Articles
Postpartum care: What to expect after a vaginal birth
Urination problems
Sore breasts and leaking milk
Content
Vaginal soreness
Vaginal discharge
Contractions
Incontinence
Hemorrhoids and bowel movements
Tender breasts
Hair loss and skin changes
Mood changes
Weight loss
The postpartum checkup
Vaginal discharge
After delivery, you'll begin to shed the superficial mucous membrane that lined your uterus during pregnancy. You'll have vaginal discharge made up of this membrane and blood for weeks. The discharge will be red and heavy for the first few days. Then it will taper, become increasingly watery and change from pinkish brown to yellowish white.
Contact your health care provider if you have heavy vaginal bleeding — soaking a pad in less than an hour — especially if it's accompanied by pelvic pain, a fever or tenderness.
