How does the first period begin after childbirth? Menstruation after pathological pregnancy or childbirth

Early periods are those that occur a few weeks after birth. The menstrual cycle does not always remain the same after the baby is born. The appearance of the first menstruation depends on lactation.

Features of the first menstruation after childbirth and their impact on the female body

Every pregnant woman is concerned about her health. The first period after childbirth is the most important aspect of her anxiety. When they begin is difficult to answer - each organism is unique. The first periods after childbirth, what will they be like? Their arrival is subject to many factors. Factors such as lactation, difficult childbirth, illness, surgery, and individual characteristics of the body are important.

The onset of menstruation after childbirth is the body’s readiness for the next pregnancy. from 21 to 35 days is normal. The resumption of all processes begins after the release of lochia, which occurs on average 7-10 weeks. At this time, the functions of the mammary glands, genitourinary system, endocrine, and nervous systems are improved. All processes should return to normal.

Determined by the following factors:

The norm is the first menstruation after childbirth after the established period: no earlier than 7-10 weeks, in a volume of up to 150 ml. The nature of the discharge should not differ from what it was before pregnancy. On the first day, during the first two hours, a small amount of spotting and spotting appears, then it takes on the natural appearance of blood.

Menstruation ends in the same way: during the last 1-2 hours, the discharge becomes lighter and stops altogether. The duration of the first postpartum period is usually 3-6 days, but it all depends on physiology. Deviations from the norm are considered to be too much or very little discharge, severe pain, itching, and fever. These signs indicate an inflammatory process or other pathology and are serious reasons for visiting a doctor.

The connection between menstruation and breastfeeding

Presence is not a typical phenomenon, but is not recognized as a deviation. At this time, prolactin dominates in the woman’s body. This is the hormone responsible for the formation of mother's milk. It prevents the release of the corpus luteum and the onset of ovulation, therefore, menstruation should not occur.

The appearance of the first blood during breastfeeding is not always a sign of recovery of the body. A common cause of this condition is a failure of hormonal regulation. Menstruation may occur when the baby is fed on demand, when water or formula is added to his diet. However, consulting a doctor is necessary in any case.

Restoring menstruation with artificial and mixed feeding

Many mothers combine breastfeeding and artificial feeding. If formula is actively introduced into a child’s diet, which leads to irregular feeding of breast milk, the activity of the “milk hormone” decreases, creating a favorable environment for the onset of ovulation. Mothers should be prepared - in this case, menstruation will resume very soon after childbirth.

The first months of mixed feeding are characterized by mood swings for both mother and child, as the hormonal balance in the woman’s body changes, which affects the baby. The timing of the arrival of menstruation after childbirth in this case remains very vague and ranges from 3 to 5 months. However, the absence of the start of the cycle longer than the specified norms is not considered a pathology.

The second type of feeding - artificial - means that the baby has been on formula since birth and has not been fed with mother's milk. With this type, the first menstruation after childbirth sometimes comes much earlier - up to 12 weeks. A delay of more than 14 weeks warns of the presence of pathology. After the first one, the next menstruation must begin, the cycle should be restored immediately. The consistency, color and abundance of discharge should correspond to healthy physiology: from yellowish with bloody impurities to rich red.

The nature of discharge and caesarean section

The birth of a child does not always occur naturally. For medical reasons, surgical assistance is sometimes required. The first ones come in much the same way as during the natural process.

If there are no complications after the operation, they are “reborn” with the cessation of lactation.

After the release of lochia - postpartum discharge - the body gradually begins to restore its reproductive functions. However, there are circumstances that can slow down this recovery. A delay in the onset of a new cycle occurs in the following cases:

difficult postoperative period;
chronic diseases;
failure of the hormonal system;
infections;
lack of personal hygiene.

How long your period lasts after a cesarean section delivery depends on the individual characteristics of the woman’s body.

The menu of a nursing mother for the first month after childbirth is compiled taking into account the benefits of products for her and the newborn. It is important to exclude rough foods; meals should be small and frequent. It is important to avoid low-quality food, artificial colors, eat natural products, but use fruits and vegetables with caution. Proper nutrition will help a young mother recover faster after abdominal surgery, which is a caesarean section.

Miscarriage and the specifics of menstruation

Unfortunately, a long-awaited pregnancy sometimes ends with more than just the birth of a child. Miscarriage is an interruption of pregnancy associated with pathology or external factors affecting the body. In this case, there are several features of menstruation that differ from the normal cycle.

