Body Changes After Having Second Child

Hi E., I started getting my period around the 12th month of breastfeeding.Mine was and still is heavy for the first 3 days. I have to wear a super or plus tampon plus a pad. I only cramp for a day or so. Try some tylenol. Mabeye that can give some relief. It sounds like you are just getting a more intense period. I also use a heating pad on my belly sometimes. Take care and hope they get better.

I had the same problem after the birth of my first. I went to my OB-Gyn and they wanted me to do a sonogram to rule out fibroids. It ended up being nothing to be concerned about but I would still get yours checked out. They were able to give me a medicine that lightened the flow and eliminated the cramps altogether. Better safe than sorry. Hope that helps!

That happened to me with my first born. I swore my periods got heavier! When I asked my midwife about it, this is what she said. Since giving birth our vaginal canal was larger, which means we need to use larger tampon. And with more space down there the blood can flow quicker. Keigels keigels keigels! (Not sure on the spelling)

Hi E.,
I'm sorry you're going through that...it's a total pain in the neck! I had my first 3 1/2 years ago and prior to him I was very regular (could set my watch by it), had 4 to 5 day cycles, and no cramping (or minimal for about an hour the first day if any that cycle). In college I had one time of an irregular period where I had my period for 14 days and it was heavy...I was totally anemic (so if you're heavy, make sure to keep your iron levels up) and had to change myself so often I was sore! Okay, so fast forward to these past 2 1/2 years (i nursed Robbie for a year and never had a period). I was having terrible pains, even while I nursed. Once I stopped nursing I got my period, it was irregular (from 2 weeks between to 6 weeks between mostly heavy and the cramps would send me to bed all day for at least 2 days) Turns out I had endometriosis and was annovulatory part of the time. We just adopted our 2nd child after trying IUIs and IVFs since we couldn't conceive, and my cycle is just now getting back to normal (could be the hormones managed to push me back to the 4 week cycles with 2 days spotting (never had that before and it's a pain, but a panty liner works okay), 2-4 days bleeding. I would say get checked out, I know I put it off for months and while I doubt I made it worse, it was good to find out what in the world was going on. Good luck and take care of yourself.
M.

After having any children i was told by a dr if your period is consistently heavy to the point of changing pad once an hr or so you need to get in touch with them. THey say that heavy bleeding is ok to a point...especially if the pain or cramping is worse as well. I would advise you have the visit have them check you out it was a mind easer going through similar situation after a baby boy 2 years ago.
much love
L.

Hi E.,

I nursed my daughter Lucy until she was thirteen months, had one period and then was pregnant with our second. The one period I had wasn't much different from my periods prior to pregnancy. I have yet to start my period again because I'm still nursing my younger daughter Sylvie and I also wonder how it will be. So while I don't have my own experiences to share about changes in periods, my mom had to use super-sized tampons and pads after she had the three of us. I'm going to the ob/gyn on Sept 21. I'll ask with you in mind and send you a second response (God help me remember!)

Good luck.

J. O.

My cycle changed after my 2nd child too. It became heavier, less predictable, & crampy. After about 6 months it did seem to ease up some, has become closer to a 28 day cycle & I have noticed that certain foods effect cramping. (I definately don't eat chocolate when I start getting strong craveings- I will have a lot more cramping if I do) I think my body just needed to get used to having a period again after not for almost 2 years (pregnancy & nursing). I remember questioning my OBGYN & she told me to buy a bottle of Premsyn & give it a few months. I have never cared for her passive reaction towards many of my concerns but she seemed to be right again. I only use one dose of Premsyn at the onset of my period now & not even for every one. This may sound weird but I think eating almonds for snack (a couple of handfulls a day) a few days before & the 1st day of helps ease the cramping a lot. You may find other things work better with your body. I know some who swear excercise helps regulate theirs. Because you are hesitant to go to the Dr you may want to give it a few more cycles, to give your body time to "get back into the routine" Good luck

Dear E.,
I am in the same boat!! Honestly, I think it gets worse with every childbirth...it has for me. I had my third child nine months ago, along with a tubal ligation. Now I have severe mood swings, cramping, and HEAVY flow. I never had these problems before. I was one of those people who you'd never know it was that time of month- now LOOKOUT!!! Unless you are soaking through a pad or more in three hours or less, I was told by my doctor not to worry. I too worry about almost everything and have my doctor on speed dial!! I've tried Tampax Super Absorbancy, and they seem to work the best. I hope this helps. Hang in there!!

PS> I can also relate about sending your little one off to school...it gets easier too!!

K.

Hello! I would like to start by saying that if this is a strange development then you should probably go to the doctor, just to make sure that there aren't any serious issues. On the other hand, the same thing happened to me. From the day I started having a period until I got pregnant, I was regular and on a four day light cycle. After my daughter was born, boy did things change! She just turned nine and since my peiod returned, about 6 weeks after I gave birth, my period has lasted anywhere from 7 to 11 days and is extremely heavy, with cramping that can send me straight to bed. Somedays I have to rely on those Super deluxe tampons combined WITH a pad. I see my doc regularly and have had all the checkups and tests that they thought they could do, concluding that although it's a pain and inconvient that's just how my body deals with it's cycle now. There are birth control pills out now that can slow cycles down to almost nothing or just four times a year and sometimes your body will re-adjust - that's what my ob/gyn says anyway - I'm still waiting. I hope this helps!

I had a similar experience after the birth of my first daughter. I was bleeding so heavily, I would go through many super plus tampons in an hours time and had bad cramping. As it turned out, after seeing my OB_GYN, she suggested I needed a D&C. After having the procedure, my periods basically went back to normal. I subsequently had another healthy pregnancy and am now mom to two beautiful girls. I have been told that this is a fairly common occurrence.