Post-birth bleeding often tapers over 4–6 weeks, shifting from bright red to pink/brown to pale discharge as the uterus heals.
Bleeding after birth can look intense at first. In many cases it’s normal healing: your uterus is clearing blood and tissue and shrinking back down. The name for this discharge is lochia. Knowing the usual pattern helps you choose the right pads, pace your activity, and spot the moments that shouldn’t wait.
What lochia is and why it happens
After delivery, the inside of the uterus needs to repair where the placenta was attached. Lochia is a mix of blood, mucus, and uterine tissue leaving the body while that lining seals and rebuilds. Uterine contractions drive a lot of this process, which is why you may feel “afterpains,” often stronger during breastfeeding.
How birth type can change the first week
After a vaginal birth, lochia is often heavier in the first days. After a C-section, some material may be cleared during surgery, so the early flow can start lighter. Both can still have several weeks of discharge, and both can still have a few heavier days.
What can make bleeding look heavier in a normal way
Standing up after lying down can release pooled blood. A long walk, carrying a car seat, or climbing stairs can also bring on a brighter-red flow later the same day. If it settles by the next day, that pattern often points to overdoing it rather than a problem.
How Long Does Bleeding Last After Childbirth? With a clear timeline
Most people see the heaviest bleeding in the first 3–4 days. Then it eases, changes color, and becomes more watery. Many stop around 4–6 weeks. A smaller group runs longer, often up to 6–8 weeks. Some public patient guidance also notes lochia can last up to 12 weeks, with a clear expectation that it keeps trending lighter over time.
Color changes that help you judge the trend
Lochia often moves through three phases. Early on it’s red and more blood-heavy (lochia rubra). Next it turns pinkish-brown as the blood content drops (lochia serosa). Later it becomes yellowish-white or creamy as it shifts toward mucus and healing discharge (lochia alba). The postpartum care chapter in the NCBI Bookshelf summarizes this staged pattern and gives a practical “too heavy” threshold. NCBI Bookshelf postpartum care guidance outlines the rubra–serosa–alba shifts and when heavy bleeding needs a check.
Clots, smell, and texture
Small clots can show up in the first days, often after sleep. Clots that keep coming, or one large clot, deserve a call, especially if bleeding ramps up at the same time. Lochia can smell like a heavy period. A strong foul odor, fever, or worsening pelvic pain can line up with infection and needs same-day contact.
What a normal timeline can look like week by week
Use the table as a guide, not a test. Your goal is a general taper and a move away from bright red over time. If you’re unsure, track pad changes for a day and note color, clots, and any dizziness.
Pad choice matters early on. Thick maternity pads are often more comfortable and let you see the amount clearly. Skip tampons early, since they can raise infection risk and can hide how much you’re bleeding. The NHS guidance is clear on waiting until after the 6-week postnatal check before tampons. NHS advice on bleeding after birth gives that warning.
| Time since birth | Typical color and flow | What it usually means |
|---|---|---|
| Hours 0–24 | Bright red, heavy | Early clearing and strong uterine contractions |
| Days 1–3 | Bright red, period-like to heavy | Common early lochia; small clots can pass after sleep |
| Days 4–7 | Red to darker red, easing | Trend should start to soften; activity can make it look redder for a bit |
| Week 2 | Pink/brown, sometimes a brief red surge | Shedding of healing tissue can cause a short-lived increase |
| Weeks 2–3 | Brown to pink, lighter | Less blood, more healing discharge |
| Weeks 3–4 | Yellow-white or creamy, spotting | Later-stage lochia; many people feel “almost done” here |
| Weeks 4–6 | Light discharge, occasional spotting | Common end range; may flare after a busy day |
| Weeks 6–8 | Trace staining, then none | Some people run longer; trend should still be down |
| Up to 12 weeks | Intermittent light lochia in a smaller group | Persistent bright-red flow or heavy bleeding needs assessment |
Why bleeding can pick up again
A rebound in bleeding often has a simple cause. It can also signal that something needs treatment. The difference is the pattern and the symptoms that come with it.
Overexertion
If you notice more red flow after errands or housework, treat it like your body tapping the brakes. Rest, hydrate, and see if it returns to a lighter color by the next day. If it keeps getting heavier day after day, call.
Breastfeeding
Nursing triggers oxytocin release, which tightens the uterus. That can bring on cramps and can push out more lochia in the moment. If the bleeding stays within a normal pad-change pace and the color continues trending lighter over the week, it often fits normal contraction-driven clearing.
