Can your menstrual cycle change over time without any more sinister cause?

[JumpingJellyfish]

Before conceiving DC#2 I had a regular 28 day cycle, would bleed fairly heavily for 3-4 days, then lightly for 1 day. Never had any pre-period spotting or spotting elsewhere in my cycle. I had been regular since I started my periods aged 15.

Since AF returned after DC2 (around 9 months- was still BFing) it has been very different. It's now my 7th cycle since they recommenced, I'm not on the pill and I stopped BFing 4 months ago- but my cycle is now around 25-26 days and I get spotting from CD23(this has happened for the past 3 cycles). And the period itself is heavier though still only 4 days of "proper" bleeding thankfully!

Should I be concerned at such a change in my cycle or do these things just happen without anything to worry about? By the way I've had 2 emergency c-sections, but am in generally good health and am 29 years old.

We are TTC #3 but unlike the last 2 times haven't fallen straight away (we have been very lucky before) and now I can't help but wonder if my cycle is to blame....

All advice very welcome!!

yes, your cycles can change over time but especially after the birth of children

I wouldn't worry, but I would imagine your fertile time is a couple of days earlier than whn you were ttc previously

do you have any physical signs of ovulation ?

Thanks anyfucker
I have quite a bit of EWCM between CD12 & 14, so was assuming I'm still ovulating at the same time as before(sorry for the TMI), but perhaps I am missing the boat a bit... Saying that we haven't been trying that hard, just kind of letting what happens happen (which worked for us before)! Didn't want to get into charting etc. but at this rate (have been TTC for 5 months now, which I know isn't long really, but I'm impatient as thought I'd fall quickly like before!!).

if you don't want to chart (yes, tis soul-destroying) just make sure you are having sex every other day from about day 8 to day 16.

and any other time you fancy it of course

My cycle is getting shorter like yours (now 25-26 days rather than 28) and getting heavier but still only 3/5 of bleeding. I put in down to being in my early forties and being possible perimenopausal. I have 4 DCs youngest is 4 in January and 4 c-sections and conceived last 3 within month of trying (or not trying with DS4 ). As AF says, maybe you are ovulating earlier.

Good luck with TTC.

my cycle did exactly what yours has done after my second child was born when I was 32

it was about 25 days usually

I got pregnant this year accidentally though - one glass of vino too many and hey presto

countingto10, I am in the exact same situation as you

my cycles used to be 28-30 days

now more like 26-28, and actually much more painful and debilitating

gah

I'm glad to hear this isn't so uncommon, and probably just a natural process... will indeed make sure we "try" earlier in my cycle

hopefully not perimenopausal here though!

countingto10- what was it like going through 4 c-sections? I will 99.9% have to have a 3rd c-section if/when we have another, and am a bit worried about how long it might take to heal... But found my last 2 cs's not so bad...

good luck ttc

Hi JJF,

The best advice I can give is try and get up and get moving as quickly as possible. That really is the best way. I was told with my 3rd and 4th not to do any lifting, hoovering etc for 3 months instead of the usual six weeks (I took that to include strenuous exercise as well ). We got a cleaner in to help me and I've still got her 4 years down the line .

Surgeon had to careful with 4th c-section due scarring around bladder. Ran some blue dye through it to make sure he hadn't perforated it !!!!

Good luck.

Thanks countingto10. With my past 2 sections my babes were in special care so I was on my feet asap and traipsing up & down stairs to see them numerous times each day- the midwives all thought as a result I
recovered faster. But did find the second op harder, took them a long time to clean up around all the scar tissue, so makes me a wee bit nervous about #3... Anyway long way off yet still got to nail this TTC lark!! At least I'll stop worrying about my change in cycle anyhow...

Thanks x