The blood released during a miscarriage is not menstrual blood. The first depends on how severe the consequences of cleansing were, taking anti-inflammatory drugs, the duration of the lost pregnancy, and the woman’s health condition. Normally, the first menstrual flow occurs according to the woman’s personal cycle. Any delay is an indicator of inflammation or infection.

The color and consistency of the discharge should not differ greatly from the norm. Deviations for each of these signs are considered a disorder for which consultation with a doctor is recommended. But the volume of discharge may be slightly greater than usual. Once your period is complete, your period will return completely to normal.

Sources of Delay

There can be no reason for a delay in menstruation after childbirth. In the first month, the body takes a moderate pace of returning to its usual state: the uterus is cleansed, lochia comes out. If the reason for a long delay is not breastfeeding, you should undergo a medical examination.

Possible pathological factors:

hormonal imbalance;
cyst formation in the ovaries;
infectious diseases;
mom's fatigue, overwork;
stress;
neoplasms in the genitourinary system;
pregnancy.

The first month after childbirth is a crucial time, and the arrival of menstruation indicates stabilization of the mother’s health. The absence of or is a serious cause for concern. It is worth noting that after the birth of a child, premenstrual syndrome almost always remains unchanged, and sometimes even intensifies. But you shouldn’t neglect severe pain and blame everything on PMS. In most cases, a condition where periods after childbirth are very heavy or accompanied by pain is a sign of inflammation, infection, or exacerbation of chronic processes.

Excessive abundance, clots, changes in color, smell of discharge, their scarcity, delay in the first menstruation after childbirth and absence on time require immediate consultation with a gynecologist, and are also a reason to undergo a full examination.

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After the birth of a child, a woman needs not only care, but also careful attention to the restoration processes in the body. And if the first can be left to loved ones and relatives, then taking care of your health remains with the young mother. One of the most important symptoms of body recovery is the onset of menstruation. However, the first menstruation after childbirth in a number of indicators, including timing, may differ significantly from those before pregnancy. Therefore, this serious issue requires detailed consideration.

Lochia and menstruation: what is what

Many women call bloody discharge with clots after childbirth menstruation. However, they have a different nature, name and are not menstruation.

The beginning of the recovery process after childbirth is marked by lochia

Lochia after childbirth

To understand the difference between postpartum discharge and menstruation, it is necessary to understand the physiological process of restoration of the uterus after the birth of a child. Regardless of the method of delivery - natural or surgical (caesarean section), the uterus is a bleeding wound. This is due to the fact that the placenta is torn away from the reproductive organ, thereby rupturing many vessels that connected it to the uterus. In addition, from the body of the uterus itself, due to the action of the hormone oxytocin, which provokes uterine contractions, part of the fibers is separated, which leads to the restoration of its pre-pregnancy state. All this leads to the fact that the young mother observes bloody discharge with clots, gradually decreasing in volume - lochia. The average time for their completion, that is, healing of the uterus, is up to 40 days after birth.

This is interesting. The first week of lochia helps the uterus “lose weight” from a kilogram to 300 grams. In 1.5–2 months, the reproductive organ returns to an average weight of 70 grams.

The intensity of lochia must be monitored very carefully, as this is an important indicator of normal recovery of the body.

Period

Menstruation (regula) is a physiological phenomenon that represents the rejection of the mucous surface of the female reproductive organ, which occurs under the influence of a woman’s hormonal background. The menstrual cycle is determined by the work of the endocrine system, so without understanding its essence, it is difficult to understand the mechanism of the arrival of menstruation.

Table: phases of the menstrual cycle

This is interesting. All three phases of the monthly cycle occur under the influence of specific hormones: ovulatory under the influence of estradiol, luteal under the influence of progesterone.

Each phase occurs on certain days of the cycle

Video: ovulation after childbirth

First period after childbirth

Based on the mechanism of the onset of menstruation and the nature of lochia, we come to the conclusion that these are two different processes, although both are characterized by bloody discharge. The end of lochia is by no means a signal for the beginning of full menstruation. The fact is that their arrival is due to a number of accompanying factors.

