Body after pregnancy - caution, TMI ahead
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Forum Description: Pregnant! Wanting to chat to other mums-to-be (or dads-to-be)? Share your thoughts, experiences, and ideas... This is that place!
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Topic: Body after pregnancy - caution, TMI ahead
Posted By: CJsays
Subject: Body after pregnancy - caution, TMI ahead
Date Posted: 17 November 2010 at 2:47pm
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Hi all
At our last Antenatal class, the teacher said that after the whole birth we have the flow of blood for 6 odd weeks, which I knew about. What I did not realise, she said it is sooooo heavy you can just move and a gush will come out, or stand up and gush again, in that first week. Sometime necessary for 2 pads. How did this compare in real life to those of you who have given birth? Must admit I am abit paniced - esp if I get say 4 hours sleep and wake up to blood everywhere cuz no pad change every 2 hours. Imagine I will need to wqear old undies and nighties etc. And did any of you use like a plastic sheet for your bed when you got home to protect it? There are parts about pregnancy that are so undigified eh??!!  ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
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Replies:
Posted By: newme
Date Posted: 17 November 2010 at 2:53pm
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Personally, my experience was NOTHING like what you describe.
The first day or two was heavy, having to change pads regularly, but never overflowed and made a mess or anything. Then for about a week it was med - heavy flow then after that it was pretty light flow for about 3 weeks, then it stopped. Sometimes when breastfeeding the flow would increase as it causes the uterus to contract. I didn't need any plastic sheeting, or anything special other than pads. It wasn't a big deal at all. |
Posted By: fire_engine
Date Posted: 17 November 2010 at 2:56pm
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Ah dignity, where art thou?!
Everyone is different so your AN educator has probably given you the worst case but it's not that unrealistic. Some people are heavy bleeders; others not. For me, for the first 5 days at least, I was wearing 2 maternity pads at a time and changing them every 3 hours or so. I bled through them once (that was the first night) and it's why they put a waterproof "Kylie" (which absorbs liquid) under you when you go to sleep. But it gradually settled! And you're often up lots at night with feeding or insomnia that you do change them fairly regularly. I wore a hospital gown for the first night and day b/c of the bleeding and then went to my own clothes during the day (all black!) and hospital nightie at night. Nana knickers are the best - you can get packs of them at the Warehouse and if you bleed through and CBAed washing them, just chuck them out. Hospital MW said it helps to drink lots as well - make sure you keep peeing and that helps keep the blood flow in check. ------------- Mum to two wee boys |
Posted By: freckle
Date Posted: 17 November 2010 at 3:07pm
I hardly had any bleeding following both my birth - like less than my normal af... so doesn't happen for everyone  ------------- mum to 3 lovely girls :D |
Posted By: Joscia
Date Posted: 17 November 2010 at 3:15pm
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Yeah, mine was just like a relatively heavy AF for a week or so, and then virtually nothing. Definitely no double pads or plastic sheets required! ------------- http://alterna-tickers.com"> 
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Posted By: Babykatnz
Date Posted: 17 November 2010 at 3:15pm
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I found the bleeding slowed overnight (much like during AF, it 'pools' while lying down) so first thing in the morning I'd have to go to the toilet first as it would gush out. The first night I was commando with a large absorbent sheet/pad underneath as I'd had c-sections anyways, and they'd be in a bit of a mess as I would be sitting up/lying down/sitting up all day.... after the first few days it settled down to no more than a normal but slightly heavy AF, and maternity pads being thicker than normal ones meant that I was changing them about as often (i.e 2-4 hourly depending on time of day) as normal pads during AF. ------------- Brandon - 05/12/2003  
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Posted By: fire_engine
Date Posted: 17 November 2010 at 3:17pm
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I don't know how true it is, but someone suggested it might link to your normal AF - if you're a heavy bleeder, your postnatal bleeding is more. Dunno about that. ------------- Mum to two wee boys |
Posted By: Delli
Date Posted: 17 November 2010 at 3:21pm
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The first little while after birth for me - bleeding was very heavy. Much heavier than a normal period for me (at the hospital I wore one of the waterproof mats that you sleep on, folded up in my underwear plus two maternity pads!). Then after a few days it really settled down and wasn't so bad and was just like a normal period. I left the hospital before 48hours and I didn't need to use two pads or have a waterproof mat on the bed when I got home.
