Everyone's post-pregnancy body follows a different schedule when it comes to menstrual periods (and usually recovery from TBH). Ask a beauty editor about postpartum skin changes. But learning about the factors that can affect your period after giving birth can help normalize your experience and alert you if something is wrong.
expert in this article
- Holly Loudon, MD, MPH, associate professor and chair of obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive sciences at Mount Sinai West and Mount Sinai Morningside.
Here, Holly Loudon, MD, MPH, associate professor and chair of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproduction at Mount Sinai West and Mount Sinai Morningside, answers all your questions about the postpartum period, including when red lines may appear in your underwear and under what circumstances they may appear. . Find out how Aunt Flo's return may be delayed and how her menstrual symptoms may be different than before.
When will my period start again after giving birth?
“The average time it takes for your period to start again after giving birth is 45 to 64 days,” says Dr. Loudon. The majority of postpartum women (about 70%) will have their period for about 12 weeks, she says.
However, the schedule of the first postpartum period varies greatly from person to person (and may even vary from pregnancy to pregnancy). For example, some people get a visit from Aunt Flo just two weeks after giving birth, while others don't need tampons, pads, or menstrual cups until a year (or more) postpartum.
“The main factor that affects when your periods will resume is breastfeeding,” says Dr. Loudon. When you breastfeed, your body produces prolactin, a hormone that helps make milk. But when prolactin spikes, other hormones that regulate your period (estrogen, progesterone, etc.) also decrease, according to UT Southwestern Medical Center. And this can cause your period to be delayed.
“The main factor affecting when menstruation resumes is breastfeeding.” —Holly Loudon, MD, MPH, obstetrics and gynecology
Do you get your period while breastfeeding?
“Yes, you can still get your period while breastfeeding,” says Dr. Loudon. However, it may take several months or longer for it to reappear. The breastfeeding hormone prolactin is responsible for this delay. This prevents a part of the brain called the hypothalamus from releasing hormones that trigger menstruation, she says.
might be waiting longer If you are exclusively breastfeeding (i.e. your baby is not fed anything but breast milk) during the first postpartum period. “In fact, 40 percent of people who exclusively breastfeed do not have their period until six months postpartum,” says Dr. Loudon. And some people don't get their period until they are completely weaned (that is, they stop breastfeeding or breast feeding completely).
On the other hand, according to the National Health Service (NHS), if your baby is combo-fed (i.e. breast-fed and formula-fed), menstruation can occur as early as 5-6 weeks after birth. Why is that? Well, eating a combo feed generally reduces milk production. This sends a message to your body that you no longer need to make milk and it is time to start your menstrual cycle again. Likewise, breastfeeding your baby less frequently or introducing other solid foods may speed the return to a regular cycle, says Dr. Loudon.
So, is it possible to get pregnant while breastfeeding?
yes. Although it is unlikely, it is possible to become pregnant while breastfeeding even if your period has not returned. According to the NHS, this can happen as early as three weeks after giving birth. This is because you can ovulate without realizing it. Case in point: According to UT Southwestern Medical Center, most birth mothers begin ovulating between birth and the first postpartum period (usually up to six weeks after birth). Therefore, when an egg is released from the ovary and fertilized, eightPregnancy may occur.
However, if your baby is exclusively breastfed or breastfed, the risk of pregnancy is much lower during the first six months after birth. According to Planned Parenthood, this is because breastfeeding alone stops your body from ovulating. No ovulation means no pregnancy.
So does this mean that exclusive breastfeeding can be used as a reliable method of contraception? Depending on the conditions. It may be up to 98% effective in preventing pregnancy. if and if According to Le Leche League, all three criteria are met:
- Your baby is less than 6 months old.
- Your period hasn't returned (no spotting)
- Your baby is being breastfed exclusively on demand day and night (this means that your baby is not regularly consuming any other food or drinks, including water, and is not using a nipple).
Nonetheless, postpartum is different for each person. According to La Leche League, even if all these conditions are met, some will still have their first postpartum period (and therefore still be able to get pregnant). so, listen to us: If you are breastfeeding or do not plan to become pregnant while breastfeeding, always Use a different type of birth control.
What forms of birth control can I use while breastfeeding?
Most experts suggest delaying getting pregnant again soon after giving birth. Here's why: If you become pregnant during the postpartum period, your body will not fully heal or recover. This increases the baby's risk of premature birth and infant death, according to UT Southwestern Medical Center. To be safe, it is recommended that you wait at least 12 to 18 months before your next pregnancy.
Talk to your doctor about birth control options during the postpartum period. According to Penn Medicine, there are many safe options while breastfeeding or breast-feeding, including:
- Non-hormonal methods of birth control: Condoms, diaphragms, and cervical caps (with or without spermicides) have no effect on milk supply.
- Mini-pills or progestin-only pills: A small amount of progestin hormone is passed through breast milk, but it has no known effects on the baby and does not affect breast milk supply.
- Other hormonal birth control methods: IUD, Depo Provera injection, and implants (Nexplanon, etc.) do not affect the quantity or quality of breast milk.