During lactation, a woman actively produces prolactin, a hormone that, in turn, ensures the production of breast milk, but at the same time inhibits the hormones responsible for preparing a woman for pregnancy. It turns out that as long as there is a lot of prolactin, a young mother may not wait for her period. However, this conclusion can be challenged by citing several arguments related to individual hormonal characteristics, as well as taking into account:

hereditary factor (of course, you shouldn’t expect a complete coincidence in the timing of the onset of menstruation after childbirth for mother, grandmother and daughter, but there won’t be strong differences in timing either);
the presence of pathologies (the resumption of menstruation due to inflammation, a history of infectious diseases is difficult to predict);
type and duration of breastfeeding.

The last factor is worth considering in detail.

Prolactin, produced during lactation, is responsible for inhibition of ovulation and absence of menstruation.

Resumption of menstruation during breastfeeding

The production of prolactin decreases with the introduction of complementary feeding and supplementation into the child’s diet. That is, based on the experience of the last few years, when pediatricians began to recommend complementary feeding from 4–6 months, we can say that this period is the starting point for waiting for menstruation.

This is interesting. For some women, even taking into account complementary feeding, but maintaining partial breastfeeding (especially at night, when prolactin production is faster), menstruation may not come until complete weaning.

Menstruation during artificial feeding

In this situation, prolactin is not produced in large quantities, so the completion of lochia and the healing of the uterus is the time for the onset of menstruation. This usually happens 1.5 months after birth. But the absence of menstruation for 4–5 months is not considered a deviation. In situations where lactation has been completed for some reason, the regulation will be restored after prolactin begins to be produced prenatally.

This is interesting. A woman who does not have her period after 4–5 months from the end of postpartum discharge needs to consult a gynecologist.

With artificial feeding, menstruation begins earlier

Regulations for combining breastfeeding and artificial feeding

If the baby receives both mother's milk and formula, menstruation comes after 3-12 months. The large range is associated with the time of day at which the number of feedings is reduced: if in the morning and evening, when prolactin is produced most actively, then menstruation will begin earlier.

Video: restoration of menstruation after childbirth

Features of the first menstruation: symptoms, nature of discharge and timing

The main fear of women expecting their first period after childbirth is that it will start suddenly. In fact, in most (!) cases, premenstrual syndrome (PMS) cannot be avoided, so the “readiness signals No. 1” will be:

nagging pain in the lower abdomen;
mood swings;
headache.

Before the first period after childbirth, a woman may experience increased PMS.

Another important point that you need to prepare for in advance is a possible change in the nature of the discharge. After childbirth they may become:

more painful;
more abundant or more scanty compared to those before pregnancy;
with clots (usually such lumps are characteristic of menstruation, which began shortly after the end of lochia, and these inclusions are the remains of damaged tissues and fibers, indicating that the endometrium is still recovering).

As for the timing of the first menstruation, they may be a little longer or, conversely, a little shorter. In general, monthly bleeding in the absence of abnormalities should not last longer than 7–8 days. In this case, the first few cycles will be within 21–30 days, then the timing will be adjusted.

This is interesting. The resumption of menstruation after a cesarean section occurs in the same way as after a natural birth. After an abortion or miscarriage, the cycle returns depending on the woman’s health condition, as well as the presence of complications after curettage.

When to be alarmed

There are several reasons associated with the resumption of menstruation that require prompt consultation with a doctor. It is worth noting that it is impossible to draw conclusions about deviations after the first menstruation. The only exception is unbearable pain. To get an objective picture, you need to monitor your health for 2–3 cycles.

This is interesting. Despite the absence of menstruation, after the end of lochia, a woman can become pregnant again. This, again, is due to the individual characteristics of her body, so it is worth paying attention to the choice of contraception. It is worth considering that if an intrauterine device is chosen, then the first menstruation may be longer, heavier and more painful, and if birth control pills are used, then, on the contrary, the discharge will become short-lived, scanty, and sometimes even spotting.

The duration and intensity of menstruation is also affected by the method of contraception.

Prolonged and heavy discharge

Protracted periods are those that last longer than 8 days. Often, long-term adjustments are accompanied by If the pad has to be changed in two or more cycles more often than 2.5–3 hours, then the bleeding is considered intense. Such deviations occur especially often in women who have had a caesarean section or abortion. In addition, in this way the body signals that:

particles of membranes remain on the walls of the uterus;
inflammation develops;
the woman was (or is) under stress;
During pregnancy, the young mother suffered from iron deficiency anemia.

Conservative treatment is considered:

hemostatic drugs;
vitamins;
medications that replenish iron reserves in the body.

