What should you know about super heavy period postpartum?

Postpartum bleeding, called lochia, usually changes in colour and gradually becomes lighter. A sudden increase, fresh heavy bleeding after it had eased, or large clots can signal a complication. Causes may include the womb not contracting as expected, retained pregnancy tissue, infection, or a problem with clotting. A period returning later after birth can also be heavier or irregular, but timing and amount matter.

Heavy blood loss can cause [Iron Deficiency Anaemia](/conditions/iron-deficiency-anaemia/), leading to exhaustion, dizziness, paleness, a racing heartbeat, or breathlessness. Conditions such as [Adenomyosis](/conditions/adenomyosis/), [Uterine Fibroids](/conditions/uterine-fibroids/), or [Endometrial Polyps](/conditions/endometrial-polyps/) may be considered if heavy periods continue beyond the immediate recovery period.

Call your maternity unit, obstetric team, or urgent care service and describe how quickly you are filling pads, whether clots are present, your temperature, pain, and how you feel. Keep the used pad available if the team asks about the amount. Rest while waiting, keep someone with you, and do not drive if weak or light-headed. Tell clinicians whether you had a vaginal birth or caesarean, and whether you take medicines that affect clotting.

Call emergency services for heavy continuous bleeding with faintness, confusion, severe weakness, breathlessness, chest pain, a very fast heartbeat, severe abdominal pain, or collapse. Fever, chills, worsening pelvic pain, or foul-smelling discharge also require urgent medical review because infection may be involved. Do not wait for a routine postnatal appointment when these signs appear.

Ask whether the bleeding pattern is expected for your stage of recovery, whether you need blood tests or an examination, which medicines are compatible with breastfeeding, and who to contact overnight.