Getting Real About the Period After Giving Birth

You’ve enjoyed 9 months period-free and now you’re entering the puerperium phase, the six weeks after childbirth where your body undergoes huge physiological changes. Your first period after giving birth usually won’t show up for at least 4 to 6 weeks, and it can take even longer if you’re breastfeeding. But it’s always good to stay in tune with what’s going on down there!

Recovering from pregnancy and labour isn’t a quick process, your body needs time to heal and go through the motions so you can enter motherhood feeling stronger and healthier.

Understanding Postpartum Menstruation

You might see a few different terms banding around when reading up about the fourth trimester. The fourth trimester is also referred to as postpartum, postnatal, and puerperium which talks about the first 6 weeks following the birth of your baby.

Every woman’s menstrual cycle is different, even without going through pregnancy and childbirth! After giving birth, it can take some time for your period to return. Your first period postpartum may come back as soon as 4 to 6 weeks, but it’s not uncommon for it to take longer, especially if you’re breastfeeding. The timing depends on factors like how often you’re breastfeeding, your body’s recovery, and your cycle.

Menstruation while breastfeeding

Although there hasn’t been a lot of research in this area, it has been shown that exclusive breastfeeding can prolong your first period after giving birth. Sometimes it can be delayed for 6 months or more, whereas some mothers exclusively breastfeed and get their first period much sooner.

Depending on how often you’re nursing and for how long, it may affect how quickly your menstrual cycle resumes. Mothers who use formula or formula top-ups alongside breastfeeding can expect their period after giving birth to return within 6-8 weeks.

Menstruation during breastfeeding can affect your milk supply, but this is short-lived and goes back to normal after a few days. You might notice:

• Your nipples or breasts are more sensitive or sore during menstruation

• You bleed when you start to nurse (breastfeeding contracts your uterus causing the blood lining to shed)

• Your milk supply dips a little as your hormone levels change slightly

• Your baby feeds more often because of the small dip in your milk supply

For as long as you breastfeed, your body will produce a hormone called “prolactin”. Prolactin directs the milk glands to produce milk. The hormone balance where prolactin is more prevalent means that you will have a lower chance of ovulating, resulting in no periods.

Common Changes in Postpartum Periods

Depending on your labour experience, there may be different aspects of your recovery that you will need to focus on. For example, the recovery after delivering your baby by cesarean compared to a vaginal birth would be very different - and the same goes for your menstrual cycle too.

Some women reported that their first period after a C-section was heavier or lighter, and they got irregular periods after birth. They also experienced stomach cramps, whereas they may not have felt them in previous cycles pre-pregnancy.

It’s also quite common for women to tear or require stitches on their vulva or labia after giving birth. Whilst these tears shouldn’t bleed after having stitches, it can be sore as it heals. Try holding some clean tissue against them when you go to the bathroom, and try not to strain. 

The vulva after childbirth will be healing too, and slightly widened from labour in the weeks afterwards. It is common for mums in the 4th trimester to leak urine because of this, but be sure to check that it isn’t a sign of underlying complications that require medical attention, particularly if you have had a c-section.

How long do you bleed after giving birth?

Regardless of whether you had a c-section or a vaginal birth, it's normal to experience vaginal bleeding known as lochia. This discharge helps your body shed the lining of the uterus and typically lasts for several weeks. Initially, the bleeding is heavy and bright red, gradually becoming lighter in color and flow over time.

After this, your period can return at any point, largely depending on whether you’re breastfeeding or not.

Blood clots after birth, what’s normal?

Passing small blood clots—about the size of a grape or smaller—is common during the first few days postpartum. However, it's important to monitor the size and frequency of any clots. If you pass a clot larger than a golf ball, or if you're soaking through a sanitary pad in an hour or less, this could indicate a complication like postpartum haemorrhage, and you should contact your healthcare provider immediately.

