Expert: Dorothy H, LCCE - 9/15/2009

Question
5 weeks after my second c-section bleeding had stopped then at 6 weeks began to bleed a dark red for about two days now it is brown discharge am wondering if this is normal or if I should see a doctor about it.

Answer
Hi Heather,

One possibility, especially if you are not breastfeeding, is that the bleeding at 6 weeks was your first period after the birth. Many women who don't breastfeed will have their first period around six weeks postpartum and it doesn't matter if your post-birth bleeding took two weeks or five weeks.

However, after a birth (vaginal or cesarean) your vaginal bleeding is a good indicator as to whether you are doing too much too soon.  Because your bleeding continued for five weeks (when most of the time it does not continue that long) and because it started up again (if you are breastfeeding, the 6 week bleeding is probably not your period), I am guessing that you are probably doing a lot taking care of your first child, your home, etc. which may be why your bleeding took so long to stop and why it started up again.

I know it is difficult with two children and other responsibilities, but even if you feel great, the bleeding is a sign from your body that you are doing too much too soon.  Try to slow down, sit with your feet up, rest, etc a little more than you are doing now to enable your body to heal.  If the bleeding starts again, take a day or two to REALLY rest.  If you give your body the chance it needs to heal now, in the long run it will heal more quickly.

If you are taking plenty of time to rest and the bleeding keeps starting up again or if you are having bleeding that fills up a maxipad in less than an hour, give your doctor a call.