When your period comes if you breastfeed. When menstruation appears after childbirth: norm and pathology. The main reasons for slow cycle recovery

After the birth of children, the nature of menstruation in women often changes. Some women in labor experience temporarily stronger and more painful periods, while others notice that their periods have become lighter.

In the first months after birth menstrual cycle may be irregular, but it usually returns to normal after a while. It's impossible to predict how childbirth may affect your periods, but women who breastfeed tend to take longer to get their periods back.

In the current article, we will explain in detail what women should expect from their periods after having children.

What to expect?

After childbirth, the pattern of your periods may change as the uterus takes time to return to its original size.

The female body does not tolerate pregnancy easily, and childbirth is a traumatic event for it. Therefore, after the birth of a child, a woman needs time to recover. There are no standard descriptive characteristics for postpartum, but usually the first few periods are different from those observed before pregnancy.

The reasons for changes in the nature of menstruation after childbirth include the following:

• an enlarged uterus takes time to return to its normal size;
• hormonal levels change;
• Breastfeeding affects hormonal levels.

Some women notice that menstruation becomes heavier after childbirth. Others observe color change menstrual blood, more intense cramps, or an increase in the number of blood clots.

However, sooner or later the nature of menstruation returns to normal, that is, menstruation becomes the same as it was before pregnancy.

When do normal periods return?

In women who do not breastfeed or do so irregularly, normal menstruation recover faster.

An analysis of six studies, which was published in 2011 by the respected American journal Obstetrics and Gynecology, showed that most women experience their first menstruation between 45 and 94 days after the birth of their child. The authors of one of these studies found that, on average, women get their first period 74 days after giving birth.

The main factor influencing the time of resumption of menstruation is. Women who want to find out whether they are ovulating can use special tests that are sold both in pharmacies and in specialized online stores.

In addition, you can determine ovulation using daily measurements. basal temperature bodies.

Irregular postpartum periods

In the first few months after giving birth, women often have irregular menstrual cycles. Those recent mothers who are breastfeeding may experience this problem with more likely, because the hormones that support breastfeeding may cause infrequent ovulation or complete absence.

Even women who do not breastfeed may have irregular menstrual cycles as the body takes time to recover from pregnancy and childbirth.

Later, menstruation returns to its normal rhythm. However, some women experience them irregularly even before pregnancy, so these women should not expect improvement after childbirth. To the number possible reasons This problem includes some diseases, for example or.

If regular menstrual cycles are not restored after childbirth, and the woman has not previously been diagnosed with PCOS, endometriosis or other related medical problems, then in such a situation she should consult a doctor for examination.

Lochia

In some women, lochia is accompanied by spasms

Lochia is vaginal discharge which are observed in women after childbirth. Initially they look like heavy bleeding dark red with a lot of blood clots.

After a few days or weeks, the lochia becomes lighter, then take pink color, brown and disappear completely.

At the moment when lochia leaves the body, some women experience mild cramps. Such spasms are observed due to the fact that it contracts and gradually returns to its previous size.

Lochia is not menstruation. They are a sign that the body is still recovering from childbirth, and the uterus is shedding the lining that supported the pregnancy.

Lochia can easily be mistaken for menstruation or vice versa. Although both types of discharge begin with bright red blood, the lochia usually becomes lighter after a while, and menstrual bleeding tend to darken.

Menstruation during breastfeeding

During breastfeeding, postpartum periods may not occur for several months due to the fact that breastfeeding prevents ovulation and subsequent menstruation.

Some women use breastfeeding as a method of prevention unwanted pregnancy. However, in 2015, Dutch scientists published a review according to which from 11.1 to 39.4% of women who breastfeed their children have at least one full menstrual cycle during the first six months after birth.

Birth control

Birth control pills often help regulate your menstrual cycle

Women can begin using some contraceptives immediately after giving birth, although doctors usually advise waiting several weeks before using combined ones.

Women who do not want to expose their body to hormonal hormones oral contraceptives, may consider using condoms, diaphragms, or copper-containing IUDs (IUDs).

Meanwhile hormonal contraceptives often help regulate postpartum menstrual cycles. These drugs include tablets containing and or only progestins. In addition, women may use hormonal IUDs, injections, or implants.

Some methods of protecting against unwanted pregnancy cause menstruation to become less frequent or stop altogether. Doctors may recommend them to women who experience very heavy or very painful periods.

Mothers who breastfeed their children sometimes worry that birth control pills may affect the baby's health or milk production.

