Period After 2Nd Baby

Updated on May 13, 2012
S.M. asks from Zanesville, OH
5 answers

Hi moms, I hesitated to ask this question, but there's no such thing as TMI between moms, right? Anyway, my youngest is 17 months old and I just started my first period since before I got pregnant with her. This is worst period of my entire life! So I actually have several questions to throw at you.

After my first baby, I got my regular cycle back in about 4 months (even though I was exclusively breastfeeding) and I was already back on the pill. My periods then were very similar to what they were before pregnancy - every 4 weeks like clockwork (thanks to the pill) with heavy flow & cramps the first 2 days, then light flow for 3-4 days after. But this time has been completely different. I had horrible cramps for about a week before, but it's been so long since I'd had a period, I didn't make the connection. Then yesterday and today I've had such a heavy flow, I don't even want to leave the house. I go through a tampon plus an overnight pad about once every hour. The cramps kept me up all night besides getting up to change every couple hours.

So my questions are:
What changes have you experienced with your cycle after your 1st pregnancy compared to your 2nd, 3rd, etc?

Do you think this first period is so awful because it's been 17 months, or is this what I should expect from now on?

Could being on the pill make such a difference in my flow & cramping? My husband had a vasectomy, so I'm not on the pill this time around.

If you have an extremely heavy flow, what products do you recommend? I've considered getting a menstrual cup, but I have a hard enough time with tampons when the kids are yelling for me and sticking their fingers under the door!

Thanks in advance, everyone.

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B.D.

answers from Wichita on

Honestly that's pretty normal. Especially if it's been 17 months. After my 2nd mine was really bad at 6 weeks! The pill will definitely help tame the cramps and make your period lighter. I have endometriosis so I'm the queen of unfun times-of-month. Unfortunately pills either make me psycho or sick so I have to stick with la naturale. I found Always pads to be the best for me. At night I actually wear 2 and overlap them. That way EVERYTHING is covered.

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S.B.

answers from Dallas on

I had a similar problem after having my second. I started getting my period when she was almost 20 months old. They just seems to get worse every month. I am very irregular, but when it was that time, it was miserable. When I went in this last month and talked to my Gyn, he said it's a common problem for women. They put me on the mini pill(my hubby also had a vasectomy, so pregnancy prevention isn't needed). I don't love being a slave to the pill again, but this month my period was MUCH tamer! My doc even suggested taking the pill that only gives you a period four times a year if I wanted.

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A.C.

answers from Dayton on

I've had four kids and, after each one, the first period was THE WORST! The second one wasn't much better, but each one gets progressively more manageable. My situation may be different from yours as I have a family history of PCOS. If you have any concerns, discuss them with your OB/GYN. One note of warning though, many OBs will just have you go back on some form of birth control as a way of 'fixing' your problem.

I've been using a menstral cup for about a year. Once you get use to them, they're pretty easy to use. I find them to be MUCH more comfortable than tampons. As weird as it may sound, I also use Depends at night on REALLY heavy days. Good luck!

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L.J.

answers from Cincinnati on

I have a 4 month old right now so I only can answer a few questions. My periods have always sucked. The first two days my blood flow is like Niagara falls with cramps so bad I can barely walk. They have always been like this. Growing up I was on birth control to control my periods. When I was on BC the blood flow was manageable and the cramps were still bad but at least I was able to go about my daily routines. So I would have to say your period after your first child was okay because you were on the pill.

If your periods are still bad go back on BC and see if that helps.

I don't use tampons because I out bleed them so it is pads for me. I like to wear the night time pads by Always overnight. They are longer and absorb more. I wear them all day as well.

I have heard the first period after a baby is the most painful but that they get better over time.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.S.

answers from Cincinnati on

First off congrats on BF'ing for tihs long!! :-)
Please be aware that you CAN get pregnant before your first postpartum period! I did after my oldest and when I started bleeding I thought it was my period. The 'period' was VERY different from what I had before (no cramping, medium-light bleeding), very heavy, BAD cramping.... called the OB to say I thought something was wrong and they blew me off. Turns out I was MC'ing at about 10-14weeks along. I would suggest peeing on a stick just to be sure that it isn't a MC. Please I'm not trying to scare you, rather be on the safe side.
My period from before to after has mostly been the same after both pregnancies. I now have 2 days of heavy and 2-3 days of light and a day of spotting. I do know women who have experienced massive changes in their flow.
I am going to get a menstrual cup to see how it works. I let my children in any part of my daily life but if I need to go to the bathroom and need some privacy (period or to BM) I don't feel bad about shutting the little one out. We DO need SOME time!!
:-)

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