periods after childbirth: better understanding the return from childbirth

Immediately after childbirth, women experience heavy bleeding. This bleeding is very abundant during the first 5 to 7 days of the immediate post-partum period, and lasts between 3 and 4 weeks. But this is not periods ! So when do periods really return after baby?

What is the return of childbirth after childbirth?

Visit return of diapers and the name given to first menses that return after the birth of a mother who has not had periods speaker. After carrying life for 9 months following the arrival of the baby, the hormonal system gradually returns to normal. The body begins to produce estrogen and progesterone which are essential hormones for cycle operation. Fertility and periods are back.

When do periods begin after childbirth?

he reappearance of periods after lhe arrival of a baby is very important. difficult to predict from one menstruating person to another and will also depend on various factors such asbreastfeeding and your hormonal system ! In the maternity hospital where you'll be giving birth, midwives, gynaecologists or nursery assistants may explain that menstrual discharge is a serious problem. may return between 6 and 8 weeks after birth. A few facts and figures :

• Ovulation does not occur until the 21st day after birth.
• 92% of women who don't breastfeed have their menstrual periods return every 3 months.
• 1 in 4 womenbefore their child is 6 months old
• Finally, the remaining women have them after 9 months.

Differentiating periods from bleeding and lochia

For many moms, periods after baby's arrival is often confused with lochia, which is bleeding that becomes more abundant 10 to 12 days after childbirth and lasts for 48 hours.
It is theexpulsion of pregnancy residues under the effect of uterine contractions. These can be quite uncomfortable, after you've already undergone hours of contractions during labor! These bloody discharges through the cervix contain blood and blood clots, which are uterine residue and debris from the placental membrane. The lochia takes on different appearances and colors over the days: first bright red or black, then light-colored, then pinkish, and finally the vaginal secretions become white or yellowish or dark brown and very scanty. Lochia are completely natural and allow the uterus to return to its original size! They occur when the baby is delivered vaginally or by Caesarean section.

What's periods like after returning from childbirth?

All menstruating women are different. The periods may return smoothly, with light discharge, or the flow of blood may be much heavier than before pregnancy. Menstrual flow may be completely disrupted.

Menstrual flow may be lighter, heavier and more irregular. Menstrual periods after your stay in the maternity ward may be more viscous, containing blood clots from the healing of the uterine wall.

It will probably take a few cycles for your body to regain stability and regularity. As with the first periods, the whole hormonal system has to be reset.

The impact of breastfeeding on periods

When a mother breastfeeds her baby, the child's suction during suckling increases, stimulating the secretion of prolactin to promote milk production. This hormone also has the effect of blocking ovulation and the menstrual cycle.

It is possible to have an impact on the onset of menstruation by practicing the LAM method, which is the breastfeeding and amenorrhea method. This method is used both as a contraceptive and to manage the return of childbirth. Keep in mind that the woman must feed her baby exclusively at the breast, without giving him a bottle of artificial milk or solid food. Breastfeeding must be on demand, day and night, with a minimum of 6 feeds a day and a maximum of 6 hours between feeds at night, and 4 hours during the day.

What contraception should I choose after giving birth?

After childbirth, if you don't want to become pregnant again and are resuming sexual activity, we recommend that you use contraception. You will be offered contraception at the maternity hospital, and the subject will be discussed with your gynecologist or health care professional 6 weeks later. This is a very important subject, as you may be fertile before your menstrual flow starts! Fertilization and a new pregnancy are therefore quite possible.
Some contraception methods you can use after giving birth:

• The condom is THE safest contraception after childbirth
• Use of the hormonal estrogen-progestin pill (not before 1? months post-delivery) or the progestin-only pill from day 21 post-delivery.
• Progestin-only contraception should not be used before 1? months for breast-feeding mothers.
• A copper or hormonal IUD can be inserted in the 2nd month after childbirth.
• Implant placement
• Spermicides
• The MAMA method
• Thevaginal ring
• Contraceptive patches
• Contraceptive injections

Discuss your best contraception options with your doctor after ldelivery.

Is the absence of periods after returning from childbirth normal?

After the first real periods after childbirth, the menstrual cycle gradually returns to normal.
As we saw earlier, menstruation can be irregular at first, and it takes several cycles for it to stabilize.
However, it should be noted that theabsence of monthly blood flow, also known asamenorrhea, can be the symptom of several periods disorders or a new pregnancy!
The absence of discharge is normal in the following situations:

• During pregnancy
• During part ofbreastfeeding, if exclusive
• Before puberty
• After the menopause

The various causes of amenorrhea after the first menstrual flow are :

• A new pregnancy!
• Polycystic ovary syndrome or PCOS
• Stress
• Extreme weight gain oranorexia
• hormonal disturbance of the hypothalamus, pituitary gland or ovaries

In any case, if your periods are absent after these first post-delivery periods, consult your doctor or medical referent!

 

FAQ periods after childbirth

When do periods return after childbirth?

What are the signs of a return from childbirth?

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