Can You Get Pregnant Before You Have A Period
Yes! Yes! Yes! Once your cycle comes back, you will ovulate two weeks before you get your first period, so you will have no advance warning that youre fertile! If youre not ready to get pregnant again, check out your birth control options. Hormonal birth control wont hurt your baby, but if they contain estrogen they may cause your milk supply to dip. Ask your practitioner about non-hormonal birth control methods including diaphragms, condoms, certain versions of the pill , and some IUDs, that are totally compatible with breastfeeding.
When And What To Expect About Your First Post
Meredith Shur, MD, FACOG, is board-certified in obstetrics and gynecology, as well as a certified medical examiner.
After a nine-plus-month hiatus from menstrual bleeding, your first post-baby period can come as a surprise. Without having a recent last period, it is hard to guess when the next one will arrive. And if you’ve had unprotected sex after the baby came, you may be nervous about getting pregnant again before you are emotionally and physically ready.
Definitions: So How Do You Define Bleeding
It’s nice that researchers like to define things. Here’s what they mean by spotting, bleeding, bleeding that’s too long, etc.
Bleeding: When we refer to menstrual “bleeding,” it means blood loss that requires you to wear sanitary protection like a tampon, pad, or pantiliner. The period blood might look red in color, as it’s probably fresh blood.
Spotting: When we say “spotting,” it means that the blood loss is so small that you wouldn’t have to wear any type of sanitary protection – not even pantyliners. The spotting could look like a brown discharge, the kind that appears towards the end of your period when the blood is “older” since it’s been there longer.
An episode of bleeding/spotting: You may have irregular spotting or bleeding during the month on birth control. Here’s how you can define an “episode” of the spotting or bleeding: The episode is preceded by 2 regular days without any spotting/bleeding and followed up by 2 days straight without any spotting/bleeding.
Infrequent bleeding: Fewer than 3 bleeding or spotting episodes in 3 months
Prolonged bleeding: Here’s something to note. If you’re thinking your period on birth control is going on too long, “prolonged” bleeding is defined as any bleeding/spotting episode lasting more than 2 weeks in 3 months.
Frequent bleeding: More than 5 bleeding or spotting episodes in 5 months.
Amenorrhea: This the medical term for when you don’t have your period in 3 months.
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Is Spotting And Discharge Normal After Birth
Absolutely. Even if youâre in great shape and well-prepared to give birth, your body will need to go through a major recovery process. Labor is the ultimate workout, so your muscles will be achy. If you had a vaginal delivery, youâll be extremely tender. And if you had stitches, they will be painful and take time to heal. During the first four weeks postpartum, you will notice a pink-brown discharge called lochia. This is totally normal. Even though it might look like a period, it isnâtâjust the natural process of your uterus shedding blood, mucus, and tissue after birth. Just be sure to wear a pad and change it often.
Number : Can You Miss Your Period On Birth Control
For sure, you can miss your period on birth control. Global health experts say that different types of menstrual changes, including the absence of a period, are expected when you’re on birth control. It is common to miss your period while using a hormonal birth control method.
Doctors say that when you use hormonal contraception unless you have concerning symptoms, you should not assume that the absence of bleeding by itself is a sign of pregnancy. But if you’re worried, you should ask your doctor about it.
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Number : What’s Normal For A Period On Birth Control
The UK National Health Service says that irregular bleeding, like bleeding between periods, is common when you first start to take hormonal contraception like birth control pills, the patch, or the shot (Depo-Proveraâ¢.
Here are some facts about bleeding irregularities when you take birth control pills:
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Overall, birth control pills should decrease how much you bleed.
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Irregular bleeding is a common side effect during the first 3 to 6 months of taking the pill. It’s so common that 30-50% of women experience it.
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The good news is that irregular bleeding will lessen or go away with time, usually after 3 months, when only 10-30% of women experience unscheduled bleeding.
