All About Your First Postpartum Period
So you’ve had your baby (congrats!) and now you’re recovering from birth. The postpartum bleeding (lochia) has stopped, you’re getting into a rhythm and then you remember…. it’s been months since you’ve had a period! Aunt Flow is due at some point, right?
Your first postpartum period will look different depending on a lot of factors, but the number one contributor is whether or not you are body-feeding.
If you’re formula feeding:
If you are formula feeding, your period is likely to return in about six to eight weeks.
If you’re body-feeding:
Many factors go into how and when your period will return while body-feeding or offering expressed milk. For many people, it’s possible it won’t return the entire time you’re body-feeding. If you introduce a bottle, solid foods or your baby starts sleeping longer stretches through the night, it could very well return sooner. This is because when body-feeding, your body makes a hormone called Prolactin, which helps to delay ovulation.
Many people use what is sometimes called Natural Family Planning (counting days from periods to avoid, or try, getting pregnant. Unfortunately, while bodyfeeding this method is much less reliable. You likely won’t know the first time you ovulate after pregnancy, as you ovulate two weeks before your period, and you won’t know exactly when to expect it. For many, the first few periods postpartum are irregular, and therefore can’t be counted on as reliable birth control.
While looking into postpartum family planning, keep in mind that if you’re body-feeding, hormonal forms of birth control can impact your supply, but there are lots of options including diaphragms, condoms, progesterone-only pills, and a few others. Be sure to talk to your provider about what options will work best for your family and feeding goals.
When it Comes
Most of the time your first period will be heavier than what you’re used to, and may be more painful as well. Be sure to keep hygiene products at the ready in case your menses sneaks up on you. You may find it more comfortable to use pads (instead of tampons or cups) for the first couple of periods. This is because your vagina is still healing, but you should always do what feels right for you.
When to be Concerned
Extra heavy and painful bleeding. If your bleeding is filling a pad every 1-2 hours, this may be a sign of something more serious and should be brought to your provider's attention.
Large blood clots. While some blood clots are normal, passing clots often, and larger than a quarter can be cause for concern.
Prolonged heavy flow. While your body continues to heal from pregnancy and childbirth, things like long heavy flows may indicate a lack of certain nutrients (most notably iron). Your provider may suggest taking an iron supplement (which can help slow bleeding, improve energy levels, and reduce irritability and/or dizziness).
No period at all. Ultimately, a period is a sign of a healthy body. There are many reasons why (some rare conditions as well as nutritional deficiencies) your period may not return when expected. If yours hasn’t returned after a normal amount of time, be sure to talk to your provider.
Staying Comfortable
Heat therapy. consider a warm shower, heating pad or hot water bottle
Anti-inflammatories are commonly recommended (Advil, Aleve, etc.)
Although you may crave sugar or caffeine, these foods can increase discomfort. If you’re looking for something sweet, dark chocolate is shown to help boost serotonin and provide your body with much needed antioxidants.
Eating iron rich foods (see our chef’s favorite broth here) can help with heavy periods, as well as giving you the pick-me-up you need at this time. Try cooking your favorite meal in a cast-iron skillet for an added boost.
Stay hydrated!
Exercise. ACOG (The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology) suggests working out during your period. Walking, cycling and yoga can be great ways to help fight emotional stress and physical pain. There is even yoga you can do with your baby!
Our number one suggestion? Honor yourself.
Light that candle you’ve been saving. Put on the new Adele album. Re-pot your plants. Take a few minutes to recognize and thank your body for the amazing work it has done.