If these means do not produce results, the woman is prescribed curettage, which has two goals: to exclude the development of tumors in the endometrium and to stop bleeding.

Periods are too fast

Common causes of accelerated menstruation (less than 2 days) are:

sudden weight loss of a woman;
heavy bleeding after childbirth;
hyperprolactinemia - a strong increase in prolactin.

Menstruation less than two days is considered a deviation from the norm

Scanty periods

A spot-like discharge (in the absence of hormonal contraception) repeated for more than three cycles in a row should also raise alarm. Such a cycle disruption may indicate a hormonal imbalance, endometritis (inflammation of the lining of the uterus) or Sheehan syndrome (a neuroendocrine disorder caused by the death of pituitary cells due to complications during childbirth or abortion).

Irregular menstruation

Hormonal imbalances require precise correction, so consultation with an endocrinologist is required.

Unpleasant odor, bright color, itching

A pungent odor of discharge, bright color, as well as fever, severe pain in the lower abdomen are symptoms caused by infections or oncology. Itching and cheesy discharge are signs of thrush.

Stopping menstruation after the first 1–2 cycles

In this case, first of all, you need to exclude a new pregnancy. The reason for such a stop in the physiological process may also be a rather rare condition - early menopause.

This is interesting. Any alarming conditions related to women's health should be discussed with a specialist. Therefore, you should not neglect visits to the gynecologist.

Personal hygiene when restoring menstruation

Hygienic procedures during the resumption of menstruation after childbirth are no different from those carried out before pregnancy:

How to stabilize your periods

You should think about restoring menstruation in advance by discussing this issue with your gynecologist. Especially if there were complications during childbirth. In addition, it is worth listening to the recommendations of experts and:

This is interesting. Women with postpartum syndrome (depression) are recommended to drink herbal teas and light sedatives with natural ingredients. If necessary, visit a psychologist.

Higher philological education, 11 years of experience teaching English and Russian, love for children and an objective view of modernity are the key lines of my 31-year-old life. Strengths: responsibility, desire to learn new things and self-improvement.
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Good day, my dear readers. Today I would like to talk to you about periods after childbirth. Quite recently, in a conversation with friends, I heard that one of them began menstruation when the baby was already 1.5 years old, and the second - when only 3 months had passed since the birth of the baby. What determines the speed of recovery of critical days? When does the first period start and how long does it last? Can a young lady who has recently given birth become pregnant again before the first scanty discharge occurs? How do artificial and breastfeeding affect the functioning of the female body? What does it indicate if your period starts and disappears? We will talk about this and much more today. Join us))

The nature of the restoration of menstruation after childbirth

It's no secret that immediately after giving birth, a woman experiences spotting (lochia) for about two months. In this way, the uterine cavity is naturally cleansed of the consequences of pregnancy and childbirth (particles of the fetal membrane, cervical mucus, blood, endometrial cells). At this time, it is very important to monitor the hygiene of the genital organs, the color and smell of lochia, and abstain from sexual activity.

If you notice any alarming symptoms, then a trip to the gynecologist should come first!

I think you will agree with me: after everything that has been experienced in recent months, few women who have given birth dream of a quick return to menstruation. The long 40 weeks of pregnancy, the peculiarities of gestation, painful childbirth or cesarean, two-month cleansing - you want to take a break from all this. But still, the questions: how long after childbirth will your period come, what it should be like, are of concern for good reason. After all, the frequency and nature of the menstrual cycle directly indicate the functioning of the hormonal and reproductive systems, and any deviation from the norm can be the first bell signaling a problem. So, let's figure out what these norms are, and do they even exist for young mothers?

I hasten to dispel the myth: the speed at which menstruation appears in no way depends on the type of delivery (cesarean or EP).

I will not open America to you if I tell you that the first sign of pregnancy is the absence of menstruation. From the moment of conception, a restructuring of all hormonal systems begins in our body, the amount of progesterone increases, new eggs do not mature, the endometrium is not rejected, but on the contrary, its layer is strengthened to further protect the embryo. What happens after the birth of a child?

The connection between the menstrual cycle and breastfeeding

When your baby is born, the hormonal parade in a woman’s body undergoes new dramatic changes. Now the “milk” hormone, prolactin, begins to be intensively produced, which again suppresses the active functioning of the ovaries. Nature is wise! At each of the stages important for childbirth, those hormones that are needed in greater quantities at the moment come first. Since the baby vitally needs nutrition, all the body’s forces are aimed at producing food for him.

