1 month post-partum, sudden big bleed - is this normal? Bit scared.

[ScrambledSmegs]

Had DD2 nearly 5 weeks ago. Straightforward natural birth, quick recovery, no health concerns. She's ebf, going well. Was just in supermarket and felt a sudden warm gush down below Assumed it was an embarrassing pelvic floor failure despite all the exercises, and headed home to deal with it.

Got home, went to toilet to find my underwear and jeans (black, thank god) soaked in blood, and a massive clot passed too Still bleeding I think but not sure to what extent. The thing is, I nearly passed out on the way home. Cramps have recently started too, so could it be my period, back really early? Or should I worry?

Would a sudden heavy period do that? Mine have only ever been light before so i really don't know. I know logically it's probably not a haemorrhage but it doesn't stop the fear!

[hedwig2001]

Sounds like a possible infection. Call your postnatal ward and ask for advice. They will probably advise GP tomorrow.

[ScrambledSmegs]

Really? Shit. Thanks, hedwig!

[tabbycat15]

I had this 3 weeks after the birth if DS. I had retained placenta & needed a D & C. Best to get checked out.

[ScrambledSmegs]

But my placenta was intact! And I was in theatre afterwards for a supposed 3rd degree tear (wasn't, luckily) and they checked that all the placenta was gone too. So it can't be that, can it?

I spoke to NHS Direct yesterday after all this, and they advised that the liklihood was it was my period, and because I'd been doing to much phisical activity (true) it probably made it much worse than normal. However, I should go and see the GP just to be on the safe side.

I'm feeling much better today and it really does look like a normal period now. Annoying as I was hoping the breastfeeding would prevent that for a good few months!

[GobblersSparklyExplodingKnob]

I had this and although my placenta had been intact, I had retained some membrane, which I passed like you with a big bleed, the membrane looked just like a very big clot until they teased it out at the hospital (my midwife told me to go in) so it could have been that?

I didn't need anything doing, just told to watch out for signs of infection, in case there was any more in there.

[ScrambledSmegs]

I don't think I've got any infection - I'm just knackered now. I will keep an eye on it though, thanks. That makes sense about the membrane, that's a possibility. Sorry it happened to you too Gobblers, although I'm weirdly glad that someone else has had this! I'll give my midwife a call and ask her what I should do tomorrow, just to be on the safe side. Thank you.

The bleeding has slowed down to what I would describe as a light period flow anyway. Hopefully that's it for now, I really don't want to have more of this!

[ScrambledSmegs]

Just noticed that I can't spell 'physical' I'm not normally quite so illiterate...

[TheSamling]

Go and get it checked anyway. It may be nothing, equally it could be something. I'm not trying to put the wind up you, but you don't mess about with gyne, you just don't. Congrats on your baby.

[Buzi]

Hi ! You definitely should be seen by a GP, mid-wife or Outpatients tomorrow. You may need an Ultrasound and they need to make sure your womb has descended etc. If you have any pain, feel sick or shaky you should call NHS direct. If anything retained products of conception would be the likely cause of this and they won't settle if there is too much left ! May as well get the all clear you don't want to develop and infection by watching and waiting...get firm and clear with the staff and get some rapid help . Then get on with caring for your lovely baby !

[l4k]

Yes, I had this. Retained membranes like other poster and needed no further treatment but needed to be checked at hospital so you do need to be seen. Good luck.

[ScrambledSmegs]

Thanks everyone. I spoke to my midwife today and she advised going to A&E, as there was a possibility I would need a scan and I've been feeling very rough - tired, dizzy, banging head. So I've been, got checked out and all appears to be fine, no infection etc.

Possibly was a retained membrane, but can't be sure as I didn't keep the evidence! Told to take paracetamol and self-monitor basically. Oddly I feel a lot better now I'm not worrying about my uterus festering

[l4k]

That's good. Look after yourself and don't do too much.

[Sparklingbrook]

Glad all is ok Scrambled. I had to go for a scan after having DS2, because they thought there may be some more in there. There wasn't and it was thoroughly miserable sitting in the waiting room with all the ladies with bumps.