Just Wondering: When Does Your Period Come Back After Having a Baby?
Still, all good things must come to an end.
After you give birth, your time of the month will return eventually.
Butwhen exactlywill you get your first period after baby?
Thats a little trickier to predict.
When do you get your period back after birth?
The main factor that influences when your period returns is breastfeeding or pumping, says Dr. Loudon.
When you nurse or pump milk, your body produces prolactina hormone that helps you make milk.
And this can delay your period.
The main factor that influences when your period returns is breastfeeding.
Holly Loudon, MD, MPH, OB/GYN
Do you get your period while breastfeeding or chestfeeding?
Yes, you’re able to get your period while breastfeeding or pumping, says Dr. Loudon.
associate professor and chair of obstetrics, gynecology, and reproductive science at Mount Sinai West and Mount Sinai Morningside.
But it might take a whilemonths or morebefore it comes back.
The lactation hormone prolactin is the reason for this delay.
Well, when you combo feed, youre usually producing less milk.
So, can you get pregnant while breastfeeding or chestfeeding?
And it can happen as soon as three weeks after you give birth, according to the NHS.
Thats because you’ve got the option to ovulate without knowing.
This is because your body stops ovulating when you exclusively nurse or pump, according toPlanned Parenthood.
No ovulation equals no pregnancy.
Which forms of birth control can you use while breastfeeding or chestfeeding?
Most experts suggest holding off on getting pregnant again soon after giving birth.
Heres why: When you conceive in the postpartum period, your body hasnt fully healed or recovered.
This raises your babys risk of premature birth and infant mortality, according to UT Southwestern Medical Center.
To be safe, its recommended to wait at least 12 to 18 months before another pregnancy.
People who breast- or chestfeed are more likely to have irregular periods when theyre postpartum.
This has to do with lower levels of estrogen in your body, according to UT Southwestern Medical Center.
Thanks to these hormonal changes, lactating can also cause intermittent ovulation, says Dr. Loudon.
This means your period may start and then disappear again for a bit, she says.
It really shouldnt, says Dr. Loudon.
As long as youre feeding or pumping frequently, your milk production should stay strong.
In most cases, these changes are totally normal, temporary, and nothing to worry about.
These can be indicators of an infection.
FAQ
How long should your first period after birth last?
If you bleed longer than seven days, tell your OB/GYN or midwife, says Dr. Loudon.
They can check you out to see if theres an underlying issue causing prolonged periods.
Do you ovulate while breastfeeding or chestfeeding?
It depends on whether youre exclusively feeding/pumping or not.
Again, this is thanks to the hormone prolactin.
Prolactin prevents your body from producing higher levels of other hormones like estrogen that control your periods.
Most people start ovulating within six weeks after giving birth, per UT Southwestern Medical Center.
Can your period start then stop again while breastfeeding or chestfeeding?
Just when you think your periods are getting back to normal, they may suddenly go away again.
Thats because breast/chestfeeding or pumping can cause intermittent ovulation, says Dr. Loudon.
Meaning, sometimes your ovaries release an egg, and sometimes they dont.
When they do, youll get a period; when they dont, your period will be on pause.
How long can you go without a period while breastfeeding or chestfeeding?
But, again, everyone is different.
Some people see their periods return as early as six months postpartum (even when theyre exclusively breast/chestfeeding).
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