first period since birth - why is it so heavy (TMI Sorry)

[Kerri28]

on 1st September I gave birth via emergency c-section. I bled for about 9 weeks on and off. I went back on the combined pill to help with the bleeding which it did.

Prior to giving birth I always had very light periods. Yesterday I had my first period since giving birth and OMG was there a lot of blood had to get up in the night to change pads and change my tampons almost every 2 hours as they are saturated (i need to buy bigger ones i know ). I also had period pains which i never got before.

Please can i have anyone else's experiences? will my periods return to how they were pre-birth or am i likely to have heavy and painful ones from now on? Thanks

It's pretty normal for them to be very, very heavy and painful when they first come back.

If it's any consolation, though, mine settled down to pretty much normal after the first few months.

Mine have been like this both times (after emergency sections too) - even with breastfeeding - but I think they settled down back to normal after maybe 5-6 mths. Have only had 3 since DS was born so hoping the same will happen soon...

I had very heavy before children anyway. A lot of women I believe have lighter ones afterwards, mine have got a bit lighter, but not much. It can go either way tbh.
Don't go on this one though.
Your first one will be heavier as it will sort out anything that was left after your post-natal bleed.
You next one should be more normal.
HTH.

Yep, first one for me was like that - only had the one so I can't tell you how it goes on (and I'm pregnant again hurrah so no more for me for at least another seven or eight months!)

Get a mooncup, does cut down on the bleeding. Or ask your doc to prescribe Ponstan Forte (reduces bleeding and is anti pain/antispasm)

Hot water bottles on the tum can help too.

thank you!! very reassuring. the pain seems better tonight than last night so lets hope its on the decrease!