- If bleeding continues to be bright red and continues to be a large amount. With each day postpartum the amount of your vaginal discharge should decrease and it should become less bloody.
- If after the first few days you are still soaking a sanitary pad with blood every hour for more than four hours at a time, call your doctor.
- If after a week or so of gradually lessening bleeding, you notice a sudden rush of blood that is bright red and that soaks more than one sanitary pad.
- Passage of golf-ball size clots anytime after the first day. Passing clots the size of a grape is normal for the first few days.
- If the lochia has a persistent foul-smelling odor. Normally, it should have no odor or smell like menstrual blood.
- You’re experiencing increasing faintness, paleness, feel cold and clammy, and your heart is racing.
- If the bleeding worries you, don’t hesitate to call your doctor.
