The Return of Your Period. If you're not breastfeeding, you'll likely begin menstruating between three and 10 weeks after giving birth (the average is 45 days); if you are breastfeeding, you might enjoy more menses-free months — especially if you're nursing exclusively.
How long does it take to get your period after giving birth?
More on that below.) If you’re not breastfeeding, your period could return as soon as four weeks after giving birth, although that’s not typical. Six to 12 weeks is about average. Most new moms are back on track by week 24 postpartum.
How long does the postpartum period last?
The first six weeks after giving birth are known as the postpartum period. This period is an intense time that requires all sorts of care for you and your baby. During this time — which some researchers believe actually lasts up to six months. Trusted Source.
How long does bleeding last after giving birth (and why)?
A regular Menstrual Period or Bleeding after Birth and Delivery Of The Baby usually come when you start ovulating again. This can last between 3-9 months on average. Breastfeeding may or may not prolong that time.
How long will my period last if I am breastfeeding?
This can last between 3-9 months on average. Breastfeeding may or may not prolong that time. Your regular menstrual bleeding usually depends on ovulation, and you will usually ovulate before you get your first period.
How long do you stay on your period after having a baby?
Whether you had a C-section or delivered vaginally, you will have bleeding for six to eight weeks after giving birth.
Is your first period after birth longer than usual?
You could start having periods like clockwork — two to seven days of bleeding every 28 days, on average. Or they could be irregular, meaning the length or duration of your cycle is longer or shorter than usual. You might even miss a period. Again, your breastfeeding status can play a role.
Why does my period last so long after giving birth?
Some women experience heavier, longer or more painful periods after having a baby. These changes may relate to a larger uterine cavity causing more endometrium (mucous lining the uterus) to shed. For some women, however, their periods improve.
Why are my periods not stopping?
Having long periods frequently can indicate one of several potential conditions, such as endometriosis or uterine fibroids. A doctor can help diagnose and treat these conditions. Often, taking hormonal birth control pills or switching the type of hormonal medication can help people find relief.
How fertile are you after having a baby?
You can get pregnant as little as 3 weeks after the birth of a baby, even if you're breastfeeding and your periods haven't started again. Unless you want to get pregnant again, it's important to use some kind of contraception every time you have sex after giving birth, including the first time.
What is first period like after birth?
It's usually lighter and can be watery or white in appearance. 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.
How do I know if its lochia or my period?
Lochia and menstrual blood are similar in that the bleeding subsides before going away. The biggest difference between the two types of discharge is that lochia lasts much longer. A typical period lasts about one week. Lochia lasts about six weeks in most people.
How do I know if it's my period or postpartum bleeding?
Lochia is typically creamy white to red in colour, but it's 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. It may also have a sweet smell and, unlike your period, lochia's flow will increase when you exert yourself.
How much bleeding is too much for first period after pregnancy?
Heavy bleeding. It's common to experience heavier bleeding within the first couple of weeks after birth. However, if the heaviness continues beyond that six-to-eight week period, give your health care provider a call.
Can the 2nd period after delivery be irregular or late?
Your period can take up to a year to become regular, no matter how consistent it was before pregnancy. To develop, grow, and deliver a baby, your body experiences several hormonal changes, and it needs time to return to normal. Breastfeeding moms are even more likely to have an irregular menstrual cycle.
Is it normal to have a period for 3 weeks?
How long is too long? Generally, a period lasts between three to seven days. A menstrual period that lasts longer than seven days is considered a long period. Your doctor may refer to a period that lasts longer than a week as menorrhagia.
What happens if you bleed more than 7 days?
If you have bleeding that lasts longer than 7 days per period, or is so heavy that you have to change your pad or tampon nearly every hour, you need to talk with your doctor. To find out if you have menorrhagia, your doctor will ask you about your medical history and menstrual cycles.
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 ...
How soon after giving birth can you get your period back?
If you’re not breastfeeding, your period could return as soon as four weeks after giving birth, although that’s not typical. Six to 12 weeks is about average. Most new moms are back on track by week 24 postpartum.
When should you expect your first period after giving birth?
While it’s impossible to pin down the timing with any certainty, your first postpartum period may hinge on your breastfeeding regimen. The reason? It’s a hormonal thing.
