Period FAQs

do you get your period after birth

by Jamey Heathcote Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago
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It's hard to be exact about when your periods will start again, as everyone is different. If you bottle feed your baby, or combine bottle feeding with breastfeeding, your first period could start as soon as 5 to 6 weeks after you give birth.

Full Answer

When will my period return?

Your period will typically return about six to eight weeks after you give birth, if you aren’t breastfeeding. If you do breastfeed, the timing for a period to return can vary. Those who practice exclusive breastfeeding might not have a period the entire time they breastfeed. “Exclusive breastfeeding” means that your baby is receiving only your breast milk. But for others, it might return after a couple of months, whether they’re breastfeeding or not.

How might my period be different postpartum?

When you do start your period again, chances are the first period after delivery won’t be like your periods before you got pregnant. Your body is once again adjusting to menstruation. You may experience some of the following differences:

What about birth control?

Some use breastfeeding as a natural birth control method. According to the Association of Reproductive Health Professionals, fewer than 1 out of 100 women will get pregnant annually if they’re engaging in exclusive breastfeeding. Even though breastfeeding reduces your fertility, it’s not an absolute guarantee you won’t get pregnant again.

What causes mildly painful postpartum periods?

Mildly painful postpartum periods can be caused by a combination of several factors. They include:

What postpartum symptoms should I watch out for?

It’s important that you call a doctor if you experience any of the following symptoms:

Why do women have lighter periods?

Adenomyosis is a thickening of the uterine wall. Women who had endometriosis before pregnancy might actually have lighter periods after giving birth. Light periods can also be caused by two rare conditions, Asherman syndrome and Sheehan syndrome. Asherman syndrome leads to scar tissue in the uterus.

What does it mean when your period is red?

Bright red bleeding that occurs six or more weeks after delivery is more likely to be your period. Pregnancy-related bleeding can increase with increased exertion or activity. If your discharge increases with exertion and decreases when you rest, it’s more likely to be lochia. Lochia also tends to have a distinct odor.

How long does it take for a woman to get her period back after she has her baby?

Women who don't breastfeed typically find that their period returns four to eight weeks after childbirth, explains Amina White, M.D., clinical associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Why does my period change?

White says. It's also possible to have increased or decreased cramping. This is because your uterus grows during pregnancy; then it shrinks after delivery (although it may remain slightly larger). The endometrial lining—what is shed during a period—has to remodel itself as it goes through these changes, says Dr. White. This process occurs with each pregnancy, so you may notice changes in your period after each baby.

Will My First Periods After Birth Be Irregular?

One menstrual cycle might be 24 days, the next one might be 28 days, and then another one could be 35 days. Your cycle should stabilize within a few months or after you've stopped breastfeeding.

Is Something Wrong With My Postpartum Period?

You can expect some heavier bleeding and increased cramping with your initial postpartum period. But if you need to change your tampon or pad every hour or more frequently, alert your doctor, says Dr. Jones. It could signal an infection, fibroids, or polyps.

What are the rewards of pregnancy?

Of course, the biggest reward of pregnancy will be your adorable new baby. But if you're like many expectant moms, another huge perk is having your period go on an extended vacation. When do you get your period after birth, and how will it be different? We asked experts to answer some pressing questions about your postpartum period.

Can a tampon be used during postpartum?

Your postpartum period may also be heavier if you'd been on hormonal birth control before pregnancy—such as the pill or some IUDs—since hormonal contraceptives thin the endometrial lining. " If you have a vaginal delivery, a tampon might sit differently or feel different," adds Siobhan Dolan, M.D., professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Montefiore Medical Center, in the Bronx, New York. Generally, most women don't need to go up a size in tampons. With time, using a tampon should feel as normal as it did before.

Can you notice a change in your period after each baby?

This process occurs with each pregnancy, so you may notice changes in your period after each baby. RELATED: How Your Period Affects Your Chances of Getting Pregnant. Your postpartum period may also be heavier if you'd been on hormonal birth control before pregnancy—such as the pill or some IUDs—since hormonal contraceptives thin ...

