[bnsmith10]

I had a baby 10 weeks ago and I am still kind of bleeding. Its strange because when I bleed it's a dark red and then it goes to a nasty brown then right back to the dark red. It worries me because I did not have this problem with any of my other children, my OBGYN told me to wait and see what happens but that was four weeks ago and its still going on. I get pains in my lower abdomen(kind of like period cramps but stronger). Is this normal?

[DoulaLC]

It would be wise to see your doctor again. Four weeks ago would have you at six weeks postpartum, which having some discharge still would not necessarily be unusual.

Many times a woman will have the postpartum discharge (lochia) end and then start a period within a few weeks after that, but since it has been continuous and that you have pain, it should be checked out.

That is has been dark often means it is older blood and may just be residual discharge as you continue to heal. On occasion, some placenta tissue will remain and this can cause continued bleeding. If you are breastfeeding, it can also be from that as one of the hormones associated with breastfeeding is oxytocin, the same hormone that causes contractions in labor. This can cause some afterpains for a time and increased bleeding, especially while nursing, however this usually subsides by 10 weeks.

Seeing your doctor again will give you some peace of mind.