I bought disposable mesh underwear to wear for the first little while after birth and they actually turned out to be very good at holding all that padding in place. It wasn't so much the bleeding that I was surprised about though - it was the size of the blood clots! I knew there would be clots but I hadn't envisioned some would be almost the size of my fist!  ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: kebakat
Date Posted: 17 November 2010 at 3:22pm
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For the first 2 days I had the gushing part. I'd have a shower and think yay I'm clean and then the next minute have a load of blood going down my legs I use 2 pads in the first few days anyway cause its cushioning for stitches making it easier to sit without being ouchie.
I started exercising again at 2w and noticed that I could feel dry one minute and then really wet the next. But I didn't leak. And for Flissty's mention of comparing it to AF. I get really light AF but my PP bleeding is gross |
Posted By: _SMS_
Date Posted: 17 November 2010 at 3:33pm
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It is pretty gross but you get use to it pretty fast. I had heavy bleeding for quite a while, i think its because i hemorrhaged during birth that can make it heavier. I normally have quite light af. Well did before pregnancy anyway.
Like others said it does slow at night. I had no issues with leaking  Oh the things to look forward too lol-------------  
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Posted By: nicandtyler
Date Posted: 17 November 2010 at 4:06pm
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yep I had the gushing for maybe the 2 days afterwards, and then for 1 week was using 2 pads and the second week after bubs was switching over to just 1 pad, but I never woke up with blood everywhere, it was mainly just when I stood up it was pretty gross ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
http://lilypie.com"> 
 April '11
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Posted By: rachelsea
Date Posted: 17 November 2010 at 4:18pm
Oh darn I'd forgotten about the bleeding! Hmm mine lasted for 8wks, but was only heavy weeks 1-2 and week 6-7, the rest of the time was like a medium AF (I usually only get 3day light AFs so definitely wasn't used to this prolonged bleeding!) I did wear double pads for the first couple of days but that was just for comfort as it was a bit sore sitting down 
I only leaked onto my knickers a couple of times at night with lying down, never got onto the sheets though. ------------- DD 4yrs DS 2yrs http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow"> 
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Posted By: Charmar
Date Posted: 17 November 2010 at 4:30pm
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Ah yes....whenever I had been sitting for a while, blood would start gushing out when I got up(or just changed positions), through 2 pads and start running down my legs..always had to run straight to the toilet. That was only for about a week though.
Also had to change the sheets every morning...
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Posted By: nicandtyler
Date Posted: 17 November 2010 at 4:36pm
giving birth is so glamorous lol  ------------- http://lilypie.com">
http://lilypie.com">
April '11
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Posted By: Mellissa
Date Posted: 17 November 2010 at 4:52pm
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When we had our son my midwife did this thing with the blue hospital plastic things (they put under you when bubs comes out), not sure what they call them, she folded one into three (lengthwise) and then lay two pads down slightly overlapping and she had me wear them for the first few days as I did bleed quite heavily, (I did this again when we had our daughter in June this year) admittedly I did change them just about every time I peed but that's because I don't like that ick feeling with bleeding, depending on your bleeding I reckon just change them every couple of hours, and yes I did wear the great granny bloomers, they made me feel a bit more secure, coz you go from your beautiful tight baby bump to still a bump but not so tight and it just helped me feel better and kept the blue plastic thing in my pants lol. I hope this message gives you a few laughs because thats what I was intending not to freak you out as there are those out there that just love to do that, the best thing I will say is just do what makes YOU feel comfy. All the best
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Posted By: HoneybunsMa
Date Posted: 17 November 2010 at 5:10pm
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I used 2pads just because it meant less of a worry of leaking. I did leak once when in birthcare but only the once kinda embarrasing.
