Pregnancy can change a great deal in your body After the birth, the postpartum period begins, a time when our body slowly returns to its pre-pregnancy state. We also often wonder when first period after birth return? Let's try to answer these questions for ourselves.
After giving birth, how long should your first period last?
How long after giving birth do you get a period?
At what point do you need to worry if you have no period after giving birth?
01 When do periods return after giving birth?
At the outset, it is worth pointing out that the bleeding that occurs after childbirth (whether vaginal or by caesarean section) has nothing to do with menstruation. This bleeding has to do with the cleansing of the uterus, which, after nine months of pregnancy, needs to shrink, heal and regenerate.
The first period after giving birth occurs at different times for different people - for some it occurs sooner and for some later. So, what does it depend on? The timing of the appearance of the first period after giving birth is influenced by the way the baby is fed. For breastfeeding women, menstruation returns after about 20 weeks. Your period will probably begin again six to eight weeks after you give birth, if you are not breastfeeding.
It is also important to mention that the way in which the birth took place - whether it was a vaginal birth or a caesarean - has no influence on the timing of the first period after birth. After giving birth, your doctor may recommend you initially use pads instead of tampons for several months when they do return.
02 Does breastfeeding affect the period?
If you are breastfeeding your child, it is hard to tell how long after giving birth you will have a period. It may not return until you wean your baby or it may begin again in a few months. In fact, only 20 percent of breastfeeding mothers get their periods back within six months.
The hormone prolactin that produces breast milk suppresses the production of reproductive hormones; if you are not ovulating, then you are not menstruating. The production of prolactin blocks ovulation or slows it down. The complete stopping of ovulation by prolactin is called lactational infertility and occurs in some women. When the frequency of breastfeeding decreases over time, the production of prolactin also decreases and the ovulation process gradually returns to normal. It is also worth mentioning that the occurrence of the first period after birth does not affect the quality or quantity of the milk produced.
As your child relies less on breast milk and more on solid food, your body will begin to ovulate again as your hormones return to their pre-pregnancy levels.
03 Do periods affect breast milk taste and supply?
During your first period after the birth of your baby, you and your child may notice a difference in your breast milk, and the baby is less eager to suckle at the breast The changes in hormones may lead to you producing less milk, and the milk may also taste different, which may catch your baby off-guard. However, there is no need to worry about these adjustments, as you and your baby will adapt. If you are concerned about anything related to breastfeeding, you can talk to your GP.
04 Can you use breastfeeding as birth control?
Some new mothers are surprised to find themselves expecting another child even before their first period postpartum. While breastfeeding suppresses reproductive hormones, you can still get pregnant the first time you ovulate prior to your first period postpartum.
05 What will the first period after giving birth be like?
Everyone’s body is different, so how your body adjusts is highly personal. Doctors have seen women with heavy periods experience lighter bleeding during their first period postpartum, as well as the opposite, however it is more common for periods to get heavier and longer after each pregnancy.
Your endometrial lining changes after each birth, which may affect your period postpartum. Since some contraceptive methods – such as pills and IUDs – thin this lining, you may experience a heavier flow in your first period after the birth of your baby.
If your period was regular before delivery, it may take months to return to a regular cycle, especially if you are breastfeeding.
During your first period after birth, you may experience:
- stronger or lighter cramps,
- small blood clots,
- heavy menstruation,
- increased pain,
- irregular periods.
06 First period after giving birth, how long should it last?
When you do get your first period postpartum, you may experience cramping as your uterus shrinks back to a smaller size and its lining has more cells to shed. This should decrease each month as your body recuperates.
Expect to see blood and vaginal discharge in the weeks after giving birth as your body releases fluids it no longer needs to protect your baby. They will be red at first, but they should lighten over time. This is called the ‘lochia’ and reflects the final shedding of the placenta and any pregnancy tissue within the uterus which has not been shed at birth – this is normal and nothing to be worried about. If you see blood six weeks or more after birth, it is likely to be your first period postpartum.
Your first period may or may not be different from what you experienced before pregnancy. It can be irregular and it can last anywhere from a few days to a full week. However, it is worth reporting this fact to your doctor. Frequent spotting during lactation or between menstrual bleeds also requires medical consultation.
07 When should you see a doctor about your period postpartum?
Speak to your doctor if your first periods after giving birth remain erratic. While it is expected for those first periods to be delayed, you may also skip some or find they now come further apart. Look out for worrying symptoms such as:
- seepage of the pads within an hour,
- bleeding with severe and sudden pain,
- sudden fever,
- bleeding longer than 7 days,
- large blood clots,
- strong-smelling discharge,
- severe headaches,
- shortness of breath,
- pain during urination.
The absence of the first menstruation after giving birth is also something you should talk to your GP about. If your period has not returned 3 months after giving birth or 3 months after stopping breastfeeding, you should also see your doctor.
Disclaimer: This information aims to answer some of your questions or concerns. If you are worried about your health, talk to your doctor or your gynecologist for professional medical advice.