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Gynaecology and obstetrics

Blood loss after childbirth

With a normal delivery, you will lose primarily red blood during the first four days after giving birth. The amount is comparable to heavy menstrual flow and will gradually decrease. Over the following days, the blood loss tends to be brown and yellowish. This can last up to six weeks after the delivery.

Check-up

To avoid the loss of too much blood, the midwife will perform daily checks to see if your uterus is contracting into a hard ball.

Advice

  • Use the perineal irrigation bottle regularly and change your maternity dressings.
  • Do not use tampons during the first few weeks after giving birth.

Problems

Ask for help if you are:

  • Losing blood clots
  • Losing too much blood
  • After a few days, you suddenly:
    • begin losing either a lot of blood or foul-smelling blood;
    • develop abdominal pain and a fever;
    • feel unwell.

These symptoms may indicate inflammation of the uterine wall.

Significant blood loss

If you lose too much blood, you may become dizzy or weak. A routine blood test performed on the second day after the delivery can confirm this. If necessary, you will receive a prescription for iron, an infusion that stimulates iron formation or a blood transfusion (only if absolutely necessary).

Last edit: 25 August 2021