Q: Good day doctor and thank you for the good work.

Please, there is something bothering me I would like you to address

I gave birth vaginally (no tears) 3 weeks ago and the bleeding stopped after a week. The problem now is that the bleeding returned seven days ago but it’s off and on in small amounts.

Secondly, my daughter feels discomfort just before pooping and has catarrh and seeds in her poop.(we supplement BF with Nan formula).
Doc please, I will appreciate it if you reply. I’m really worried. Thank you.

A: ‘Bleeding’ after having a baby is normal whether you had an episiotomy or not. As the placenta separates from the uterus when the baby is born, the blood vessels where the placenta was attached start to bleed…understandably, because they are open 😉 They bleed into the uterus (womb). As the womb starts to contract, it seals up the blood vessels such that bleeding stops significantly.

So, the ‘bleeding’ after having a baby is a mixture of blood, bacteria and tissue that has sloughed off the uterus. This discharge is called lochia. In the first couple of days, there’s more blood in lochia giving it a bright red colour which eventually becomes more watery and pikish and eventually becomes yellowish/whitish. This whole process may last 2 to 4 weeks or may come and go, as in the case described above. So, it’s not really a problem 😀

Be sure to check the level of bleeding though and if you feel uncomfortable, please see your doctor. General rules of thumb that suggest there may be a problem are:

• If you’re bleeding heavily…perhaps you’re using a sanitary towel every hour for at least 2 hours or are passing out big clots.
• If your lochia has a bad smell and you start having fever and chills
• If your lochia is still bright red after 4 days of delivery.
Where in doubt, please err on the side of caution and see your doctor.

Now, to your baby…you didn’t provide much information. I don’t know her age and whether we are talking about the same child you had 3 weeks ago. I will assume she’s the one. This child should really be on breast feeding alone. The reasons are many: it’s easier, less stressful, more convenient, most healthy option and really does a good job of preparing your baby for life by fortifying her with needed antibodies that increase her immunity. I could go on forever…don’t get me started 😀

I also worry about the hygienic measures needed to ensure that feeding bottles are clean and sterilized properly. If you can trust yourself to be stringent, can you say the same for your care givers?
The protein in formula is not digested as easily as the one in breast milk. . Mucous in stool suggests inflammation of the bowel and this can happen in allergy. And so, milk protein or any other allergy could cause the symptoms or even infections…from improperly washed hands, for example. Please take your baby to see her paediatrician. She needs to be properly evaluated and managed.

All the best.

Have a good night y’all 🙂