Thinking about your first period after birth and just postpartum recovery in general can be a little scary. Here’s exactly what you need to know about your postpartum first period!
One of the benefits to being pregnant is not getting your period every month – am I right?! But once you give birth, it is inevitable that it will return again…
This post discusses everything you need to know about your postpartum first period, whether or not a first period after c section is different than first period after vaginal birth, the best postpartum pads you can buy and first period tips you can have in your back pocket.
This post is all about postpartum first period.
Bleeding After Birth
Before we get into the details of the first period after baby, I think it’s important to talk about bleeding after birth in general. Because you will bleed for a few weeks after birth but it won’t be your postpartum first period…
What causes bleeding after birth?
Postpartum bleeding is also known as lochia. It’s a period-like discharge women have after giving birth.
It’s made up of the mucous membrane that lines the uterus during pregnancy as well as blood, endometrial lining and placental tissue.
The bleeding is a way for your body to get rid of the extra blood and tissue in your uterus that helped your baby grow.
Typically, the blood comes from the area where the placenta detached from the uterine wall during birth. This leaves a wound that needs to heal.
The endometrial lining, which thickened during pregnancy, sloughs off after birth and is similar to when you have your period.
Bleeding after c section
Bleeding after a c section is also normal and expected. Women will experience bleeding after birth regardless of if they had a vaginal birth or c section.
Although c section moms don’t give birth vaginally, the bleeding that occurs after surgery is for the same reasons discussed above – the body needs to shed the extra blood and tissue in your uterus that helped your baby grow.
How long does postpartum bleeding last?
Bleeding can last from about four to six weeks after delivery. You can expect it to be heavier in the first few days after giving birth and gradually decrease over time.
You may notice it’s heavier during certain times of the day or after you’ve been more active too. It’s just important to know the difference between normal bleeding after birth and a postpartum hemorrhage.
Warning Signs
- Large clots – It’s important to let your doctor know if your clots are bigger than plum sized so you can be evaluated and watched for potential postpartum complications.
- Foul smell – This can be a sign of an infection that will need to be treated by a doctor.
- Severe pain or fever – This can be a sign of an infection that will need to be treated by a doctor.
- Heavy bleeding – If your bleeding is increasing over time and not decreasing or you’re bleeding through more than one pad per hour, it can be a sign that something isn’t right. It’s possible that you have a postpartum hemorrhage, a bleeding disorder or problems with your uterus. It’s important to call your doctor so you can be treated right away.
Postpartum First Period
When will my first period after baby start?
Every mother is different, there is no hard and fast rule you can go by. It can take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months to even over a year after giving birth to have your first period.
Breastfeeding is also known for causing your postpartum first period to start even later than if you weren’t due to hormone levels that are present.
Are periods after birth any different than before kids?
You can expect it will take a few cycles before your period is back to “normal”. You may have more or less days in between cycles, your flow may be heavier or lighter and you may experience PMS and other symptoms differently than you did before.
If you’re experiencing differences in your cycles, don’t panic. Pregnancy, birth and postpartum cause your hormones to shift dramatically and it takes time for them to level out again.
As frustrating as it is, there is no hard and fast rule about what to expect with your postpartum first period or even the next few cycles for that matter. The best thing is to let your body do it’s thing and talk to your doctor if you’re concerned about something in particular.
Related: Everything You Need to Know About Postpartum Hormones
Why is my postpartum first period so heavy?
As discussed above, postpartum bleeding (or lochia) lasts for about four to six weeks after delivery.
Lochia is the period-like discharge women have after giving birth, which is made up of the mucous membrane that lines the uterus during pregnancy as well as blood, endometrial lining and placental tissue.The bleeding is a way for your body to get rid of the extra blood and tissue in your uterus that helped your baby grow.
Bleeding is a normal part of postpartum recovery. Even once lochia stops, your postpartum first period might still be on the heavier side as a result of changes to the uterus and mucous lining.
The heavier bleeding will eventually pass though and your periods will return to more “normal” levels. But again, it is important to talk to your doctor if you have any concerns. For some, there might be another reason for heavier periods such as growth of a fibroid or something similar.
It is also important to call your doctor if you experience any of the following:
- Large clots
- Foul smell
- Severe pain or fever
- Heavy bleeding
What does a normal period after baby look like?
“Normal” looks different for everyone, just like it did pre-baby. A woman’s average cycle is 28 days long, but it can range anywhere from 21 days to even 35 days. The same goes for how long you bleed for. There is a wide range from only 2 days up to 5+ days.
After your first few periods after baby, you should be getting closer to your pre-pregnancy “normal”. Keep in mind that if you were on birth control prior to pregnancy, it typically shortens your menstrual cycles so your new normal might be a little different until you start birth control again.
Other conditions such as PCOS and endometriosis can also impact how your periods feel.
Is the first period after c section any different?
Your first period after c section shouldn’t be any different than if you had a vaginal birth. After a c section, you will still experience the same postpartum bleeding and changes discussed above as your periods start up again.
First Period Tips
- Always be prepared with pads and/or tampons. Your first few cycles may be inconsistent so it’s a good idea to be prepared with pads and/or tampons at all times. It’s a good time to find the best postpartum pads for you too. You might also want to try this period underwear. I haven’t personally tried them yet but have been hearing women rave about them.
- Know the signs of postpartum bleeding problems. These include large clots, foul smell, severe pain or fever, and heavy bleeding.
- Expect your first few cycles won’t be “normal”. The duration and flow during your first few cycles may feel different than pre-pregnancy. Your body needs time while your hormones re-adjust and your body regulates again.
- Talk to your doctor. If you have any concerns or questions, it’s important to talk to stay in communication with your doctor. This will not only help you but it will also keep your doctor in the loop in case something more serious is occurring that he or she wants to keep an eye on.
This post was all about postpartum first period.