How can I tell whether my postpartum bleeding is normal or I'm hemorrhaging?
All new moms have vaginal bleeding and discharge, known as lochia, in the days after childbirth, as the uterus sheds its thick lining of tissue from the pregnancy. Lochia is normally bright red at first, and it should get progressively lighter in color and amount as the blood diminishes. But if bright red bleeding continues after four days, or if at any time you seem to be bleeding more instead of less, it could indicate a problem.
In extreme cases, you may have what's called a late (or delayed) postpartum hemorrhage. By definition, late postpartum hemorrhage is profuse bleeding that occurs between 24 hours and six weeks after childbirth, though it typically occurs one to two weeks postpartum. Call your caregiver right away if you notice any of these signs of abnormal bleeding:
Soaking more than one sanitary pad in an hour
Bright red bleeding that occurs four days or more after delivery
Blood clots bigger than a golf ball