As part of a study conducted in 2012, American scientists compared two types of contraceptives - combination tablets and progestin-only pills (mini-pills). In their findings, the study authors reported that they found no significant difference in milk production and feeding patterns. While each of these birth control methods is considered safe for breastfeeding mothers, Women should discuss with their doctor any pharmaceutical products they plan to take.

When should you see your doctor?

After giving birth, doctors usually explain to women what signs to look for in order to recognize possible medical problems in time. The nature of normal postpartum hemorrhage at different women is different. It depends on the method of delivery, medical history women and other individual factors.

You should consult a doctor immediately if the following signs appear:

• very heavy bleeding, during which a woman has to change pads every hour for a period of more than two hours;
• bleeding accompanied by fever;
• intense spasms;
• large blood clots.

You should also go to the hospital if you have unusual bleeding, very painful periods, or if you have questions about your menstrual irregularities.

conclusions

Some women experience stronger and more painful first postpartum periods, while others experience weaker and lighter ones.

For some women, menstruation resumes soon after the cessation of lochia; for others, this may occur after several months, especially if breastfeeding.

If changes in your menstrual patterns are causing pain or other problems, it's best to tell your doctor who can help ease your symptoms.

Restoring menstruation is an important factor in the health of every mother after she gives birth to a child. Young mothers are interested in when their periods begin after childbirth.

The restoration of menstruation is a significant point that needs to be paid attention to. After all, menstruation after childbirth is considered the main criterion for the health of the mother who has given birth.

During pregnancy, women do not have menstruation due to hormonal changes. After childbirth, the female body gradually recovers, and menstruation returns to its usual pattern within 3-7 days. They resume in different time.

It is impossible to tell the date after which menstruation begins. It is different for every mother who gives birth. Often menstruation occurs immediately after the mother stops breastfeeding her baby. This is all due to the fact that during feeding the body produces a hormone called prolactin.

Prolactin promotes good milk production and at the same time prevents the ovaries from working normally. It is for this reason that there is no menstruation. If breastfeeding is carried out for a long time, then the onset of menstruation resumes after a year from childbirth. On average, it occurs after six months, when complementary foods begin to be introduced.

Periods after childbirth

Moms worry when their periods start after childbirth. There is no definite answer to this question, since each organism is individual. After labor activity menstruation is quickly restored and becomes the same as it was before. Only in the first months, menstruation may be premature or delayed.

There are many rumors about the menstrual cycle. They say that the restoration of menstruation directly depends on how the baby was born. But in fact, the onset of menstruation has nothing to do with what kind of birth there was.

Some women, after giving birth, note that their periods are not as painful as they were before. These phenomena can be explained physiologically. Previously, pain occurred due to the flexion of the uterus, which often prevented good blood flow. In the body, some organs after childbirth change their location, and the bend straightens. For this reason, pain during menstruation disappears.

When do they start?

Many people are interested in how long after childbirth menstruation begins. But this indicator depends exactly on breastfeeding.

For normal prolactin production to occur, a woman must feed her baby constantly. In this case, your period will not start. If lactation decreases, the production of the hormone decreases and this leads to the restoration of menstruation.

There is no specific time frame for when exactly they can resume again, because each body reacts differently. In addition, reception hormonal drugs And medicated birth can disrupt those processes in the body that were intended by Mother Nature.

The timing of menstruation is influenced by many factors:

• stressful situations;
• hormone levels;
• various diseases.

When breastfeeding

Habitual periods after childbirth breastfeeding will be absent throughout the entire feeding period. An exception may be feeding a baby after one year. IN in this case menstruation may reappear.

If there is not enough breast milk and the mother has to use formula milk, women may resume menstruation after four months. This happens due to a decrease in prolactin production.

With artificial feeding

Artificial feeding is now common. Some women cannot breastfeed due to their health, while others refuse. In each case, the first period after childbirth occurs within two months, although other options are possible.

Why no menstruation?

One of the reasons is considered to be hyperprolactinemia - high performance prolactin. This disease arises due to bad work thyroid gland or occurrence different entities. Diseases, as a rule, are treatable; you just need to visit a doctor first.

Sheehan's syndrome may also be the cause of the absence of menstruation. Due to changes in the pituitary gland, it occurs. For this reason, menstruation may be absent or appear as spotting. This disease also has the following accompanying symptoms:

• great fatigue;
• swelling;
• hypotension.