Is it normal to have irregular periods after giving birth?
There are no guarantees when it comes to your period after pregnancy. You could start having periods like clockwork — two to seven days of bleeding every 28 days, on average.
How long does it take for a woman to have a postpartum period?
That said, there’s a lot of variability. It’s completely normal for women who breastfeed exclusively to have their first postpartum period six weeks after delivery or a year or more later — even 18 months after giving birth.
How long after giving birth can you take estrogen?
Because estrogen can reduce a woman’s milk supply, birth control methods containing the hormone aren’t recommended until breastfeeding is well-established, around six weeks after giving birth. Instead, your practitioner may prescribe what's known as the "mini pill," which is considered safe during breastfeeding.
How many months of no period during pregnancy?
Here's what you need to know. One of the peculiar perks of pregnancy is nine-plus months of no period.
When do you get your period back after breastfeeding?
Women who combine bottle-feeding and breastfeeding often see their periods return six to 12 weeks after giving birth.
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 often do you change your tampon?
Any period that requires you to change your tampon, pad, or cupevery hour
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.
Sparkledust09 Guest
Hi ladies, I finally got my first period 10 weeks after giving birth. Its almost 3 weeks later and its still going strong. Did anyone elses first AF after childbirth last this long? I went back on the pill on the first day of my period which I assumed would stop it but no.
MrsVenn Well-Known Member
I've just had my first period, bang on 4 weeks post pregnancy. It's lasted 5 days in total and now I'm back to normal discharge. HTH.
helesposito New Member
Mine lasted for about 2 weeks and then started again after a week! I was back on the pill too but it didn't seem to stop it- back to normal now after 2 months- they say it takes a while for things to get back to normal, I suppose it stands to reason things would be a bit out of kilter after almost ten months without periods...x
sb786 Well-Known Member
mine came back after 16 weeks and lasted for 11 days which is longer than usual for me. Since then they are now at least 9-10 days long which is unusual for me. usually lasts 5-6 days??!!
mandylou Well-Known Member
i started mine on the 16th june.. still going..and really heavy, i was just thinking about making a docs appt for later today, its been over a month now!
Sparkledust09 Guest
Thanks ladies. Seems there is a massive variation but there are some ladies just like me with an everlasting period! I have a doctor's appointment next week so i'll check then xxx
tammii1981 New mummy to Ruby Belle
i had my first period around 6 weeks after giving birth...lasted about 4 days but very light.....its now 6 weeks later and waiting for my second...i guess they take a while to get back into the monthly flow?? (Got a feeling, judging by what ive heard about other ladies heavy periods, this next one could be a whopper!) x
How long do you stay in the hospital after a vaginal delivery?
Physical status, post-vaginal delivery. If you had a hospital delivery, you’ll most likely stay there for at least part of this week after a vaginal delivery. Depending on whether or not you tore (and how much ), your vagina may hurt quite a lot. Perineal soreness is normal, as is bleeding.
What is the first six weeks after birth?
The first six weeks after giving birth are known as the postpartum period. This period is an intense time that requires all sorts of care for you and your baby.
How far apart should you be after a C section?
If you want another baby soon, most doctors will recommend (or insist on) a C-section if the babies are 18 months or less apart. This is due to the risk of uterine rupture during labor and vaginal delivery.
How long after a C section is a woman more tired?
Physical status, after C-section. found that women who had C-sections were more tired after six months. This, of course, depends on how well your baby is sleeping. Just as with post-vaginal delivery, your milk may be drying up depending on your work schedule and your period may come back anytime.
How long does it take to recover from a 3rd child?
That said, the recovery period can vary wildly. If you’re on your third kid and pushed for 20 minutes, your recovery will look different than if you labored for 40 hours, pushed for 3, and had an emergency C-section.
Can you move after a C section?
A lot of women have trouble getting in and out of bed — but it’s important to move around, at least a little bit, to avoid blood clots. If you had a bladder catheter put in, it will be removed.
Can hair fall out after delivery?
If your hair was falling out after your delivery, it should stop now. You should also have full bladder control again, if this was a problem before now. Depending on your work schedule, milk may be drying up. Your period may come back anytime (or not for a year or more).
