Secondary Post – Partum Haemorrhage
After birth the uterus must contract to its pre-pregnant state and shed it’s lining, together with any remaining fragments of placenta or membrane. This results in bleeding, whether the birth was vaginal or caesarean, which may last for between 1 and 8 weeks. If the bleeding becomes smelly or is very heavy an infection may be present and require treatment, whereas heavy flow or clots after 5th day may necessitate an ultrasound scan to check for retained tissue. Frequent feeding helps the uterus to contract and expel the remaining fragments. In rare circumstances the uterine lining needs to be cleared under anaesthetic with surgical dilation and curettage (D&C).