First postpartum period or miscarriage?

Question

I need to compare to some of your stories to determine if this is normal or if I should go to the doctor or ER.
Let me start with saying I have PCOS. So before I got pregnant last year, I didn't have consistent cycles. I went 7 months without a period in 2016 and eventually had to take medication to force a withdrawal bleed that "jumpstarted" regular cycles again. I have never had heavy periods. I can usually go an entire work day without needing to change a pad and my periods last 3-4 days like this. I've never worried about bleeding through my pants pre-pregnancy.
Fast forward, I had a c-section in February and have been exclusively breastfeeding my little one up until this last month when he started solids. He hasn't decreased the amount of breastmilk he takes, we've just added one meal a day in addition to nursing. I hadn't had a postpartum period until last Friday. 
It started off heavier than I'm used to, but I figured this was normal considering I haven't had a period in the 7 months since my son was born. However, late last night and all of today (Sunday) I have bled completely through each pad in about 2 hours. I am cramping heavily in my abdomen and my back. I haven't ever felt pain like this or bled this much except for the one time I miscarried - not even when I went 7 months before. 
Was your postpartum period as excruciating, messy, and heavy as mine is? Would breastfeeding hormones make a difference? Could I possibly be miscarrying? Am I maybe overreacting? Please help!

Answer

Take a pregnancy test. If it’s a miscarriage you will probably still have some of the hormones in your body.

Answer

Ok there should never be a poll where one option is “ go to the Er” that’s not for the internet. Call a doctor or just fo to urgent care or ER if unsure.. Don’t ask the internet.

Answer

A pad an hour, no matter if it’s a period or a miscarriage, is worth going in for. Every two hours is borderline so I’d say watch it and be attuned to how you’re feeling. It’s definitely normal for periods to change after a first baby but you know your body best and it can’t hurt to see your doc if you’re worried!

Answer

Sounds like your first period.

Answer

my periods were like yours pre pregnancy ive been EBF. i got my first post partum period last month and it was exactly the same as my pre pregnancy periods, idk if that helps at all but maybe just call into your OBGYN to ask them about it 🤷🏻‍♀️

Answer

Ever since i gave birth i literally have to wear a diaper to go to bed for the first day of my period it's so heavy😂 I go through about a pad every two hours but by the second day it's to a more manageable flow. It's probably just your cycle

Answer

My first few periods ranged from being normal to excessively heavy, with no real pattern — I speculate that it was heavier when I wasn’t taking my iron supplements, but I’m not sure.
I think one of them I did bleed heavy for about 5 days which is 2 days longer than usual, and it was very painful. I think if it’s unbearable and intolerable, and you’re starting to feel lethargic, then maybe just get it checked out?

First postpartum period or miscarriage?

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