Crazy heavy first AF after bub.**Way TMI!**

[Lisa]

Just wondering if it is normal to have a crazy, heavy AF after breastfeeding for 12 months. This is my first AF since DD3 was born in Feb 2010. I have pain in my back, front of my thighs. I feel physically fine. Temperature is fine. AF is atrocious. Since getting it late Sunday night I have gone through 2 pkts maternity pads, 1 pkt super pads. 1 large box of tampax super. I am using both tampons & pads as tampons are lasting 1 - 2hr max before leaking majorly onto the pad.

Is this normal? Part of me thinks it is but there is another part that us worried. I'm avoiding dragging the kids along to the Dr if possible and figure they'll probably just tell me all's fine unless I get a temp or bad pains or strange smell. I was so happy not having AF!!

[~clover~]

Can you head to ED when DH is home maybe?
If its still like that I'd be worried... It should've lessened a bit by now I'd think. But my first time back have never been overly heavy, so I have nothing to compare too.

[Lisa]

Thanks Clover. I thought it would have lessened by now too. I might give the (can't think of the name of it!) number a call and see what they say. It's definitely heavier than my usual AF ever was. It's about as heavy as my MC's were but obviously less painful. It's very confusing. I guess after all this time I was half expecting it to be bad but I've never fed for this long, nor AF been so delayed, so had nothing to compare it to.

[Kazzo]

Hi Lisa. I have just had 3 AF like you have described and the last 2 I had to go on medication to stop the bleeding, I was bleeding for 2 weeks and it was superduper heavy with no signs of easing. I had an ultrasound just to check but my Dr said it was most likely just my body reacting after stopping BF. My current AF has been normal so I am hoping that it is over now.

[MrsFabuloso]

I don't know if it's normal or not, though like you say, if you're not in serious pain (just AF-related aches), there's no odour or anything else like that, I would be inclined to not stress too much. IMO, I would be assuming it is normal and is heavy because it's your first for so long, and your hormones may still be a little haywire.
I have had really heavy AF after having my kids. My first few with DS2, I thought I was hemmoraging! (TMI coming...) It was clotty and really heavy and quite painful.
Several months later, now it's still heavier than it used to be pre babies and lasts longer. I get horrible aches and pains, mood swings and ovulation pains. I am assuming my hormones have changed and this is just the way it will be now
But if you are worried, can you go to an after hours doc, when the kids are in bed, get a baby sitter or go when your OH gets home? Or call a nurse on call?

[Kazzo]

I just wanted to add that I actually had AF return when DD2 was 5months but these heavy AF's that I am talking about happened when DD2 had dropped herself to just one BF a day in December.

[Arcadia]

it sounds terrible for you. I hope it lightens tomorrow

[AnyDream]

sounds awful. I get soakers like that & in my case it's about a hormonal imbalance. But it might be worth seeing a gp anyway, just to set your mind at ease, and to give you an action plan for managing it.

Kazzo I'm interested in what meds your dr gave you? I'm on cyclokapron but it doesn't agree with me much!

[Lisa]

Thanks so much everyone. Way too much TMI but a clot about the length & width of my thumb came out earlier and now it seems that the flow has slowed down somewhat. Hopefully it is much better tomorrow.