Extreme first AF 15 months after birth - is this normal?

[NewToAllThis11]

DS is 15months. Have been gradually cutting down on bf and now is just one feed first thing usually, although he often has a quick feed in the evening before bed. No periods at all for 4.5 years because of Mirena coil, then pg with DS, then bf.

A couple of days ago I had a bit of very light spotting, then suddenly worst period ever. Was going through super maxi tampon and maxi pad every hour for almost 24 hours (and I was at a wedding, which was grim) and that still wasn't enough. It seems to have lessened a bit now, but is this normal? I was quite pleased to have a period after so long, but that was quickly replaced by horror at how heavy it was!

My first period after birth was at a year. It was horrendous, so so heavy and long.

Next couple of periods were pretty normal, maybe a little heavier than pre-preg, but I did have a copper coil in so it might have been that.

(then I got the coil out and got pregnant again!)

Lots of my friends report the "first period" as being a bloodbath… it should settle

Thanks, weebairn. I'd never heard of the bloodbath first period before. Was expecting it to be really light for a few months for some reason!

My first postpartum periods both times round were horrendous. Hideous PMT, tsunamis of gore, etc. Calmed down a lot after the first couple of cycles.