Can there still be heavy bleeding one year after childbirth?

Written by Zhao Li Li
Obstetrics
Updated on January 31, 2025
00:00
00:00

Under normal circumstances, postpartum hemorrhage is one of the serious obstetric complications that can endanger the life of the mother. It is most commonly due to poor uterine contraction after childbirth, causing bleeding, and generally occurs within 24 hours after childbirth or as late postpartum hemorrhage occurring more than ten days after childbirth. If a year has passed since childbirth, there generally will not be instances of severe hemorrhage. It is advised to undergo an ultrasound examination within 42 days after childbirth to confirm whether the recovery of the uterus and its appendages is satisfactory. If the uterus has recovered back to its normal pre-pregnancy state, it generally will not cause severe hemorrhage.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhang Lu
Obstetrics
47sec home-news-image

Causes of Late Postpartum Hemorrhage

Late postpartum hemorrhage refers to a significant amount of vaginal bleeding that occurs two to three weeks after a cesarean section or natural childbirth. The causes of late postpartum hemorrhage include the following aspects. First, the presence of residuals in the uterine cavity, such as when the placenta or membranes remain within the uterine cavity after childbirth, can repeatedly stimulate the endometrium causing bleeding. Second, poor healing of the uterine incision during a cesarean section can lead to post-cesarean bleeding, a condition that easily causes late postpartum hemorrhage. Third, poor healing of episiotomy or perineal laceration wounds after natural childbirth can also potentially lead to late postpartum hemorrhage.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhang Lu
Obstetrics
56sec home-news-image

Is postpartum hemorrhage dangerous?

Postpartum hemorrhage refers to bleeding exceeding 500 milliliters within a short period after childbirth, or bleeding exceeding 1000 milliliters within 24 hours after childbirth. Postpartum hemorrhage is relatively dangerous because a large amount of bleeding in a short period of time after childbirth can cause the mother to experience hemorrhagic shock, and in severe cases, can lead to maternal death. Postpartum hemorrhage is currently the leading risk factor for maternal mortality. With increased understanding of the disease and improved treatment levels, the majority of postpartum hemorrhages can be managed successfully. The treatment of postpartum hemorrhage primarily involves early detection and early intervention. If symptoms of significant bleeding occur, it is essential to carefully identify the cause of the bleeding and provide targeted treatment. This can control the condition early and prevent worsening.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Du Rui Xia
Obstetrics
1min 4sec home-news-image

Postpartum Hemorrhage Prevention Measures

Postpartum hemorrhage can cause significant harm to a woman's body and, in severe cases, can even pose a threat to the patient's life. Therefore, it is crucial to implement preventative measures for postpartum hemorrhage. During prenatal check-ups, it is important to assess whether the pregnant woman has any risks for bleeding, such as checking if her coagulation function is normal. Additionally, it is essential to check for any serious comorbidities, such as hepatitis, renal failure, or other hematological diseases. These conditions should be treated before pregnancy. It is also advised to give birth in a reputable hospital, where the delivery can be conducted under the guidance of experienced doctors in a well-equipped facility. This can help alleviate the tension of the pregnant woman, contributing to a smoother delivery process. Moreover, within the first two hours after childbirth, careful monitoring of vaginal bleeding is necessary. If there is a significant amount of vaginal bleeding, timely hemostatic treatment should be administered.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Liu Wei Jie
Obstetrics
54sec home-news-image

Can you drink brown sugar water after childbirth bleeding?

Can you drink brown sugar water after childbirth, including after natural childbirth and cesarean section? If it is after natural childbirth, you can drink brown sugar water, but you must check if it contains jujube components. If it does contain jujube, do not drink such brown sugar water. If it is after a cesarean section, do not drink brown sugar water because there are gastrointestinal recovery issues post-cesarean section, especially in the first 1-2 days when there hasn't been gas passing yet. Drinking a lot of brown sugar water can cause abdominal bloating, intestinal obstruction, and other issues. Generally, after a cesarean section, you can drink some brown sugar water after 10 days, but also do not drink brown sugar water that contains jujube.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhao Li Li
Obstetrics
42sec home-news-image

How long will postpartum bleeding last until it stops?

Generally, in normal childbirth or after cesarean section surgery, there is usually a small amount of vaginal bleeding, which typically subsides completely within about a week. If there is heavy bleeding after delivery, it is crucial to closely monitor the vaginal bleeding to rule out the possibility of delayed postpartum hemorrhage. If the uterus contracts well and there is no retention of placental fragments, the area will generally be clean within about a week, albeit with some bloody discharge. Therefore, if there is abnormal vaginal bleeding postpartum, it is recommended to promptly re-examine to exclude the possibility of late bleeding, so as to avoid endangering life.