When do you start your period after birth?

Most women who choose not to breastfeed often start their first period within the first ten weeks. However, hormone levels will normalize after childbirth and different women normalize at different rates.

What to Expect in the First Period After Birth?

The first period is often heavier than your normal menstrual flow. It is normal if you see the presence of blood clots in your period. But if the blood clots persist for a few subsequent cycles, see your doctor.

What happens after childbirth?

After childbirth, the body has to revert to the non-pregnant state and many changes will occur. For example, the menstruation cycle has to return. When does the first period after delivery occur? This is just one of the many questions that arise after childbirth.

When do you ovulate after birth?

It is usually improbable that you will ovulate within the first six weeks after childbirth. When you have your doctor’s check-up at six weeks after childbirth, it is wise to discuss a method of birth control even if you don't have your first period after birth.

Can you have a period after delivery?

The first few periods after delivery could be irregular. However, if your menstrual cycle does not become regular after a few months, see your doctor to check for hormonal imbalances or uterine problems.

Is it normal to have spotting in your first cycle?

Infrequent spotting in your first few cycles is normal. Cramps may be either stronger or lighter than what you’re used to.

Is breastfeeding a form of contraception?

Many women depend on breastfeeding as a form of contraception. This has a failure rate of roughly 2%. Using breastfeeding exclusively as a means of birth control is also termed as Lactational Amenorrhea Method (LAM). In some women, ovulation doesn’t commence until after breastfeeding has completely stopped. It is a reliable form of contraception provided:

How Do Birth Control Pills Work

Getting My Period Back NATURALLY After Birth Control // Lena Cup Review!!

Whats The Deal With Lochia

About a week after youve given birth, youll likely notice a discharge called lochia. Lochia is typically creamy white to red in colour, but its not to be confused with your actual period. The main difference between lochia and your period is that lochia will be lighter and more watery.

How Will My Postpartum Period Be Different

Your period may change a little, a lot, or not at all. You may have longer or shorter ones, a heavier or lighter flow, and even your cycle length can be different, Dr. White says. It’s also possible to have increased or decreased cramping. This is because your uterus grows during pregnancy then it shrinks after delivery .

Periods After Ectopic Pregnancy

An ectopic pregnancy is one in which the fertilised egg implants itself outside the uterus. Ectopic pregnancies are uncommon and may require extensive recovery.

Dealing With Nipple Tenderness

It’s not uncommon to experience sore nipples when you get your period. So, for a few days before your period starts, it may be a little uncomfortable to breastfeed. Here are some tips to help you deal with nipple tenderness.

Missed Period On Birth Control Pill

Other common questions related to birth control pills are concerns about missed periods. When a woman takes hormonal birth control pills, it is not uncommon to experience a missed or very light period, especially at the beginning of treatment.

Your First Period After Giving Birth

When you welcome a new baby, old routines can go out the window and your period is no exception.

When will I get my period after my baby is born?

As a general guideline, you can expect your first period after pregnancy:

How long does it take to get your period after giving birth?

7 or 8 months, or even longer, after you give birth if you're breastfeeding exclusively – some women don't start having periods again until they stop nursing. The main factors that affect how soon you'll start getting periods again after giving birth are whether you're breastfeeding and, if so, how much.

How does breastfeeding influence when I'll get my first period after pregnancy?

The less often your baby nurses, the sooner your period will likely come back. If your baby sleeps through the night from an early age, or if you're supplementing with formula , it's likely your period will return sooner than it would if you were exclusively and frequently breastfeeding.

Can I get pregnant after giving birth if I'm haven't got my period yet?

Yes. While it would be unusual, you can get pregnant in as little as three weeks after giving birth, even if your periods haven't started. (However, most doctors recommend that you wait at least four weeks before you have sex after giving birth to give your body time to heal.)

Will getting my period affect my breast milk?