Contraception issues

Many couples believe that if there is no menstruation after the birth of the baby, then there is no need to protect themselves. However, in reality this is not the case at all. The whole point is that the female body after childbirth is capable of bearing a child.

Often during this period menstruation does not occur, and mothers attribute the lack of menstruation to breastfeeding. When parents find out about pregnancy, they are shocked by this news, since the young body is not yet ready for pregnancy.

It is best to plan for the birth of your second baby only after two years, so that the body has time to rest.

When should you see a doctor?

If after giving birth the baby is fed artificially, and menstruation does not come, this may be a reason to consult a gynecologist. After all, such a fact may indicate the presence of diseases of the genital organs. After breastfeeding ends, menstruation may also not occur for some time. The reasons for this are:

• pathologies;
• hormonal disbalance;
• inflammation of the ovaries.

To prevent the development of inflammatory processes and other diseases, you need to be observed by a gynecologist.

If so, then you also need to see a specialist. If you have to change one pad in one hour, then this should be considered bleeding. You also need to pay attention to the dark shade of the blood and the bad smell.

The cycle should recover after 3 months from the start of menstruation. If it is irregular, then this can be considered a deviation. Its cause is hormonal disorders. In addition, some women complain that it has become more pronounced.

It is imperative to consult a doctor if:

• during discharge, body temperature rises;
• present ;
• no periods for more than a year after completion of lactation.

Video about menstruation after giving birth

After the birth of a child, a woman needs not only care, but also careful attention to the restoration processes in the body. And if the first can be left to loved ones and relatives, then taking care of your health remains with the young mother. One of the most important symptoms restoration of the body is the beginning of menstruation. However, the first menstruation after childbirth in a number of indicators, including timing, may differ significantly from those before pregnancy. Therefore, this serious issue requires detailed consideration.

Lochia and menstruation: what is what

Many women call bloody discharge with clots after childbirth menstruation. However, they have a different nature, name and are not menstruation.

Start recovery process after childbirth is marked by lochia

Lochia after childbirth

To understand the difference between postpartum discharge and menstruation, it is necessary to understand the physiological process of restoration of the uterus after the birth of a child. Regardless of the method of delivery - natural or surgical (caesarean section), the uterus is a bleeding wound. This is due to the fact that from reproductive organ The placenta is torn off, thereby rupturing many vessels connecting it to the uterus. In addition, from the body of the uterus itself, due to the action of the hormone oxytocin, which provokes uterine contractions, part of the fibers is separated, which leads to the restoration of its pre-pregnancy state. All this leads to the fact that the young mother observes bloody discharge with clots, gradually decreasing in volume - lochia. The average time for their completion, that is, healing of the uterus, is up to 40 days after birth.

This is interesting. The first week of lochia helps the uterus “lose weight” from a kilogram to 300 grams. In 1.5–2 months, the reproductive organ returns to an average weight of 70 grams.

The intensity of lochia must be monitored very carefully, as this important indicator normal recovery body

Period

Menstruation (regula) is a physiological phenomenon that represents the rejection of the mucous surface of the female reproductive organ, which occurs under the influence hormonal levels women. The menstrual cycle is determined by work endocrine system, therefore, without understanding its essence, it is difficult to understand the mechanism of the arrival of menstruation.

Table: phases of the menstrual cycle

This is interesting. All three phases monthly cycle occur under the influence of specific hormones: ovulatory under the influence of estradiol, luteal under the influence of progesterone.

Each phase occurs on certain days of the cycle

Video: ovulation after childbirth

First period after childbirth

Based on the mechanism of the onset of menstruation and the nature of lochia, we come to the conclusion that these are two different processes, although both are characterized by bloody discharge. The end of lochia is by no means a signal for the beginning of full menstruation. The fact is that their arrival is due to a number of accompanying factors.

During lactation, a woman actively produces prolactin, a hormone that, in turn, ensures the production of breast milk, but at the same time inhibits the hormones responsible for preparing a woman for pregnancy. It turns out that as long as there is a lot of prolactin, a young mother may not wait for her period. However, this conclusion can be challenged by citing several arguments related to individual characteristics hormonal levels, as well as taking into account:

• hereditary factor (of course, you shouldn’t expect a complete coincidence in the timing of the onset of menstruation after childbirth for mother, grandmother and daughter, but there won’t be strong differences in timing either);
• presence of pathologies (resumption of menstruation due to inflammation, infectious diseases history is difficult to predict);
• type and duration of breastfeeding.

