One of the most asked questions of mums is this: “I just gave birth. When will my period come back after birth?” Learn more about your first postpartum period and issues that you may experience in this period (no pun intended) of your life.
Given the amount of change we experienced in our body when we became pregnant, it is also exciting to know when our body will be “normal” again. But it’s not that simple. It takes enough time for our body to recover from childbirth, and our hormones to return to normal.
Postpartum menstruation: When can I expect my first postpartum period?
After giving birth and spending the first couple of weeks taking care of their newborn, most mums want to find out when their bodies will go back to normal. And one of the first questions that they ask is, “When will my period come back?”
New mums are eager to know when their first postpartum period will arrive, and what to expect when it finally does.
According to Dr Maureen Laranang, an OB-Gynecologist from the Philippines, the answer to the question of when menstruation will return after giving birth depends on whether the mother is breastfeeding or not.
If the new mum is not breastfeeding and is just bottle-feeding or sometimes a combination of both, menstruation will usually be back after the 8th week.
Moreover, according to Dr. Laranang, when you feed for six months in a row, your period will not return immediately. Due to the so-called lactation amenorrhoea.
Image source: Freepik
When do you get your period after birth while breastfeeding?
If you are exclusively breastfeeding, your first period may not come back for several months, or for up to two years if you continue to nurse. Your periods may return as soon as 3 weeks after your kid is born if you bottle feed or partially breastfeed your infant.
Your periods may become irregular once they return, especially if you are still producing milk (lactating). The length of your menstruation may also vary. It’s not uncommon to miss a period or have to wait a few months for your next one.
When you begin to reduce the amount of time you spend breastfeeding, your periods should begin to return to normal. At first, you may notice some spotting (light bleeding).
Irregular periods after birth
If you have irregular periods while nursing, such as continuous spotting, heavier-than-normal bleeding, or extended cycles, you should consult your doctor because there could be other factors at play. Your doctor will need to perform a thorough checkup and may request tests to rule out other possibilities.
Will my period affect the milk I produce?
You may notice some changes in your milk production or your baby’s responsiveness to breast milk once your period returns. The hormonal changes that induce your period may also have an impact on your breast milk.
You might notice a drop in your milk production or a change in how frequently your baby wants to nurse, for example. The content of your breast milk and how it tastes to your infant may also be affected by hormonal fluctuations. However, these changes are usually mild and should not interfere with your ability to breastfeed your child.
Postpartum menstruation vs postpartum bleeding
After giving birth, mums may experience bleeding for a week or two that can be mistaken for menstruation.
This is called lochia, your body’s way of removing other blood and tissue in your uterus that helps your baby grow.
But how do you tell the difference between postpartum bleeding and menstruation?
Postpartum bleeding, according to Dr Laranang, is also referred to as physiologic vaginal bleeding or discharge after childbirth. It lasts up to 2 weeks. Compared to menstruation, it has a much slower flow. The lochia rubra usually comes during the first 3 days and is bright red in colour.
She added that on the 4th to 10th day, the bleeding decreases, and the colour turns pink. After 10 days, a white discharge will be noticed. This is normal for women who give birth.
No period after giving birth – can I get pregnant?
Image source: Freepik
As long as you already had your first postpartum period, you should assume that you are already ovulating and can get pregnant. So if you do not want to get pregnant yet, talk to your OB-gynaecologist about birth control options that are suitable for you, especially if you are breastfeeding.
According to one study, a woman usually ovulates 45 to 94 days after giving birth. Most also start ovulating again in the 6th week, but some even earlier.
According to Dr Laranang, exclusively breastfeeding women take longer to ovulate. This is called lactation amenorrhea. The mechanism works by suppressing the hormone released for ovulation. It is also a form of natural contraception, but has 3 conditions:
- the mum did not have her first postpartum period yet
- she is exclusively breastfeeding her child regularly
- her baby is below 6 months old
Therefore, a woman can ovulate even if her menstruation has not returned after giving birth. This means that it is possible for a woman to become pregnant even if she has no menstruation yet after giving birth.
Birth control after giving birth
Image source: Freepik
Once the woman’s body has recovered, her wound has healed and she is ready, she can have sex again. But if you do not want to follow the baby immediately, it is better to use contraceptives during sex. According to Dr Laranang, the use of contraceptives also depends on what type will be used.
Ask your OB-gynecologist what contraceptive method you should try and when you can start it. He or she can recommend your the best contraceptive method for your situation. Read this to know more about birth control options for the breastfeeding mum.
Dr. Laranang notes that on the 6th week of giving birth, parents have to come back to talk about the family planning method they need.
ALSO READ:
Postpartum Guide: Recovering From Pain in Stitches After Delivery
Mum’s Guide on How to Care for Your Postpartum Wound – Vaginal or Cesarean Delivery
6 Simple Positions to Help Ease Painful Sex After Giving Birth
Tips to recover immediately after giving birth
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Proper cleaning of wounds and vagina
According to Dr Laranang, whether you have stitches on the vagina or not, it still needs to be cleaned thoroughly after giving birth to prevent infections.
The vagina needs to be washed 2 times a day, morning and night with mild soap and lukewarm water. A feminine wash with povidone-iodine or chlorhexidine digluconate can also be used to reduce the possibility of infection.
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Take care of your C-section wound
Usually, before sending the patient home, the wound in the abdomen is cleaned and a waterproof dressing is applied to protect it from getting wet when the mummy takes a bath. At the first checkup, it will be checked to see if it is dry and the dressing will be removed.
But even if it is dry, the wound must also be cared for while resting at home. Avoid scratching the wound to prevent infection. Also, don’t lift anything too heavy, and wear a binder to keep your stitches from opening.
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Help with bowel movements
To prevent your stitches from opening (whether your birth is normal or caesarean), avoid pushing too hard when having a bowel movement.
Eat lots of fibre-rich foods (grains, fruits, vegetables), drink plenty of water, exercise or use a mild stool softener to make bowel movements easier.
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Taking care of your breasts
For painful breasts due to frequent breastfeeding, try using a warm compress (if it feels stiff) or an ice pack (for sore nipples) to relieve the pain. Wearing comfortable clothing while feeding and using nipple cream will also help.
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Don’t forget your follow-up checkup
To make sure your wound heals and there are no complications from your childbirth, it is important that you return to your OB-Gynaecologist for a follow-up checkup.
He or she may also ask how you are feeling emotionally, to find out if you are experiencing postpartum mental disorders such as depression or anxiety. If you also have strange feelings or questions about your body after you give birth, do not be ashamed to consult your doctor.
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Relax and take care of yourself
Aside from taking care of the baby, the first week after giving birth is also a time for mum to rest. For wounds to heal quickly and your body to recover, make sure you eat right and get enough rest.
Advice from so many mothers: go to sleep when the baby is also asleep.
Also, if you want to start exercising again, make sure you get permission from your doctor first. Take it easy, mummy, and enjoy the first few days with your kid.
This article was translated by Margaux Dolores and republished with permission from theAsianparent Philippines.
Here at theAsianparent Singapore, it’s important for us to give information that is correct, significant, and timely. But this doesn’t serve as an alternative for medical advice or medical treatment. theAsianparent Singapore is not responsible for those that would choose to drink medicines based on information from our website. If you have any doubts, we recommend consulting your doctor for clearer information.
