When to contact a doctor
Heavy bleeding after childbirth is an emergency. Alert the maternity team immediately if in hospital; otherwise call 108 and seek emergency obstetric care. Fainting, a racing heartbeat, breathlessness, clammy skin or confusion add to the urgency. Fever, increasing lower-abdominal pain, offensive discharge or bleeding that increases again also needs urgent maternity review.
What you may notice
Some vaginal bleeding normally follows childbirth and should generally reduce over time. A sudden increase, rapidly soaking pads, large clots or feeling faint is different from expected recovery. Dangerous bleeding can occur immediately after delivery or after going home.
Uterus and ovaries
What could cause it?
The womb may not contract effectively, placental tissue may remain, or there may be a birth-canal injury, infection or a clotting problem. Rarely, an injured blood vessel is responsible. The maternity team assesses blood loss, circulation and the cause while starting treatment; do not try to distinguish these causes at home.
How interventional radiology may help
Resuscitation and obstetric treatment come first, including medicines, blood products, balloon treatment or surgery when needed. IR can sometimes block a bleeding pelvic artery with embolisation as part of the hospital response. It must not delay other life-saving treatment; the safest option depends on stability, the cause and available expertise.
Further reading: detailed assessment and treatment options
Patient information sources
References are in English.
Educational information, not a diagnosis. The causes listed are examples, not a complete list. Tests and treatment depend on your individual assessment.