The last factor is worth considering in detail.

Prolactin, produced during lactation, is responsible for inhibition of ovulation and absence of menstruation.

Resumption of menstruation during breastfeeding

The production of prolactin decreases with the introduction of complementary feeding and supplementation into the child’s diet. That is, based on the experience of the last few years, when pediatricians began to recommend complementary feeding from 4–6 months, we can say that this period is the starting point for waiting for menstruation.

This is interesting. For some women, even taking into account complementary feeding, but maintaining partial breastfeeding (especially at night, when prolactin production is faster), menstruation may not come until complete weaning.

Menstruation during artificial feeding

In this situation, prolactin is not produced in large quantities, so the completion of lochia and the healing of the uterus is the time for the onset of menstruation. This usually happens 1.5 months after birth. But the absence of menstruation for 4–5 months is not considered a deviation. In situations where lactation has been completed for some reason, the regulation will be restored after prolactin begins to be produced prenatally.

This is interesting. A woman who does not have her period after 4–5 months of completion postpartum discharge, needs consultation with a gynecologist.

With artificial feeding, menstruation begins earlier

Regulations for combining breastfeeding and artificial feeding

If the baby receives mother's milk, and mixtures, menstruation comes after 3–12 months. The large range is associated with the time of day at which the number of feedings is reduced: if in the morning and evening, when prolactin is produced most actively, then menstruation will begin earlier.

Video: restoration of menstruation after childbirth

Features of the first menstruation: symptoms, nature of discharge and timing

The main fear of women expecting their first period after childbirth is that it will start suddenly. In fact, in most (!) cases, without premenstrual syndrome(PMS) will not work, so the signals of “readiness No. 1” will be:

• nagging pain in the lower abdomen;
• mood swings;
• headache.

Before the first period after childbirth, a woman may experience increased PMS.

Another important point, for which you need to prepare in advance: this is a possible change in the nature of the discharge. After childbirth they may become:

• more painful;
• more abundant or more scanty compared to those before pregnancy;
• with clots (usually such lumps are characteristic of menstruation, which began shortly after the end of lochia, and these inclusions are the remains of damaged tissues and fibers, indicating that the endometrium is still recovering).

As for the timing of the first menstruation, they may be a little longer or, conversely, a little shorter. In general, monthly bleeding in the absence of abnormalities should not last longer than 7–8 days. In this case, the first few cycles will be within 21–30 days, then the timing will be adjusted.

This is interesting. Resumption of menstruation after caesarean section happens the same way as after natural birth. After an abortion or miscarriage, the cycle returns depending on the woman’s health condition, as well as the presence of complications after curettage.

When to be alarmed

There are several reasons associated with the resumption of menstruation that require prompt consultation with a doctor. It is worth noting that it is impossible to draw conclusions about deviations after the first menstruation. The only exception is unbearable pain. To get an objective picture, you need to monitor your health for 2–3 cycles.

This is interesting. Despite the absence of menstruation, after the end of lochia, a woman can become pregnant again. This, again, is due to the individual characteristics of her body, so it is worth paying attention to the choice of contraception. It should be taken into account that if you select intrauterine device, then the first menstruation may be longer, more abundant and more painful, and if you take birth control pills, then, on the contrary, the discharge will become short-lived, scanty, and sometimes even spotting.

The duration and intensity of menstruation is also affected by the method of contraception.

Prolonged and heavy discharge

Protracted periods are those that last longer than 8 days. Often long-term regulations accompanied If the pad has to be changed more often than 2.5–3 hours in two or more cycles, then the bleeding is considered intense. Such deviations occur especially often in women who have had a caesarean section or abortion. In addition, in this way the body signals that:

• particles of membranes remain on the walls of the uterus;
• inflammation develops;
• the woman was (or is) under stress;
• During pregnancy, the young mother suffered from iron deficiency anemia.

Conservative treatment is considered:

• hemostatic drugs;
• vitamins;
• medications that replenish iron reserves in the body.

If these means do not produce results, the woman is prescribed curettage, which has two goals: to exclude the development of tumors in the endometrium and to stop bleeding.

Periods are too fast

Common reasons accelerated menstruation(less than 2 days) are:

• sudden weight loss of a woman;
• heavy bleeding after childbirth;
• hyperprolactinemia - strong increase prolactin.