Nature intended that the period of absence of menstruation is directly related to the time period of breastfeeding, but it is important to take into account the very nature of feeding. If a woman delivers her baby strictly according to schedule and introduces complementary foods early, then there is a high probability that menstruation will not take long. But for mothers who, these “guests” come much later.

I was also able to verify from my own experience and the stories of my friends that the longer and more actively a woman breastfeeds, the slower her periods return. For many mothers, “special” days begin soon after the introduction of complementary foods. This is due to the fact that now the baby needs the breast less and less and the body quickly “strives” to the prenatal state.

I hasten to dispel the myth: menstruation during breastfeeding does not at all affect the taste and smell of milk, as some ladies think. Therefore, the menstrual cycle should not affect the feeding schedule in any way. But sometimes with the first spotting the amount of product produced may decrease slightly.

Don't panic! Put your baby to your breast more often and lactation will soon be restored.

Remember: the nature of the onset of menstruation after childbirth is purely individual. It is considered normal for menstrual periods to return 3 months after childbirth, and after a year and a half when breastfeeding.

How quickly do periods return when feeding your baby special foods?

If for some reason a woman cannot (does not want) to put her baby to the breast, then the production of prolactin slows down and the flow of milk decreases. The new egg matures and is released at the right time along with the epidermis layer and uterine bleeding. The first menstruation with artificial feeding normally occurs after 2-3 months. If the baby is on a mixed diet (formula + breast milk), then this period increases to 4-6 months.

Another important point! The following factors influence the “arrival” time of menstruation:

whether the woman gets enough rest;
presence of birth injuries;
regularity of nutrition, weight gain;
treatment with certain medications, especially hormonal ones;
the general condition of the body, especially with regard to the endocrine system and the presence of chronic diseases.

If a woman completely stops breastfeeding and her period does not start within 1-2 months, then she should consult a doctor. Such a delay may indicate both the development of certain pathologies and a new pregnancy.

Is pregnancy possible without menstruation?

The biggest mistake of some girls is the belief that in the absence of menstruation and breastfeeding, conception cannot occur and is not required... Yes, lactational amenorrhea, in which ovulation is maximally suppressed by prolactin, gives some chance to “open” sex without consequences. But still, a certain risk of “flying up” is more than possible. After all, in order for an unplanned pregnancy to not take place, a number of conditions must be observed. Namely:

period after birth no more than six months;
frequent latching of the baby to the breast (breaks of no more than 2 hours during the day and 4 hours at night), that is, expressing milk into a bottle and going to the movies with your husband (as an option) will no longer work;
co-sleeping with the baby and mandatory night feedings;
The baby should not be given additional water or complementary foods, since the number of feedings in this case is significantly reduced.

And even if all the above requirements are met, the probability of conception in the absence of menstruation after childbirth will be 2-3%. Is it worth the risk? I'm sure NO! You can find more detailed answers to this question in this article.

Features of the first menstruation after childbirth

Dear women, I want to start this section by making you happy a little. Many young mothers notice that previously painful menstruation now, after the birth of the baby, is no longer so. What is the reason for such improvements? The secret is simple: very often discomfort and pain during bleeding are directly related to the curvature of the uterus, which greatly impedes the free flow of blood. But after delivery, the position of some organs in the abdominal cavity changes, the bend straightens out on its own, and Hurray - no more monthly pain!!!

The first menstruation after childbirth is often heavy, as are the next few. But gradually the cycle stabilizes and becomes regular. It is considered normal if it takes a woman 3-4 months. What to do if during menstruation it “pours like a bucket” or, on the contrary, they are very scanty; what if the discharge started and disappeared after a month?

Should I go to the doctor or not?

Very often, a new mother has no time to take care of her health, because she devotes all her free time, energy, and attention to the baby. We probably all know the feeling that nothing could be more important than a crumb right now. Hormones are raging, the baby becomes the center of the universe. What kind of menstruation can you think about here?)) But still, I really want you to read this section carefully. After all, children need healthy mothers!!!

So, when consultation with a doctor cannot be postponed?

First of all, it should be strange for a woman if, after lochia (discharge after childbirth), bleeding with an unpleasant odor appears; if breastfeeding “started” three months ago, and menstruation has not yet begun. Very heavy (scanty) periods over several cycles (and not just once), or if the discharge has passed once and has not recurred, should be no less alarming.

