Childbirth is followed by various changes in a woman’s body, including hormonal changes that vary their menstrual cycle. What should mothers expect when their first period occurs after pregnancy? According to doctors it is different for every person and it’s tough to predict when the pregnancy cycle resumes after delivery.
“My period returned within five months post-delivery,” says Chithra S, a 31-year-old homemaker based in Oman. She had to stop breastfeeding her baby twins due to health issues. “Fortunately, my periods are now normal and light compared to the first period after delivery.”
That’s nothing to worry about, say gynecologists, who add that a common question they get to hear is “When do I get my periods?” from new mothers.
Breastfeeding and the post-delivery period
“If a mother is exclusively breastfeeding her child, chances are that her period may be delayed for six to eight months or even a year,” explains Dr Neha Pawar, Consultant Gynaecologist, Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, Mumbai. She added that the lactation hormone, prolactins, suppresses the period hormones, estrogen and progesterone.
“Both the prolactin hormones and period hormones are secreted from the pituitary gland situated in the brain. When the prolactin hormone levels are high, especially during breastfeeding it stops periods and ovulation,” adds Dr Pawar.
When breastfeeding is not a viable option, periods may return sooner. “Women who bottle feed their children can expect their period within six to eight weeks,” says Dr Sushma Tomar, Consultant – Obstetrician & Gynecologist, Fortis Hospital, Mumbai.
Post-delivery period: What to understand
When compared to the regular pre-pregnancy menstrual cycle, there will be some notable changes in the first period after pregnancy. Doctors say that periods, after delivery, will be painful, heavier in flow and can even have small clots of blood.
“Clotting is completely common in your post-delivery period and nothing to worry about,” explains Dr Sushma. “This is because the endometrium (the lining of the uterus) becomes thicker during those nine months of pregnancy. So, when it sheds, it comes out as clots.” She adds that placental or any membrane remains also cause severe cramping and clotting during the first period after delivery.
Fortunately, the cramping and heavy flow reduces gradually, even when compared to pre-pregnancy menstrual cycle. “Before pregnancy, I used to experience heavy and painful periods,” recalls Laxmi Sharma, 32, a new mom from Gurugram. When she stopped breastfeeding to return to work after six months, her periods returned. “Now my periods are quite irregular but I don’t experience painful period cramps like before. I do however have leg cramps that are bearable,” says Sharma, an account director in a private firm.
Though the first period after childbirth could be scanty and irregular, they will be relatively painless, says Dr Neha. “Periods before pregnancy are painful for a lot of women because the mouth of the uterus (cervix) is tightly closed. During childbirth, the cervix loosens up, giving relief from period cramps post-delivery. After some time, the periods become regular too,” she said.
Pregnancy after childbirth? Possible
It’s possible to get pregnant even if you haven’t gotten your period for quite some time while breastfeeding.
“While the periods post-delivery take about eight to nine months, almost 60-90% of working women get their period within four or five months,” explains Dr Vidya V Bhat, Medical Director, Radhakrishna Multispeciality Hospital, Bengaluru. She says this is because they begin feeding their child solid foods, reducing the need for breastfeeding and increasing period hormones in the body.
So, she advises the use of contraceptive methods after the third month. “This is because there is a chance of ovulation, right after their lactational amenorrhea (the temporary period when women don’t menstruate, especially while breastfeeding or during pregnancy).”
Lochia: It is not your period
After delivery, many women experience immense discharge of blood for about four weeks. This is called lochia. According to doctors, this is not to be mistaken for menstruation. “Lochia discharge is characterised by clotting and shedding of the uterine lining. This is because the uterus was enlarged for 36 weeks and it takes about three months for it to heal and for a new uterine lining to develop,” Dr Sushma explains.
“Lochia can be heavy when it begins and the discharge reduces and changes over the months. As soon as lochia stops and you stop breastfeeding, your first period after pregnancy returns,” adds Dr Neha.
Takeaways
- Your first period after pregnancy will return as soon as you stop breastfeeding.
- Periods after pregnancy are characterised by heavy bleeding, clotting and sometimes pain, which is completely normal.
- Lochia is a bloody discharge that occurs immediately post-delivery and lasts for four weeks.