Menstruation less than two days is considered a deviation from the norm

Scanty periods

Discharge resembling daub (in the absence of hormonal contraception), repeated more than three cycles in a row should also raise alarm bells. Such a cycle disruption may indicate hormonal imbalance, endometritis (inflammation of the lining of the uterus) or Sheehan syndrome (a neuroendocrine disorder caused by the death of pituitary cells due to complications during childbirth or abortion).

Irregular menstruation

Hormonal imbalances require precise correction, so consultation with an endocrinologist is required.

Unpleasant odor, bright color, itching

Strong odor of discharge bright color, as well as fever, severe pain lower abdomen - symptoms caused by infections or cancer. Itching and cheesy discharge are signs of thrush.

Stopping menstruation after the first 1–2 cycles

In this case, first of all, you need to exclude new pregnancy. The reason for such a stop in flow physiological process maybe quite rare condition- early menopause.

This is interesting. Any anxiety states, Related women's health, must be discussed with a specialist. Therefore, you should not neglect visits to the gynecologist.

Personal hygiene when restoring menstruation

Hygienic procedures during the resumption of menstruation after childbirth are no different from those carried out before pregnancy:

How to stabilize your periods

You should think about restoring menstruation in advance by discussing this issue with your gynecologist. Especially if there were complications during childbirth. In addition, it is worth listening to the recommendations of experts and:

This is interesting. Women with postpartum syndrome (depression) are advised to drink herbal teas, lungs sedatives on natural ingredients. If necessary, visit a psychologist.

Higher philological education, 11 years of experience teaching English and Russian, love for children and an objective view of modernity are the key lines of my 31-year-old life. Strengths: responsibility, desire to learn new things and improve oneself.

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Good day, my dear readers. Today I would like to talk to you about periods after childbirth. Quite recently, in a conversation with friends, I heard that one of them began menstruation when the baby was already 1.5 years old, and the second - when only 3 months had passed since the birth of the baby. What determines the speed of recovery of critical days? When does the first period start and how long does it last? Can a young lady who has recently given birth become pregnant again before the first scanty discharge occurs? How do they affect work? female body artificial and breastfeeding? What does it indicate if your period starts and disappears? We will talk about this and much more today. Join us))

The nature of the restoration of menstruation after childbirth

It's no secret that immediately after giving birth, a woman experiences spotting (lochia) for about two months. In this way, the uterine cavity is naturally cleansed from the consequences of pregnancy and childbirth (fetal membrane particles, cervical mucus, blood, endometrial cells). At this time, it is very important to monitor the hygiene of the genital organs, the color and smell of lochia, and abstain from sexual activity.

If you notice any alarming symptoms, then a trip to the gynecologist should come first!

I think you will agree with me: after everything that I had to go through in recent months, few women who have given birth dream of the imminent return of menstruation. The long 40 weeks of pregnancy, the peculiarities of gestation, painful childbirth or cesarean, two-month cleansing - you want to take a break from all this. But still, the questions: how long after childbirth will your period come, what it should be like, are of concern for good reason. After all, the frequency and nature of the menstrual cycle directly indicate the work of hormonal and reproductive systems, and any deviation from the norm may be the first bell signaling a problem. So, let's figure out what these norms are, and do they even exist for young mothers?

I hasten to dispel the myth: the speed at which menstruation appears in no way depends on the type of delivery (cesarean or EP).

I will not open America to you if I tell you that the first sign of pregnancy is the absence of menstruation. From the moment of conception, the restructuring of everything in our body begins. hormonal systems, the amount of progesterone increases, new eggs do not mature, the endometrium is not rejected, but on the contrary, its layer is strengthened to further protect the embryo. What happens after the birth of a child?

The connection between the menstrual cycle and breastfeeding

When your baby is born, the hormonal parade in a woman’s body undergoes new dramatic changes. Now the “milk” hormone, prolactin, begins to be intensively produced, which again suppresses the active functioning of the ovaries. Nature is wise! At each of the stages important for childbirth, those hormones that more needed in this moment. Since the baby vitally needs nutrition, all the body’s forces are aimed at producing food for him.

Nature intended that the period of absence of menstruation is directly related to the time period of breastfeeding, but it is important to take into account the very nature of feeding. If a woman delivers her baby strictly according to schedule and introduces complementary foods early, then there is a high probability that menstruation will not take long. But for mothers who, these “guests” come much later.

I was also able to verify from my own experience and the stories of my friends that the longer and more active woman breastfeeds, the slower her periods return. For many mothers, “special” days begin soon after the introduction of complementary foods. This is due to the fact that now the baby needs the breast less and less and the body quickly “strives” to the prenatal state.

