Are blood clots normal 2 weeks postpartum?

Postpartum is a period where women start healing and recover after giving birth, delivery of a baby, which usually lasts for 6 weeks. Passing lochia, or bleeding, and blood clots are expected during this period. A blood clot is a collection of blood that has clumped together to create a jelly-like structure. The shredding of the uterine lining is the most typical cause of bleeding after delivery. In primi women, damaged tissue lining in the birth canal can be another source of bleeding. Blood clots can develop if blood does not promptly flow out of vagina and excreted. These clots might be fairly huge or thick right after giving birth. Although blood clots are common after delivery, not necessarily dangerous; however, having too much or extremely big blood clots might be concerning.

Are Blood Clots Normal 2 Weeks Postpartum?

It is normal to have blood clots 2 weeks postpartum, in fact, there is a flow of the changes in the blood clots and discharge after delivery. The discharge is known as lochia, which is composed of blood, mucous, other tissue, and microorganisms. Most women’s lochia flow is the heaviest in the first 1 to 3 days after delivery and progressively decreases over the next few weeks. Every woman is unique and different, yet most women may experience the following changes.

First 24 Hours

The bleeding is generally most intense at this time, and the blood is bright red in colour. A lady may bleed enough to wet one sanitary pad per hour. It should be notified to healthcare workers if there is no improvement, as it might be an indication of severe bleeding. The blood clots may also pass in various sizes, extremely huge clots each the size of a tomato to the size of a golf ball, or several tiny ones each the size of a grape.

2 To 6 Days

The blood flow should progressively improve and may be comparable to a normal menstrual flow. Blood clots will be around the size of a quarter or less, around the size of a pencil eraser. Blood may become dark red, brownish or fade to a watery, pinkish red. If bright red blood flow continues, the ladies should consult a doctor because it might be a sign that the bleeding is not stopping correctly.

7 To 10 Days

The blood should remain in dark brownish or a fading pinkish brown colour. The flow should be lighter this week and it should not soak each pad on a regular basis. Breast-feeding mothers, on the other hand, may detect a tiny flow of blood during or after nursing or pumping.

11 To 14 Days

Any bloody discharge will be lighter in colour, and any clots will be very tiny. Any ladies who feel like being more active may experience some red-tinged discharge. Bleeding should be less than it was within the first 10 days following delivery.

3 To 5 Weeks

At this point, blood loss should be modest. Nonetheless, women may experience a cream-colored discharge that is stained with brown or light red coloured blood. During these weeks, the bleeding may cease completely as the uterus recovers to its pre-pregnancy state. Any recurrence of the menstruation may happen anytime as well.

6 Weeks

Postpartum bleeding generally stops between the fifth and sixth week. However, sporadic brown, red, or yellow blood stains may be seen. During the weeks following childbirth, ladies may frequently experience increased bleeding at particular periods, such as:

• In morning
• After breastfeeding
• After exercising

When Should I Consult A Doctor?

Although some degree of bleeding and blood clots are to be expected after giving birth, yet there are symptoms that some ladies experience that are necessary to meet your doctor. The following symptoms may indicate an infection or heavy bleeding:

• Fever (38ºC or higher)
• Bright red blood flow after the third day
• Shortness of breath
• Foul smelling discharge
• Detachment of stitches on the perineum or abdomen
• Severe headache
• Loss of conscious
• Soaking more than one sanitary pad every hour in blood
• Passing huge blood clots (golf ball-sized or larger) beyond 24 hours after delivery