Eventually, after giving birth, the time comes: you get your first period since the start of pregnancy. But when exactly does it happen, and how does your cycle change after pregnancy and childbirth? You’ll find answers to these and other questions in this article.
When can you expect your first period after childbirth?
Many women are surprised by their first period after childbirth. Either they weren’t expecting it yet, had gotten used to its absence, or simply had other things on their mind in the postpartum period. In fact, the timing of your period’s return can’t be predicted exactly. However, there are some factors that influence it.
If you are breastfeeding
After birth, your body begins producing the hormone prolactin, which stimulates milk production. A side effect of prolactin is that it can suppress ovulation, depending on the intensity of breastfeeding. It suppresses or can even completely prevent ovulation . Consequently, you will not have a period. The absence of a period during breastfeeding is also Lactational Amenorrhea or Stillamonorrhoea mentioned. When your period returns depends on how much prolactin your body releases. The more you breastfeed, the more prolactin is produced, and the more effectively ovulation is suppressed. Although it’s not a guarantee that your period won’t return, for many mothers who exclusively breastfeed and nurse at least every four hours, it often resumes only after weaning . If you reduce breastfeeding or your nursing routine is irregular, ovulation and your period can occur even before Weaning begins. But beware: Exclusive breastfeeding does not provide a 100% guarantee that ovulation won’t occur. Even in breastfeeding women whose periods have not yet returned, ovulation can already happen again.
If you are not breastfeeding
The situation is different for women who do not breastfeed. Once your body stops producing milk, prolactin levels usually normalize within two to three weeks. However, the involution phase also influences the timing of your first period. Ovulation typically occurs only once your uterus has involuted and your hormone levels have stabilized again. Ovulation can happen as early as three weeks after birth, and it takes another approximately two weeks after ovulation for the first period to begin. Typically, new mothers who do not breastfeed get their first period around six to twelve weeks after birth.
By the way, after a cesarean section, your period often returns earlier than after a vaginal birth. The reason: because the placenta and surrounding tissue are removed directly during the operation, the body doesn’t have to expel them itself, and healing of the uterus and lochia may take less time.
Lochia or period?
Speaking of lochia: It begins after childbirth as the wound surface of the uterus heals—it has nothing to do with your period. Lochia lasts about two to six weeks, so it’s possible that your first period follows immediately afterward. Could it be that you don’t notice it because of that? There’s no need to worry: while lochia tends to become lighter or whitish toward the end, your period is usually bright to dark red and is therefore easy to distinguish from lochia.
Does the period change after pregnancy?
Even after the initial postpartum involution is complete, it can still take a while for your hormonal balance to stabilize after pregnancy and childbirth. This can also affect your period. The first bleeding after pregnancy is often heavier and more painful than usual and may last longer than normal. Pain relievers containing the active ingredients ibuprofen or paracetamol can, in small doses, be safely taken even during breastfeeding. In subsequent cycles, however, your period may be lighter and shorter than usual. It can take up to six months for your hormonal balance to normalize and for your cycle to become regular again. Your likely changed sleep-wake rhythm can also influence the (ir)regularity of your period. So don’t be discouraged if it doesn’t arrive exactly on time at first, as you might be used to. Only in cases of unusually heavy bleeding or severe pain should you consult your gynecologist.
What should you pay attention to regarding monthly hygiene after childbirth?
What you should pay attention to regarding hygiene during the lochia phase can be found in the article "". If your first period occurs within six weeks after birth, wound healing may not yet be fully complete. Therefore, you should pay special attention to hygiene during this time and use only breathable pads. If your period starts again later and your routine check-up with your gynecologist was unremarkable, you can also use tampons or a menstrual cup. You may need a larger size than you used before pregnancy. It’s also possible that inserting them feels different because the anatomy of your vagina has changed after childbirth. This shouldn’t worry you, but if you experience pain when inserting, you should consult your gynecologist for advice.
Do you need to use contraception after giving birth?
Even if it may sound like it, breastfeeding is not a safe Contraceptive method and, in theory, you can get pregnant again shortly after childbirth . Because the timing of your first period is so unpredictable, Ovulation often happens unnoticed beforehand and sometimes even without subsequent bleeding. This means you can be fertile before your first period returns—often without realizing it. A shift in your cycle rhythm can be enough to trigger ovulation. If you are not planning another pregnancy, you should definitely use contraception as soon as you become sexually active again after childbirth.
Non-breastfeeding mothers can use their usual method of contraception, such as the (combination) pill, mini-pill, condom, or diaphragm. For stillenden Müttern , the choice is somewhat more limited. Estrogen-containing hormonal contraceptives can reduce milk production and are therefore not suitable. If you are breastfeeding, you can use hormone-free barrier methods such as condoms or diaphragms, as well as intrauterine devices. Mini-pills that contain only the hormone progestin are also considered safe. Contraception after childbirth is also discussed during your follow-up appointment with your
gynecologist. Take the opportunity to discuss which
contraceptive method suits you.
It may take a while for your cycle to stabilize again and become as regular as it was before pregnancy. Give your body time to regain its balance; after all, it accomplished incredible feats during pregnancy and childbirth—and it still is.