We got told at AN class to change your pad everytime you bf as bfing contracts your uterus and obviously that makes you bleed. Do it if you can not always possible. Mine was heavy for about 5days then lightened right off and was gone by 2 weeks  ------------- http://www.myfitnesspal.com/weight-loss-ticker"> 
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Posted By: jacobsmummy
Date Posted: 17 November 2010 at 5:25pm
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I remeber those plastic thingys being on the beds while i was in hospatil after giving birth, i just used maternty pads and they worked fine didnt leak outta them.
with 2nd preg(isabella) i used martanty pads for a week but it wasnt that heavy it dispeared at 6 days which shocked me as i bleed for like 8wks with jacob and i had 2 c-sections, but i think with isabella i lost a lot of blood b4 she was born (had placenta apurbtion) so i think thats why i didnt bleed for long after her birth. by about 4-6wks with jacob i was just using linners, sorry for the tmi info. ------------- http://lilypie.com">  
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Posted By: lilfatty
Date Posted: 17 November 2010 at 6:31pm
LOL - Did she forget to mention you would be lucky to get four hours sleep in total, let alone in a row. 
Oh and for the record, I didnt gush when I moved, but it was quite heavy. ------------- Mummy to Issy (3) and Elias (18 months) I did it .. 41 kgs gone! From flab to fab in under a year  http://www.femininefitness.co.nz/category/blog - LFs weight blog
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CJsays wrote:Posted By: Plushie
Date Posted: 17 November 2010 at 6:38pm
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I am SO SO pleased this thread is here. I've been worrying in secret fear for a few weeks now. Just doesnt seem the sort of thing i can discuss with friends, my mother...anyone.
I have a ridiculously light AF, always have, i'm a two tampon a day for two days girl so i have no idea how to cope with a gushing torrent of blood. TMI, sorry, but the the whole thread is a bit that way 
Thanks for the honest stories ladies
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Posted By: High9
Date Posted: 17 November 2010 at 6:58pm
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Everyone is so different! I was heaviest for 2 days post birth but luckily I was still in hospital so any leaks or anything didn't really matter. At night I wore 2 mat pads and changed them each time I got up to feed baby which was pretty much 2 hourly. (MW recommended we feed 2 hourly) so it's unlikely you'll be having a full night's sleep!
It is usually heavy for about a week and then gets lighter and lighter. Sometimes it even disappears and comes back with exercise! I didn't leak in bed, but did wear old nighties (because it was summer and too hot to wear much else). Also be prepared for big blood clots. They freaked me out but does pay to check with your mw jic. ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: T_Rex
Date Posted: 17 November 2010 at 7:57pm
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I have a super light AF, but my PP bleeding was gross. I went through several hospital nighties and blueys in the first night, and then slept with a bluey under me in bed at home for the first week or so. I even had to have one in my rocking chair where I fed her
But I had plenty hanging around that had been intended for my homebirth that didn't happen. Oh, and (waaay TMI) if you tend to be sensitive to chemicals etc, I strongly recommend cloth pads. I had to resort to using a prefold cloth nappy cos I was reacting horribly to the disposable pads (and didn't own any cloth ones), even though I could get away with using them for a normal period without an issue. The prolonged exposure and general sensitivity of the area (open wounds and such ) was obviously too much.------------- http://lilypie.com">  http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: shadowfeet
Date Posted: 17 November 2010 at 10:03pm
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Way too TMI but here goes. Mine was apparently quite heavy for the first 2 days (never saw it at all with not being allowed out of bed for those days but I know they described it as very heavy in my notes) and then it was 1-2 pads at a time til I left hospital on day 4. The clots are so scary though, the size of them, wow. After I got home it was quite light, fluctuating with exercise and feeding levels. I think it stopped around 6 weeks properly. ------------- 
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Posted By: _Deb_
Date Posted: 17 November 2010 at 10:20pm
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With my son i lost 2 litres of blood when i had him but then my bleeding after was pretty normal. It obviously would have started off heavy but then it was just average and stopped at 3 weeks then started up again and then completely stopped at 5 weeks.
