Postpartum Bleeding Stopped Then Started Again: Is That Normal?
After my second C-section, my postpartum bleeding followed what seemed like a pretty normal pattern. It started out heavy and bright red, gradually became lighter, turned into spotting and eventually seemed like it had stopped.
Then, all of a sudden, I started bleeding heavily again.
There were clots in the toilet, the amount of blood surprised me, and my immediate thought was that maybe I had gotten my first postpartum period. I had already been bleeding for weeks, so when it seemed to stop and then suddenly returned, I had no idea what was going on.
I ended up asking my doctor about it because the timing did not make sense to me. She told me that what I was experiencing was still postpartum bleeding, not my period.
If your postpartum bleeding stopped and then started again, I completely understand why it can be confusing. Here is what happened to me, why postpartum bleeding can fluctuate and when renewed bleeding is something you should call your healthcare provider about.
Can Postpartum Bleeding Stop and Start Again?
Postpartum bleeding and discharge is called lochia, and it does not necessarily look exactly the same from beginning to end. It typically starts out heavier and red, then gradually becomes lighter and changes color as your body heals. If you’re wondering about the overall timeline, I also shared how long postpartum bleeding lasted after both of my C-sections.
The overall trend should be toward less bleeding, but the amount of lochia can fluctuate. You may notice more discharge after physical activity, while breastfeeding or even when you first get out of bed in the morning.
That does not mean you should ignore bleeding that suddenly becomes significantly heavier after it had been improving. If you are concerned by the amount of blood you are seeing, especially if the bleeding is very heavy or accompanied by other symptoms, contact your healthcare provider.
What Happened to Me
I experienced postpartum bleeding after both of my C-sections, and both times the entire process lasted close to six weeks. My first experience was relatively straightforward because the bleeding started heavy, gradually became lighter and eventually went away.
The second time was different. My bleeding started out bright red and heavy, became lighter, turned into spotting and eventually seemed like it had stopped.
Then the heavy bleeding came back.
I do not remember exactly how many weeks postpartum I was when this happened. I think it may have been somewhere around four to six weeks, but I do not remember well enough to give an exact timeline and would rather not pretend that I do.
What I do remember very clearly is seeing a lot of blood and clots in the toilet and wondering whether I had suddenly gotten my period.
I Thought It Was My First Postpartum Period
This was probably the most confusing part for me. Once the bleeding had stopped and then started again, getting my period seemed like the most logical explanation.
But the timing still felt strange, so I asked my doctor. She told me that what I was experiencing was still postpartum bleeding.
When my actual first period eventually returned, the experience felt different because there had been a much clearer break between the end of my postpartum bleeding and the start of my period. By then, I was around 11 weeks postpartum and had not been experiencing lochia for quite a while.
That distinction is one reason I think postpartum bleeding and your first postpartum period can be so confusing. When you are already dealing with bleeding that changes over several weeks, it is not always obvious where postpartum recovery ends and your menstrual cycle begins again.
I shared more about my first period after giving birth, including when it returned and how different it was from my periods before having kids.
Why Can Postpartum Bleeding Get Heavier Again?
Lochia is the blood, mucus and tissue your uterus sheds after pregnancy. It happens whether you have a vaginal delivery or a C-section, and it gradually changes as your uterus heals.
The amount can sometimes increase temporarily. Physical activity is one reason you may notice more bleeding or discharge, and some people notice an increase while breastfeeding or after getting out of bed in the morning.
That was not an obvious explanation in my case because I was not particularly active during those first several weeks after my C-section. I was taking recovery pretty slowly, so I cannot point to a long walk or busy day and say that was definitely why my bleeding increased.
Ultimately, I do not know exactly why mine seemed to stop and then came back so heavily. What mattered to me was that the change was significant enough that I asked my doctor rather than assuming it was normal.
How Long Does Postpartum Bleeding Last?
Postpartum discharge can continue for several weeks and commonly lasts up to about six weeks. Some people can have traces of lochia for even longer, although the bloody portion should generally decrease as recovery progresses.
That was pretty close to my experience after both births. I dealt with postpartum bleeding and spotting for close to six weeks after each of my C-sections.
What surprised me after my second birth was that the progression was not perfectly linear. I expected heavy bleeding to become lighter, turn into spotting and then simply disappear. Instead, I had that unexpected return of heavy bleeding before things finally tapered off for good.
Do You Still Have Postpartum Bleeding After a C-Section?
Yes, and this is something I genuinely did not know before having my first baby. I assumed postpartum vaginal bleeding was associated with delivering a baby vaginally, so I thought having a C-section meant I would avoid it.
Postpartum bleeding actually comes primarily from your uterus as it heals after pregnancy. Your body still needs to shed blood, mucus and tissue regardless of how your baby was delivered.
