I am worried. I have been spotting lightly for the last 3-4 days and my baby will only be 7 weeks next Wednesday. I exclusively breastfeed several times during the day and 1-2 times at night. Also, a few times a day when my colicy baby is crying even after I just fed her, changed, her, burped her, etc, I give her a pacifier. The spotting is REALLY light, its not even reaching my underwear. Its only there when I wipe.
Does this mean I am already getting my period back and am fertile again? I read something about possible implantation bleeding that kind of freaked me out, could that be possible? I am supposed to get my IUD at 8 weeks postpartum and now I am worried about what this means. The last two weeks or so my husband and I have resumed having sex and maybe that could be part of it? I don't know.... God I hope I am not pregnant.
Any information or advice would be great.
Thanks!
I started spotting at about 6 weeks with mine too, also while breastfeeding. too. I spotted for about a week, then got a period-like flow... then it stopped and I haven't had any more. (I am taking Progesterone Only Pills for birth control though, I have no clue if that affects periods or not..)
I hope you were using protection during sex, because just breastfeeding is not effective birth control at all ! You can become pregnant even before you resume having your periods. I know, I have two children that are 11 months apart. Be careful or be ready for another one. : )
I wouldn't rely on breastfeeding for birth control either. I would guess it is still lochia- bleeding from the birth. I think I bled at least 5-6 weeks with both my kids. Remember that nursing makes your uterus contract which helps push out blood.
It's also possible that sex could be causing bleeding too. You're my hero for getting back in the saddle so quickly. I don't think my husband was allowed to look at me for at least 8 weeks with my first. ;)
Just be sure to use protection until you get your IUD.
I bled/spotted with each of my 3 kids until almost 6 weeks. I am pretty sure I was still using a "light days" pad right up till that 6 week post delivery appointment.
I'd guess it is still just healing from having a baby. Call your doctor if you are really concerned.
jessica
Spotting around 6 weeks postpartum is totally normal and doesn't usually signal return of regular period (although it can). It's sort of like a mini-period that happens between 6-8 weeks, so I'd put my money on that.
Hi there,
It's definitely possible to get pregnant if you have unprotected sex. There are many examples of women getting pregnant at 6 weeks while breastfeeding. We use condoms b/c they are non-hormonal and won't affect my milk production.
What's done is done. Ask for a pregnancy test when you go in to get your IUD.
If you are pregnant, it is going to work out too! My friend, who was preggers at 3 months, said it worked really well for her, but it was tiring to support 2 people (bf infant and nourishing baby inside). She said it will be intense, but the kids will be best buddies!
Good luck!
Unless you have reason to believe that you are pregnant (unprotected sex) it probably means nothing. I bled for about 4 weeks and kept spotting for another 4 weeks afterwards. I stopped spotting just before my 8 week check up and then it started right back again upon getting the Mirena IUD (this is a normal, expected side effect) for another 3 weeks or so.
After that no more until I started weaning.
My sister on the other hands got a period like clockwork right back 4 weeks after giving birth (even though she was breastfeeding exclusively).
Every woman is different, that is why breastfeeding, even if it is exclusive, is not good birth control if you REALLY don't want to get pregnant.
Good luck.
You really can't rely on breastfeeding as a form of birth control unless you are nursing round the clock about every 2 hours. That's round the clock 24/7 and most babies just don't nurse that way. You will always, always want to use a back up form of protection.
I nursed both of mine exclusively and we always used condoms until they weaned. You never, ever know when you will become fertile again and could ovulate and get pregnant without ever getting your period again.
I don't want to scare you and it's highly unlikely that you are pregnant but I would take a test and if it's negative test again in about a week or so just to settle my mind. It's most likely just hormones and your body getting back to normal.
I stopped bleeding at 4 weeks and spotted a little around 6-6.5 weeks for a few days and there was no possibility to be pregnant, I also haven't had anything since then now 2.5 months out so. I would say not to worry too much but it wouldn't hurt to ask when you go in in a few weeks.
I think that's pretty normal, especially if you just resumed having sex. My husband couldn't wait nearly six weeks so good for you/him! I remember spotting around six weeks post partum myself and worrying that it was an internal problem caused by the c-section. The likelyhood that you're pregnant is pretty slim your body is still adjusting from the birth and the spotting is probably just a cleaning cycle.
If you're worried about getting pregnant you should probably go back to a barrier method 'til you get your IUD. I always hated condoms but the natural lamb ones are fantastic; they're really only good for married people - no STD protection. My husband had "the procedure" a couple years ago now so we don't use anything anymore but believe it or not I have fond memories of the natural lamb condoms.
