Menstrual health undergoes significant variations after childbirth and comprehending these changes is vital for new moms. It is crucial to provide women with the necessary information, guidance and products to navigate through this challenging stage. Postpartum menstruation can vary from irregular cycles to heavy bleeding. Understanding these changes and following necessary measures helps new mothers control their postpartum period better, thus maintaining their overall well-being. We spoke to our expert Dr Shilpitha Singh, MS (Obstetrics and Gynaecology), Sirona Hygiene Ltd, who shared insights on the same
How Does Menstrual Health Change After Childbirth?
Irregular Periods
During the months after giving birth, you may realise that your periods are not regular. This irregularity is usually because of breastfeeding. “A hormone produced during milk production is known as prolactin which inhibits ovulation. Inhibiting other reproductive hormones by this hormone delays menstruation until prolactin production drops or ceases”, said Dr Singh.
Difference in Texture and Timeline
Postpartum periods vary in texture and duration for everyone. Suppression of ovulation causes these changes. Others may not have their periods until they completely stop breastfeeding.
Heavier Periods
“Women can experience heavier menstruation following childbirth, which is a normal occurrence that might include small blood clots even if a period has not happened”, added Dr Singh.
Change in Cramps
Cramping may get better or worse due to hormonal changes happening in the body; plus, increased pain can result from the hormonal shifts that occur after pregnancy.
Also Read: Do Your Joints Hurt During Periods? Expert Explains Its Causes, Complications, And Management
How Long Does It Take for Periods to Return to Normal After Giving Birth?
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According to StatPearls, the postpartum period commonly referred to as the puerperium, signifies the time frame following childbirth when the mother's body undergoes a transition back to its pre-pregnancy state. This period commences after the placenta is expelled and extends until all physiological functions have been fully restored.
“Normally, your period will return about 6-8 weeks after giving birth if you are not breastfeeding at all. Nonetheless, this timetable may be different for those who breastfeed only. Exclusive breastfeeding means only breast milk is being given to your baby. In other cases, regardless of whether one is breastfeeding or not, they may see their first postnatal period as early as two months later”, highlighted Dr Singh.
If your period returns within a short time after childbirth and you had a vaginal delivery, then your doctor would probably recommend against using tampons during your first postpartum menstruation because your body is still healing itself and tampon use could cause damage.
When your period returns, it's not going to be the same as it was before pregnancy. Your body is readapting to menstruation, which can cause:
- Stronger or lighter cramping than usual
- Small blood clots
- Heavier flow
- Flow that stops and starts
- Increased pain
- Irregular cycle lengths
“The first postpartum might be heavier than usual, and you might experience more intense cramps. This happens because there's a lot of extra uterine lining that needs to come out. Usually, these changes ease up as your cycle goes on. But in rare cases, things like thyroid issues or adenomyosis (a thickening of the uterine wall) can cause heavy bleeding after pregnancy”, added Dr Singh.
Also Read: Menstruation Diet: Expert Lists Foods To Eat And Avoid
Tips for Managing Postpartum Periods
Here are some tips to manage postpartum periods as listed by Dr Singh:
- Rest: Make sure you rest as much as you can. Saying it is easier than doing it but taking help with other chores will enable the new mom to concentrate on the baby and rest.
- Nutrition Needs: Postnatal parents need to take in a balanced diet. It remains important to continue taking prenatal or postnatal vitamins, which could help regain some of the nutrients lost during delivery and breastfeeding.
- Mental Health Support: New parents usually want connection and support. It is important to find people we can lean on who just listen without giving us unsolicited advice. Whenever postpartum, do self-care so that you have yourself again.
- Healthy Lifestyle Choices: Avoiding junk food, alcohol and caffeine are the main ways through which you can get one step closer to being healthy again. To reduce back pain, maintain good posture, build muscle tone and sleep better after childbirth, one can engage in exercise. Walking is highly recommended. Any exercise should start after at least 12 weeks postpartum. Deep breathing exercises involving abdominal contractions relax and strengthen muscles.
- Pelvic Exercises: Pelvic floor muscle strengthening exercises will relieve urine incontinence after giving birth and tone the bladder muscles.
Bottomline
Dr Singh concluded, “Postpartum menstruation brings about different things like irregular menses and heavier bleeding to changes in cramping and flow. New mothers need to be aware and ready for such shifts, as they can significantly impact daily life and overall well-being. Understanding that these changes are normal and having access to effective menstrual hygiene products can make a substantial difference in postpartum recovery.”
[Disclaimer: This article contains information provided by an expert and is for informational purposes only. Hence, we advise you to consult your expert if you are dealing with any health issues to get the necessary treatment.]