The following pathologies may be the cause of all this:

endometriosis;
hormonal imbalance;
tumor neoplasms;
undetected postpartum pathologies, injuries;
new pregnancy;
inflammatory process in the ovaries, etc.

It is clear that only an experienced doctor can diagnose them through a vaginal and (or) transabdominal ultrasound, studying test results, and examination in a gynecological chair. So be sure to find a couple of free hours and visit the hospital if something like that worries you!

Conclusion

So our conversation today has come to an end. But I still have one little piece of advice for you. I hasten to recommend a musical night light with projector. My best friend gave it to me when she came to meet my newborn daughter for the first time. With the help of this cute and, as it turned out, extremely useful device, the baby began to fall asleep faster, and I had a little more time for myself))

I would really like you, my dear readers, to share your experience. How quickly did you start your period after giving birth? Were there any problems with the formation of the cycle? How often do you visit the gynecologist after the birth of your child? I look forward to your stories)) See you again!

The menstrual cycle is the main indicator of the health of the female body, so it is very important that periods after childbirth are restored at the right time and with the correct regularity.

Changes can only affect the nature of the discharge itself; in the very first menstrual cycle after childbirth, it will be scanty, more reminiscent of daub. They should last no more than 2-3 days. If the first menstruation is too heavy, and one pad is not enough even for 2 hours, the woman is most likely bleeding and should immediately consult a doctor.

At first, the menstrual cycle will range from 21 to 30 days. This will continue until ovarian function is completely restored. This will take several months; this period is individual for each woman.

Signs of pathological menstruation

In some cases, discharge after the birth of a child is pathological. If you see the following signs, do not wait for your cycle to normalize, but immediately go to the gynecologist:

if the discharge after childbirth “lochia” suddenly stops. This may indicate a bend of the uterus, endometritis, or stagnation of lochia inside the uterus;
if there are very scanty menstrual flows for more than 3 cycles. This may be a sign of hormonal imbalance, endometritis or Sheehan syndrome;
6 months after its recovery. Breaks between menstruation of 3 months or more. This may be a sign of ovarian pathology;
very heavy periods for 2 or more cycles in a row, especially after surgery or termination of pregnancy. This may be caused by retained membranes on the inner walls of the uterus;
and accompanied by general weakness and dizziness;
if menstrual discharge has an unpleasant, pungent odor, while the woman has a fever and severe abdominal pain, this may mean the presence of infection or oncology;
“daub” before and after critical days is a sign of endometriosis or inflammation;
curdled discharge and itchy sensations in the vagina - a symptom of “thrush”;
bloody, from 3 cycles in a row.

What changes may occur in the menstrual cycle?

Irregular monthly menstrual discharge may appear in a woman for several cycles after the birth of the baby. But this is not permanent. There shouldn't be any after 1-2 months. Menstruation should be the same as before pregnancy, only a slight change in its duration is allowed:

2-3 initial cycles may be observed, especially if the child is on mixed feeding;
The first cycles after the birth of the baby for some mothers, on the contrary, occur with more abundant discharge. If after a couple of cycles the intensity of menstruation does not decrease, and pain also increases, you should definitely consult a specialist;
the appearance of menstrual flow may be irregular;
Painful periods may appear even in those who did not complain of pain before pregnancy. Pain during menstruation after childbirth can be caused by intense contractions of the uterine walls or infection. Most often, after the birth of a baby, previously painful menstruation becomes normal due to a change in the position of the uterus;
premenstrual syndrome or its precursors may appear: swelling, nausea, mood swings, dizziness.

Irregular periods

Critical days after childbirth may be irregular for several reasons:

if irregularity is observed in the first few months after birth during the recovery period, then there is no reason to panic. Most often, this is normal behavior for them, since normalization of the cycle occurs individually for each woman. Irregular periods of menstruation are typical for breastfeeding mothers;
In about 2 months, all systems and organs in the mother’s body return to normal. But the normal functioning of the endocrine system occurs late, especially during lactation. For this reason, even with a good general condition of the body, a representative of beauty may not have her critical days;
if regularity has not been established in 3 or more cycles, this may indicate inflammation, endometriosis or cancer in the organs of the genitourinary system.

