Period now stops for 2 days then returns

[BabyAllergy101]

I'm currently on my fourth period since the birth of my second child (didn't get my period until I stopped breastfeeding at 10 months or so).

My periods are now much heavier and more painful than before. And there is also now a repeated pattern of heavy bleeding for 3 days or so, then my period seemingly stops. Then 2 days later it returns for 24h, generally blood mixed with mucus.

Is this normal? I know that periods can change after pregnancy/birth, but the stopping/starting and heaviness worried me.

Mine have always done the stop start thing you describe- so I guess it's not totally abnormal. I've never found out why though. They also got heavier after children, particularly my third / last. I have a large fibroid and was probably heading towards perimenopause at that point. I was worried so went to the Dr and had some blood tests and a scan. Maybe visit GP and see what they say?

I've been experiencing the same thing for about a year. I've always had very average periods for about 4 days. In the last year, they have been heavier and stopping around day 4 for a day or 2. I then have a 'gush' (sorry!) and then spot for 3-4 days old blood. I've had an ultrasound and all was normal apart from a small fibroid that the gynecologist thinks is too small to be causing these symptoms. I have been referred to colposcopy. Having done a lot of research on this recently, it does seem to be the norm for many people but is definitely unfamiliar for me. I am 41 so it could be the start of menopause (I've read about hormones at this age effecting the way the uterus sheds) but doctors haven't mentioned this. I'll update if I get the the bottom of why it's happening to me.