Question for BTDT mommies

kristalee01 · #1 May 20th, 2008, 05:47 PM

I know that you bleed for a while after baby is born, I was just wondering for how long. Is it really heavy bleeding? I hated using pads so much and the thought of those big huge maxi pads during summer just about brings me to tears.

Army_Wife · #2 May 20th, 2008, 06:11 PM

I think it was around 2 weeks, but I can't say totally for sure. I remember that I had a really light flow for a few weeks, but nothing like having a period. The first 2 weeks were definitely the heaviest, but it wasn't really all that bad.

Kelsie · #3 May 20th, 2008, 06:52 PM

with my first it was 4 wks and with my last it was 6 wks. it's not heavy...kinda like the last day or two of a regular cycle...at least that's how it is for me.

~Casey~ · #4 May 20th, 2008, 06:56 PM

Gosh. I'm trying to remember. I think I bled for about six weeks the first time. But like Stacey said, the first two weeks were really only the heaviest part. After that I would think I was done one day and the next I'd have the equivalent to a light flow. Seriously, not bad. And let me just say that I was loving the monster pads that the hospital gave me. I just felt more protected at first. Now, with Norra I bled a lot less. So, I guess it can really vary.

Osu2k1 · #5 May 20th, 2008, 11:21 PM

I bled for a good 2-2.5 weeks. If I over did it, it would pick up. It was heavy for 3 days, medium for a week, then light. By 3 wks pp, I was good and by 3w3d Rob and I were...well ya know.

I highly suggest going with cloth pads. I really love them. I switched 1.5 yrs ago (I can't wear tampons, even after having Chandler, they always feel like they are falling out). I am a heavy flow and I was having to wear the big thick ones all the time. I switched to cloth and I don't have any leaks anymore and I swear my flow is lighter. It's not gross either. And I know I will not have the hot sweaty feeling while I am dealing with pp bleeding.

Karlie · #6 May 21st, 2008, 12:35 AM

Speaking of pads...are those surf board pads REALLY necessary for post partum bleeding or are normal ones okay?? I bought some maternity ones from the supermarket to have ready and when I started bleeding the other week they were the only thing I had handy because obviously I haven't had a period for a while and it was HORRIBLE - like walking with a pillow between your legs. Screw that!

lovemyboysandabbey2 · #7 May 21st, 2008, 02:19 AM

With my last one I bled for 8 weeks, the first 2 weeks were the heaviest tho, I just used regular pads once the bleeding slowed down.

Lady Moonlight · #8 May 21st, 2008, 05:21 AM

I loved the giant pads! When my flow was heaviest, even they couldn't contain very well. I have a few pairs of giant panties that are still stained from Freddy that I intend on using again til my flow lightens.
But I bled for 6 weeks and then, since I was on the progesterone-only BC pill, I continued to bleed for the next 9 months. I would have a couple days off here and there (and DH and I would quick DTD while we could) and then I'd bleed again for another 4 or 5 days. I hated it. This time, I'm going to have a serious consultation w/ my midwife about other BC options. I guess those pills work b/c you can't hardly have sex while on them.

But regular pads should suffice after the first couple weeks are up. And then pantyliners work too.

Ma-2-Thing 1-2-n-3 · #9 May 21st, 2008, 05:27 AM

I bled for the 6 weeks. And the first 3 weeks were the heaviest. I am another one that can not wear tampons. So, I kinda used to the boats, if you can be.

Mommazvibe · #10 May 21st, 2008, 08:08 AM

Ok I will be honest.... It is nasty!!! It lasts way longer than any normal period... it is very unfair that we will have to deal with it in the summer. And I truely don't think there is any way around using the huge pads. Good news is... I don't remember any cramping with it like a period!!!

haileysmommy08 · #11 May 21st, 2008, 08:57 AM

Bleeding differs from woman to woman.. some women bleed very heavily and others don't. I bled very heavily in the hospital but a couple days after I got home, I realized that I could use regular sized period pads for the bleeding. Think of it as pretty much your period.. if you have heavy periods, most likely, you're going to bleed heavily for quite a while. But, if you have lighter periods, as I did, you're probably going to bleed less. But, as I said, it differs with each woman. You of course, aren't going to be able to wear a tampon after you have the baby, you can only wear pads, but, if you aren't bleeding heavy you won't have to wear those humungous elephant pads =) lol.
Hope this helped

haileysmommy08 · #12 May 21st, 2008, 09:02 AM

Quote:

Speaking of pads...are those surf board pads REALLY necessary for post partum bleeding or are normal ones okay?? I bought some maternity ones from the supermarket to have ready and when I started bleeding the other week they were the only thing I had handy because obviously I haven't had a period for a while and it was HORRIBLE - like walking with a pillow between your legs. Screw that![/b]

There's really no way to get around wearing those pads... you bleed pretty heavily for quite a while that regular sized pads won't hold and it will go through and stain your clothes... I think that wearing the pads gets better after a while.. you get used to it

shadowdweller · #13 May 21st, 2008, 09:09 AM

i hate all of you, except for danelle!

i bled for ten weeks after zoe was born, and it was NOT light either! the first week was horribly heavy, even the giant hospital pads weren't enough. the other nine weeks were comparable to a heavy period. i bled eight and a half weeks after selene was born, same deal. fwiw, "normal" is defined as about six weeks, with the majority of that being light bleeding.
i also second the recommendation for cloth- i just bought my first cloth pads and have been "test driving" them this week- i still like my cup better, but cloth is SO MUCH BETTER than disposable pads! for one, no plastic- they BREATHE!

sillybean · #14 May 21st, 2008, 09:27 AM

I bled for about 8 weeks. But not heavy the whole time. I think only for a couple weeks was it really bad.

mommaluvs2730 · #15 May 21st, 2008, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Speaking of pads...are those surf board pads REALLY necessary for post partum bleeding or are normal ones okay?? I bought some maternity ones from the supermarket to have ready and when I started bleeding the other week they were the only thing I had handy because obviously I haven't had a period for a while and it was HORRIBLE - like walking with a pillow between your legs. Screw that![/b]

Honestly you would probably want to use those ones for awhile at least because I know I bleed a lot after I had her and I had a csection. Later on it gets lighter to where you can get away with just regular pads. I think I did for 6 weeks.

nursedawn · #16 May 21st, 2008, 11:16 AM

I think I bled heavy for about 2 weeks and then after that I had what is like a light period for the next 8 weeks. So, I bled for 10 weeks (not sure why) and it hadn't stopped at all before then. I used pantiliners a lot when it was light.

Everyone is different, so you can't say how you'll be exactly.