Bleeding 7 days post op

I started bleeding after my BM at 2pm Wednesday (the 27th). I really didn't think I strained at all. It was my third bm and the kindest one by far. I sent myself to bed immediately.
On Thursday morning when I woke up I was still bleeding so I had the doctor paged. He called back and said I had probably pulled on some of the stitches in my cuff. He said it should heal 'rather quickly' once I 'got horizontal'. I spent 20 out of 24 hours in bed for the next two days getting up only for potty breaks and meals. Today (Saturday) I was still bleeding - about the same amt as I was on Wednesday.
I called the doc at 11am today and he thinks this may just be normal discharge. He said I should move around a little today and that if the bleeding gets any worse that he'd meet me in the ER for treatment.
Its 6pm now and the bleeding is about the same. I've been sitting most of the day, reading a book. I'm trying not to go from one extreme to the other. Since the bleeding hasn't changed much I'm hoping this really IS normal. I'd say I'm bleeding about 1 - 2 tablespoons over each 6 hours.

Other than that I feel FANTASTIC really. I just don't want to end up in the ER or OR so soon !

Has anyone else had bleeding at this rate that started so soon which ultimately turned out to be normal ? How long did the bleeding last ?

JoAnn,

I had a TAH on Valentines Day. I began bleeding some 12 days after surgery. My doctor has assured me that it is normal, probably just some stitches that are dissolving inside. I am like you and very concerned. I went back to the doctor yesterday and I have an infection in my incision. Put me on antibiotics and cleaning with hydrogen peroxide and neosporin 3 times daily. I asked again about the bleeding and they said it was normal.
Hope it helps to hear. Get Well Soon!

Debbie

I started spotting on my 10 days post-op and still am spotting. Probably as much as yours. I notice too after having a BM is when I notice a little more.
I think it's sounds normal to me what we are experiencing. I read here you can be bleeding until 4-6 weeks and as long as you're not soaking 1-2 pads
an hour, you're ok.

TAH 2/13

Hi JoAnn
I think the bleeding sounds pretty normal. As long as it isn't too heavy and you're feeling good for the most part it should be fine. Some bleeding on and off is generally considered normal.

If you begin to feel unwell or the discharge begins to smell bad, be sure to check with your dr to make sure there isn't something else going on. As stitches begin to dissolve it's not usual to have some light bleeding. We're all different in how quickly our bodies heal. I have seen a few women who say they had no bleeding or discharge but in the coarse of healing I think most women do.

I hope you do ok with this. Keep us posted on your progress.
's, Rita

Thanks everyone - I feel better about the bleeding now. My "increased activity" yesterday included sitting on the porch reading a book (just being UPRIGHT felt great !!) and a bit more walking around the house. the bleeding rate hasn't changed, so that's a good sign. I'm definitely not going to tempt fate tho. My doc is out of town next week so I'm going to stay at this level of activity (or inactivity !) until he gets back. I figure extra R&R won't hurt and can only help.

Other than the bleeding I feel fantastic ! My pain is a 1.5 - I don't even need tylenol for that. Prior to surgery my pain was at a 2 -3 most of the time, with spikes to 4 or 5 here and there. Midol was the only thing that worked for me - not even prescription strength meds did it for me. I feel bad for the company that makes Midol - they're going to see a sharp decline in sales now that I've had the surgery.

Thanks again for the feedback !