Infection or retained tissue
Bleeding that stays bright red beyond the early window, or pairs with fever, chills, foul odor, or worsening pelvic pain can signal infection or retained placental tissue. Those need prompt evaluation since treatment may involve medication or a procedure.
Delayed postpartum hemorrhage
Heavy bleeding can also happen days or weeks after birth. Clinicians call this secondary postpartum hemorrhage. ACOG gives a concrete “pad-soaking” threshold: soaking two pads an hour for more than 1–2 hours is a danger sign. ACOG signs to watch after childbirth lists that marker as part of postpartum hemorrhage awareness.
When to call right away vs. when to watch
It can feel hard to judge bleeding at home, especially when sleep is broken. A simple rule helps: fast pad soaking, faintness, or large clots should be treated as urgent. A mild increase after activity that settles with rest is often a “watch the trend” moment.
The UK’s Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists notes lochia usually settles by 12 weeks and describes postpartum hemorrhage as heavier-than-normal bleeding. RCOG patient information on heavy bleeding after birth is a clear reference you can share with family.
| What you notice | What it can point to | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Soaking a pad in under an hour, or soaking two pads an hour for 1–2 hours | Postpartum hemorrhage risk | Get urgent care now or call emergency services |
| Large clot (golf-ball size or bigger) or repeated medium clots | Bleeding that needs assessment; sometimes retained tissue | Call your maternity unit or clinician today |
| Bleeding turns bright red again and stays heavy | Secondary hemorrhage, overexertion, or infection | Rest and recheck within a few hours; call if it doesn’t ease |
| Fever, chills, foul-smelling discharge, or worsening pelvic pain | Uterine infection | Call today; you may need antibiotics |
| Dizziness, fainting, racing heartbeat, or shortness of breath | Blood loss or anemia | Get urgent care |
| New severe headache, vision changes, or swelling with high blood pressure readings | Postpartum preeclampsia can occur after birth | Get urgent care |
| Bleeding is light, then heavier after a busy day, then lighter again | Activity-related flare | Scale back and rest; note the trend over 24 hours |
How to track bleeding without getting lost in it
You don’t need exact measurements. You need a clear sense of trend. These checks keep it simple:
- Pad pace: how often you change a pad because it’s soaked, not just damp.
- Color direction: red → pink/brown → pale is the usual direction.
- Body cues: fever, faintness, chest symptoms, or strong pelvic pain are not “wait it out” signs.
Comfort and hygiene basics
Change pads often and wash hands before and after. A peri bottle with warm water can make bathroom trips less stingy, especially with stitches. Pat dry. If pads rub, a thin layer of barrier ointment on nearby skin can prevent chafing.
Sex, tampons, and baths
Many clinicians suggest waiting until bleeding has stopped and you’ve had a postnatal check before using tampons or having penetrative sex. Showers are usually fine; soaking baths are often delayed until tears and incisions are healing well.
When bleeding starts to look like a period
Lochia tapers. A period tends to arrive as a new wave of bleeding that follows a cycle pattern. If bleeding had nearly stopped and then returns like a full period weeks later, note the timing and any cramps. If you’re unsure what you’re seeing, call and ask whether it fits a cycle or needs assessment.
Practical steps that can help bleeding settle
- Rest in short blocks: Lie down during the day and see if redness eases.
- Ease back into chores: If a task turns flow bright red, pause it for a day or two.
- Hydrate and eat regularly: This can help with dizziness and recovery stamina.
- Keep follow-up visits: Postpartum check-ins can catch anemia, blood pressure issues, and healing problems.
If your gut says the bleeding is too much, call. If you can’t reach your clinic, go to urgent care or emergency services. Fast care beats waiting and worrying.
References & Sources
- NCBI Bookshelf.“Postpartum Care of the New Mother.”Describes typical lochia stages and a practical heavy-bleeding threshold.
- NHS.“Your body after the birth.”Explains post-birth bleeding basics and advises waiting for the 6-week check before tampons.
- American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG).“3 Conditions to Watch for After Childbirth.”Gives warning signs for postpartum hemorrhage, including pad-soaking thresholds.
- Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG).“Heavy bleeding after birth (postpartum haemorrhage).”Summarizes what lochia can look like over weeks and what counts as heavier-than-normal bleeding.