Postpartum life comes with plenty of changes, and that includes your period! Once your cycle comes back (which may take a bit longer if you’re breastfeeding), you may notice things look a little different. Your body is recovering from pregnancy, and your hormones are working hard to adjust. You might have a heavier or lighter flow than before, a different schedule, or even some new symptoms.
Changes to your hormones
During pregnancy, levels of hormones like estrogen and progesterone are very high. After giving birth, these hormone levels drop quickly. Your periods can be irregular for a while as your hormones return to regular, non-pregnant levels.
If you’re breastfeeding, your estrogen levels stay lower. The longer you breastfeed or pump, the longer it will take for your period to return.
Lochia vs. period
After giving birth, everyone experiences lochia, or bleeding that happens after birth as your body heals. This is not the same as your period (true menstruation). Lochia usually lasts about six weeks and gets lighter over time. Your period won’t return until after lochia has gone away.
When will my period arrive?
How soon your period will return mostly depends on whether you’re breastfeeding.
Not breastfeeding: Your period will likely come back around 6-12 weeks postpartum, with most people seeing it at about 8 weeks. Ovulation (when your body releases an egg) usually happens about 10-15 days before the first period, or around 40-50 days postpartum.
Breastfeeding or pumping: Your period may not return until 8-15 months postpartum. The first ovulation usually happens around 6-9 months after giving birth.
Breastfeeding exclusively, meaning you feed or pump at least every 4 hours during the day and every 6 hours at night, can prevent ovulation for up to six months. This works as a form of birth control called the lactation amenorrhea method (LAM). If you’re combining breastfeeding with formula, ovulation and your period may return sooner.
Irregular periods in early postpartum
It’s completely normal for the first few postpartum periods to feel unpredictable. Your cycle may be longer or shorter than before, and it might not follow a regular schedule right away. Your hormones are simply returning to their pre-pregnancy levels.
Many early postpartum periods don’t actually involve ovulation. And even when ovulation does happen, it doesn’t always mean your body is ready to get pregnant again. If you don’t want to get pregnant, consider talking to your healthcare provider about birth control.
You’ll start ovulating more regularly over time, especially as you breastfeed less often. It can take a few cycles before things start to feel “normal” again, and that’s okay!
Changes to your period
Period pain: If you had cramps before pregnancy, a full-term vaginal delivery may actually improve your symptoms, especially if it was your first birth. However, period pain may be worse after a Cesarean section, due to healing from surgery, scar tissue, and/or adhesions.
Changes in flow: Because the first few postpartum cycles can be irregular, your flow might be lighter or heavier than usual. The first postpartum period may be particularly heavy. As your cycle gets back on track, your flow should likely return to what’s normal for you.
Spotting between periods: Light, irregular bleeding between periods is common in the early postpartum months, especially if you’re breastfeeding or pumping. This should go away as your hormone levels continue to normalize.
When to seek care
Reach out to your healthcare provider right away if you have any concerns or if any of the following apply to you:
- You pass a clot larger than a golf ball
- You soak through a pad or tampon in under one hour
- Your period is missing for three or more months after your period has returned
- Spotting between periods continues for three or more months after your period comes back
Reviewed by the Ovia Health by Labcorp Clinical Team
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