Return of Ypur Period After Birth

I almost posted this question a few months back... it took me 9 months this time (no birth control) and 8 months after my first (after stopping depo at 6 months).

A.,

This also freaked me out as I didn't get mine for almost a year and a half. It was ok with me, but it is now back and in ful lforce. Plus, it seems to last a longer time. I have just turned 40 in April and sometimes the period is for 4 days and then goes away for a day (still wear a pad), but then comes back for 7 more days. Please let me know if anyone else has experienced this!

I breastfed for 6 months and didn't get my period for almost a year after my son was born. Most likely nothing is wrong, but if you're concerned. just put in a call to your OBGYN.

Congrats on your little guy!

I have been wondering the same thing. It's been 5 months.

Mine came back around 9-10 months after. I nursed for 6 months and it was several months after I stopped that I started menstrating again. I know several friend who conceived their second children before they started menstrating again.

Everyone is VERY different on this front. I breastfed my son until he was 20 months old, and my period returned around 16 months.

Mine didn't come back when it was supposed to either. I went to the doctor and they gave me some hormone pill to get my period started, then I could start taking the pill again. It has been regular ever since.

I didn't get my period until Brian was about a year old. And then it was only because I started the pill again.

It's completely normal for it to take over a year, especially if you're nursing. Meanwhile, be careful about that birth control. Call your OB/GYN if you're worried, but I wouldn't worry yet.

It's got nothing to do with the exercise; your hormones are all out of whack now, and it will take some time.

Hi A.,
This really freaked me out too - I didn't get mine back until 10 months after I had my daughter, and it has never been the same as it was before I had her. It's actually better now - much lighter and almost no cramps, where I had debilitating ones before. But I wish someone had warned me! I hear about all these women getting pregnant by accident when their babies were even 3 months of age and I was starting to wonder if I'd ever get pregnant again! I asked my nurse and she said there's no time limit on when you are "supposed" to get it, it just comes back when your body is ready. You can call your doctor to be sure, but I don't think you have anything to worry about. Oh - PS, I skipped a couple of times after it started again too, my doctor said that was also normal. It steadied out by the time she was 14 months.
PPS - I am 5'6" and 105. Body fat had nothing to do with it in my case.
Best,
Mary-Claire

I breastfed my daughter as well. I breastfed her for almost two years. I didn't get my period until she was 16 months old. It was a normal one at that. Every woman's body responds differently and in due time, your period will return. I was 150 pounds ... so, not having enough fat wasn't the issue. I went to the doctor and they run every test in the book on me and everything came back to normal. Breastfeeding can suppress your period.

I breastfed/ pumped for 3 months- at 9 months I still had not had a period and my doctor gave me medication to bring it on. I have been regular ever since. I am also very active and on the thinner side since I play soccer a couple times a week.

Good Luck.

If you exercise too much and you are small like you say, you may not have enough fat on your body. As you might have heard, women have a higher % of fat than men. That is because we carry children. Interestingly enough, when you don't hav enough fat on your body, your body won't let you get pregnant. MIght be why your period stopped.

Could be other reasons, but based on the information you gave, this would be my first guess.

ENJOY IT!!! My first child, I had one period after 9 mos and then got pregnant again so that was it, but the second one it was shorter I think 7 mos. I was nursing the entire time both times. My friend just had her second and hers came back faster the second time also...nursing doesn't seem to make a difference with either. But I would make sure you aren't pregnant. It can happen without having your period return first.

A.;
Congrats on your new little man! The body goes through tremendous hormonal changes after birth. Everyone is different but you do need to get back in balance. Don't jeopardize your health by taking the pill, use a natural hormone balancing cream that is bio-identical. I have some information for you on this if you would like to check it out. It is from a 28 year old company based in Switzerland that was a pioneer in this area. Dr. John Lee also wrote several great books about hormone balancing. Most women aren't balanced and this will definitely help. Another women from this site recently had tremendous luck as her period was regulated and LESS heavy! Wow, what a great feeling that must be.

Send me your email address and I'll attach some information for you plus testimonials. It's great and it's natural. To your health,

K.