In order to prevent the development of dangerous pathologies and prescribe treatment in a timely manner, at the first questionable symptoms, seek help from a gynecologist.

Delay

There are cases when, after childbirth, menstruation does not occur, although more than six months have already passed, the lactation period is over, or the child is just supplemented with mother’s milk. The most common cause of delay is a new pregnancy, but if you do, you should seek help from a doctor, because in this case the delay may be a harbinger of hormonal disorders, for example, Sheehan syndrome, which also causes weakness, dizziness, low blood pressure and lack of lactation. This is a very dangerous disease that can cause adrenal insufficiency and various infectious diseases.

In women over 40 years of age, the absence of menstruation may mean the onset of menopause, and in younger women, premature ovarian failure may occur. To determine the reason for the long absence of menstrual periods, you should definitely visit a gynecologist.

Menstruation after pathological pregnancy or childbirth

The time of the first menstruation after childbirth depends both on the process of delivery itself and on the presence of any pathologies during pregnancy. Let's consider the features of critical days depending on the pathologies a woman has:

. Menstruation is restored after a month only in a small percentage of patients; most often, the hormonal imbalance that caused the termination of pregnancy becomes the cause of an irregular cycle;
abortion. will occur in 45 days, otherwise you need to go to the doctor;
the remainder of the fertilized egg in the uterus or an inflammatory process. To avoid such a situation, you need to undergo an ultrasound scan 10 days after childbirth or termination of pregnancy;
. The first menstruation should occur 25-40 days after its completion. If your critical days come earlier than this, it is most likely uterine bleeding, which requires urgent medical attention. A delay longer than the specified period is also a reason for a visit to the gynecologist. Very often, an ectopic pregnancy is very stressful for a woman; in such cases, recovery can occur in at least 2 months;
. In this case, the cycle is restored to the same as after a normal birth. When breastfeeding, menstruation comes no earlier than six months later. If the child is on artificial nutrition, the cycle should normalize within a maximum of 3 months. Very rarely does the recovery process drag on for a year; if there are no pathologies, then this is considered normal.

After suffering any of the above conditions, a woman is recommended to protect herself for at least 6 months from the onset of a new pregnancy, since the absence of menstruation does not mean that ovulation does not occur. This means that without critical days she can become pregnant, which is undesirable for a still fragile body.

Women in good health have no problems restoring their cycle after the birth of a baby. To avoid any failures, you should put some expert advice into practice:

To quickly restore hormone production, you need to properly structure your diet. It should include more fruit, vegetable and cereal dishes, milk, and meat. You should follow a drinking regime, do regular exercises and take multivitamins for mothers prescribed by your doctor;
no need to take oral contraceptives. They can affect hormonal levels, causing cycle irregularity. For sexually active ladies, it is better to temporarily give preference to condoms or other non-hormonal means of contraception;
follow the regime. If your baby keeps you awake at night, get some sleep during the day. Don't refuse help from your loved ones. Good rest speeds up the recovery process;
any chronic diseases can affect the duration of the recovery period, so for diabetes, anemia, thyroid diseases, etc. It is imperative to consult with a specialized specialist and adjust the treatment.

There are cases when the first periods after childbirth passed normally, but the next ones after them were delayed.

This may indicate the presence of a hormonal imbalance. In this situation, it may be useful to take hormone tests and undergo other additional studies. Such measures can prevent the development of various diseases, including oncology.

If these tips did not help and the cycle after childbirth did not recover in due time, you should definitely seek help from a gynecologist.

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When do your first periods come after childbirth and what should they be like? How long after childbirth does the cycle return? Is very heavy menstruation normal or abnormal?

You carried your baby for 9 months, and completely forgot about such a phenomenon as menstruation. However, after childbirth, the appearance of menstrual periods becomes a pressing topic for most young mothers. We will talk about restoring the cycle after the birth of a child, the main features of the first menstruation, the time of their onset and common deviations in today’s article.

Restoring menstruation after childbirth

The onset of menstruation is directly related to the activity of hormones. During pregnancy, the hormonal levels change dramatically, and the expectant mother spends the entire pregnancy without menstruation. After childbirth, the body begins to recover and gradually switch to the previous regime: hormonal levels return to normal, and bleeding again appears in the life of a woman who has already given birth.

