6 answers

Erratic Periods During Weaning

I have been breastfeeding for the past year. I have been slowly weaning for the past 6 weeks. I have also been on the progesterone only birth control pill since my 6 week appt. I got my period back for the first time 4 weeks ago, then again 2 weeks ago, and I wake up this morning and oila! my period. Has anyone else experienced this with weaning. She is down to one feeding right before bed that I plan on cutting out Thursday. My main concerns are the effectiveness of my birth control during this time and the cramping I'm experiencing with the periods. I'll be putting in a call to the doc when they open, but any words of experience would be appreciated. Thanks :)

What can I do next?

More Answers

A.,

I thought that I couldn't possibly get pregnant while on the progestrone birth control and weaning my 4th baby. I was wrong! No one told me that my birth control wouldn't be as effective if I started weaning. I think I just figured that as long as I was breastfeeding still, and on the pill, the chances would be less. As for erratic periods, that is also normal. I am a mother of five now, and have experienced that more than once. I have heard that a side effect of birth control pills is irregular bleeding. BTW, If you are not planning on having another baby soon, you may want to talk to your doctor to see about getting on a regular birth control pill.

From what iI have read you HAVE to change bc pills once you have weaned or you can get pregnant. I read an srticle from a parent mag. editor and she weaned and did not change from the progesterone only pill and got pregnant. i had speratic periods while bf. Like every 6 weeks for a few months but then they became regular.

its normal for this to happen but once you stop taking the progesterone pills and start taking regular birth control ones then you can stop breast feeding your milk will dry up and then the periods will act normally again but sometimes it takes a whole year to get back on track for sure! But dosent always take a year!

Your doctor will probably change your birth control to include estrogen. I was told when I tried the progesterone only pill that I might have frequent bleeding. It sounds like this is exactly what is happening now that the milk supply is diminishing. Calling your doctor is the best decision. Hope this helps, B.

My period returned when my son was 14 months. My period was always regular prior to this. So once it started I thought it would be, but took about 3 or 4 periods to get regular. I was going 45 days and it was pretty frustrating not know what my hormones were up to. My doc said this was normal due to weaning. It is amazing what your hormones can do! Give your body time to adjust.
I think the mini pill, which is what you are on, should be changed once you go down to 2 feedings a day.

Get on the regular Pill ASAP! I got pregnant with my 3rd within 6 weeks of weaning even though I took the Pill perfectly. Call your Dr today and use a back-up method!

Required Fields

Our records show that we already have a Mamapedia or Mamasource account created for you under the email address you entered.

Please enter your Mamapedia or Mamasource password to continue signing in.

Required Fields

, you’re almost done...

Since this is the first time you are logging in to Mamapedia with Facebook Connect, please provide the following information so you can participate in the Mamapedia community.

As a member, you’ll receive optional email newsletters and community updates sent to you from Mamapedia, and your email address will never be shared with third parties.

By clicking "Continue to Mamapedia", I agree to the Mamapedia Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.