A Closer Look at Your Periods After Pregnancy and Childbirth

Nursery themes, baby names, to breastfeed or not to breastfeed — there are many things to consider when expecting. Unfortunately, you should add your periods to the list. 

It’s been great not having to worry about pads and tampons for a while, but your period will return someday, and Dr. Caleigh Rodriguez and our team want you to get prepared. 

Here’s our comprehensive guide to all things postpartum periods. 

Return of the menstrual cycle

How and when your period comes back after giving birth depends on whether or not you’re breastfeeding. Here’s what you can expect either way. 

For the exclusive breastfeeders

After you’ve delivered your baby, your body releases a hormone called prolactin, which alerts the milk glands to start producing. As long as you breastfeed, your body continues making prolactin. 

High levels of prolactin in your system prevent ovulation — and if you’re not ovulating, you won’t get your period, at least not right away. 

Depending on how long you breastfeed and how frequently your baby nurses, you might not see your period for a few months. Once your baby starts to wean and the prolactin levels in your body drop, your period should return. 

For the hybrid and non-breastfeeders

If you aren’t breastfeeding (or breastfeeding regularly), your period likely returns quickly. You may start ovulating as early as four weeks postpartum and likely won’t experience fertile ovulation until your next cycle. 

Your period postpartum

Once your period does return, things might look a bit different than you’re used to.

Your period gets worse

After birth, your uterus is bigger than before, which can cause more endometrium (the lining inside your uterus) to shed during your period. Structural defects, thickening of the uterus, and even thyroid disorders can trigger worse periods postpartum.

Your period improved

Some notice lighter periods or no periods at all. The intense stretching and dilation of the uterus and cervix are sometimes enough to pump the breaks in your flow.

You can also blame a lighter on two complications: Sheehan's and Asherman's syndrome. 

Sheehan's syndrome is primarily a problem with your pituitary gland that stems from severe blood loss or low blood pressure and affects normal ovary function and menstrual cycles.  

Asherman's syndrome results from scar tissue in the uterus lining and is especially prevalent in women who’ve had dilatation and curettage (D&C).

Remember that changes to your flow can also be the result of new birth control methods. Your periods also change as you get older. 

Either way, you should talk to Dr. Rodriguez about your postpartum periods so we can help you find a way back to normal. 

Your fertility postpartum

Fertility and menstruation go hand in hand, so it’s not uncommon for our patients to ask us about their chances of getting pregnant postpartum. 

The bottom line is that you can get pregnant before your period returns. You ovulate before your period reappears, so you could be fertile and not realize it. 

What about breastfeeding as birth control?

If you’re breastfeeding, you can consider it a form of birth control — kind of. As long as you’re not bleeding after delivery, are exclusively breastfeeding, and are less than six months postpartum, breastfeeding as a method of birth control carries a 2% risk of pregnancy. 

Still, we recommend waiting six weeks to have sex again and using backup methods of birth control if you’re not ready for the next baby. Women who’ve had a C-section may want to wait closer to a year before getting pregnant again to avoid undue stress on the uterus. 

The best news is that you don’t have to navigate any part of postpartum. We’re proud to offer comprehensive women’s health services for every stage of life. 

If you’re concerned about how your period has changed since having a baby or want more information on what to expect, call our friendly staff at 830-745-4631 or use our online booking feature to schedule a consultation today. We proudly serve families in the New Braunfels, Texas, area.