Menstruation after childbirth

During pregnancy, due to changes in the hormonal background, all systems of the female body are rebuilt. And after giving birth, everything begins to gradually return to its normal state. This also applies to menstrual function. The first menstruation after childbirth is a sign that the woman’s body is recovering and returning to normal.

How long does it take for the first period after childbirth

The time after which the first menstruation begins after childbirth depends on whether the woman is breastfeeding or not.

When breastfeeding

In breastfeeding mothers, the first menstruation usually occurs 6-12 months after the birth of a child. But, as practice shows, sometimes the timing of the start of the cycle can vary greatly. In some women and with active lactation, menstruation begins after 4 months.

With artificial feeding

If a woman for some reason does not breastfeed a child, the menstrual cycle usually occurs 3-4 months after childbirth. However, here, too, everything is individual. It is believed that normal critical days after childbirth come no earlier than 2 months later.

Marina Uchava, obstetrician-gynecologist, head of the gynecological department of the Polyclinic of the FGAU “NMIC LRC” of the Ministry of Health of Our Country comments:

– The first menstruation after childbirth in all women begins in different ways. It depends on the method of delivery (caesarean section or natural childbirth), because of this it may cause problems with the first arrival of milk and many mothers refuse lactation during this period.

If the lactation process is established (regardless of the method of delivery), menstruation may not come during the entire period of breastfeeding. This is especially common in women who are breastfeeding their baby during all feedings. When complementary foods begin or night feeding is removed, the concentration of prolactin in the blood drops in a woman and the first menstruation begins.

After childbirth, the cycle may differ from the prenatal period. It can be unstable if feeding is still going on to some extent. But most often, with normal feeding with classic complementary foods, the first menstruation after childbirth comes in 6-8 months. There are cases that without breastfeeding, menstruation comes already 2-3 months after childbirth.

What can be menstruation after childbirth

Every woman has a different menstrual cycle. The features of the cycle depend on various factors: genetics, age, hormonal levels, health status, and so on. But after pregnancy and childbirth, the nature of menstruation may change. For example, at first, the cycle may be unstable.

Painful periods

A common situation for the first menstruation after childbirth is increased soreness (1). The cause of pain in the lower abdomen may be a caesarean section. The fact is that during menstruation, the uterus contracts, including in the area of ​​uXNUMXbuXNUMXbthe scar, which has not yet healed enough. Also, during childbirth, women sometimes experience ruptures, sprains and muscles, which can cause pain during critical days.

Painful periods after childbirth may indicate inflammation in the uterine cavity or other diseases. Sometimes this is a signal of the occurrence of adhesions. Therefore, if you experience symptoms such as fever, weakness and headache, you should immediately seek medical help.

Abundant periods

Often the first menstruation after childbirth is more abundant than usual. Although changes in the cycle after childbirth are the norm, it is necessary to pay attention to some symptoms. After all, heavy periods can lead to weakness and anemia (3). It is necessary to consult a doctor in case of very intense bleeding (when you have to change the pad with a maximum degree of absorption every hour), as well as in case of large blood clots.

irregular periods

In the first time after childbirth, many women experience irregular periods. Normalization of the cycle usually occurs within the first 2-3 months after the resumption of menstruation. The balance in the endocrine system comes gradually, especially in nursing mothers.

Marina Uchava explains:

– If a woman in the prenatal period was characterized by dysmenorrhea (painful menstruation), endometriosis in combination with fibroids, bending of the uterus, and so on, then painful menstruation with a regular cycle and a normal amount of menstruation, without fever and general normal well-being may be the norm.

A visit to the doctor is necessary if menstruation began to come with delays, became more or less plentiful, clots or impurities appeared in the form of serous secretions, the nature of the blood changed (darker blood or bright scarlet appeared), an increase in temperature occurs. All these signs indicate a possible inflammatory postpartum process, the formation of postpartum polyps and other serious problems.

How long do periods last after childbirth

There is no standard menstrual cycle length for all women. On average, the first menstruation after childbirth lasts no longer than usual, that is, approximately 3-7 days. Of course, at first, small failures are possible due to hormonal changes in the body, there is nothing to worry about. Over time, everything should return to the usual prenatal pace.

Is it possible to get pregnant during menstruation after childbirth

Pregnancy after childbirth can occur for various reasons. It depends on the concentration of prolactin in the body of a woman, which is produced during breastfeeding. The more prolactin, the lower the chance of getting pregnant. That is, breastfeeding is not a reliable method of contraception, since ovulation can occur even in the absence of menstruation. You should also take care of yourself during menstruation, because pregnancy can occur due to some hormonal disorders.

Gynecologists do not recommend getting pregnant immediately after childbirth. On average, a woman needs at least 1,5-2 years to fully recover. Therefore, the need for contraception occurs almost immediately – somewhere in 2-3 months after birth (2).

Popular questions and answers

Marina Uchava, obstetrician-gynecologist, head of the gynecological department of the Polyclinic of the FGAU “NMIC LRC” of the Ministry of Health of Our Country, answered questions from readers of Healthy Food Near Me about the postpartum period.

Sources of

1. M.A. Bologov, G.A. Penjoyan. Clinical factors in the development of labor anomalies and stress. https://cyberleninka.ru/article/n/klinicheskie-faktory-razvitiya-anomaliy-rodovoy-deyatelnosti-i-stress
2. Chernukha E.A. Normal and pathological postpartum period: a guide. – M.: Geotar-Media, 2006.
3. C. Breymann, C. Honegger, W. Holzgreve, D. Surbek. Diagnosis and treatment of iron-deficiency anaemia during pregnancy and postpartum // Arch Gynecol Obstet. 2010. Vol. 282 (5).