I thought EBF meant period-free?

[Dannilion]

Well, that's what I was led to believe!

DD is 10 weeks old and EBF. No odd bottle of formula, no sleeping through the night, no routine. Nothing. Yet today mega-period of doom has started! Before DD I used to have relatively light periods but this is heavy and clotty (tmi sorry). I'm not in any pain or anything and to be honest I have been a total cow all week which would suggest pmt.

Anyways, is this normal? Should I see my dr? I was really looking forward to an 'infertile' window. My body seems to defy modern contraception and I've fallen pregnant whilst using many different types. (That isn't a boast, it's actually really depressing having to deal with unwanted pregnancies when you've been so so careful.)

Not necessarily... My periods came back when DS was about 3 or 4 months old, but not regular to start with. He was nowhere near sleeping through the night and fed a lot so I remember being a bit indignant about it.

EBF is definitely not reliable contraception either.

Mine returned straight away, I'm also very fertile too!

Mine returned right away with both boys. Regular as clock work, worst part is I had to have fertility treatment but I can tell to the hour when my period will start!

I had a period at 12 weeks. And have not had one since. Now DD is 4 months. It's different for different people

Mine returned within a couple of months too, despite feeding round the clock.

Not for me either :(

I exclusively expressed for 20 weeks. Period started in about month 4. Period didn't turn up in month 5 but that's because I had a BFP. Now 9 weeks pregnant.

Now I'm over the shock, we're delighted but I definitely thought I would be less fertile while expressing. What a load of bollocks

Mine came back after two months :(

5 months here, though dunno when the next one is going to turn up. eyes uterus suspiciously

Nope, mine came back at 9 weeks post natal with all three of mine. One EBF till 6 weeks changing to fully FF at 9 weeks, other two EBF all the way.

I've also been overly fertile; maybe a connection?

You will probably find that the heaviness and clottiness settles down with subsequent periods, but do keep an eye, and if it lasts more than 10 days, or is a bit smelly, see your GP incase of infection or retained products (though I think you would have known about retained products before now)

Mine came back at 4 months, also feel cheated! No issues though except baby gets a bit fussy just before, think maybe a dip in supply.

I got mine when DD1 was 9 weeks, despite EBF, co-sleeping, using a sling etc. I was so pissed off

EBF can be a reliable contraceptive if certain criteria are met. Most people don't meet the criteria. Obv if you've got your period back then you need to use some other form of contraception, if you can muster up the energy to have sex that is. More info here.

Oh buggers!

Thanks for your replies ladies, so glad I posted here before running to the Drs wailing about how I'm the only girl in the world with a womb constantly desperate for a seeding.

Better go dig the barbed wire knickers out!

Just to point out that you can get pregnant while BFing even if your period has not returned

quite a few people get caught out that way...!

Danillion - my PFB is 11w and I've had 2 periods since her birth! I'm EBF, cosleeping and baby wearing! (The first was awful, the second light and quick)
I also got pg first month of trying so I wonder if it has got anything to do with fertility?

Laughing cynically. Period free? Yeah right. Didn't work for me, periods came back at 6w and 8w.

Mine was 6 and 9 months, but just to say that a really heavy first period is common. I had it both times. Obviously if you are feeling unwell or worried get it checked, but the first one is often a nightmare.

EBF on demand (aka every 30 minutes) and mine returned like clockwork from 8 weeks!!

Another one here, periods returned when ds was about 11 weeks - this was only about 2 weeks after I stopped bleeding from the birth!!!

They have also been heavier and more painful than they were before I was pg, although I was always on the pill before and I'm not now so that may also have made a difference.