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The first couple of months you have with your baby are the most exhausting and joy filled. But after the initial excitement of having your baby come home subsides, there are many other changes that you’ll need to contend with. One of them being getting your period again. Your first period after a baby may come as a shock but it is completely normal as it is a natural part of the postpartum journey. All moms are different so you might get your period earlier or later than your peers, and that’s okay! The important thing is to keep cool and help yourself be as comfortable and prepared as possible. Now we know that you’ve probably had a period a million times and this isn’t your first rodeo. However, the first period after the birth of your baby isn’t exactly like the usual. So here’s everything you need to know about your first postpartum period.
Will Your First Period After The Baby Be Heavier Than Usual?
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Your first period after you have the baby will come after lochia. This is a vaginal discharge consisting of blood, mucus and uterine tissue that mothers experience after giving birth. It can last upto a few weeks (1). After this passes, your period will soon come in. It may be different from how they were before. You may find that it is heavier than it used to be or may suffer from painful cramps when you didn’t before childbirth. Your first period is bound to be quite heavy as your uterine lining is shedding along with blood clots from the birth itself. So, don’t be surprised when your period arrives in full force. However, there are some exceptions where a woman’s period is lighter on return. Breastfeeding women often get spotting as their first period, which is very light bleeding.
How Long Will Your First Postpartum Period Last?
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Numerous factors go into determining when your first period might start and how long it lasts. It could depend on the length of time you experience lochia, whether or not you are breastfeeding, if you or only partially breastfeeding or exclusively breastfeeding and the overall condition of your health. However it is important to keep in mind that everyone is different. Just like your periods were unique to you before childbirth, they will be after as well. So, it is hard to determine an exact time frame as it differs from woman to woman. Oftentimes, women find that their period does not return until after they finish breastfeeding. But nursing isn’t the only component at play so this isn’t a general rule. If you have decided to bottle feed your baby, you can expect your periods to return anywhere between 3 to 6 weeks after giving birth (2).
Can You Use A Tampon For Your First Period?
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Using pads is usually recommended for your first period after birth. This is to ensure that you are as comfortable as possible and for hygiene purposes if you’ve had a vaginal birth. It also makes it easier for you to monitor exactly what you are losing. You will be able to gauge how much blood you are losing, what color it is and if there are any clots. This also applies to lochia. Usually women are provided with special postpartum diapers, or really long pads for this purpose. Most breastfeeding women don’t get their period for upto 6 months after the birth and usually start off with light spotting, so they may opt to switch to tampons or period cups after a couple of days. Again, it depends on what you are comfortable with. Women know how to read their bodies and know what works best for them, so listen to your instincts.
Having said that, it is equally as important to keep hygiene in mind regardless of birth type. Postnatal women have to take care not to get infected or compromised as they are vulnerable during this period of time. Postnatal refers to the first eight weeks following the birth of the baby. If you start your period during this time, it is imperative to wear pads instead of tampons.
How Can You Tell If It’s Your First Period Or Lochia?
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All women bleed after giving birth, no matter the birth type. This means that irrespective of if you had a vaginal birth or a cesarean, you will experience lochia. This is in order to get rid of excess blood, clot, placenta tissue and mucus from the birth. Lochia usually lasts between 2 to 6 weeks, but there are chances that it can go on for longer. The flow starts off relatively heavy but becomes lighter as the days go by. Initially it is red or brownish red but then turns into a light pink or dark brown color. Most times, it ends with a dark brown color as it is old blood. Your blood from your postpartum period will look different. It will retain a lighter and brighter reddish color. There are usually a couple of weeks between when the lochia stops and your period starts.
Having so many changes happen to your body so rapidly can be overwhelming and scary. But, it’s nothing to worry about. Getting your period back is a natural part of your journey as a woman, so embrace it and keep healthy!
