I gave birth just under a month ago and my bleeding since has been very stop-start. The first few days was heavy (though to be honest I've had heavier periods) and then after about 10 days it stopped, only to restart a few days later. Since then it's been pretty on-off and I'm getting fed up with it as every time I think it's finished I end up bleeding all over an item of clothing! I was wondering if it's ok to switch to regular sanitary pads now? It's too much for a panty liner but I'm sick of wearing giant or long maternity pads for just a smallish amount of bleeding. I heard you're not supposed to use normal pads because they can apparently stick to the stitches but is this just for immediately after giving birth? I'm pretty sure my stitches have dissolved as I now feel fine down below.
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Childbirth
No it never stops. It goes on forever and ever and ever. 
6 weeks is normal. The stop/start/stop/start thing is normal too (with all the usual provisos of you feeling well, no pain, no sudden heavy blood loss, weird discharge, fever etc etc). It's just when you do more, the wound is aggravated. Remember the placenta has left a wound the size of a dinner plate and 6 weeks is to be expected. Some people are lucky enough to stop bleeding sooner but be reassured it can and does last that long in a normal, healthy woman.
Sanitary towels are fine. I only ever used maternity pads for the first 10 days or less second time round actually while the stitches healed and the loss was heavy.
yes. it stops exactly 4 weeks later so you can have your first period.
yes, I was sodding breastfeeding since you ask.
Yes EBFing means no periods at all. No chance that they will return while you're still feeding 2 hourly at least. Nope. Nuh uh.
This might be a steaming pile of lies. 
Don't be having any wild nights of passion, just to be on the safe side, eh?
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