Coffee

So i was always so into my pregnancy and the birth that i never got chance to read the sections in the books on what happens after the birth. I've kept trying to pick up my books to have a read but i just end up crying. The hospital didn't really tell me much either (did other people find this - you didn't get given any information at all?). I've tried to venture into the post natal forum but it's too hard. Not their fault but feels to be full of people moaning about lack of sleep or why they didn't have the perfect birth. They just don't realise.
Anyway, what i want to know is, when should i expect my first period?! I keep feeling all crampy like i am going to get AF but then i just get a bit of old blood discharge and no new blood.
My tummy is hurting as well today. I did quite a bit of tidying up and dusting and stuff yesterday, could it just be from using my tummy muscles or something? I keep dreading something going wrong with my wound and having to go back to hospital. I've been trying not to lift anything too heavy, but it's hard to judge. The one leaflet the hospital did bother to give me said i shouldn't lift anything heavier than my baby... Obviously the complete idiots don't realise what a stupid thing that is to give someone who has just lost their baby.
Thanks for any help you can give me xx

serina27

After my section i bled for 8 days then exactly 28 days after the birth ...it vary,s for everyone xx

Nosy_Cow

I can't believe your hospital gave you that leaflet! How inconsiderate! I didn't have a C-section so I can't tell you what to lift and what not to lift etc etc but I can tell you about periods.

After Chloe I bled for 18 days (the last 5 been light bleeding - almost dischargy). I then had a 6 day break before I bled lightly for 2 days. I then had a week's break before having one day light bleeding followed by one day very very very heavy bleeding followed by 3 days of a normal period (normal for me). So after I stopped bleeding it was 14 days before my period.

Like I said though the first day was light and the second day was hell - total hell! I was at college (I do a part time course on a Tuesday) and it was my first day back (after summer holidays and Chloe etc) and I was going to the toilet every hour and a half to change my heavy flow pad! It was horrible. The lecturer had a go at me at one point and I snapped in his face "I've just lost my f*cking baby and I bleeding heavy so unless you want your f*cking seats covered in blood you won't have a go at me!" Yeah that didn't go down too well though because I burst into tears and ran off. One of the lady lecturer's I know came in to the toilets about 10 minutes later and comforted me but I felt like a right idiot going back into the room! He apoligised though!

Sorry I can't help anymore!

netty

Hi I had a c section.

Ibled for 6 weeks after my section over the last 2-3 weeks of that is quite dark and old blood but if i exerted myself too much it went redder.
When that bleeding stopped I had AF 28 days later.

As for over exerting yourself and knowing what to do just go with your judgement and if you feel any pulls or discomfort stop - it is over exerting yourself.

Thinking of you and hope that helps

jess_smurf

you should take it easy my postnatal bleed was for 5 weeks had a break for 2 days then my AF started , when i mean break i had brown discharge for a few days and then started af but was very heavy but short you get the gushing like after birth

i didnt have a section though and had natural birth lisa had a section sure she would be more than happy to let you know what happened with hers x x

lisa_33

hi hun,
i got no information at all about my section, nothing about care...what to do and not to do!
at first the pain wasnt so bad, but i think its alot to with the emotional pain that you kinda forget about phisical pain.
after a few weeks i was getting excruiting pain on one side, inside but only when i moved and didnt hold that side....or after lying down, it was agony trying to get up it was awfull.
i had maisie on july 13 had bleeding for a few weeks....then stopped for 2 days. got what we think was af on 7 aug and it lasted 2 weeks.
i have had no one offer me a check up or anything at 6 weeks and i wouldve have thought having an emegency section especialy with the outcomes they would want to check u were okay. the head consultant told me i was okay to ttc even though no one botherd to look or check.
maybe make an app with your gp and ask them anything your unsure about hun xx

mugzy

I had a c-section with both my babies.

With Victor I had bleeding for 10 days, spotting for another 8 and then had a normal period 12 days later. I then had 5 days of spotting when I would have expected my 2nd period. I ovulated late that cycle (CD30), and fell pregnant so I don't know if cycle would have gone back to what it normally was.

With Carl I had bleeding for 8 days, spotting for another 10 and then 7 days of spotting, 3 weeks later. It's been 9 weeks since he was born and I still haven't had a period. I'm also getting AF cramps, but no AF.

So I think everyone is different, and every birth is different. You're just going to have to wait it out and see what happens.

As for lifting, let your body guide you as to what's too heavy. If it hurts, it's too heavy.