Vaginal Bleeding

Lochia is caused when the cells that formed the lining of the uterus sloughing off. Women should only use maternity pads up until the 6 week check-up. You should not, use tampons as this can increase the chances of an infection developing.

Normally it will stop within 7-10 days. It may be initially heavy enough and then gets lighter and darker.

If the you are breastfeeding, it may start and stop quite often till 6-8 weeks.

A lot of women are worried when they pass a clot. But a clot is simply blood that has collected inside the womb and then it’s passed out often with a gush of red blood and it stops. You should be concerned if the bleeding is heavy enough to be soaking several pads and lasting for several hours. In this case contact your doctor.

Changes in your Perineum

The perineum is the area between your vagina and your anus. This area of your body may need special attention because of stretching or an episiotomy that may have occurred during birth.

You may notice some uncomfortable swelling and pain in this area due to stretching required to deliver the baby. To reduce the swelling you can use an icepack wrapped in a soft cloth or you can also sit in a warm bath for 10-15 minutes with 10 drops of Tea Tree Oil in it.

If pain persists, be sure to consult your doctor for pain medication.