I hasten to dispel the myth: menstruation during breastfeeding does not at all affect the taste and smell of milk, as some ladies think. Therefore, the menstrual cycle should not affect the feeding schedule in any way. But sometimes with the first spotting the amount of product produced may decrease slightly.

Don't panic! Put your baby to your breast more often and lactation will soon be restored.

Remember: the nature of the onset of menstruation after childbirth is purely individual. It is considered normal for menstrual periods to return 3 months after childbirth, and after a year and a half when breastfeeding.

How quickly do periods return when feeding your baby special foods?

If for some reason a woman cannot (does not want) to put her baby to the breast, then the production of prolactin slows down and the flow of milk decreases. The new egg matures and is released at the right time along with the epidermis layer and uterine bleeding. The first menstruation with artificial feeding normally occurs after 2-3 months. If the baby is on a mixed diet (mixture + breast milk), then this period increases to 4-6 months.

Another important point! The following factors influence the “arrival” time of menstruation:

• whether the woman gets enough rest;
• presence of birth injuries;
• regularity of nutrition, weight gain;
• treatment with certain medications, especially hormonal ones;
• the general condition of the body, especially with regard to the endocrine system and the presence of chronic diseases.

If a woman completely stops breastfeeding and her period does not start within 1-2 months, then she should consult a doctor. Such a delay may indicate both the development of certain pathologies and a new pregnancy.

Is pregnancy possible without menstruation?

The biggest mistake of some girls is the belief that in the absence of menstruation and breastfeeding, conception cannot occur and is not required... Yes, lactational amenorrhea, in which ovulation is maximally suppressed by prolactin, gives some chance to “open” sex without consequences. But still, a certain risk of “flying up” is more than possible. After all, in order to unplanned pregnancy did not take place, it is necessary to comply with a number of conditions. Namely:

• period after birth no more than six months;
• frequent latching of the baby to the breast (breaks of no more than 2 hours during the day and 4 hours at night), that is, expressing milk into a bottle and going to the movies with your husband (as an option) will no longer work;
• co-sleeping with the baby and mandatory night feedings;
• The baby should not be given additional water or complementary foods, since the number of feedings in this case is significantly reduced.

And even if all the above requirements are met, the probability of conception in the absence of menstruation after childbirth will be 2-3%. Is it worth the risk? I'm sure NO! You can find more detailed answers to this question in this article.

Features of the first menstruation after childbirth

Dear women, I want to start this section by making you happy a little. Many young mothers notice that earlier painful menstruation now, after the birth of the baby, they are not. What is the reason for such improvements? The secret is simple: very often discomfort and pain during bleeding directly related to the bending of the uterus, which greatly impedes the free flow of blood. But after delivery, the position of some organs in abdominal cavity changes, the bend straightens out on its own, and Hurray - no more monthly pain!!!

The first menstruation after childbirth is often heavy, as are the next few. But gradually the cycle stabilizes and becomes regular. It is considered normal if it takes a woman 3-4 months. What to do if during menstruation it “pours like a bucket” or, on the contrary, they are very scanty; what if the discharge started and disappeared after a month?

Should I go to the doctor or not?

Very often, a new mother has no time to take care of her health, because everything free time, strength, attention she gives to the baby. We probably all know the feeling that nothing could be more important than a crumb right now. Hormones are raging, the baby becomes the center of the universe. What kind of menstruation can you think about here?)) But still, I really want you to read this section carefully. After all, children need healthy mothers!!!

So, when consultation with a doctor cannot be postponed?

First of all, it should be strange for a woman if, after lochia (discharge after childbirth), bleeding appears unpleasant smell; if breastfeeding “started” three months ago, and menstruation has not yet begun. Very heavy (scanty) periods over several cycles (and not just once), or if the discharge has passed once and has not recurred, should be no less alarming.

The following pathologies may be the cause of all this:

• endometriosis;
• hormonal imbalance;
• tumor neoplasms;
• unnoticed postpartum pathologies, damage;
• new pregnancy;
• inflammatory process in the ovaries, etc.

It is clear that they can only be diagnosed experienced doctor by vaginal and (or) transabdominal ultrasound, studying test results, examination on a gynecological chair. So be sure to find a couple of free hours and visit the hospital if something like that worries you!

