how long do you bleed for after birth

After birth, vaginal bleeding called lochia typically lasts about 4 to 6 weeks but can occasionally last longer, up to 10 weeks in some cases. The bleeding gradually decreases over time and changes in color from bright red in the first days to darker red, then pinkish or brown, and eventually to a creamy or yellowish discharge before it stops. It is normal for the bleeding to be heavier in the first few days and to occasionally increase again with activity, breastfeeding, or after rest. If the bleeding becomes very heavy, painful, or is accompanied by large clots, medical attention should be sought. This bleeding is the shedding of the uterine lining as it returns to its pre- pregnancy state.