Trigger Warning: Neonatal Loss. Low LH 5 weeks after CSection

Ella31 · 2023-12-10T19:00:39+00:00

Hi all, I gave birth by section and had a very traumatic twin neonatal loss 5 weeks ago at 29 weeks. Obviously we are not trying again for some time , however I am tracking my ovulation as I want to know my cycle for when we do go again. I've noticed my ovulation tests are close to blank, very little LH. Is that normal 5 weeks post section. I think the devastation of what happened and fear for the future is worrying me that it won't happen for us again. I suppose I'm just looking for reassurance that LH would be low this soon after birth.

Outliers · 10/12/2023 20:24

Very sorry for your lost - can only imagine how traumatic the experience has been.

You were pregnant for some time, so could timings could vary as to period/ ovulation returns.

I think the main thing (besides your mental health) would be to priotise your physical recovery. Usually after a section it is recommended to wait 12-18 months before being pregnant again. But I think 6 months at very least.

Your doctor will be best placed to advise on this though.

SkyFullofStars1975 · 10/12/2023 20:31

The fact you're even checking this is very worrying, OP, have you seen a bereavement counsellor? I lost a single baby at 27 weeks and was horribly traumatised by it. I stupidly fell pregnant again far too quickly and I didn't cope with the pregnancy or birth/having a newborn very well as a result.

Let yourself heal physically and mentally. And that won't be for some time. Put the testing away, and grieve your babies. I'm so sorry for your loss.

Northby · 10/12/2023 20:38

OP I just wanted to say I am so, so terribly sorry for your loss.

Original poster

Ella31 · 10/12/2023 20:40

SkyFullofStars1975 · 10/12/2023 20:31

The fact you're even checking this is very worrying, OP, have you seen a bereavement counsellor? I lost a single baby at 27 weeks and was horribly traumatised by it. I stupidly fell pregnant again far too quickly and I didn't cope with the pregnancy or birth/having a newborn very well as a result.

Let yourself heal physically and mentally. And that won't be for some time. Put the testing away, and grieve your babies. I'm so sorry for your loss.

Please dont think im being defensive but you have me all wrong here. Im genuinely just tracking to see if my cycle should have come back as normal. Have no intention of getting pregnant until its safe to do so. I'm doing very well mentally ,[as best as you can after what happened] I'm just naturally anxious about going forward. I've great mental health support and my recovery has been good regarding surgery. I just wanted to know if others after Csections had a similar lack of lh to me. Im purely tracking.

OP posts:

adnabaam · 10/12/2023 20:41

Sorry for your loss. I wouldn't have thought 5 weeks was long enough for your body to get back into normal cycles yet.

Original poster

Ella31 · 10/12/2023 20:41

Ella31 · 10/12/2023 20:40

Please dont think im being defensive but you have me all wrong here. Im genuinely just tracking to see if my cycle should have come back as normal. Have no intention of getting pregnant until its safe to do so. I'm doing very well mentally ,[as best as you can after what happened] I'm just naturally anxious about going forward. I've great mental health support and my recovery has been good regarding surgery. I just wanted to know if others after Csections had a similar lack of lh to me. Im purely tracking.

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Forgot to add, I'm so sorry for your loss too. I hope you are doing ok now. It's horrific.

OP posts:

Original poster

Ella31 · 10/12/2023 20:44

Outliers · 10/12/2023 20:24

Very sorry for your lost - can only imagine how traumatic the experience has been.

You were pregnant for some time, so could timings could vary as to period/ ovulation returns.

I think the main thing (besides your mental health) would be to priotise your physical recovery. Usually after a section it is recommended to wait 12-18 months before being pregnant again. But I think 6 months at very least.

Your doctor will be best placed to advise on this though.

Thank you. We're taking it day by day. I'm not trying to conceive at all right now I should add just for clarity. I'm only 5 weeks post partum. I just want to see my cycles return to normal for when we do.

OP posts:

mynameiscalypso · 10/12/2023 20:47

My cycles returned to normal about 6 weeks after an ELCS but what I will say is that mental stress/trauma can play havoc with ovulation too and you've been through a terrible terrible time. I'm so sorry for your loss. I'd personally leave it 3 months or so before you start tracking.

Hiddenvoice · 10/12/2023 21:48

I’m so sorry for your loss @Ella31

I didn’t track my ovulation after my c section but my periods came back after 6 weeks and were pretty irregular for the first couple of months. It might just take some time for your body to adjust again.

twodoorsup · 10/12/2023 21:56

Hi OP, I'm so sorry for the loss, it's absolutely devastating. It took a while for my LH to show on tests again after my section. It took about 10 weeks for my period to start again & that seemed to kick start things again.

@SkyFullofStars1975 also - I don't usually comment on what others have to say because 'each to their own'. But to be so judgemental of someone's actions so soon after a loss like this is stunning. You can't say because you felt you got pregnant too quickly that if OP were to get pregnant again soon that she would feel it was too quick. And to say it's very worrying she is checking LH so soon, why is it? To me it isn't, and is actually completely understandable. You can grieve your losses whilst also having your mind on wanting to have another. I'm of course so sorry for your loss & the trauma it caused, but to project your trauma onto the advice you give OP is not, to me, a good way to offer support to someone who is in the early stages of grief.

And for context, I lost my son neonatally too.

Original poster

Ella31 · 10/12/2023 23:02

twodoorsup · 10/12/2023 21:56

Hi OP, I'm so sorry for the loss, it's absolutely devastating. It took a while for my LH to show on tests again after my section. It took about 10 weeks for my period to start again & that seemed to kick start things again.

@SkyFullofStars1975 also - I don't usually comment on what others have to say because 'each to their own'. But to be so judgemental of someone's actions so soon after a loss like this is stunning. You can't say because you felt you got pregnant too quickly that if OP were to get pregnant again soon that she would feel it was too quick. And to say it's very worrying she is checking LH so soon, why is it? To me it isn't, and is actually completely understandable. You can grieve your losses whilst also having your mind on wanting to have another. I'm of course so sorry for your loss & the trauma it caused, but to project your trauma onto the advice you give OP is not, to me, a good way to offer support to someone who is in the early stages of grief.

And for context, I lost my son neonatally too.

Thanks @twodoorsup , it's been a horrific time as you know and I'm sorry for your loss too. Like you said I'm very aware of what I need right now and knowing where am in my cycle gives me hope and comfort. And to be perfectly honest, after burying my two twin sons a month ago. Hope is all I have. Or else I don't know where we'd be at.

OP posts:

twodoorsup · 10/12/2023 23:26

@Ella31 I really felt the need to get pregnant too after losing our son, everyone's experience is different but I found that to be something that helped me. if you need someone to talk to please feel free to PM me at any point, it's a forever journey & sometimes having those who can relate in some way is helpful. The early stages are incredibly tough, sending strength & love.