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BLOOD CLOTS AFTER GIVING BIRTH: THINGS TO KNOW | BY STAR OF BABY

Oct 07,2022

By Star of Baby

What is a blood clot?

A blood clot is a mass of blood that sticks together. Actually in the six weeks after giving birth, your body heals. Some bleeding can be expected after the delivery. It is also known as lochia and blood clot. If you had a vaginal birth the source of the blood clot can be the shedding of your uterine lining or the damaged tissues in your birth canal. The blood that doesn’t pass through the vagina immediately, may form clots. Blood clots usually look like jelly. It may contain mucus or tissue. They vary in size, normally they are large as the size of a golf ball.

After delivery, blood clots are normal until they are very large in size. Too many blood clots or very large-sized blood clots are matters of concern. The number of blood clots and bleeding changes week after week.  Here are the things you should know about blood clots.

Related content : Early signs of pregnancy.

Things in the first 24 hours of delivery:

In the first 24 hours of delivery, bleeding is usually the heaviest, the blood will be bright red. It may be enough to soak about one sanitary pad per hour. During this time, you may pass ½ large clots, having a size of a tomato and some small clots which may be around the size of a grape.

Day 2 to 6 after the delivery:

Blood loss gets slower 2 to 6 days after delivery. The colour of the blood may change to dark brown or pink-red. The changes in the colour may indicate that the blood is no longer to continue bleeding. The blood clots still can be seen in small sizes as the size of a pencil eraser.

Day 7 to 10 after giving birth:

Now the bleeding will be lighter than in the first six days. Blood discharge may be pink-red or light brown in colour. The bleeding will be less than enough to soak a pad on a regular basis.

Day 11 to 14 after giving birth:

During these days, you will experience less bleeding which is lighter in colour. Being active can result in some red-tinged discharge.

Week 3 to 4 after giving birth:

Sometimes bleeding stops totally during this time and you may get your normal periods. Otherwise, the bleeding will be minimal and you will get an off-white colour discharge that could be streaked with light brown or red colour blood. 

Week 5 to 6 after giving birth:

During these weeks, women can experience bleeding in the morning, after breastfeeding, or after exercising (if the doctor has advised you to do so). Otherwise, the bleeding stops during this time period. Only a few spots can be seen.

Also read : Is it safe to drink decaffeinated coffee during pregnancy?

After giving birth there is also a risk for blood clots in arteries. This can affect blood flow and lead to conditions such as heart attack, stroke, deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. This situation is called the systematic blood clot postpartum period.

When to call the doctor?

If you experience any of the following symptoms, u need to seek help from your doctor immediately!!!

Also read: WHAT ARE THE PREGNANCY SYMPTOMS AND WHEN DO THEY STAR AND FALL BACK

  • Chest pain or pressure
  • Sudden loss of strength on one side of the body
  • Trouble in breathing
  • Fever higher than 100.4ºF.
  • Swelling or pain in one leg
  • Foul-smelling vaginal discharge
  • Loss of balance
  • Loosing of stitches
  • Soaking more than 1 pad per hour with blood
  • Severe headache
  • Pain or numbness only one side

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