It may be helpful to describe what bothersome bleeding can look like when you’re on birth control:
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Spotting
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Unscheduled bleeding when you’re bleeding between periods or while taking active pills
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Short periods
Are Spotting And Discharge Normal After Giving Birth
Absolutely. Even if youâre in great shape and well-prepared to give birth, your body will need to go through a major recovery process. Labour is the ultimate workout, so your muscles will be achy. If you had a vaginal delivery, youâll be extremely tender, and if you had stitches, they will be painful and take time to heal. During the first four weeks postpartum, you will notice a pink-brown discharge called lochia. This is totally normal. Even though it might look like a period, it isnât â just the natural process of your uterus shedding blood, mucous, and tissue after youâve given birth. Just be sure to wear a pad and change it often.
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What Will My First Period After Labour Be Like
You first period may be different from how your period was before.
You may have:
- irregular periods especially if it returns while you’re breastfeeding
- cramping this may be worse or better than before you were pregnant
- heavier periods
- small blood clots in your periods
If you have blood clots in your period, or have much heavier blood loss than you have had before, you should speak to your midwife, health visitor or GP.
How Will You Know If Something Is Wrong With Your Postpartum Period
If you notice the below-mentioned symptoms during menstrual cycles post-childbirth, something could be wrong with your periods and you should seek medical help at earliest.
- A fever
- Bleeding continuously for more than a week
- Severe and sudden bouts of pain
- A foul-smelling discharge
- Bigger blood clots
- Pain while urinating
- Trouble while breathing
- A severe headache
All the above-mentioned may be symptoms of any medical complications such as infection, retained placenta, or tubal pregnancy hence one must consult a doctor at earliest!
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More Nursing = Longer Without Menstruation
If you do breastfeed, youll get a longer menstrual holiday. Thats because during breastfeeding the hormone prolactin is made which suppresses the thickening of the uterine lining and ovulation. The duration and frequency of the feeds, if you also nurse at night and if your baby only gets breast milk or also other food all decide when your period will start. Also other factors like your age, diet, fitness, stress levels and the physical closeness of your baby, play a role. Some women get their menstruation despite frequent breastfeeding, whereas for others the periods dont start until theyve completely stopped nursing.
Why Is My Period Better After Having A Baby
For a few lucky women like Nicole, their periods turn from foe to friend post baby. Some endometriosis sufferers in particular see a positive change.
With endo, there are a lot of structural things that are wrong in the pelvis, says Frank, and some of those improve when everythingthe ligament, the tissue, the adhesionsrelaxes to deliver the baby. Hormonally, too, the very high progesterone state of pregnancy helps to keep the estrogen in check. And the benefits can last well beyond pregnancy. Some women with endo find their symptoms worsen, of course, with no rhyme or reason if yours do, speak to your doctor about treatment options, including the pill and Mirena.
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Periods After Pregnancy: What To Expect
One of the perks of pregnancy is not having a period. At this very busy time, not needing to buy products or battle with period pains at least for a while is one less thing for you to think about.
But what happens to your period when your little one arrives? Its easy to feel out of touch with your body and like you need advice when youre a new mum youll experience a lot of physical changes during pregnancy and childbirth! But understanding what to expect from your period can help you to feel more prepared for the journey ahead!
Why Dont Breastfeeding Moms Get Their Periods Early
Most new mothers do not get their periods after delivery while breastfeeding because of the hormonal changes. The hormone prolactin, which is present in breastfeeding moms, is essential for the production of breast milk. This hormone suppresses the reproductive hormones. Therefore, in the dearth of reproductive hormones, no eggs are released for fertilization. Without the egg, there is no menstruation thus breastfeeding moms do not get their periods quickly.
