Bringing a baby into the world is a deeply emotional and joyful moment. In India, childbirth is not just a medical experience, but a family celebration. However, while caring for your newborn, it is equally important to care for your own recovery.
The postpartum period, often called the fourth trimester, is the time when your body heals. One of the natural changes during this time is postpartum bleeding. Some bleeding is normal, but in certain cases it can become dangerously heavy.
This condition is known as Postpartum Hemorrhage (PPH). According to the World Health Organization (WHO), PPH remains one of the leading causes of maternal death worldwide. The good news is that most cases are preventable with timely care.
Every mother deserves a safe recovery.
We are here to protect your health, support your healing, and ensure your journey into motherhood is safe.
What Normal Postpartum Bleeding Looks Like
The bleeding after childbirth is called lochia. It is your body’s natural way of clearing the uterus. It usually follows this pattern:
Day 1 to 4: Bright red bleeding, similar to a heavy period. Small clots may appear.
Day 4 to 10: Bleeding becomes lighter and turns pink or brown.
Week 2 to 6: The discharge gradually becomes yellow or white and then stops.
If you are breastfeeding, bleeding may reduce faster because breastfeeding helps the uterus contract.
Warning Signs That Bleeding Is Not Normal
Seek emergency medical care immediately if you notice:
- Soaking a full sanitary pad in less than one hour
- Passing large clots that are the size of a golf ball or bigger
- Bleeding that suddenly becomes heavy again
- Feeling faint, dizzy, confused, or extremely tired
- Cold, pale, or sweaty skin
- Rapid heartbeat or trouble breathing
These may be signs of Postpartum Hemorrhage and should never be ignored.
Why Postpartum Hemorrhage Happens: The 4 Ts
Tone
The uterus does not contract properly. This is the most common cause.
Tissue
Parts of the placenta remain inside the uterus and cause bleeding.
Trauma
Tears in the vagina, cervix, or uterus can lead to bleeding.
Thrombin
Blood clotting problems prevent bleeding from stopping naturally.
New Health Guidelines to Prevent Deaths from PPH
PPH continues to be a major concern in low and middle income countries. To save more mothers, new guidelines have been introduced by:
- World Health Organization (WHO)
- International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics
- International Confederation of Midwives
These guidelines aim to detect bleeding earlier and respond faster.
Key improvements include:
Lowering the Diagnostic Threshold
Even moderate bleeding must be taken seriously to prevent shock.
The MOTIVE Approach
A clear method to measure blood loss, check vital signs, treat immediately, investigate the cause, verify bleeding control, and escalate if needed.
Strong Antenatal and Postnatal Care
Monitoring hemoglobin and treating anemia reduces risk.
Discouraging Unnecessary or Risky Practices
Only safe, evidence-based methods are encouraged.
Strengthening Care Right After Birth
Close monitoring and supporting natural uterine contraction reduce PPH risk.
How Hospitals Prevents Postpartum Hemorrhage
We follow the latest WHO guidelines (2023 to 2025) to protect mothers.
After Delivery
- We give oxytocin to help the uterus contract.
- We safely assist in placenta delivery.
- We monitor the mother until the uterus becomes firm.
Before Delivery
Because many women have low iron levels, we focus on:
- Hemoglobin checks
- Iron supplements if needed
- Diet support with foods like spinach, lentils, ragi, jaggery, sesame, dates, and beetroot
In Case of Emergency
We follow the MOTIVE protocol:
Measure, Observe, Treat, Investigate, Verify, Escalate
To learn more, you may refer to the maternity care section of Supreme Hospitals website https://www.supremehospitals.in/
Diagnosis and Treatment at Supreme Hospitals
We assess:
- Blood pressure and pulse
- Uterine firmness
- Birth canal tears
- Ultrasound for retained placenta
- Blood tests for hemoglobin and clotting
Treatment depends on the cause:
- Uterine massage and medicines
- Removal of retained tissue
- Repair of tears
- Blood transfusion and clotting support
Our teams and in-house blood bank ensure fast and safe care, 24 hours a day.
How You Can Support Your Recovery at Home
- Get enough rest and avoid heavy work
- Monitor your bleeding daily
- Drink plenty of water and eat nourishing food
- Use sanitary pads instead of tampons
- Attend all check-up appointments
- Never ignore sudden changes
Conclusion
Postpartum hemorrhage is serious, but it can be prevented with awareness and timely care.
At Supreme Hospitals, Chennai, we are committed to ensuring every mother:
- Recovers safely
- Feels supported
- Returns home healthy and strong
If you or someone you know experiences unusual bleeding after childbirth, contact your healthcare team immediately because your safety and health come first.
Yes. If bleeding becomes heavy again after it had reduced, it may indicate late postpartum hemorrhage and requires medical attention.
No. Normal postpartum bleeding usually stops by 6 to 8 weeks. If bleeding continues or restarts after this period, seek evaluation.
By treating anemia, attending all prenatal checkups, and choosing a hospital that follows WHO guidelines for postnatal care, such as Supreme Hospitals.