The first period after pregnancy

Eventually after the birth, the time has come and you get your first period since the beginning of pregnancy. But when exactly does it happen, and how does your cycle change after pregnancy and childbirth? You will find answers to these and other questions in the article.

When can I expect my first period after childbirth?

Many women are surprised by their first period after childbirth. Either they haven't expected it yet, have gotten used to the absence, or simply have other things on their mind in the . In fact, the timing of the return of the period cannot 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. suppresses or completely prevents . Consequently, you will also not have a period. The absence of a period during breastfeeding is also Lactational Amenorrhea or Stillamonorrhoea mentioned. When your periods will resume again depends on how much prolactin your body secretes. The more you breastfeed, the more hormones are released, and the more effectively ovulation is suppressed. Although it is not a guarantee that your period will not return, for many fully breastfeeding mothers who nurse their child at least every four hours, it only resumes after after weaning again. If you reduce breastfeeding or your breastfeeding rhythm is irregular, ovulation and your period can occur even before the Weaning reinsert. But beware: Exclusive breastfeeding also does not provide a 100% guarantee that no ovulation will occur. Even in breastfeeding women whose periods have not yet returned, ovulation can already occur again.

If you are not breastfeeding

The situation is different for women who do not breastfeed. Once your body stops producing milk, the prolactin level normalizes within two to three weeks. However, the stage of involution also influences the timing of the first period. Only when your uterus has involuted and your hormone levels have stabilized again does ovulation occur. It is at least three weeks after birth before ovulation happens, 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 the birth.

By the way, after a cesarean section, the period often returns earlier than after a natural birth. The reason: since the placenta and surrounding tissue are removed directly during the operation, the body does not have to expel them itself, and the healing of the uterus and lochia take less time.

Lochia or period?

Apropos lochia: It begins after childbirth when the wound surface of the uterus heals – it has nothing to do with the period. The 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 at all because of that? You don’t need to worry: while lochia tends to have a light or whitish color towards the end, your period is usually bright to dark red and thus easy to distinguish from lochia.

Does the period change after pregnancy?

Even if the initial postpartum involution is complete, it still takes a while for your hormonal balance to stabilize after pregnancy and childbirth. This can also affect your period. The first bleeding after pregnancy is usually 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 the subsequent cycles, however, it may be lighter and shorter than usual. It can take up to six months for your hormonal balance to normalize and your cycle to become regular again. Your likely altered sleep-wake rhythm can also influence the (ir)regularity of your period. So don't be discouraged if it doesn't come exactly on time at first, as you might be used to. Only in cases of unusually heavy bleeding and pain should you definitely consult your gynecologist.

What should I 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, it may be that the wound healing is not yet fully complete. Therefore, you should also pay special attention to hygiene during this time and only use 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 is also possible that inserting them feels different because the anatomy of your vagina has changed after childbirth. This should not worry you, but if you experience pain when inserting, you should consult your gynecologist for advice.

Do I need to use contraception after giving birth?

Even if it may sound like it: Breastfeeding is not a safe Contraceptive method and theoretically, you already can Getting pregnant again shortly after childbirth . Just because the timing of the first period is so unpredictable, the finds the Ovulation usually unnoticed beforehand and sometimes even without a subsequent bleeding. So, you are already fertile before your first period and probably without knowing it. A shift in your cycle rhythm can be enough to trigger ovulation. If you do not plan any further pregnancies, you should definitely use contraception as soon as you become sexually active again after childbirth.

Non-silent mothers can use their usual method of contraception, such as the (combination) pill, mini-pill, condom, or diaphragm. In case of stillenden Müttern The choice is somewhat limited. Estrogen-containing hormonal contraceptives reduce milk production and are therefore not suitable. If you are breastfeeding, you can use hormone-free barrier methods such as condoms or diaphragms, but also intrauterine devices or minipills that contain only the hormone progestin are considered safe. Contraception after childbirth is also discussed during your follow-up appointment with your
Gynecologist/Your gynecologist. Take the opportunity to discuss which
Contraceptive method that suits you.

It may take a while until your cycle stabilizes again and is as regular as before pregnancy. Give your body time to regain balance; after all, it achieved incredible feats with pregnancy and childbirth – and still does.