Exessive bleeding after giving birth...?

Question

I delivered 4 weeks ago (today), lost the baby due to him only being 21 weeks... My bleeding has been minimal, and then all of a sudden there was tons of bleeding along w/ a good size blood clot. I went to the emergency room, where they examined me and did an ultrasound, they found nothing serious. They said it could be either my menstrual cycle or the fact that I may have some of the placenta still attached to my uterus. So they gave me a pill to help contract my uterus to see if it could expel the remainders of the placenta... if that does not work within the week and after being examined again, they will have to do a D&C. Anyone out there in my position? It was very scary to see so much blood!!!

Answer 1

As long as the placenta is out you should be ok. If they thought it was your period I am surprised they gave you the pills though. Just watch it carefully and I am sorry to hear about your loss.

Answer 2

Sorry about the loss of the baby but lets deal with your health (I'm a doctor). There is probably nothing to worry about here and you have done the right thing in seeking expert help at a hospital. Do remember that a little blood goes a long way so you probably lost a lot less than you believe. I assume they checked you for amemia and that they were happy you were OK on this level? It is possible what you passed was some retained placenta but I doubt it as over four weeks it would have likely gone septic and smelly. My money is on it being a period and that it was abnormal as your hormones are just recovering from pregnancy. An ultrasound exam should show that everything is OK and as long as the bleeding stops and no infection is evident (raised temperature) you should not need any treatment. If there is any retained material in the uterus then a D&C may be necessary but if this is the case your gyni will sort you out (its done under general anaesthetic and is quite safe).

Answer 3

This is actually more common than you would realize. There are several possible causes. Probably the most common cause is women getting a little too active before the uterus has had time to completely heal. However, the amount of blood loss is not usually as much as you described. When you have that much bleeding the most likely cause is something retained in the uterus.This could be small placental fragments, or just blood clots. I am surprised that it would take 4 weeks for this to show up though. Usually when something is retained the bleeding tends to be heavy and stay heavy until the retained pieces or blood clots are passed. The pill they gave you (probably methergine) is standard treatment for this (called subinvolution.) It causes strong, sustained contractions of the uterus, which should help anything retained to be forced off the uterine lining and then forced out. If your bleeding is lightening up, becomeing less and less, you are probably going to be fine. It the bleeding continues you will probably need the D & C.

Make sure you are drinking plenty of water and eating nutritious, high protein foods to rebuild the blood you have lost. Continue to take your prenatal vitamins. Another very good supplement to take is liquid chlorophyll or alfalfa. Both are very high in just about all vitamins and minerals, including vitamin K which helps you not bleed too much. Both will also help you to rebuild your iron stores so you won't be anemic.

Good luck!

Answer 4

Two most common reasons why somebody bleed 4 weeks after 21 week birth..
1) Subinvolution. Uterus does not contract well leading to bleedingg - the drug you got is probably a methergine which helps to contract uterus..
2) retained placenta - This could be little more serious. People really bleed with this condition. I don't know if the drug will work. My experience is that it doesn't. D&C is the only way to treat this condition.

Make sure your blood count is stable.

Answer 5

I am so sorry that you lost your child! Then to have this, it's just too much!
I had placenta left after my last child was born & had to have a D&C. I wouldn't wait a week to see if this pill works, especially if you're still bleeding like that!
The actual procedure isn't bad because they put you to sleep to do it. And when you wake up you feel ALOT better!
Just make sure your OB/GYN is OK with you waiting. Sometimes the ER docs don't know much about female problems.
I pray that God will comfort you in your loss!!

Answer 6

I'm sorry about the loss of your baby. Be careful how much activity you are doing right now. Your body is trying to heal itself after giving birth. Too much lifting, cleaning or even excessive walking around can cause a much heavier flow. If they do end up doing a D&C, don't worry. You will feel much better, immediately, because you won't be losing so much blood. Remember, most women at 4 weeks postpartum are resting when the baby rests, you need to know that you are a mom and that you need to help your body recuperate.

Answer 7

I'm sorry to hear about the child you lost. I had the same problem after the births of all three of my children and after a miscarriage. The bleeding should slow after passing all of the clots. If you are bleeding longer then your normal period or become weak call your doctor. I had to have a DNC everything should be ok. But when in doubt call your doctor. I wish you all the luck in the world and hope you are feeling well soon.

Answer 8

I've had this happen before and it turned out to be not all of the placenta had come out yet. I felt like a faucet had turned on down there and I had clots the size of silver dollars. It turned out not to be serious it was actually a common thing. I hope in your case it is the same thing and not something serious. Take care and be well.

Answer 9

Oh, you poor thing. I am so sorry for your loss.

It is normal for the blood to be light, then heavy, then light for up to six weeks. After that, you may have some lochia for 2 or 3 weeks. The pill to help you contract should help.

In the meantime, eat iron-rich food to protect against anemia and don't get pregnant again for three months. Your body and heart need at least that much time to recover.

Answer 10

4 weeks after I had my son I started to bleed a large amount too. I had been bleeding a normal amount then one day it just gushed out like water. I was horrified. I was at a store and had to page my husband to the service desk, the employees were scared. I went to the E.R and the doctor said I was ok and that it was just a huge period not any more info than that. It stopped while at the hospital and didn't happen again.

Answer 11

When I had my secound child through c section, I barely bleed much at all, then all of sudden it came in rushes and with blood clots. I to went to my dr and they said it was extra placenta "breaking through". I already felt like it had broke!!! It happened a few more times and then it finally stopped. Yes, it is scary, but I am sure you will be fine.