Large clots may suggest that some placental tissue remains in the uterus, preventing it from contracting properly. This condition can lead to excessive bleeding and may require medical intervention to remove the retained tissue.

Always keep an eye on your bleeding pattern, and don't hesitate to seek medical advice if you notice any concerning changes. Your health and well-being are paramount during the postpartum period.

Read more: Bleeding After Birth: What’s Normal and When to Worry

Managing Postpartum Menstrual Symptoms

The fourth trimester is a time of healing, learning (lots) of new things, spending time together as a new family, and managing your health and well-being. Here are some practical tips that can help you manage your menstrual symptoms and period after giving birth.

• Eating various foods that encourage a healthy, balanced diet to fuel your energy levels, heal your body, and prevent constipation.

• Drink plenty of fluids, especially if you’re breastfeeding, to encourage milk production and alleviate common menstrual symptoms.

• Use a heating pad to soothe cramps and ease those stiff joints and sore muscles. It’s a great way to help you relax and feel more comfortable.

• Gentle exercises such as walking and stretching help you to stay mobile and can also support your postpartum recovery to reduce the chances of after-birth clots.

• When you’re ready to transition from using maternity pads, a menstrual disc or cup is a sustainable and safe alternative - and much more cost-effective too!

What is a menstrual disc?

A menstrual disc, like the Bodyotics Comfydisc, is a flexible, reusable product made from soft, medical-grade silicone. Like a menstrual cup, it’s inserted to collect your flow — but it sits higher up in the vagina, closer to the cervix, and without suction. This gentle, no-suction placement makes it a great choice for sensitive postpartum bodies as it reduces pressure on the pelvic floor and healing cervix.

Discs can hold more fluid than cups, making them especially handy for the heavier periods many women experience after giving birth. Plus, with up to 12 hours of protection, they offer longer-lasting comfort and peace of mind while you’re adjusting to your postpartum body.

Transitioning Back to Fertility Awareness

Before you get your first period after giving birth, you might notice some signs that your menstrual cycle is getting back into a pattern, and you can start to track your fertility cycle. Whether you are family planning or not, fertility tracking is a useful way to plan contraception after birth or recognise when you might be on your period while nursing.

Signs of natural fertility are:

• Cervical mucus (will be sticky, wet, and more mucus than usual)

• Basal temperature rises slightly

• Heightened sense of smell

• Increase in sex drive

• Sore or tender breasts

• Lower abdominal pain

Whilst nursing can take longer for your period to return, when you’re nursing and on your period, be sure to prioritise your well-being and rest when you can. Breastfeeding, ovulating, and looking after a baby can be tiring work!

Can you get pregnant when you breastfeed?

Yes. Breastfeeding is a way to nourish your baby, but it’s not a reliable form of contraception. It’s important to remember that ovulation can occur before your first postpartum period, which means you can become pregnant even if your period hasn’t returned.

If you're not planning another pregnancy soon, talk to your healthcare provider about safe contraception options that work for you while breastfeeding, such as the “mini pill” (a progestin-only pill) or other methods. 

Read more: Birth Control Options While Breastfeeding: What You Need to Know

When To Worry?

It’s common for new mums to wonder about their periods and postpartum recovery. Many even search for terms like “no period after pregnancy when to worry.” While every woman’s body is different, there are certain red flags you should watch for during the postpartum period.

Here’s what to look out for:

• Pain with clots

• Excessive bleeding (large clots or heavier than your period)

• Odour, fever, or foul discharge

• Discomfort while peeing

• Severe pain or cramping

Conclusion

If every postpartum cycle followed the same script, we'd all know exactly what to expect. But the reality is that each mum's journey is unique. Paying attention to your body's signals can help you understand your postpartum cycle and fertility. Noticing changes in your body and tracking symptoms can provide insight into your reproductive health as you recover from childbirth.

If ever you are unsure of your symptoms, reach out for support and guidance from your healthcare professional. You can also use Lola & Lykke’s free maternal health expert service for any non-urgent queries.