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Pregnancy When you welcome a new baby, old routines can go out the window and your period is no exception. First things first. Congratulations mama! We’re often bombarded with information about the changes our bodies go through during pregnancy, but once our baby is born the attention leaves our bodies and focuses on our little one. Because of this, we can often feel lost about our body’s natural changes post pregnancy. The truth is, when it comes to your cycle, a lot can change after having a baby, and these changes can sometimes come as a surprise to new parents. While there’s no such thing as a “normal” postpartum period, we’re here to take out some of the guesswork and prepare you for the next stage in your pregnancy journey. What’s the deal with lochia?About a week after you’ve given birth, you’ll likely notice a discharge called
lochia. 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. When will my period start again?When you get your period depends on a few factors. Typically, women who breastfeed on a regular basis will get their period later than those who bottle feed only. This is because the hormone prolactin, which is needed to produce breast milk, suppresses your reproductive hormones. With an increase in prolactin you’re unlikely to ovulate, which in turn means no period. On average, moms who fully breastfeed can expect their periods to start returning at around 6 months postpartum. If you don’t breastfeed, or don’t exclusively breastfeed, your period might return 1-3 months after giving birth.  Will my period be different?It could be! Your first period after pregnancy could be heavier than you’re used to, and then get lighter over time. Here are some other changes you might notice:
Tracking your flow both before and after your pregnancy can be a useful way to monitor the changes to your period after having a baby. This is where period tracking apps like Cycles can be very useful. Having a record of your symptoms can help you when visiting the doctor, or even for remembering what to expect after a future pregnancy. What to watch out forWhile it’s normal to experience changes in your menstruation after giving birth, there are some symptoms that require medical attention. Call your doctor if you notice any of the following:
The return of your menstrual cycle after having a baby can feel like a shock to the system. Though you can expect to notice a change from your pre-pregnancy periods, it’s important to listen to your body and check up on any symptoms that seem out of the ordinary. Find more tips for pregnancy, birth and beyond by following us @cycles.app! As a general guideline, you can expect your first postpartum period:
The main factor that affects how soon you'll start getting your period after birth again is whether or not you're breastfeeding, and, if so, how much. That's because the hormones your body produces when you're nursing, including prolactin and oxytocin, typically suppress ovulation. ("Typically" is the key word: Just because you're breastfeeding and not getting your period doesn't mean that you can't get pregnant. You can get pregnant while breastfeeding – so it's important to discuss contraception options with your healthcare provider when you're ready to start having sex again.) Generally speaking, the less your baby nurses, the sooner your period will come back. If your baby sleeps through the night from an early age, or if you're supplementing with formula, your period may return sooner than it would if you were exclusively and frequently breastfeeding. That said, breastfeeding's effects on a new mom's menstrual cycle can vary widely: There's no reliable way to predict exactly when you'll get your first period after pregnancy or what that period will be like, because every woman's body is different. 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. There hasn’t been much research in this area, either: One study found that about one in three women get their periods back within six weeks of giving birth – and of those women, about two-thirds of them were breastfeeding exclusively. You'll have some bleeding and discharge immediately after giving birth, which you may mistake for your first period, but this isn't your menstrual cycle. It's actually very normal postpartum bleeding called lochia, and it can linger for up to six to eight weeks. Even though lochia can be messy, it's best that you don't use tampons for at least six weeks, until you've had your postpartum checkup and your provider has given you the okay to use them and have sex. There's a chance that tampons could introduce bacteria into your still-healing uterus or irritate any perineal tearing. Will my postpartum period feel different?It's normal if you find that your menstrual flow feels different now than it was before you gave birth. During those first few periods after pregnancy, you may notice that:
Everyone's postpartum period experience will be different; some women's menstrual cramps may return to normal, while some women may find that their period pain is less intense after pregnancy. One study found that some women who had c-sections experienced heavier, more painful periods after their deliveries. Can getting your period while breastfeeding affect milk supply?Yes, your menstrual cycle may affect your milk supply, but it’s generally minor and temporary. A few days before and during your period, hormone changes can cause a decreased milk supply and sore nipples, which might make nursing uncomfortable for you. These changes are usually mild and last only a few days, but if you're nursing, you may find that your baby wants to breastfeed more because of the lower milk supply. It's unlikely, but if problems with your supply continue after you've had your period, there are steps you can take to increase your milk supply. Can you get pregnant if you haven't gotten your first postpartum period yet?Yes. It's unusual, but it is possible to get pregnant in as little as three weeks after giving birth, even if your periods haven't returned yet. (That said, most healthcare providers recommend that you wait at least four to six weeks before you have sex after birth to let your body heal.) Regardless of whether or not you're breastfeeding, your body will release its first postpartum egg before you menstruate. If you don't start using birth control as soon as you start having sex again, there's a chance you can conceive, even before that first postpartum period arrives. If you’re worried that you’ll forget a daily pill, or you're nervous about relying on a natural method of birth control like ovulation tracking, you may want to consider one of these longer-term options:
When to call your provider about your period after pregnancyYour first periods after pregnancy may be different than before you had a baby. If you're ever concerned about them or wondering whether your situation is normal, reach out to your healthcare provider. The following symptoms also warrant a call:
Read more: Best postpartum products How long does postpartum recovery last? Pelvic floor therapy: Help for uncomfortable postpartum symptoms Is your first period after birth longer than usual?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. 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.
What is your first period like after having a baby?Your first period after pregnancy could be heavier than you're used to, and then get lighter over time. Here are some other changes you might notice: Small clots. Heavier or lighter flow than usual.
When should I be worried about my first period after giving birth?When should I worry about a postpartum period? If your period hasn't started three months after giving birth (or three months after you stop breastfeeding), it's definitely time to see your doctor. Missed periods, spotting, or periods that last less than two days could signal a hormonal imbalance or a thyroid issue.
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First period after giving birth how long should it last
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