Conclusion

So our conversation today has come to an end. But I still have one little piece of advice for you. I hasten to recommend a musical night light with projector. Gave it to me best friend when I came to meet my newborn daughter for the first time. With the help of this cute and, as it turned out, extremely useful device, the baby began to fall asleep faster, and I had a little more time for myself))

I would really like you, my dear readers, to share your experience. How quickly did you start your period after giving birth? Were there any problems with the formation of the cycle? How often do you visit the gynecologist after the birth of your child? I look forward to your stories)) See you again!

Finally, the long-awaited baby pleased his parents with his birth. Mommy is calm and happy, but the very next day she is overwhelmed by a wave of worries - how to properly care for the baby, whether he has enough milk, how to say goodbye to extra pounds and when you will “please” the first menstruation after childbirth. We will try to carefully understand the last question, since it interests almost everyone.

Periods after childbirth - what explains their absence

Many people often confuse postpartum spotting - lochia - with menstrual discharge. In fact, they are not the same thing at all. At first, the lochia are deep red, then they darken, and their volume gradually becomes smaller. The mucous layer of the uterus returns to its normal state within 1.5 months, which is how long the discharge will bother you. If a caesarean section was performed, this period may even increase slightly. Appearance The lochia changes every day, and by the end of the first month only bloody streaks are visible in them.

After the birth of the baby, the mother’s body again undergoes hormonal changes, this time the culprit turns out to be prolactin. Its accelerated production is associated with the need to saturate the newborn, because it is this hormone that is responsible for lactation. An increased level of prolactin has a depressing effect on the functioning of the ovaries, so there are no periods after childbirth - the female body has higher priority tasks. IN Once again you can be surprised and admire the wisdom of nature - a newborn baby so needs his mother’s attention and healthy milk that conceiving a new life at this stage is simply impossible. Our great-grandmothers did not wean their babies from the breast for two or three long years, and for the entire period of lactation they were spared the invasion of “critical” days.

Periods after childbirth - when to expect them to appear

The timing of the appearance of the first menstruation after childbirth is influenced by many individual reasons — frequent stress, presence of diseases, hormone levels and others. However, the main one is the completeness of lactation. It is approximately possible to name the following time indicators:

- with full breastfeeding, without additional complementary foods, there are no periods after childbirth for the entire lactation period. An exception may be the continuation of breastfeeding after a year - in this case, the appearance of menstruation is quite possible;

- if mother’s milk is sorely lacking and you have to use formula as a supplement, periods after childbirth, even with breastfeeding, may appear after 4-5 months. This occurs due to a decrease in prolactin production and a weakening of its effect on the ovaries;

— artificial feeding- not at all uncommon. Some mothers are deprived of the opportunity to breastfeed due to health reasons, and some, unfortunately, refuse to do so on their own. In any case, menstruation after childbirth will occur one and a half to two months after birth, although individual options are possible;

- after a cesarean section, if it passed without complications, the onset of menstruation after childbirth also depends on the baby’s menu - when breastfeeding, menstruation is not expected until the end of lactation or the gradual introduction of complementary foods.

To find out how long after giving birth your period begins, you need to take into account other factors - mommy’s compliance with correct mode, the presence of a variety healthy nutrition, age, chronic diseases, emotional condition. To this should be added the characteristics of the body, so no one can name the exact timing of when to expect the first menstruation after childbirth.

Menstruation after childbirth - its duration and permissible intensity

Having determined how long after childbirth menstruation begins, let’s try to find out at least current issues- whether they will be painful, how long they can last and how intense the discharge should be. Most often, after the birth of their first child, mothers note the disappearance of unpleasant sensations and the establishment regular cycle. However, it is possible to determine the correct indicators only three months after menstruation has returned after childbirth. The first cycles may have some changes, and doctors do not consider this a deviation - menstruation can cause anxiety because it is heavy and lasts longer than it was before childbirth. However, it is advisable to consult a doctor to refute possible abnormalities. You especially need to hurry to do this if the first menstruation after childbirth is accompanied by persistent weakness, unpleasant dizziness, arrhythmia.

Normally, menstruation should repeat every 21-34 days, the volume of discharge should not exceed 20-80 ml (about 5-6 tablespoons), and the duration of the process should be no less than three and no more than eight days. How long your period lasts after giving birth for the first time is completely unimportant; it can last for 7-8 days, or it can be limited to two or three days. It is much more important that their duration normalizes within two to three months.

