post-delivery healing/bleeding

[Anonymous]

Sorry if this is TMI, but I am more scared and uncomfortable with the idea post-delivery bleeding and healing, than I think I am with the thought of delivery. I am told I will bleed heavily for a while. Does the hospital provide pads? Special underwear? Should I bring pads with me to the hospital? Should I be concerned about bleeding all over my bed when I get home?
Any suggestions?
Thanks!

[Anonymous]

I had a C-Section and found it to be pretty manageable - lighter than I thought it would be. Sort of like a medium flow period. I've definitely had heavier periods. I'm not sure how the flow compares to vaginal birth PP bleeding though.

I delivered at INOVA Fairfax and they provided maxi pads (extra long, thick ones) plus mesh underwear. I bet this is pretty standard.

If I'd known I was having a C-Section, I would have bought some big, high waisted granny underpants to bring to the hospital and wear going home and during recovery at home. All my underwear is bikini cut and hits right at my incision - very uncomfortable. I ended up wearing the mesh underpants at home and taking a few spare pairs home with me. The last thing I wanted to do was go shopping for underwear when I got home!

[dgahagan]

I delivered at Sibley and they supplied everything. The pads were heavy duty and were able to take whatever was left in the room home. I had a c-section also-it was as if I was having a period but a little longer-similar to what I had after a D&C. I don't remember being crampy either but then again, I was on paid meds. Nothing to worry about.

[Anonymous]

I delivered vaginally, and it was pretty heavy, but only for a couple of days. Then it just became like a normal period, and then just light spotting. My bleeding stopped altogether about 2 weeks after I had my DD. The hospital gives you everything you need, and all I can tell you is take the ice packs they give you!! Get your husband to replenish them frequently, they were a lifesaver for me.

Good luck! Remember, people out there who are much more squeamish than you have done this and survived! You will be fine.

[Anonymous]

Every woman is different and it also depends how quickly your blood vessels constrict and your uterus shrinks back. Some moms have more bleeding than others. Obviously, the first few days are the heaviest (which is part of the reason you need to stay at least 2 days in the hospital post partem).
Then it gradually tapers off, turns a faded red, then brownish, and sometimes it will flare back up just when you think it has finally stopped too.

Usually by the time you see your doc at your 6 week appt. it will have stopped. If it gets worse after being at home then definitely call your doc.

The hospital will provide you with special underware, pads, ointment, ice packs etc. as part of their post-partem care. Grab that stuff when you leave the hospital (they have to throw it out anyways so you might as well...).

Good luck, congrats, and don't worry. Be more focused on welcoming your bundle of joy.

[Anonymous]

The hospital provided big pads and mesh underwear. I bled for six weeks and it was a heavy flow. Someone told me to get a box of Depends if I was worried about leakage onto my bed, etc, when I got home. I didn't end up doing that but had maxi pads which worked just fine.

[maynie]

The hospital pads were the biggest ones I'd ever seen. I don't remember how long the bleeding was for, but don't be surprised if you pass a few clots. No one ever mentioned it to me, but I remember one the size of my fist. Freaked me out at the time.

[Anonymous]

I also had heavy bleeding for 6 weeks and was provided w/ pads and netted underwear, but you will probably need some extra pads at home as well. I would recommend the night time (long ones) for sleeping. The hospital also sent me home with pads to put on the bed in case I leaked. If you are really sore, one thing that worked great for me was cutting a slice in a baby diaper and packing it w/ ice and then placing it in your underwear. The nurses did this for me and it was a great trick!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Obviously, the first few days are the heaviest (which is part of the reason you need to stay at least 2 days in the hospital post partem).

I agree with that whole post except this - you don't NEED to stay 2 days in the hospital. That is, some people might, but it's not universally necessary. I had my baby in a freestanding birth center and was home 12 hours later (still bleeding, of course). Post-partum bleeding is normal, as long as the amount is decreasing, not increasing.

To the OP -- don't worry. If you can handle your period, you can handle this. You will be fine.

I used the heaviest strength maxi I could find in the drugstore, and it was fine. I found the thicker ones (as opposed to the thin ones with absorbent gel, which I ordinarily use) worked better for me post-partum.

Buy some disposable chux pads for the bed if you're worried about leaking onto the bed. You probably won't need them. I slept on one in late pregnancy in case my water broke in bed (I also stuck one on my car seat when I was driving around in labor!) But I never leaked onto the bed.

If you are planning to breastfeeding -- great, because nipple stimulation/breastfeeding causes your uterus to contract, and the more that happens, the faster the bleeding stops.

And yeah, don't freak out if you pass a clot. I'd heard about that but not really paid attention and I don't think I understood what a clot was, so I panicked. I'll tell you, but stop reading now if you don't want to know It's basically a large, soft mass of congealed blood -- I thought it meant a small, hard chunk. This was more like the size of an apricot. I freaked out and called the midwife, sure I was hemorrhaging, but no, it's totally normal -- go figure! Ah, the things our bodies come up with...