Bleeding After C-Section

Whether it is a normal delivery or a C-section, postpartum bleeding happens in every woman. This phenomenon is termed as lochia bleeding, which is considered as a part of the uterus's self-cleansing process. The placenta, which was attached to a certain point in the uterine wall, gets removed during the childbirth, leaving open blood vessels at the point of attachment. These blood vessels begin to bleed into the uterus, once the placenta is removed. With time, the uterus contracts, thereby closing the open blood vessels and stops the bleeding. As C-sections are considered to be more risky, than vaginal childbirth, a basic idea about bleeding after C-section is very much necessary.

Normal and Abnormal Bleeding

Now, we know that bleeding is normal after delivery, whether it is C-section or normal. However, there can be complications, especially in case of C-section deliveries. So, it is necessary to know about normal and abnormal bleeding after C-section. Postpartum bleeding starts right after the delivery. In normal cases, bleeding will be bright red in color and heavy for the first few days. Blood clots may also appear, but large clots can be a cause of worry. In case of appearance of very large clots, immediate medical attention is needed. Usually, heavy bleeding may transform to pinkish discharge within five to six days. The color of the discharge gradually changes to brownish-yellow and then white. This process may take around fifteen days, but, in some cases may last up to four or six weeks. The next period may come after two to three months. This is the normal course of postpartum bleeding. However, in some cases, complications may occur, leading to abnormal bleeding after C-section.

Causes for Excessive Bleeding

As mentioned above, some women may develop excessive bleeding after C-section due to various reasons. One of the symptoms of abnormal bleeding is the presence of large clots in the discharge. Another complication is uncontrollable and heavy bleeding, after the C-section. If several pads are needed to soak the blood for an hour, then, there is something serious. There can be various causes for this heavy bleeding. It can due to damage to a major blood vessel during surgery. A removal of placenta, that is strongly attached to the uterine wall, may be a reason for excessive bleeding after C-section. In some cases, if the placenta does not get removed completely during the C-section, then the fragments bleed. Another cause for excessive bleeding is the non-contraction of the uterus, which allow the blood vessels to remain open and bleed. In some cases, excess strain may also cause heavy bleeding, but, this will subside with sufficient rest.

Treatment for Excessive Bleeding

There are various methods of treating excessive bleeding after C-section. While in some cases, the bleeding stops without any treatment, others require medication or surgery, depending upon the cause of the bleeding. If the uterus is not contracting after childbirth, causing bleeding, then, medications are prescribed for stimulating the uterus to contract. In case of loss of blood in large amounts, blood transfusions are also done. The last option is surgery to correct the problem. In some rare cases, hysterectomy or uterus removal surgery will be required to prevent the blood loss.