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Postpartum menstruation can vary in flow and duration, with the first period often heavier than normal. Formula-feeding mothers tend to start menstruating earlier than nursing moms, who may not have a period for a few years. Contraception should be used even before menstruation returns.
Postpartum menstruation, especially the first period after birth, can be different from normal menstruation before pregnancy. It can start from a few weeks after birth to a few years, and the first period after birth can be different in flow and duration than in the past. While most women’s cycles eventually return to normal, the cycle can change permanently after having a child. Even before you start menstruating after childbirth, you can get pregnant.
Most women begin menstruating between one and three months after giving birth, although some women may not have a period after giving birth for a few years. This depends both on your body chemistry and whether you’re feeding formula or breast milk. Formula-feeding women often start menstruating earlier than nursing moms. This is because breastfeeding suppresses ovulation; basically, it’s nature’s way of distancing children.
Formula-feeding mothers tend to have their first period five to six weeks after giving birth. Most nursing moms start menstruating after giving birth when they start introducing other food sources, such as solids, to their baby. Others begin their period as soon as two months after giving birth or as late as six months after the baby is fully weaned. It doesn’t matter when your period starts again, your period will likely be different than it was before, especially the first one.
The first period after birth is often heavier than normal. You may pass blood clots and your period can last for more than a week. Because your body isn’t used to having a period, you may experience more cramping than you used to. While this is normal, if your period lasts longer than eight days or if you experience blood clots that seem abnormally large, let your doctor know. This could be an indication that your body has retained tissue from the placenta, which can cause an infection, or that you are experiencing a molar pregnancy.
After the first cycle, each additional cycle will likely decrease in duration and heaviness until you get back to what was normal for you. Postpartum periods can also be different from pre-pregnancy periods. Your period may be lighter and less painful than it has been in the past. In rare cases, you may have heavier periods and more cramping.
If you don’t want to get pregnant, you should use some sort of contraceptive, even if you haven’t had your first period after giving birth yet. Although less likely, it is possible to get pregnant before you start menstruating after giving birth. The type of contraceptive used depends on your specific health problems and whether you are formula or breastfeeding; talking to your doctor about birth control options during your six-week postpartum checkup, or before resuming sexual activity, is probably a good idea.
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