First period after giving birth (a year ago) has lasted a month....

[SkaterGrrrrl]

Its been a while but don't think they are meant to last that long! DC is 1. I BF for 10 months. When I stopped BF I got my period a month later and its lasted nearly 5 weeks. Any ideas?

I am on the pill (Cerazette).

Cheers
SG

I was similar, though not as bad as you. I BF for a year after DS1 was born and got pregnant without even having a period, then BF for another year with DS2.

When I finally had my first period it was unbelievably heavy (for me - I'd always had very light ones before). It lasted much longer and was much heavier.

Then I got pregnant with DC3 and 18 months went by before I stopped BF at night and my periods came back. The first 3 or 4 were very, very heavy and for the first couple of days each time I worried about going out, because I needed to change tampons every hour!

However, DC3 is now 2 years old, and my periods are much more normal, almost how they were before children. When I had my last smear test I mentioned what had happened to the nurse and she said that it's normal because pregnancy/birth/BF plays havoc with hormones, and it takes a while for it all to settle down.

See a doctor if you're worried, but hopefully that's all it is and you'll settle down as well.

Thanks a lot yorks, been a bit of a surprise especially having gone without one for nearly 2 years!

I know, it felt like an intolerable burden when i got mine back. Can't imagine how i put up with them for so many years before DC. I actually catch myself thinking 'roll on menopause' each month now!

yorks

Just a quick follow up in case anyone is having similar issues!

Just been to the doctor. She said I have had a never ending period because the pill I am on was prescribed when I was still breastfeeding. Its a progesterone only pill; as you have so much oestrogen when you are BF that more can be dangerous. However progesterone only pills make you irregular. I asked to go back on the pill I was on before – Logynon – and she tried to steer me towards a coil as I am over 35 and the pill isn't advisable long term. When I assured her that DH will be getting a vasectomy in the new year; she said I can go back on Logynon for a while, provided I have no history of migraines or family history of breast cancer.

HTH