No doctor can give a specific date for the onset of menstruation after childbirth. This phenomenon is strictly individual. Most often, critical days occur after the baby stops breastfeeding.
Also, normalization of the menstrual cycle depends on the following factors:

Regular eating;
Daily routine, rest time;
State of mind, presence of depression;
The presence of chronic diseases and/or their complications.

The appearance of menstruation after the birth of a child

As already mentioned, the restoration of menstruation occurs differently for each woman. But we can still name the average indicators when menstruation begins, which differ from each other by the presence of various factors.

If the mother does not breastfeed her child, then menstruation should appear after 1.5-3 months.
If a non-breastfeeding mother has complications of chronic diseases, a weakened state, depression, etc., critical days may come after 4-6 months.
If the mother feeds the baby every 3 hours, and the night break does not exceed 6 hours, then menstruation can be expected after six months to a year.

To fully restore the cycle, at least 2-3 menstruation must pass. When complementary foods are introduced into the baby's diet, as well as if the baby is switched to mixed feeding, menstruation may begin even earlier.

Important: do not confuse menstruation with characteristic postpartum discharge. They last approximately 7-10 days as dark blood clots or fresh blood. The described discharge will be replaced by yellowish discharge; gynecologists and obstetricians call them lochia. Their number will decrease over time, and after 1.5 months the uterus should become toned after the birth.

Personally, my first period came 8 months after Maxim was born, at which time we were already actively introducing complementary foods. The first ones were very plentiful, as if in all the previous months, but practically painless! This made me very happy, because before pregnancy I suffered terribly during my menstrual periods. The next ones arrived literally after 2 weeks, only after 3-4 cycles everything more or less returned to normal.

Features of the onset of the first menstruation

As a rule, the first periods of a new mother are scanty and spotty. Some people, on the contrary, experience very heavy discharge, perhaps even 2 times in one month. Their complete recovery can be expected only after 2-3 cycles, not earlier.

In most cases, the first menstruation is less painful, the feeling of discomfort in the lower abdomen disappears. This condition is justified by a slight change in the location of the abdominal organs, which helps straighten the bend of the uterus and improve the outflow of blood.

It is also possible to change the nature of bleeding. This phenomenon directly depends on the chosen method of contraception. When using an intrauterine device, menstruation may become bright and profuse, and sometimes discharge with dark burgundy blood clots is possible. When using birth control pills, you can expect scant spotting. This phenomenon is associated with the presence of gestagen hormones in the tablets, which change the hormonal balance, which is why the endometrium grows less than normal before the end of the cycle. If a woman does not use contraceptives, or her partner uses condoms, then the nature of the discharge changes for the better. Premenstrual syndrome, pain and other unpleasant sensations that a woman experienced during menstruation before pregnancy may disappear.

Remember that conception is possible even in the absence of menstruation and while breastfeeding continues. The egg will be ready for fertilization 2 weeks before the arrival of the critical days, so during this period of time the woman has every chance of becoming pregnant again. The onset of menstruation after the birth of the baby cannot be called a sign of the body’s readiness for the next pregnancy. It will take at least 2 years for complete recovery; only after this period do doctors advise planning the next conception.

Possible deviations

After the onset of menstruation, a new mother should carefully monitor the nature of the fluid secreted, as well as the duration and course of the menstrual cycle.

The following phenomena are considered abnormal:

Too much menstruation after childbirth. If you change your pad frequently (more than once every 2 hours), this can be considered bleeding. In addition, you should be alerted by the dark color and unpleasant smell of the discharge, as well as severe pain.
Irregular periods. If after 3 months the cycle has not returned to normal, then you should visit a gynecologist. Perhaps your body has undergone serious hormonal imbalances, which are considered a deviation.
Lack of menstruation. If you switched your baby to artificial feeding and suppressed lactation, but critical days have not arrived for 2-3 months, then this indicates the possible presence of diseases of the genitourinary system. The most common postpartum ailments include the appearance of tumors, inflammation of the ovaries, pathologies after childbirth, imbalance of hormone levels and endometriosis. Do not allow the disease to progress, and do not delay your visit to the gynecologist.

Proper genital hygiene helps to avoid many fungal, infectious and bacterial diseases. After childbirth, do not use “intimate” gels, but regular baby soap. Wash your genitals at least three times a day.

The appearance of menstruation and complete restoration of the menstrual cycle after childbirth takes quite a long time. Monitor your physical condition and health; if there are any deviations, immediately go to the doctor and complete the full course of prescribed treatment.