Pregnancy can have its challenges, only on the celebratory side, you are spared the menstrual cycle craziness of monthly mood swings, cramps, and bleeding. Of course, now that you've had your baby, y'all may exist wondering when your period is likely to return. The short respond is…it depends.

How long does it normally take for periods to return later on birth?

The timing of your first period postpartum depends on whether or not yous breastfeed. If yous're formula feeding, Aunt Flo should arrive about six to viii weeks after the big twenty-four hour period. However, if you're exclusively breastfeeding—meaning, your baby drinks admittedly nothing merely breastmilk (other than vitamins or medicine)—your menses will likely be delayed. That'southward because prolactin, the hormone released during breastfeeding, delays the restarting of your ovulating. No ovulation = no period.

Some women won't get a menses for the entire time they are breastfeeding. Others will get their flow while they are still breastfeeding, particularly afterwards they have introduced bottles of formula, solid foods or when infant starts sleeping through the night.

Tin can you become pregnant before you have a period?

Yes! Yeah! Yes! Once your cycle comes dorsum, you will ovulate two weeks before yous go your first flow, and then yous will have no advance alarm that you're fertile! If you're not ready to get pregnant again, check out your nascency control options. Hormonal birth control won't hurt your baby, just if they contain estrogen they may cause your milk supply to dip. Enquire your practitioner virtually non-hormonal birth control methods including diaphragms, condoms, certain versions of the pill (progesterone-only pills do not reduce milk supply), and some IUDs, that are totally compatible with breastfeeding.

What will your offset period later birth be similar?

Brace yourself…the first period after giving nascence is typically heavier than normal because there is actress blood in your uterine lining that needs to be shed. Yous may enjoy easier periods due to physical changes in the uterus and cervix, although some women feel stronger cramps.

Here's another surprise: Afterwards your first postal service-infant period, the next may show upwards early…or quite belatedly. It can take a few months for your cycle to become regular once more. Stash some catamenia protection in your purse and then you're not caught off baby-sit. If y'all practise get your menstruation soon after giving birth, ask your doctor if it'southward condom to apply tampons. Most women experience that pads are a improve option until the vagina is completely recovered from delivery.

When should you lot see a doctor almost your period?

Though that showtime menses afterwards infant can be a doozy, the menses should not exist so heavy that yous're going through one pad per 1-2 hours. Call your doctor if y'all're experiencing any of the following:

  • Large blood clots: Information technology's normal to run into minor clots in your showtime postpartum period, but if they are larger than a quarter or concluding for several days, information technology could exist a sign of a thyroid trouble, infection, fibroids, or polyps.
  • Heavy menstruum, pain, and spotting: If you are experiencing heavy, painful periods or spotting betwixt periods, you may have developed adenomyosis, which is a thickening of the uterine wall. While non usually dangerous, adenomyosis tin be uncomfortable, particularly during sexual activity. Don't be shy about request your doctor or midwife. Depending on the severity, they may want to give y'all anti-inflammatory medications, hormones, or a minor surgical process.
  • Prolonged heavy flow: Losing also much blood can cause anemia from iron deficiency. Depression iron tin make you feel tired, dizzy and irritable. Fortunately, the diagnosis and treatment are pretty simple: if your blood exam shows low iron, your practitioner will give you fe supplements and vitamin C (Vitamin C helps your body absorb the iron).
  • No period: If your menstruation hasn't returned three months after giving nascency or 3 months after stopping breastfeeding, talk to your practitioner. This is ofttimes totally normal, but there are 2 rare atmospheric condition that can cause your periods to disappear:
    • Sheehan'southward Syndrome: Your pituitary gland was damaged during delivery, which disrupts your catamenia. It is treated with hormone therapy.
    • Asherman's Syndrome: The development of scar tissue in the uterus, often resulting from a D&C (dilation & curettage) procedure done after a miscarriage. Asherman's can cause fertility issues, so a woman with this syndrome who wishes to get pregnant again may need a surgical procedure called an operative hysteroscopy.

Though you may wish your period would only stay away forever, remember that it's a sign of your trunk functioning normally after pregnancy. Do cocky-care past getting plenty of rest, taking walks to relieve cramps, and snacking on healthy fats (hi, avocado toast!) and fe-rich lentils, prunes, meats, and foods cooked in a cast iron skillet.

Accept questions near a Happiest Baby product? Our consultants would be happy to help! Connect with us at customercare@happiestbaby.com.

Disclaimer: The information on our site is NOT medical advice for any specific person or condition. It is just meant every bit general information. If you take whatever medical questions and concerns about your kid or yourself, please contact your health provider.