3 weeks PP- is it possible to breastfeed and have a period

[Chemistria]

Hi

I posted a thread before as I've been incredibly anxious about my post birth bleeding due to previous incident with my last baby.

About a week ago the lochia started slowing down until it was yellow the last few days.

Today I suddenly started having heavy red blood loss. It soaked through a pad and my knickers in minutes.

Thought i was dying and rang for an ambulance as I could feel it pouring out.

I'm in hospital now and they have done a full blood count and a swab to check for infection, uterus is contracted fine so unlikely to be retained placenta.

They've said most likely explanation is a very heavy period.
I'm breastfeeding every 2 hours (she gets topped up with formula after a feed in the night) I thought there was no way this could be a period so soon after birth and while breastfeeding.

If anyone has any similar stories can you share please As I'm terrified of going home tomorrow , incase they've got it wrong.

I do feel incredibly stupid so please go easy on me.

I was lying on the floor of my lounge earlier just being convinced I was dying and never going to see my beautiful babies grow up.

I've no advice but want to say I'm thinking I you. What a horrible thing you are going through. I hope you feel much better soon.

No experience but wanted to send you a hug & say I'm thinking of you

Thanks. As stupid as I feel I hope it is a period. Keep crying as my baby is at home being bottle fed tonight and I'm terrified she'll lose her ability to latch . X

I have a 4 week old baby who is breastfeeding at least hourly and I am having my first period. I knew it was a period because exactly the same thing happened with my other two children. It's just one of those unfortunate things for some people.

Were you very active before getting the heavy flow? It could be because activity loosened clots which had formed in the uterus and these came away giving you a heavy flow. I think it'd be unusual to have a period 3 weeks post partum if you're breastfeeding exclusively. *Though I'm not an obstetrician/gynaecologist

Just seen shemozzle's post - I stand corrected...

I exclusively breastfed for the first 6 months and my periods came back from 8 weeks. Nothing like as bad as yours, but still the heaviest period I have ever had, it was horrible. Hope they get you sorted quickly op.

This happened to me OP. The docs told me it was a period.
It wasn't. I had retained placenta. I won't bore u with my story as it won't be particularly helpful but you're in the right place if there is any risk. Are they going to scan u?
If you are really concerned or have a history of PPH I don't think it would be u reasonable to ask them to scan u before u go home.

I exclusively bf my lo and had first period back at 4weeks so it is possible. Felt a bit duped as I missed out on a few period free months :(

Thanks for your replies.

bird they've felt my uterus and it has contracted down and I don't have any pain or anything so they said it won't be that. I bloody hope it's not that :( they wanted to send me home tonight but I can't get home anyway plus I'm too scared.

shemozzle was yours really heavy

bigchanges did yours start off suddenly heavy? I hope it is my period I guess

I got my period af 4 weeks too, despite exclusively breastfeeding.

O/p isn't exclusively breastfeeding, she's topping up with formula- and for night feeds, which are when all the breastfeeding hormones are released. Many people don't realise it's those night feeds which are vital for establishing and maintaining supply, so by using formula at night, she could be dampening down the breastfeeding hormones- and making it more likely a period will return.

Hope you're ok o/p.

Me too, my uterus has contracted because of the hormones given at birth tho. So it was forced if you know what I mean. Plus my notes said placenta was compete.
I didn't have contraction pains or any other things going on.
Hope u get it sorted and that your anxiety settles or u get some support with it

Thanks. Bird how long after the birth did you realise you had that?

So maybe even though I'm breastfeeding through the night the fact she's having formula after a feed could mess with my hormones ?

Just going to express some now then try to sleep.

My periods returned within 4 weeks of having both my DC, both exclusively breastfed. Hope you feel better soon op.

Thanks. Home now, really hope it is my period x

I'm EBF and my period came back after 4 weeks. It was horrendous, I was going through pads like there was no tomorrow. It was very heavy but it started slowing down after a few days. They have been what i would consider to be normal since.

Thanks Starryeyed. To be honest I don't know if it's a period or not as its got slower then brighter red again since monday! Monday and Tuesday definitely seemed like a period, there's no way of telling anyway for now but I hope it doesn't get worse again. X