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What Are the Causes of Bleeding After a C-Section?

Whether you have a C-Section or a vaginal birth, childbirth involves a lot of blood during and after. The thing that is important to determine is whether the bleeding you are having is normal or not.

  1. Normal Bleeding

    • After giving birth, you will experience a certain amount of normal bleeding. This bleeding usually lasts about a week but can go as long as six weeks. Normal post-delivery bleeding should get lighter as each day passes, transitioning from bright red in color to pinkish-white.

    Clots

    • Passing clots in post-delivery blood is also normal, as long as the clots aren't too large. If a clot is bigger than a golf ball, call your doctor.

    Severed Blood Vessels

    • Abnormal bleeding is cause for alarm. If you soak more than one sanitary pads an hour, call your doctor. This may be a sign that you have severed a major blood vessel.

    Placenta Fragments

    • Occasionally, there are fragments from the placenta left in the uterus that can cause heavy bleeding. This occurs more often in women who have had more than one C-Section.

    Uterine Atony

    • Uterine atony happens when the uterus doesn't contract properly after delivering the placenta. This can cause extra bleeding because it squeezes the blood vessels.

    Treatment

    • Let your doctor know about heavy bleeding as soon as possible. In most cases, medication can stop the bleeding. If the bleeding is severe, however, a blood transfusion may be required.

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