Postpartum Bleeding & Pain After C-Section: What to Expect

Question
Hello, I am over three weeks postpartum from my second C-section. The only complication was a UTI.  I stopped bleeding almost two weeks ago and have randomly started bleeding again, this time brown blood and have had a great deal of strange pain/pressure along with cramping (it hurts to sit down).  Just wondered if this is normal.

Answer
Dear Katie,

Unless your abdomen feels tender and/or hard, you have any foul smelling discharge, or fever, it is probably just some normal post-operative discomfort from the tender, healing uterus. Sometimes that uterus does some tightening up to get back into shape (so to speak), which translates into some uncomfortable cramping. Brown blood is typically just old blood which has been sitting in the uterus for awhile, as opposed to active bleeding. It can also be hormonal bleeding as your body attempts to get your hormone levels back into a regular pattern again.

Again, if you notice any of the symptoms I described above, you should let your doctor know in case an infection develops. Otherwise, I would not consider what you have described as particularly abnormal in the recovery from a C-section.

I hope this has helped you and answered your question. I wish you well.

Brenda