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Original poster

Periods - what's the norm?

16 replies

carrieboo · 14/08/2002 23:57

I got my first post preg period when ds was 23 weeks old (my milk had pretty much dried up of its own accord the week before). He is now nearly 32 weeks and there is no sign of another one. Does this ring any bells with anyone or is it unusual?

OP posts:

threeangels · 15/08/2002 01:58

Hi carrieboo, It sounds like maybe you just have a hormonal or ovulation problem right now. Maybe since that first period your just not ovulating normally. I read somewhere that anyone breastfeeding should not worry about their period until after they stop (which I see you didnt have one anyway till after). It also said not to worry for another six months after stopping the breastfeeding. My guess its because your body needs a good amount of time to get your ovulating back in order again. Breastfeeding can delay it for a while. Your body is probally still trying to work itself out since you stopped the feedings. It might even take a full year to get back to a normal pattern. I would talk to your doctor to have some reassurance. Hope this helps.

dejags · 15/08/2002 13:20

Is it possible that you are (dare I say it) pregnant? Just a thought....

emmagee · 15/08/2002 22:42

My baby is 14 months and I fed him up to three times a day until 2 months ago and then cut down to one a day. This week I stopped completely. I haven't had a period yet and my GP was quite shocked! I am relieved by what you say threeangels.

Chinchilla · 15/08/2002 23:29

Everyone is different. I started mine again when ds was 8 months, even though I was/am still b/f'ing. There is no set rule about periods returning, and it would be unwise to rely on them not returning for 6 months after stopping b/f'ing.

My friend didn't get hers back for ages even though her dd was bottle fed from birth. Mine started off being about 5 weeks apart, and have now become slightly more 'normal', but who is to say what normal is!

It may be something to do with your milk drying up, but then it might not. The only thing to do if you are worried is to see your GP. Sorry that I can't help more, but periods differ with each person, whether they have had a child or not. Your body is probably still settling down after the vast hormonal changes that it has been through, and this takes time. I suspect that your GP would say the same, unless you have other problems that might tie in with this.

Good luck, and enjoy the freedom

sb34 · 16/08/2002 00:24

Message withdrawn

jessi · 16/08/2002 08:38

Sb34, no your not alone. I b/f exclusively until ds was 7 months and they were back with a vengence by the time ds was 4 months old.Not fair is it!

WideWebWitch · 16/08/2002 11:14

sb34, no you're not the only one, mine came back quickly too (was bottlefeeding though).

Clarinet60 · 17/08/2002 17:13

Mine seem to have semi-returned too, and ds is 3 months and breast-fed. I say semi because they are more like the break-through bleeds you somtimes get when on the pill. Very annoying!

Original poster

carrieboo · 28/08/2002 15:29

Thanks for you messages. I haven't been on mumsnet for ages as DS has not been well for a while. It's nice to here that it has happened to others and it is probably nothing sinister. I spoke to the Doc. when there with ds and she says that the period I had could of been due to a hormone withdrawal after finnishing breast feeding and they may now take a while to return, however as it seemed to be a full normal period she thinks that that was unusual and if they have not returned by October she wants to send me for a scan. So fingers crossed I will of had one by then.

OP posts:

jo20 · 28/08/2002 19:35

Not much to add Carrieboo except I went through a similar thing earlier this year. I stopped breastfeeding my ds at 18 weeks but my first period was not until ds was 26 weeks. The next one was 9 weeks later and they gradually settled back to my normal of about 5 weeks. My ds is now 10 months and periods have returned to normal. I was worried like you and even did a couple of pregnancy tests to make sure that wasn't the reason. It was very baffling to me as after my dd (now 2.5 yrs) my periods came back straightaway even though I was breastfeeding. I saw my doctor after 6 months and they checked with the hospital who advised to wait another 3 months before checking. Good luck.

Willow2 · 28/08/2002 23:05

Anyonw else noticed really short periods? eg - 2 days? Is this normal?

Bozza · 29/08/2002 11:40

I wish Willow2!!!

Demented · 29/08/2002 12:29

Willow2, DS2 is 12 weeks and a week or so ago I had something like a period that only lasted two days, I am hoping it does not make a return, wouldn't mind being without them for a year or so. DS2 is exclusively breast-fed and I was not expecting this.

sb34 · 29/08/2002 22:52

Message withdrawn

Willow2 · 29/08/2002 23:16

Bozza - lol

ariel · 22/01/2003 10:25

I was hoping some body could give me some advice regarding breakthrough bleeding, i have allways had extreamly regular periods, i had my last child in feb2002 and was sterilised in sep2002, my periods returned normally afterwards, but in dec it was slightly early and in jan it was 6 days late now i am bleeding in between , i was concerned about my last period being late so i did a pregnancy test which was negative, the only time i have bled that has not been a period was when i have been pregnant and have had a cervical erosion, which has been in all 3 pregnancys, i suppose im just worried i know its not normal for me, i have never bled in between a period before, any advice would be great.

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