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Menstruation after birth |
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Anonymous Author (January 2007) |
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Hi all, i was just wondering how long does it take after you have a baby to get your monthly cycle back i had my periods for 51/2 weeks after having olivia she is now 3 months
We all get postpartum bleeding after we give birth. This
isn't considered a period as such and will be heavy and uncomfortable. Think of it as natures way of saying "heres your 9 months all at once".
As for when the peroid returns after giving birth depends on you and your body. Whether your baby is breastfeeding and whether they are on solids. If you are sup feeding with bottles and whether they sleep through the night.
Some people get their normal period after a few weeks. Others it can take months and sometimes years. It depends on a few factors.
BREASTFEEDING
Breastfeeding supresses your period. Some people have no period at all while they are feeding. Some get it once the baby sleeps through the night or goes onto solid food. Once you get your first period they can also be very irregular while you breast feed. This is very normal.
One thing i would like to chuck in hear is a silly myth that I heard a lot while feeding my boys. NO your milk does NOT get sour or go bad once your period returns. This is rubbish. If someone tells you that, Laugh. It is also does not loose its goodness. You might notice a few days before your peroid that your milk will drop a little. That is normal and will return to normal as soon as you start your cycle again.
BOTTLEFEEDING
If you bottle feed your period will return a lot faster. 80% of mothers periods return within 10 weeks after the birth if they do not breast feed.
HORMONES
Everyones hormone levels are different and this does effect how long it will take to menstruate.
One thing to remember, as soon as you get that first period remember you are now fertile. Also sometimes you can get a peroid without ovulating. Some mums will ovulate then get a period. This is how some people get caught out with surprise pregnancy. Always assume you are fertile and don't rely on the breastfeeding contraceptive method.
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