Are abnormal bleeding episodes after postpartum normal?

Question

Hello doctor,

I am currently 11 weeks postpartum, and I am still bleeding. The bleeding will completely stop for a few days, and then all of a sudden be very heavy. It will come with cramping and nausea.

This is my first kid, and I am currently exclusively breastfeeding. I would like to know whether this is normal or if I should seek in-person medical care.

Kindly help.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

Irregular bleeding post-delivery can have various reasons. One of the most common ones is retained products of conception. This can also be a focus for infections.

The other reasons can be any vascular abnormalities in the uterus or a pregnancy-related cancer problem called gestational trophoblastic tumors. Or sometimes it could be even pre-existing fibroids causing this irregular bleeding, in case we consider this as resumption of your menstrual cycle.

Usually, when breastfeeding, the periods do not resume until six to nine months post-delivery, but in some women, it does. This will need a thorough evaluation of your bleeding episodes (if you had noted down the dates from when to when you bled, that would be helpful).

Also, you need to get an ultrasound to look for the cause of this unusual bleeding. Also, check your urine pregnancy test once if you have not been using any contraceptive methods.

I hope this helps.

Thank you.