Breastfeeding and postpartum period

[clairer91]

Hi, I am breastfeeding my 17-month-old and still haven't had a period but in the last couple of months have started feeling nauseous, very crampy (period-like cramps), plus stomach cramps, headaches etc. at times and generally been feeling under the weather. It comes and goes. Pre-pregnancy periods were a breeze and I never really had these symptoms before baby, so not sure if this might be my periods trying to come back. I have had every test under the sun (blood test, pelvic ultrasound etc.). Anyone else struggled with these non-specific symptoms while breastfeeding older babies, and has anyone experienced worst period symptoms postpartum as opposed to pre-pregnancy? Thoughts appreciated!

Also should specify that this is my first baby so don't know what to expect.

Any chance you could be pregnant?

I was also going to ask if you'd done a pregnancy test, best to rule that out. i and quite a few of my friends had periods while breastfeeding, mainly those who fed for longer. Unless you're actively trying for another baby, don't rely on breastfeeding for contraception.

Mine returned at 15 months PP with my first (when I'd near enough stopped feeding her, really). They were a bit more intense but fairly much as they were before, and I fell pregnant with number two about 3 months later.
With DD2 it was same sort of routine but they have been a lot heavier, more hormonal mood swings and bloating this time, maybe a bit more tiring. But it's hard to say if it's periods or having two little ones 😂. I've just had my third or fourth one and it was much more like my periods pre-pregnancy so I'm hoping they're settling back down.

I think I might be borderline anaemic so have gone onto over the counter liquid iron, I've been crap at multivitamins this time round so I think I've depleted myself! But you also sound like me in early pregnancy so I'd want to rule that out too.

Hope you get to the bottom of it and feel better soon!

Do a pregnancy test

I would imagine having every test then the simplest one a pregnancy test would have been done. I was fine with first 2 but after the twins it was awful the pains before periods started again

No chance :)

Oh that is good to know! I'm still feeding morning and evening but night weaned recently and I sometimes feel like my body wants to have a period, but then doesn't quite get there. The mood swings are also a lot more noticeable 😂but I'm getting a little bit better at managing them

That sounds good! I thought I was condemned to horrible periods for the foreseeable after the first couple of horrible ones after DD2 but this last one was no bother at all really so hopefully yours will settle down in the same way.