But with my daughter it was horrible. When she was born i hardly lost any blood but then it got really heavy that evening and i soaked through 2 pads onto my pjs, still normal though, and a few days later it was really light so i thought i wasn't gonna bleed for long. Yeah right! It got heavier again and by 8 weeks it was gushing quite bad (sorry TMI!) and i had huge blood clots. I went to A&E (On a Saturday) who suspected retained placenta and told me to see my GP on Monday. So i did but she thought i seemed to well to have retained placenta and said the bleeding should resolve itself. But referred me for a scan just in case. It was gonna cost around $250-300 i think, so i didn't get it done! Luckily the bleeding FINALLY stopped after 10 weeks! Sorry, that's probably not what you wanted to hear, well read. ------------- 
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Posted By: RedHeadDuck
Date Posted: 18 November 2010 at 1:00pm
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Someone reccomended buying a couple of packets of the huggies change mats to pop under you while in bed at home, similar to the pads they put you on in hospital.
I bled through 2 pads the first night, but I was soooo not expecting to get 5 hours sleep!! First 3 days were probably my heaviest, after that I just went to super pads for a day, then went down to regular. Stayed on regular for about half a week then went to light, so mine died down REALLY fast! Think it just hung on for another couple of weeks, only really requiring a light pad overnight, or a liner kind of thing |
Posted By: CJsays
Date Posted: 18 November 2010 at 2:55pm
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This has been so helpful ladies, thx so much for sharing! Was too embarrassed to ask more at the class! Good to know that there is quite a different range, so I could be either heavy as or just a usual heavy flow, so it is good to be prepared for either event. And yeah, beign abit hopeful about a 4 hours strech, but you never know hehe!
Glad a few of you said about the clots too, cuz our antenatal class lady said you should never clot, and I do with a normal AF, so expect I will with this. Hmm Trex a cloth nappy could actually be quite comfy straight after, I like that idea! And the huggies change mats too Moocow, some good tips! It's weird, I think I am freaking more about the after stuff than the actual birth now, funny how things swing around! ------------- http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: MummyFreckle
Date Posted: 18 November 2010 at 5:23pm
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If you are buying new Pjs for hospital just make sure the bottoms are dark coloured. It will make you less paranoid just in case you leak! I wore black yoga pants during the day and dark colour PJs at night, I only had one leakage event whilst I was at Birthcare and I just threw the knickers away (thank goodness for cheap cotton granny knickers from the warehouse!). I "borrowed" a couple of the plastic backed change mats from birthcare to bring home with me for sleeping on, but I just put a towel on my side of the bed as well...dont think I ever leaked at home. Its pretty gross, but all part of the glorious indignity of giving birth!! ------------- http://lilypie.com">  http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: Shezamumof3
Date Posted: 18 November 2010 at 5:57pm
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Mine was heavy for a day or so and if I sneezed, coughed or laughed Id gush lol, just like my normal AF ------------- |
Posted By: tessie
Date Posted: 18 November 2010 at 6:03pm
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Mine was nothing like that. As others described at night mine pooled so it would be a mad dash to the toilet first thing in the morning. Used the maternity pads for the first few days, then switched over to just your usual monthly pads. Only bled for 2 weeks in total, the last week of which if I remember rightly I was only using thin panty liners. I did sleep with a folded towel underneath me just in case. I think whats been described to you is a "worst case scenario."
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Posted By: becsscolly
Date Posted: 18 November 2010 at 8:18pm
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Slightly random question... has anyone ever used a menstrual cup (Diva, Mooncup, Femme, etc) post birth?
I'm thinking, assuming no tearing, cutting etc, that after the first few days to a week it might be an option... guess it all depends on how things are feeling 'down there' ------------- http://alterna-tickers.com"> 
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Posted By: becsscolly
Date Posted: 18 November 2010 at 8:20pm
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Opps, double up! ------------- http://alterna-tickers.com">
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Posted By: newme
Date Posted: 18 November 2010 at 8:43pm
I don't think it is recommended to put anything up there whilst still bleeding. Even if you have no tearing etc in your vagina, your uterus is still healing and bleeding and I think the worry is that you are still at risk of infection. And even if you do sterilise your menstrual cup it will still have bacteria on it from your hands etc. |
Posted By: Plushie
Date Posted: 18 November 2010 at 8:53pm
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How long does it take the cervix to close? I mean, surely straight afterwards it could still be open and the diva cup could disappear upwards!
