Women’s specialist in Atlanta and Alpharetta GA: postpartum bleeding

Women’s specialist: postpartum bleeding and how to manage it
A women’s specialist will explain to you that after giving birth, whether you have a Cesarean section or a vaginal delivery, you will have discharge and vaginal bleeding. This is also known as lochia. This is how your body gets rid of the extra tissue and blood in your uterus that helped to grow your baby.

The first few days after the baby is born, bleeding will be its heaviest. But you may need to speak with your doctor if the heavy bleeding continues. However, you can rest assured that postpartum bleeding is temporary and normal.

Why you are bleeding
The blood that you see after giving birth to your baby is called lochia. It will typically last for four to six weeks after delivery and is a type of discharge that is similar to your period. It contains:

• Blood
• Mucus
• Pieces of the uterine lining
• White blood cells

The bleeding is caused by your uterine lining when it sheds and restores itself, like during your period.

The lochia will mostly be blood at first. You will most likely see more mucus than blood as the days and weeks go by.

What to do if you’re bleeding
The bleeding may be so heavy at first that you will need to wear a hospital pad. When you are discharged a nurse may give you some of these absorbent pads.

You can start to transition to your regular menstruation pad as the bleeding slows.

To prevent infection, be sure to change your pads often. Until your doctor says that it is fine to do so, don't use any tampons. You can then switch to a panty liner when the bleeding is light enough, or you are only seeing a discharge.

Other postpartum bleeding tips:
When possible, take it easy
The process of the lochia lightening up can be slowed by overexertion.

Pee as often as possible
Even when your bladder doesn’t feel completely full, go to the bathroom as often as possible. Emptying your bladder will help your uterus to contract and release everything that it needs to.

Use your Peri bottle
You can keep your sensitive areas clean by rinsing with this, especially if you gave birth vaginally.

When to look for emergency help
Up to 12 weeks after giving birth, approximately 5% of women can experience something called postpartum hemorrhage. Here are the signs to keep an eye out for, seek medical attention right away if you're experiencing any of the following:

1. Bleeding that will soak through 1 pad every hour and is showing no signs of slowing down.
2. Blood clots that are bigger than a golf ball.
3. Feeling dizzy, faint, sweaty, chills, nauseous with bleeding.
4. Bleeding that is bright red and persists at or beyond week 1 after delivery.

Women’s specialist in Atlanta and Alpharetta GA
Your women’s specialist will be able to help you when you need medical help after noticing any abnormal signs that we have mentioned. You can save yourself from stress while also taking care of your health with timely caution and attention. It is also essential to take care of your own health while also focusing your care and attention on the new baby.
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Contact your top Alpharetta and Atlanta OBGYN for your obstetrics and gynecology care.

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