okay, I had my baby almost three months ago. after about three weeks i quit bleeding then about two weeks later got what i thought was my period. it lasted until my six week appointment (about a week which is a normal period). but if it was my period, i haven't gotten it for this month. i'm also breastfeeding and was told that when you breastfeed, women usually don't get their period until they wean their baby. now i'm just worried... could i be pregnant again? or do i need to go to the doctor for bleeding after it had already tapered off? i read that heavy bleeding after postpartum bleeding can mean there's a problem (placental fragments?) has anyone experienced this? if i am having a problem, would i know it? any and all advice would be appreciated! i really really hope i'm not pregnant again!!
I would make an appointment to see the doctor. I had retained placenta and never experienced pain, just bleeding.
I have experienced this "hormonal bleeding episode" with all three of my children. If you are EXCLUSIVELY breastfeeding, with no formula, any bleeding within the first 56 days postpartum can be safely assumed to have no relation to returning fertility. There have been studies that show this.
Probably this is what happened to you, and the reason you haven't gotten a period this month is that your fertility hasn't returned yet. If you would like more information on using breastfeeding to space children, you can contact the Couple to Couple League at ccli.org or google "Lactational Amenhorrea Method" or "LAM". The couple to couple league teaches natural family planning but they have a special mini-class specifically on how to recognize signs of returning fertility after childbirth and how to us breastfeeding to space children.
It's not automatic, you definitely can get pregnant while breastfeeding, but it's been helpful for me to know the "rules" of using breastfeeding to space children. By doing this I was able to recognize that my fertility didn't return with my three children for 4, 6, and 12 months and not get pregnant during that time although we were not using any birth control or periodic abstinence until my fertility came back.
Most likely, you are not pregnant. However, DEFINITELY use birth control if you don't want to be pregnant, because it CAN happen right after birth, breastfeeding or not. After both of my children, I had what seemed to be a period at about the 6 or 7 week mark, but then didn't resume normal periods till much later.
If your medical provider has a nurse advisor,
call and speak to her.
That 5-6 week postpartum bleeding probably
was NOT a normal period.
As for pregnant already . . . also probably not.
Talk to your medical office's advisor.
It is possible that you started bleeding again after you had stopped because you started doing too much too soon. If that is the case, then I would think that you are just now healed from delivery and you are not having periods yet, especially if you are exclusively breastfeeding. It's hard to know though, so you shoudl probably talk to your doctor.
My lochia tapered off a lot, then came back like you described yours.... my doc told me that was normal. It did stop by 6 weeks. Then I didn't have a period until my DD was 4 months old, when I went to work and started pumping. THEN I didn't have another one until just last week (my DD is now 6 1/2 months old) and in between I was FREAKING out thinking I might be prego again. LOL. Breastfeeding can make your period fluctuate, and throw it off balance. I'm assuming because it messes with your hormones, but I'm not sure. I would recommend getting on POP (progesterin only pills that are safe to take while nursing) birth control if you don't want to get prego again... (I couldn't afford to buy mine for a while, which is why I thought I could be prego again. lol.)
Not too sure about all the bleeding and stopping and starting. But, wanted to let you know, with my second son I bled intermittently for about 6 weeks. I am also a nurser and didn't get my period for almost 12 months after I had him. I didn't ween him though until about 18 months.
If you are worried about the bleeding I would go to your doctor. If you are worried about getting pregnant than I would suggest a good form of birth control until you talk to your doctor...you don't want an unexpected pregnancy!
L.
You probably arent pregnant, so dont worry too much about that. You can always get another check up to make sure of this and of any other serious problems.
But what some women tend to forget is, you just had a baby. It takes time for your body to "clean house" and get back to normal. Your body is just doing its job and regulating itself. Your horomones are getting back to where they should, and that takes time too.
Just take it easy as best you can and dont stress. This takes time.
I worked for a Masters Degree nurse who was a professor of nursing at the college level and she says that some of the oldest "old wives tales" are the breastfeeding myths. Lots of women have babies 10 months apart due to breastfeeding NOT being a good form of birth control. Please make an appointment with your OB/GYN for a pregnancy test and a check up to make sure you are okay.
At our church alone we have at least 8 women who were breastfeeding who have kids 10-11 months apart and this is what sparked the conversation.
usually breat feeding can be a form of birth control, but it's not something to solely rely on, i know after i had my daughter my monthly's have NEVER been normal, i'll skip a month here and there, i bled for a whole 3 days vs my usual heavy for 7 days then stoped for another month one time, i would give it a month or two before you become really worried. could just be your hormones acting crazy
Most likely it was still the lochia. If you were sexually active before your 6-week visit or you were very active (picking up heavy objects, starting working out again, or heavy housework) bleeding can start back up again. Basically, the wound site where the placenta was attached opens back up again. It's just your body's way of telling you that you need to take it easy. Usually with problems with internal fragments or infection comes with extreme pain and you don't make any mention of that. If you're really worried take a test. It will ease your mind.
My baby just turned 4 months and I am exclusively breastfeeding. Like you, I read and was told that my cycle would start much later on when I would start to wen my son but just before 11 weeks I started bleeding. It was extremely heavy and a lot of clotting. My midwife told me that it was very early to start a period but not unheard of. With the amount of bleeding and clotting she was concerned whether I got pregnant and had had a miscarriage but that wasn't so. Also she said that even if it is was my period it doesn't mean that I will get it every month. I could get it one of two times and then it may stop again. I've had it twice now and I think it is here to stay.
Call your doctor's office and let them know what is happening and they will tell you whether it is okay or not.
Good luck.
um, just go to your doctor!! it's really the best solution. you're doc can do a pregnancy test and check you out to make sure you're ok!!!!
Good luck! =D