I experienced lochia after both of my C-sections, and it lasted for weeks both times. So if you are preparing for a C-section, I would absolutely still have postpartum pads or disposable underwear waiting for you at home. Bleeding was just one part of my C-section recovery, which looked very different from week to week.
What I Used for Postpartum Bleeding
In the hospital, I wore the mesh underwear and pads they provided. Once I got home, I switched to Always postpartum underwear and continued wearing them during those first several weeks.
I liked not having to worry as much about a pad shifting or leaking, especially when my bleeding unexpectedly became heavier again. Comfort was also a huge priority while I was simultaneously recovering from abdominal surgery.
I did not use tampons during this period. Pads and disposable underwear are recommended during early postpartum recovery because inserting tampons before you have healed can increase the risk of infection.
When Should You Worry If Postpartum Bleeding Starts Again?
The most important thing is to pay attention to the amount of bleeding and how you feel. Lochia can fluctuate, but postpartum bleeding should generally trend lighter rather than becoming progressively heavier.
Contact your healthcare provider if your bleeding suddenly becomes very heavy after it had been slowing down. You should also seek medical attention if you are filling a pad every hour for several hours, repeatedly passing large clots, feeling dizzy or faint, or experiencing other symptoms that concern you.
Fever, worsening pain or foul smelling discharge can also be signs that something needs to be evaluated. Postpartum hemorrhage can occur after you have already left the hospital, so significant new bleeding is not something I would try to diagnose at home.
In my case, the sudden return of heavy bleeding and clots was enough to make me question what was happening. I am glad I asked my doctor and got an answer specific to my situation.
What I Wish I Knew About Postpartum Bleeding
I wish I had known that postpartum bleeding is not necessarily a perfectly predictable process. I expected it to get lighter every day until it eventually disappeared, and my first postpartum experience was fairly close to that.
My second experience taught me that recovery can be less straightforward. Having my bleeding seem to stop and then suddenly return heavily was alarming, especially because I did not know whether I was looking at postpartum bleeding or my first period.
I also wish I had known before my first baby that I would experience vaginal bleeding even after a C-section. It is such a basic part of postpartum recovery, but somehow I went into my first delivery without realizing it.
If your postpartum bleeding stopped and then started again, I would pay attention to how much you are bleeding and how you feel rather than trying to compare your experience exactly to someone else's. And if the change seems dramatic or something simply feels wrong, call your healthcare provider.
FAQs About Postpartum Bleeding Starting Again
Is it normal for postpartum bleeding to stop and start again?
The amount of lochia can fluctuate during postpartum recovery, and activity, breastfeeding and getting out of bed can temporarily increase discharge. However, bleeding should generally become lighter over time, so a significant increase after it had been improving is worth discussing with your healthcare provider.
Why did my postpartum bleeding start again?
There are several reasons you might notice more lochia at certain times, including increased physical activity. It is not possible to determine the cause of suddenly renewed bleeding based on the amount alone, so contact your healthcare provider if the change is significant or concerning.
Can postpartum bleeding stop and then come back bright red?
Lochia changes in color and amount as your body heals, but a return to significant bright red bleeding after it had become lighter is something to pay attention to. If the bleeding is heavy, increasing or accompanied by other symptoms, contact your healthcare provider.
How do I know if it is postpartum bleeding or my period?
This can be surprisingly difficult to figure out. My postpartum bleeding stopped and then came back heavily enough that I thought I had gotten my period, but my doctor told me it was still postpartum bleeding. My actual first period came later, after I had experienced a much clearer break from lochia.
How long can postpartum bleeding last?
Lochia commonly lasts for several weeks and can continue for around six weeks after giving birth. My postpartum bleeding and spotting lasted close to six weeks after both of my C-sections.
Do you have postpartum bleeding after a C-section?
Yes. Lochia occurs after both vaginal and C-section births because it comes from the uterus healing and shedding blood, mucus and tissue after pregnancy. I experienced postpartum bleeding for several weeks after both of my C-sections.
When should I call my doctor about postpartum bleeding?
Call your healthcare provider if your bleeding becomes very heavy, gets heavier after it had been improving, or you repeatedly pass large clots. You should also seek care if heavy bleeding is accompanied by dizziness, faintness, fever, worsening pain, foul smelling discharge or simply makes you feel like something is not right.
Sources:
Cleveland Clinic, Lochia: Postpartum Bleeding
Cleveland Clinic, Postpartum Symptoms You Should Not Ignore
Cleveland Clinic, Postpartum Hemorrhage
Disclaimer
This article shares my personal postpartum experience and is for informational purposes only. It is not medical advice and should not replace guidance from your doctor or another qualified healthcare provider. Contact your healthcare provider if you experience heavy or concerning bleeding after giving birth.
