Postpartum recovery
What is normal postpartum bleeding?
Heavy red bleeding for a few days, then lighter pink and brown loss that fades over two to six weeks.
Bleeding after birth is called lochia. It is heaviest in the first days and may include small clots. It should get lighter, not heavier, over time and should not smell offensive.
Soaking more than one pad an hour, passing clots bigger than a golf ball, bleeding that suddenly becomes heavier again, or bleeding with fever needs urgent care.
What you can do
- Use pads, not tampons, until bleeding stops
- Note how many pads you use if you are worried
- Expect bleeding to lessen week by week
When to seek care
- Soaking a pad an hour or more
- Large clots or bleeding suddenly getting heavier
- Fever or foul-smelling discharge
Heavy bleeding after birth can be life-threatening — go to the nearest hospital immediately.
This information is general health education and does not replace advice from your nurse, midwife or doctor. In an emergency go to your nearest facility.