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Reasons For No Period While Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding can put off the return of your menstrual cycle for many months, a year, or even longer. It depends on your body and how often and how long you decide to breastfeed. Your period may stay away longer if you:
- Breastfeed exclusively
- Nurse both day and night
- Keep your baby close to you by baby-wearing and co-sleeping
- Avoid giving your child a bottle or a pacifier
- Refrain from supplementing with formula or water
- Hold off on starting solid foods until your little one is four to six months old
Once you are breastfeeding less often such as when your baby is sleeping through the night or you begin weaning, your period is more likely to start up again. Although, some women don’t get their period for a few months after breastfeeding has completely ended. When it finally shows up, breastfeeding more often will not get it to stop again.
Pumping or expressing breast milk by hand does not have the same effect on your body as breastfeeding does. If you choose to pump and bottle feed your baby, it will not hold off your period.
Ultimately Theres A Wide Range Of Whats Considered Normal For Both Postpartum Bleeding And Your First Real Periods After Pregnancy
Theres usually no reason to worry if your periods don’t look or feel totally like what you were used to pre-baby. But if you experience any of the below symptoms, its a good idea to check in with your doc.
- Heavy bleeding. Its common to experience heavier bleeding within the first couple of weeks after birth. However, if the heaviness continues beyond that six-to-eight week period, give your health care provider a call.
- Large clots. Passing clots is also normal, but if clots are accompanied by abnormally heavy bleeding and are larger than a walnut, it could be cause for concern, Dr. Phillips says. Pay attention to the heaviness of the blood as well as the size of the clots.
- Bleeding through multiple pads. Youre going to be using quite a few pads, both during the lochia period and once you start your period. But if you need two pads at a time post-birth and are still bleeding through them, talk to your doctor.
- Lightheadedness or fainting. If youre feeling particularly weak, lightheaded, or experiencing fainting during the postpartum period, it might be due to the heavy bleeding. This could be a sign of anemia, so check in with your ob-gyn to have a blood test.
The bottom line: Most women start to menstruate again about a month and a half to two months postpartum, though it can vary and depend on breastfeeding. Your periods may initially be heavier and more irregular, too, but will likely return to what you experienced pre-pregnancy.
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What My Period Be Like After A C
Wondering if youll experience bad periods after a C-section? The truth is that after your period returns, it can take a while for the cycle to be totally regular again. You may notice small blood clots, irregular flow, or increased period pain after a C-section. Thats because a lot of your uterine lining must shed with the return of menstruation. Some women also experience a heavy period after C-section, while others have a lighter-than-normal flow.
If youre worried about period symptoms, or if you think you should be menstruating and you’re not, give your doctor a call. Also see if your doctor for extremely heavy bleeding , very painful cramping, foul-smelling discharge. clumps bigger than golf balls, and menstruation accompanied by fever.
When Your First Postpartum Period Does Arrive You Can Expect It To Return To What It Was Like Before You Had Your Baby Though Potentially A Little Heavier
Initially, your first postpartum period might be heavier, especially if you had a C-section, Dr. Phillips says. The uterus may still be shedding its lining from pregnancy, so there might be additional blood.
There is not usually an increase in pain with your postpartum periods, though, Dr. Phillips says. The period of lochia discharge usually involves cramping, as your uterus is contracting and returning to its regular size. But often, your actual period, once it arrives, will be about the same in terms of pain, cramps, and PMS symptoms as it was before you gave birth .
In terms of regularity, youll most likely experience regular periods after birth, Dr. Phillips says, with a cycle of about 21 to 35 days in length . But this, too, can fluctuate based on breastfeeding sometimes your period will stop and start a few times before getting back to normal. Your second period after birth will tend to be more like your pre-pregnancy periods in terms of flow and length, however.
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What Factors Impact The Return Of Your Period
Besides breastfeeding, height and weight also impact the return of menstruation, says David Colombo, M.D., Director of Maternal Fetal Medicine at Spectrum Health. The form of birth control will also play a factor, he says. For example, if shes on the shot , it could be a year before it returns. What’s more, if your period wasnt regular before pregnancy, it might still be irregular after a C-section.