Normal Postpartum Cycle?
QUESTION
Dear Midwife,
I had my first child 7 months ago. I have been breastfeeding her all along, and I introduced baby foods about 2 months ago.
This morning I thought I had gotten my first period since giving birth, but it wasn't what I expected. Other moms had told me horror stories about their first periods after giving birth, but the bleeding today has been light, I've had no cramping, and I had no typical PMS symptoms.
So now I am wondering if it really is a period I am experiencing. Am I just really lucky to have such an uneventful first period, or could this be spotting?
ANSWER
Also likely you are pregnant if you are not using really good contraception given your baby's age and that you are not exclusively breastfeeding (why ever not--sounds like you were doing fine!).
I'd suggest a pregnancy test just to be sure, and if it's negative, count your blessings :-).
-- Cynthia, CNM. PhD.
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Cynthia Flynn
Cynthia Flynn, CNM. PhD, teaches in the College of Nursing at Seattle University and is President of the American Association of Birth Centers. She also practices midwifery at Valley Medical Center where she cares for pregnant and birthing women, and practices well-woman gynecology, family planning, and treatment of sexually transmitted diseases.
Cynthia founded Columbia Women's Clinic and Birth Center, where she took care of pregnant women and infants up to two weeks of age and attended both birth center and hospital births. Before Cynthia earned her CNM, she worked as a registered nurse in labor and delivery and postpartum and is a certified Doula and Doula trainer.
Cynthia hosts a monthly "Ask the midwife" chat as well as answers questions via our expert section.
Listen to Cynthia live on Pregnancy.org Live: Before, During and After.
