. Watch for these warning signs during your postpartum recovery.

Learn how a postpartum doula can help. Get tips on how to get the help you need as you adjust to life with a newborn. Find out when you'll get your period again after having a baby. BabyCenter's editorial team is committed to providing the most helpful and trustworthy pregnancy and parenting information in the world.

When creating and updating content, we rely on credible sources: respected health organizations, professional groups of doctors and other experts, and published studies in peer-reviewed journals. We believe you should always know the source of the information you're seeing. Learn more about our editorial and medical review policies. Practice bulletin Postpartum hemorrhage.

American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.