What to expect from your first period after giving birth
The first few postpartum periods can be somewhat unsettling. This is especially true if you are breastfeeding. It's different for everyone, but according to the NHS, Cleveland Clinic and UT Southwestern Medical Center, you may experience the following changes in your menstrual cycle after birth:
- irregular menstruation (Especially if it recurs while breastfeeding or breast-feeding): These irregular menstrual patterns may persist for some time (up to a year after birth) even if your periods came like clockwork before pregnancy. Think about it. It took nine months for your baby to grow (and lots of hormonal changes), so it will take time to get back into your normal cycle.
- convulsion: If you had menstrual cramps before pregnancy, they are likely to start again. But it has the potential to be better than before. Your menstrual symptoms may improve now that pregnancy and childbirth have stretched your uterus and dilated your cervix. Additionally, pregnancy also releases hormones that relax the uterine muscles.
- Heavier, longer, more painful periods: There is also a chance that your period will get worse. This may happen because the uterine cavity is now larger and more of the endometrium, the lining of the uterus, is shed. A cesarean section scar can also increase menstrual cramps and menstrual flow.
- Small blood clots during menstruation: This occurs as the uterus shrinks back to its normal size and expels mucus, blood, and tissue.
You may also have postpartum bleeding, called lochia, which is associated with shedding of the uterine lining in the weeks after birth, says Dr. Loudon. This is not your actual menstrual period, but may coincide with your first postpartum period. It typically starts as bright red blood, turns brown or pink, and eventually fades to yellow/white discharge. “About 15% of postpartum people will continue to have lochia for up to six to eight weeks after giving birth,” she says.
First period while breastfeeding
Even if your period starts again while breastfeeding, here's what you can expect: well, It’s a little unexpected. People who breastfeed or breastfeed are more likely to have irregular menstrual periods postpartum. According to UT Southwestern Medical Center, this is associated with low levels of estrogen in the body. Thanks to these hormonal changes, breastfeeding may also trigger intermittent ovulation, says Dr. Loudon. This means your period may come on and then disappear again for a while, she says.
So how does returning your menstrual cycle (whether regular or irregular) affect your milk supply? In reality, it shouldn't be that way, says Dr. Loudon. As long as you feed or pump frequently, milk production should remain robust.
When to See a Doctor
Bottom line: Your periods may be slightly different during the postpartum period, especially if you are breastfeeding. As we have learned, the first few periods after birth can be irregular, long or short, heavy or light, and more or less painful. In most cases, these changes are completely normal, temporary, and nothing to worry about. However, symptoms during certain periods may signal a more serious problem, such as postpartum hemorrhage.
Contact your doctor or midwife right away if you experience any of the following symptoms, according to Dr. Loudon and the Cleveland Clinic:
- Heavy bleeding that wets the pad every hour
- Bleeding that lasts longer than 7 to 10 days
- Large blood clots (such as the size of a plum or golf ball)
Likewise, tell your doctor if your menstrual blood or discharge has a foul odor or if you have a fever or chills. This may be a sign of infection.
frequently asked questions
How long should my first period last after giving birth?
As your body resets after pregnancy and childbirth, your first postpartum period may be slightly longer or shorter than your pre-pregnancy period. Everyone's “normal” is different, but bleeding typically lasts two to seven days, according to the Cleveland Clinic. If you have bleeding for more than seven days, tell your OB/GYN or midwife, Dr. Loudon says. It can help you determine if there are any underlying problems that may persist over a long period of time.
Can I ovulate while breastfeeding?
It totally depends on whether you are nursing or not. According to Planned Parenthood, if you breastfeed your baby frequently and exclusively breastfeed, your body will naturally stop ovulating. This is thanks to the breastfeeding hormone prolactin. Prolactin prevents the body from producing higher levels of other hormones, such as estrogen, which regulate menstruation.
However, if you combine formula feeding or do not feed frequently enough, your period (and ovulation cycle) is likely to come back sooner. According to UT Southwestern Medical Center, most people begin ovulating within six weeks of giving birth.
Can my period start and then stop again while breastfeeding?
Unfortunately, yes. Just when you think your period is getting back to “normal,” it may suddenly disappear again. This is because breastfeeding/feeding can cause intermittent ovulation, says Dr. Loudon. That is, sometimes the ovaries release eggs and sometimes they do not. When you do that, you get a period. Otherwise, your period will pause.
How long can you go without a period while breastfeeding?
If you combo feed, you can expect your period to return between 2 and 12 weeks after giving birth. However, if you exclusively breastfeed/breastfeed (i.e., do not give your baby formula or table food, and feed at least six times a day), Aunt Flo can be out of action for much longer. “Some people who exclusively breastfeed may not have a period for a year or more,” says Dr. Loudon. But again, everyone is different. Some people see their periods come back as early as 6 months postpartum (even if they are exclusively breastfeeding/breastfeeding). On average, people who exclusively breastfeed have their monthly cycles return to normal between nine and 18 months after giving birth, according to La Leche League.