Blood clots after childbirth: which is normal and dangerous?

All women who give birth must experience bleeding for approximately 40 days. Often times, this bleeding is accompanied by a blood clot, which is indicated by a clot in the blood that is removed. Many women question whether blood clots after childbirth are normal. Now, to distinguish which blood clots are normal and which are dangerous after giving birth, here are the reviews.

Is blood clotting after childbirth normal?

About 6-8 weeks after giving birth, the body is in a period of healing. At this time, the body usually experiences bleeding known as lochia.

Not all bleeding after delivery is liquid. Some of the blood clots quite large, which are usually drained profusely within 24 hours of delivery.

Blood clots that are shaped like gelatinous clots are also normal when the uterus contracts and contracts and sheds its lining after childbirth.

These blood clots usually come from damaged tissue in the uterus and birth canal after you give birth.

Types of blood clots after childbirth

There are two types of blood clots that women generally experience after childbirth, namely:

Blood clots that are secreted through the vagina during the period after childbirth that originate from the lining of the uterus and placenta.
Blood clots that occur in the blood vessels of the body. This is a rare case but can be life threatening.

Symptoms of normal blood clots after childbirth

According to Queesland Clinical Guidelines, blood clots, including after delivery, have a gelatinous appearance.

This is because blood clots after childbirth usually contain mucus and certain tissues that can be up to the size of a golf ball.

You may experience these blood clots shortly after giving birth for up to six weeks afterward. The following are cases of blood clots after childbirth that are still classified as normal:

The first 24 hours after birth

This period is the period of heaviest bleeding and clotting after delivery with bright red blood. The size of this postpartum blood clot can range from the size of a grape to the size of a golf ball.

Usually, you need to change pads every hour because the blood volume is quite heavy.

2-6 days after birth

During this time, the blood flow will gradually become lighter, much like the blood flow during a normal period. Clots that form at this time are smaller than in the first 24 hours after delivery.

The blood may also turn brown or pink in color. If at this time you still have bright red blood, consult a doctor immediately as this shows the bleeding is not slowing down as it should.

7-10 days after birth

Blood is brown or pink that is starting to fade. The flow of blood clots will also be lighter than in the first week after delivery.

11-14 days after birth

The blood flow at this time will be lighter and less intense than before. In addition, blood clots will also be smaller than the initial period after giving birth.

However, some women report heavier blood flow and clotting with a bright red color after vigorous physical activity following childbirth.

2-6 weeks after birth

During this time, some women don't even bleed at all. Blood that was pink in color will turn white or yellow, much like the vaginal discharge that usually occurs before pregnancy.

6 weeks after birth

During this time, postpartum bleeding and blood clotting will usually stop. However, you will usually find brown, red, and yellow blood stains on your underwear.

Even though the blood clotting after childbirth has stopped, the presence of these blood spots is considered normal and should not be a cause for concern.

Signs and symptoms of dangerous blood clots

Because the risk of blood clots in women after birth is quite high, try to recognize signs of dangerous blood clots after giving birth, including:

Pain, redness, swelling, and warmth in the legs which can be a symptomdeep vein thrombosis (DVT)
Hard to breathe
Chest pain
Dizziness or fainting
The skin feels cold or clammy
Heart rate faster than normal and irregular

Some women are more at risk of developing blood clots after giving birth because of these risk factors. The following are various risk factors for blood clots in women after childbirth:

Have had previous blood clots, for example after giving birth
Family history of blood clotting disorders
Obesity
Are over 35 years of age
Do not engage in physical activity during pregnancy and often sit for long periods of time
Are pregnant with twins or more
Have other health problems related to autoimmune disease, cancer, or diabetes

Blood clots that form in the blood vessels after giving birth can sometimes break off and form clots.

These postpartum blood clots can appear in an artery or brain that is at risk of causing a heart attack or stroke.

Overcoming blood clots that occur after childbirth

To deal with prolonged bleeding and blood clots after delivery, the doctor will perform an ultrasound sonography (USG) test.

This is done to treat postpartum blood clots to test for any pieces of placenta left in the uterus.

Surgical removal of the placenta and other tissue that has been stuck in the uterus is also likely to be done to stop bleeding and blood clots after delivery.

In addition, the doctor will also prescribe certain drugs to make the uterus contract and reduce bleeding and blood clotting after childbirth.

The reason is, the uterus that fails to contract can cause bleeding so that it presses the blood vessels attached to the placenta. This condition can cause the uterus to become blocked and can cause blood clots after giving birth.

Can it prevent blood clots after giving birth?

Having blood clots after giving birth is normal and cannot be prevented. However, there are several ways that can be done to prevent complications from blood clots that lead to blood clots after childbirth, namely:

Get up and move around regularly throughout the day.
Consult an obstetrician or midwife early in pregnancy, if you have any of the risk factors that have been mentioned.
Carry out regular visits after delivery to monitor the condition and whether the bleeding is normal or not.

Launching from UT Southwestern Medical Center, Robyn Horsager-Boehrer, M.D as an obgyn doctor, recommends that you follow the doctor's recommendations after childbirth. Usually, the doctor will recommend that you return to various activities after giving birth.

At least, you can try to keep your body moving little by little. This is because keeping your body moving aims to reduce your risk of developing blood clots after giving birth.

Women who are at risk, for example, have had previous blood clots such as after childbirth, need special attention to prevent this from happening again.

In essence, during pregnancy and the few weeks after giving birth are the times that are most at high risk for women to develop blood clots.

If not detected early, blood clots after childbirth have the potential to cause serious health problems. Conversely, giving certain actions can be an effort to reduce the risk of blood clots after childbirth.

Always consult a doctor if you experience prolonged postpartum blood clots or if you are concerned about any symptoms.