Postpartum bleeding
Just as no two pregnancies are the same, no two postpartum bleeds are the same.
While some sisters may find that their bleeding eases off within a couple of weeks postpartum, others may find that the bleeding continues (almost intermittently) for up to 60 days.
What to expect in the postpartum bleed?!
The bleeding may be heavy initially, with some occasional clots and dark to bright red in colour (this is fresh blood). The flow may gradually begin to decrease over the following days after childbirth but may suddenly increase when:
- Breastfeeding – when the baby feeds and suckles on the nipple, it naturally causes the uterus to contract and begin its journey on returning to its original size. This may cause cramping sensations and some pain, that mixed with the general afterpains that come after childbirth and particularly subsequent pregnancies/births. When the uterus contracts, it can also cause a gush or increase in the flow of the postpartum bleed so you may well notice this increase after your baby has been feeding. All perfectly natural and reflective of the hikmah of Allah, subhan’Allah.
- Exercise – if you decide to go for a walk or on a trip out in your postpartum days (within the 40 days), you may find that you experience an increase in postpartum bleed and/or an increase in the flow. There have been times when sisters (me being one) have thought that the bleed is coming to a close and then we do some sort of slightly exertive activity and suddenly it’s like we are back to the beginning again.
When it comes to Islamic evidence, there is a difference of opinion amongst the religious scholars regarding the longest period of nifaas (the post-natal bleeding period).
While some scholars say it is forty (40) days, others say it is sixty (60) days and some say there is no limit to the maximum number of days a woman can be a in a state of nifaas.
The most predominate opinion is that the maximum period is forty (40) days according to what is narrated by Umm Salama.
Umm Salama said: “The nufasaa’ (a woman in a state of birth blood discharge) used to continue to be in childbed for forty days at the time of the Prophet peace and blessings be upon him.”
[The same hadeeth is also reported by Imam Ahmad, Abu Dawood, Ibn Majah and Al-Daraami and is classified as hasan by Al-Albaani in Irwaa’ Al-Ghaleel # 201.]
Al-Albaani has supported this narration by another hadeeth reported by Abu Dawood narrated by Umm Salama who said; “A Prophet’s (peace and blessings be upon him) wife used to remain in (a state of) nifaas for forty nights and the Prophet would not ask her to make up the prayers she missed during the period of nifaas”.
Ibn Majah also reported that Anas, may Allaah be pleased with him, narrated that; “The Prophet had specified a period of forty days for the nufasaa’ unless she achieves tuhr before that.” [Irwaa’ Al Ghaleel # 223-222/1.]
Therefore, if a sister has been experiencing post-childbirth bleeding for forty days and she still sees blood, then it is considered that this blood as istihaadha (womb bleeding between periods) which does not stop the sister from performing prayer (salaat) nor fasting (siyaam), unless the end of the forty days coincides with the regular menstrual period (dawrah); in this case she would consider this blood as menstrual blood.
It is a sister’s choice whether she chooses to stay home for the entire period of the 40 days or not. In some countries, the traditional 40 day period is still honoured and women and their babies are kept nurtured and nourished throughout the entire 40 day period.
And Allahu a’lam (Allah knows best)
The study around postnatal mental health by Stern and Kruckman, 1983 showed a distinct postpartum period and a need for rest, recovery, time for feeding to be established and a social recognition of this role and status. There is also emphasis on the value of respecting that role so when there is a societal role and value then everyone respects it. Once we uphold the importance, necessity and value of the postpartum period and truly honour it, only then can we expect society to respect and in turn, honour that role.
ACOG’s 2018 report showed that:
Japan – women go for 3 weeks to their mother’s home for peace and quiet and pampering.
China – women practise ‘sitting the month’ – keeping the mother warm while she loses blood.
Korea – (21 days) rest and eating seaweed.
Vietnam – women wait weeks before introducing their baby to strangers to protect them from too much attention.
India – women return to their mother’s home with soft and nourishing and nurturing food to replenish her.
Malaysia – pampering the mother with her new body and baby.
South America – wrapping ‘Robozo’, special foods etc.
Africa – family with female members gathering, no work in the home and forbidden to work until baby’s umbilical cord falls off.
In all of the above practices, we see a pattern of similarities:
rest, bodywork, peace, quiet, restoration, seclusion, protection, love, timelessness, health and well-being prioritised, soft and nourishing and nurturing foods, maternal support/community support, body wrapping.
Look out for my next blog in shaa Allah and in the meantime, why not check this out!