This thread helped me face my fear and buy maternity pads! Well....one pack. And a bunch of xtra-goodnight pads. And the requisite granny panties. |
Posted By: High9
Date Posted: 18 November 2010 at 8:57pm
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I thought that was why you aren't to use tampons? Because it can take a while to close up?
TBH I've completely forgotten! But I remember the mw's pushing on my tummy to see how my uterus was contracting back to it's normal size. ------------- http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: Hopes
Date Posted: 19 November 2010 at 7:58am
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Um, yea, I wouldn't have been putting anything up there for a good while - tampons or cups!! Much too owie of an idea. Also, like has been said, I'm sure it's not a sensible idea medically.
I remember I had pretty heavy bleeding at the hospital - a couple of pads and a blue sheet, and I still had some leakage. It honestly didn't faze me, at the time you've got a new baby to think about and it's just 'oh well, we'll pop those pants in the wash then'. -------------   
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Posted By: RBsMama
Date Posted: 19 November 2010 at 9:51pm
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Gosh I'd forgotten all about this, how do we do that? I had a newborn nappy in my knickers for the first hour or 2 after having my first shower, it was suggested by my mw and it was actually quite comfy . Just used maternity pads after that and only 2 at a time for the first 24 hours, then 1 after that. I only had one clot the first night and it was the size of a 50 cent piece (the old size) and the hospital mw told me not to worry and only stress if they were tennis ball size!!! I think my bleeding stopped by 3-4 weeks afterwards. I think I was very lucky.
P.S. The big thick pads were also comfy with having stitches too. ------------- http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow">  http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow"> 
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Posted By: Plushie
Date Posted: 19 November 2010 at 9:56pm
| TENNIS BALL SIZE!????!! |
Posted By: High9
Date Posted: 19 November 2010 at 10:30pm
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I remember having a clot bigger than the old 50c coin and freaking out! Mw was like 'oh that's normal' me whaaat?! ------------- http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: T_Rex
Date Posted: 20 November 2010 at 6:58am
Err yes, indeed. Not pleasant at all ------------- http://lilypie.com"> http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: LJsmum
Date Posted: 20 November 2010 at 8:37am
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Yip aren't clots lovely! Had a few big ones thought i was bleeding out.!!
That was in the first few days but then the whole bleed only lasted about 6 days total. was pretty light after the clots past. Didn't need the three packets of libra maternity pads i brought. But did need them for the first period which was 10 months later as BF so didn't come earlier. that was a shocker! and the others as well.! yuck!
Also on a slightly different note, consitpation was my biggest problem ask for lactose drink (sp) i din't know you could have one and fruit wasn't working!! -------------  
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Posted By: rachelsea
Date Posted: 20 November 2010 at 11:23am
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I don't remember having clots - must have blocked it out of my memory lol. ------------- DD 4yrs DS 2yrs http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow">
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Posted By: Limochick
Date Posted: 21 November 2010 at 6:27pm
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I must say I had a couple of good clots after my 1st 2 babies, they were like jelly globs I thought I was bleeding out as well!!
Bowie - never be embarassed to ask anything we are all/been through the same thing!! I always try and take home some of the hospital maternity pads as well cos they are the best!! -------------  
 
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Posted By: Pinkygirl
Date Posted: 23 November 2010 at 9:46pm
| I used the maternty pads for the first few days, they are great as teh nurse cut it open and placed a small ice pack in it as I felt quite uncomfortable and felt like something cold whre I had been cut, but I think it was the swelling. |
Posted By: rorylex
Date Posted: 24 November 2010 at 11:51am
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hey i had very heavy bleeding after all my babies were born it was always the same, heaviest for the 1st 24hrs, then it slowed slightly and then after about 3days it was just a normal af flow.
with my last 2 babies i didnt use maternity pads i decided to throw dignity and used adult absorbant pads cost about $20 from nappy stores, i only used half the pack and have the other half ready for next time. i only used them for the 1st 2days and then only at night, i just used normal af pads after that. ------------- Mummy to 4 boys Samuel - 18.6.05 Rory - 15.7.06 Mason - 13.06.08 Emmett - 24.01.10 Baby #5 - cooking |