If you have just had a baby, you certainly have questions about how the early postpartum period goes.
Going through pregnancy is an experience in itself – after all, there are a lot of hormonal changes. Now, a second experience is the return of the menstrual cycle after pregnancy. The early postpartum period can vary a lot, so we spoke to an expert to clarify any doubts about it.
WHEN ARE THE FIRST POSTPARTUM MENSTRUATION?
There is no one rule, but second Dr. Erica Mantelli gynecologist and obstetrician, the first postpartum period can occur from 4 to 8 weeks after the birth of the baby.
“There are women who take much longer to menstruate again, especially if they are breastfeeding. And some women, while breastfeeding, will not get their periods,” she explains.
ARE POSTPARTUM MENSTRUATIONS DIFFERENT?
YES. Normally, this menstruation can have a different pattern, after all, during pregnancy, a woman went without menstruation for a long time.
“The endometrial stimulus can be different, periods can have a different color, the number of days can be different and, moreover, it can be very irregular in these early post-pregnancy cycle returns,” she continues.
HOW LONG IS THIS MENSTRUATION?
Again, the answer is: there is no rule. Some women report that it was longer than usual. Others, that it only lasted two days and the duration increased after a few months after the first bleed.
“It depends on this woman’s lifestyle, whether she is breastfeeding or using hormonal contraception or not,” says Dr. Heather.
MENSTRUATION FOR POSTPARTUM BLEEDING
An important point is to know how to differentiate the first menstruation from postpartum bleeding. Loquiation is common bleeding, occurring up to 40 days after delivery, made up of blood, cells, and mucus that was inside the uterus.
“It’s a natural cleansing that the body does, removing leftover fluid and bleeding that was in the uterus after delivery,” says the doctor. “It can also happen in the first few weeks after giving birth, decreasing every day. And it happens to all women, both those with a normal birth and those with a caesarean section”.
SHOULD I BE CONCERNED ABOUT POSTPARTUM BLEEDING?
A woman should be concerned about postpartum bleeding, especially if it increases. The loquation can last up to 40 days, but must gradually decrease, even changing color: first it is reddish, then it becomes more brownish and finally more yellowish.
“When it starts to increase, if clots begin to come out, the woman feels sick or faints, she must urgently talk to the doctor, because it could be postpartum hemorrhage,” she explains. “Another occasion is when this locus smells bad and also if she has a fever. She needs to seek help because these are signs of a puerperal infection, a postpartum infection.”
Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
