Did you know about postpartum bleeding?

Just when you've gotten used to no periods (and hopefully no vaginal bleeds) in pregnancy you give birth and find that the postpartum bleeding (lochia) can last for up to 6 weeks. It is normal to bleed from your vagina after giving birth. Remember your placental site leaves a wound. At first it will resemble a heavy period. After 5-7 days it will get lighter and this will carry on for a few weeks for some women (less for others) and will gradually turn a brownish colour and decrease until it finally stops. Use maternity pads for the first 6 weeks after birth, you know, the big nappy like ones that are sexy AF, but really the bigger the better. Or better yet use period pants. Do not use tampons as they can increase your chance of getting an infection.

Tell your midwife or OBGYN if you're losing blood in large clots or you need to change your maternity pads every hour or more. You may need to be seen in the maternity unit.