H is for Hemorrhoids

H is for Hemorrhoids

No one likes to think about hemorrhoids, but they are a real possibility during and after pregnancy.  Hemorrhoids occur when the veins in your rectal area swell.  You may have experienced some hemorrhoids during pregnancy due to your uterus enlarging and putting pressure on the veins around your rectum causing them to swell.  Hemorrhoids during the postpartum period can be caused by a combination of swelling during pregnancy, increased hormones, and the strain of pushing during a vaginal delivery.  They can be internal, external, or a combination of the two…

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B is for Bleeding

B is for Bleeding

After your baby is born you will experience a discharge called lochia which is comprised of blood, mucus, and uterine tissue.  This discharge is experienced by all new mothers whether they gave birth vaginally or via cesarean.  This bleeding is to clear out your uterine lining and usually lasts about six weeks, gradually decreasing and changing to more mucus over that time.  The first five to ten days your bleeding will be heavy (comparable to a heavy period), bright red, and have some small clots – this is known as lochia rubra.  If you have any clots the size of a golf ball or larger you need to let your doctor know right away.  After the first week your bleeding will become more pinkish or brownish, and the clots should decrease and become less frequent – known as lochia serosa.  By the end of the first six weeks the lochia should no longer contain blood and be only yellow or white mucus discharge – known as lochia alba.  If you had twins or triplets your bleeding will likely be heaver and longer…

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