Unfamiliar Territory

Updated on May 08, 2007
H.H. asks from Fort Collins, CO
5 answers

When I had my last baby, i had my tubes tied. As a result, I am now not taking any kind of hormones. So, i got my period back when my baby was 5 1/2 months old. She is now almost 9 months old and my periods are now so heavy, I feel like I did on day #3 post partum. I have never had cramps in my whole life (new sympathy for those of you who do)and the other day it felt like somebody impaled my left ovary with a broom handle. Also something totally weird-my right nipple hurts SO BAD when my baby nurses on that side. I checked her mouth for thrush-don't see anything there or on the nipple. It actually feels fine when she's not nursing. i checked for cracks, etc but found nothing. Also, no breast lumps or signs of mastitis. Anybody have any thoughts on either of these things? Just want to make sure I am not gonna bleed to death or have my nipple fall off, LOL!

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K.D.

answers from Salt Lake City on

A friend of mine told me that she had a procedure (I don't recall the name and it's an in-office procedure) that she had because her periods were so heavy. She said they basically do something to the lining of the uterus and you never get a period again. Obviously you have to be finished having children and you are since your tubes are tied. She said you get the symptoms of a period (hormonal changes, cramps, sore breasts, etc) but you just never bleed. Maybe you should check with your doctor about it.

About the sore nipple, it could be that your baby is just not latching on correctly on that side. It also may not be cracked or infected, but it could possibly be heading there. I would just watch her latch and make sure she's taking in enough breast tissue. Also make sure she's not "slipping" as she she nurses so at the end of feeding, she's basically just got your nipple. My daughter did that and I had sore nipples from it, but as soon as I made she she was "staying put" things got better in less than 24 hrs. If it's not that, then talk to your doctor or a lactation consultant.

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L.H.

answers from Denver on

Hi H.- I just recently had my tubes tied after my 3rd child was born & I agree that I have never had cramps or bleed so bad, I was a bit worried about it myself, I have not contaceted anyone about it, but glad (in a good way) that you are feeling that same way, that It is just not me, please let me know if you get any info about why, etc ;)
Thanks
L.

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L.P.

answers from Grand Junction on

Wow! Sounds like alot to bear with after having a baby!
I found when one of my breast hurt alot, that I could pump that side while letting it heal, and have my son nurse on the other. Bag Balm (in a small green tin) works wonders on sore nipples.
After my son was born, I first started having cramp as well, alonf with much heavier periods. I never have had my tubes tied though, so I can't relate to that. But I've heard that raspberry leaf tea helps to tone the blood vessels in the uterus. I've been drinking it about a week before my period for about 5 months now and have noticed my cramps becoming less and less painfull. My periods still seem heavy though, so I don't really know if the tea works all that well or not. It doesn't help to try though eh?
Good luck.

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C.M.

answers from Salt Lake City on

I had my tubes tied 4 years ago. Before that I had light, 3 day periods. Now, on the first day of my period I bleed through a super duper deluxe tampon in an hour and I get awful cramps. I never heard anyone else say this nor did my doctor warn me so it's comforting to hear that someone else is in the same boat.

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S.B.

answers from Colorado Springs on

Hi H., my name is S., and I am a Registered Nurse. I work at an OB/GYN doctor's office. I too, have had my tubes tied, and it won't change the amount of hormones that your body produces. What I have found from experience, and from patients calling in, is that after you have a baby, your periods are heavier for the first several months, then they tend to let up a little.
Another question, are you breast feeding exclusively, or do you supplement sometimes?
Are you going to be starting on any type of birth control? If so, this will help lighten your periods and help decrease the cramping. If you continue to feel the pain on your right side where your ovary is, you might want to check with your OB/GYN doc, and see if they want to do an ultra sound to see if you might have an ovarian cyst. They are very common, and can cause the pain you are speaking of.
As far as your nipple pain, usually what we see is yeast. Once in a while, our patients do not see any obvious signs. Keep checking your baby's mouth for whitish spots/dots in her mouth. Another thing could be a blocked duct. Do you feel pain anywhere else in your breast when you nurse her? You might want to try putting some water in a disposable diaper, heating it in the microwave for 2 minutes. Put a towel around it, as not to burn your breast tissue, and apply the heated diaper to the painful area for 15 minutes each time before you nurse her. If you do feel a painful area in your breast, massage from the outside of the breast, towards the nipple, with firm pressure for a few minutes after you take off the heated diaper.
Hope this helps!
Sincerely,
S.

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