Alas, it is unlikely that it will be possible to get rid of premenstrual syndrome even after the birth of a child, but periods after childbirth, as a rule, become less painful. This is due to the location of the uterus and normal conditions for blood outflow. However inflammatory processes or the presence of complications can change the natural course of menstruation, so in case of any deviations you should consult a doctor.

Menstruation after childbirth - when doctor's help is important

After the birth of your baby, despite the understandable lack of free time, you must not forget about your health and ignore visiting the gynecologist. It will help assess the size and condition of the uterus and ovaries, tell you how long after birth your periods begin, and determine the presence or absence of signs of trouble. It is necessary to visit the doctor without delaying the visit following cases:

1. Too much abundant first menstruation after childbirth - this sign may indicate endometrial hyperplasia, hormone imbalance, endometriosis. If one regular gasket lasts less than two hours - the presence of bleeding should be recognized.

2. Bloody issues with an unpleasant odor soon after the cessation of lochia signals the presence of residues ovum in the uterus.

3. Extremely scanty periods after childbirth or their complete absence 3 months after the end of breastfeeding - the cause may be increased level prolactin, which should have decreased by this time.

Lack of regularity, too abundant or, on the contrary, scanty discharge, Availability additional symptoms — serious reasons to see a doctor.

There are no periods after childbirth - is it possible not to use protection?

You can, if you don't mind having another baby. A bunch of married couples, hoping for the absence of menstruation after childbirth, were surprised to discover the presence of a long-term pregnancy. The thing is that ovulation occurs two weeks before the appearance of the first menstruation after childbirth and does not communicate about the process even in secret. As a result, the egg is fertilized, and the absence of menstruation is attributed to the young mother. hormonal changes. Late detection of pregnancy plunges young parents into a real shock, because the mother’s body is not yet ready for new challenges. Its complete recovery requires at least two years, so it is advisable to plan the birth of the next baby taking this circumstance into account.

Menstruation after childbirth - causes of cycle disruption

For three months after the first menstruation after childbirth, there is absolutely no need to worry about cycle irregularity. But only if you reliably protected yourself during sexual intercourse. IN otherwise If there is a delay, it will not hurt to take a pregnancy test. If two to three months have passed since the appearance of the first menstruation after childbirth, and the regularity of the cycle has not improved, or abnormal symptoms are present, one of the reasons may be Sheehan syndrome or postpartum hypopituitarism. The disease occurs as a result heavy bleeding after childbirth, the presence of peritonitis or sepsis. The causes of Sheehan syndrome can also be histoses that manifest themselves in the second half of pregnancy severe swelling, protein content in urine and high pressure. As a result of necrotic changes in the pituitary gland, there is a disruption in the restoration of the cycle - menstruation after childbirth is either completely absent or has the appearance of spotting. The disease is accompanied by headache, excessive fatigue, hypotension, and slight swelling.

Another reason for scanty or absent periods after childbirth is hyperprolactinemia - increased levels of prolactin. The disease occurs due to insufficient function of the thyroid gland or the presence benign education- prolactinomas (pituitary adenomas). Both diseases are treatable, but require a timely visit to the doctor. Therefore, you should not discuss with your girlfriends how long your periods last after childbirth and when they start, but it’s better to get professional consultation and expert advice.

Menstruation after childbirth - is it possible to continue breastfeeding?

Many years of research by specialists around the world have convincingly proven that long-term breastfeeding is not only beneficial for the baby, but also helps the mother solve many of her own problems. Ideally, a baby can regularly enjoy his mother’s luxurious treats for up to two years and be reliably protected from various infections. But periods after childbirth can also occur during breastfeeding, and many mothers do not know whether to continue breastfeeding their baby.

It is possible and even necessary, experts say, one does not interfere with the other. In this case, it is difficult to predict how long your periods will last after childbirth and what their intensity will be, but the initially unstable cycle will confidently recover within three months. When introducing complementary foods, you should not reduce the number of breastfeedings. IN critical days nipples become more sensitive, remove discomfort help warm them up after feeding and light massage neck. The baby also shows slight anxiety associated with slightly difficult milk production. By changing breasts during feeding, you can avoid this inconvenience.

The timing of the arrival of the first menstruation after childbirth is purely individual. Therefore, do not worry if your friend has already had her first period after giving birth, but you don’t even show any signs. Another indicator that should not be compared is how long your period lasts after childbirth; here, too, everything depends on many individual factors. But if you notice one or more signs of trouble described above, do not delay your visit to the doctor, take care of your health. After all, now you have a baby who desperately needs a healthy mother!