You may not notice much difference, but a few days before and during your period, hormone changes can cause:

How long after giving birth can you use a tampon?

Don't use tampons for at least six weeks after you give birth and you've had your first postpartum checkup. That's because your body will be discharging lochia and shedding your uterine lining, and it's best not to hinder that flow. This normal bleeding after giving birth is usually complete by around six weeks, and it's safe to use tampons for your period after that.

How long does it take for a woman to get her period after breastfeeding?

However, breastfeeding's effects on menstrual cycles vary widely. Some women who breastfeed exclusively around the clock may start menstruating a month after giving birth, while others who supplement with formula may not get their period for several months.

How long does it take to get your period after birth?

Some women get their period as little as eight weeks after birth, others may not get their period for a year or longer—that’s a pretty big range! Our bodies are all different and countless factors can influence when you get your period after pregnancy, but the biggest one is whether you’re breastfeeding or not.

When does a baby's period come and go?

To confuse matters even more: A breastfeeding mama’s period may come and go. If your baby starts sleeping through the night at three months, mom may get her period back.

How does solid food affect periods?

2. Introducing solids. Introducing solid food can also affect periods if baby eats a lot of solid food and nurses less. When baby eats more and nurses less, this signals mama’s body to produce less milk, and that little shift can be enough to trigger menstruation. Many babies start solid foodsaround six months.

Why does my baby have a period at night?

The more baby wakes up at night to eat, the more milk mama continues to produce , and that milk-producing hormone , prolactin, works to suppress menstruation . When baby starts to sleep through the night, mama’s body slowly produce s less prolactin and milk, which in turn can trigger mama’s period to return. 2.

When do you get your period while breastfeeding?

Both researchand anecdotal evidence show that most breastfeeding moms do not get their periods until at least 3-6 monthsafter birth. Why?

When do you get your period?

If you are formula feedingor supplementing, you’re more likely to get your first period sooner—sometimes as early as 8 weeks after birth. If you are exclusively breastfeeding, nursing through the night, and not supplementing with any formula, you might not see your first period until baby’s first birthday.

Is it normal to have irregularities with birth control?

Although irregularities are normal, you may want to get yourself back into balance. This will help you with natural birth controlor with trying for another baby.

How long does it take for a woman to get her period back?

If you are not breastfeeding, you can expect your cycle to return within 3 months. However, it might vary from mother to mother. Even if you are nursing, you can get back your periods. However, in some cases your menstrual cycle may get delayed by about a year when you are breastfeeding. When you are nursing round the clock, ...

How long does it take for menstruation to return?

In some cases, menstruation does not return for few months unless you have stopped breastfeeding completely.

What is it called when you are breastfeeding and not menstruating?

The time when you are fully breastfeeding and not menstruating is called lactational amenorrhea. Read on to know more about breastfeeding and periods.

Why do my nipples feel sore?

You may also notice sore nipples. It is a condition that you may experience because of your menstruation cycle. It might get a little difficult for you to breastfeed your baby once your period starts, mostly because of the physical pain the phase brings with it. Try to apply coconut or olive oil to release soreness.

When you are nursing round the clock, do you expect your cycle to stay away?

When you are nursing round the clock, you can expect your cycles to stay away for greater lengths. Again, when you are not feeding so or offer baby a pacifier and start weaning, you may start menstruating. In some cases, menstruation does not return for few months unless you have stopped breastfeeding completely.

What to do if you don't plan another pregnancy?

If you do not wish to plan another pregnancy, rely on contraceptives. You can talk to your doctor about the birth control options. Make sure to tell the doctor about the type of birth control you use, since it might interfere with your milk production. [ Read: Chances Of Pregnancy While Breastfeeding ]

When will my period start in 2021?

June 04, 2021. June 4, 2021. Image: Shutterstock. There is a common belief among new mothers that they can avoid their period by breastfeeding exclusively. It’s time to bust few myths! The truth lies in the fact that you will, like before, soon start menstruating. At times, your period may start within just a few weeks of delivery.

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