Postpartum Blood Clots: What’s Normal and When to Get Help
If you notice blood clots after giving birth, you may wonder whether they are a normal part of postpartum recovery or a sign that something is wrong.
Passing some small blood clots can be normal during the first few days after childbirth. They are more common when postpartum bleeding is still heavy.
However, large, repeated, or increasing blood clots may need medical attention. This is especially true if you also have heavy bleeding or other symptoms.
Knowing what to watch for can help you understand what may be part of normal recovery and when to seek medical care.
Are Blood Clots Normal After Giving Birth?
Yes, small blood clots after giving birth can be normal, particularly during the first few days.
After delivery, your body sheds blood and tissue from the uterus as it recovers. Blood can also collect in the vagina while you are sitting or lying down. It may then pass when you stand up or move around.
This can make a clot seem larger than the bleeding you noticed beforehand.
Blood clots are more likely during the early part of postpartum recovery, when bleeding is generally heavier. As the bleeding decreases over the following days and weeks, clots should generally become less frequent.
What Do Postpartum Blood Clots Look Like?
Postpartum blood clots can vary in size and appearance.
You may notice:
- small clots mixed with postpartum bleeding
- a clot after sitting or lying down for a while
- one or two larger clots during the first few days
- fewer clots as your bleeding becomes lighter
There is no single clot size that is normal for everyone.
However, large or repeated clots should be discussed with a healthcare professional. This is especially important when they happen with heavy bleeding.
Some medical sources use a clot larger than a golf ball as a warning sign. Other postpartum guidance uses different size comparisons.
Do not focus only on size. Look at the overall pattern. Are the clots becoming larger? Are they happening repeatedly? Are they occurring with increasingly heavy bleeding?
Why Do You Get Blood Clots After Giving Birth?
After childbirth, the area where the placenta was attached needs to heal. The uterus also contracts as part of this recovery.
Blood may temporarily collect before leaving the body. If it stays in the vagina for a while, it can partially clot before being passed.
This is one reason you may notice a clot when you first get up after resting or sleeping.
Breastfeeding can also temporarily increase bleeding or cause cramping because it causes the uterus to contract.
When Are Blood Clots After Giving Birth a Concern?
Occasional small clots can occur during early postpartum recovery.
However, blood clots after labor need more attention when they are large or repeated. You should also pay attention if they happen with heavier bleeding.
Contact your healthcare provider if you notice:
- large blood clots
- repeated blood clots
- clots that are becoming larger or more frequent
- bleeding that is becoming heavier instead of lighter
- bleeding that suddenly increases after it had started to decrease
- worsening abdominal or pelvic pain
- fever or unusual-smelling vaginal discharge
These symptoms can sometimes be linked to an infection or excessive postpartum bleeding. A healthcare professional should check these symptoms.
When Should You Get Help for Postpartum Blood Clots?
Seek urgent medical attention if you have sudden or very heavy bleeding, especially if you also feel:
- dizzy or faint
- unusually weak
- short of breath
- like your heart is racing
Very heavy bleeding after childbirth can be a sign of postpartum hemorrhage, which requires prompt medical treatment.
Postpartum hemorrhage can occur immediately after birth or later during the postpartum period.
If you are passing several large clots with heavy bleeding, do not wait for the bleeding to improve on its own. Contact your healthcare provider or seek emergency care based on the severity of your symptoms.
Can Blood Clots Happen After a C-Section?
Yes. You can still have postpartum vaginal bleeding and blood clots after a C-section.
Bleeding may be lighter for some women after a C-section. However, postpartum bleeding can still continue for several weeks.
Contact a healthcare professional if your bleeding gets heavier, you pass large or repeated clots, or you feel dizzy or faint.
A C-section also has a separate concern related to blood clots in the veins. This is different from passing blood clots through the vagina.
Postpartum Blood Clots vs. Blood Clots in Your Leg
The phrase “postpartum blood clots” can refer to two different things.
Blood clots passed through the vagina are part of postpartum bleeding and may occur during the early recovery period.
Blood clots in the veins, such as deep vein thrombosis (DVT), are different and can be more serious. The risk of developing a blood clot in a vein is increased during pregnancy and after childbirth.
Contact a healthcare professional promptly if you develop:
- pain or tenderness in one leg
- swelling in one leg
- redness or warmth in one leg
Seek emergency medical attention if you have chest pain or difficulty breathing. These can be signs of a blood clot that has traveled to the lungs.
How Long Can You Have Blood Clots After Giving Birth?
Blood clots are more common during the earlier part of postpartum bleeding, when the flow is heavier.
As postpartum bleeding gradually decreases, clots should become less frequent.
If you continue passing large or repeated clots as the weeks go on, contact your healthcare provider. You should also get medical advice if your bleeding becomes heavier instead of lighter.
Postpartum bleeding can continue for several weeks. The recovery timeline is different for everyone.
For more information about how long postpartum bleeding usually lasts, read our guide:
How Long Does Postpartum Bleeding Last?
For a detailed explanation of lochia and how it changes after birth, see:
What Is Lochia? Postpartum Bleeding Stages & Warning Signs
What Can You Use During Postpartum Bleeding?
During the postpartum period, absorbent protection can help you manage bleeding and changes in flow.
Choose protection that is comfortable for your current level of bleeding. Follow your healthcare provider's guidance about postpartum hygiene and products.
For more information about choosing underwear and protection during postpartum recovery, see our:
Postpartum Recovery Underwear Guide
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it normal to have blood clots after giving birth?
Yes. Small blood clots can be common during the first few days after childbirth. They are more likely when postpartum bleeding is heavier.
Large or repeated clots should be discussed with a healthcare professional, especially if you also have heavy bleeding.
How big can a postpartum blood clot be?
There is no single size that is normal for everyone.
Some guidance considers very large clots, such as those larger than a golf ball, a reason to contact a healthcare provider.
The number of clots and whether they are getting larger or more frequent also matter.
What are blood clots after labor caused by?
After delivery, the uterus contracts and the area where the placenta was attached begins to heal.
Blood can temporarily collect before leaving the body. It may then clot before being passed.
Are chunks of blood after giving birth normal?
Small chunks of blood after giving birth can sometimes be clots. They may happen during the first few days of postpartum recovery.
If the pieces are large or happen repeatedly, contact your healthcare provider. You should also get medical advice if they come with increasingly heavy bleeding.
When should I worry about postnatal blood clots?
Contact your healthcare provider if you pass large or repeated clots.
You should also get medical advice if your bleeding becomes heavier instead of lighter, or if you have worsening pain, fever, or unusual-smelling discharge.
Seek urgent medical attention if you have sudden or very heavy bleeding, especially with dizziness, fainting, severe weakness, shortness of breath, or a racing heartbeat.
Can blood clots happen while breastfeeding?
You may notice a temporary increase in bleeding or cramping while breastfeeding because breastfeeding causes the uterus to contract.
If the bleeding becomes very heavy or does not settle, contact your healthcare provider.
The Bottom Line
Small blood clots after giving birth can be part of normal postpartum recovery, particularly during the first few days when bleeding is heavier.
The important thing is to watch the overall pattern. As postpartum bleeding decreases, blood clots should generally become less frequent.
Large or repeated clots, increasingly heavy bleeding, or sudden heavy bleeding after your bleeding has started to improve should not be ignored.
If you are unsure whether a postpartum blood clot is normal, contact your healthcare provider for advice.
If you have sudden or very heavy bleeding with dizziness, fainting, severe weakness, or a racing heartbeat, seek urgent medical attention.
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