Your first period after giving birth: Your questions answered

If you have recently given birth then you may well have some questions about your period and when it’s going to return, such as: What will my period be like after giving birth? Will it be different from periods I had before I was pregnant?

To help you understand what’s likely to happen, here are answers to many of the most common questions about your first period after birth.

When will my first period after birth start again?

Exactly when you start to have periods again depends on whether you are breastfeeding or not. If you are not – or if you are combining breastfeeding with bottle feeding formula milk to your little one – then you could be having your first period after giving birth as early as five weeks after delivery.

If you are exclusively breastfeeding – in the day and the night - then it may take much longer for your period to return and it may not come back until you stop breastfeeding, or at least until you stop night feeds.

This is because the hormone that produces breast milk, which is called prolactin, can also prevent your body from producing the hormones that control your periods. But as you breastfeed your baby less often, you may find that you experience ‘spotting’ - spots of blood that are actually light periods.

If you do have a period relatively quickly after giving birth – and you had a vaginal delivery rather than a caesarean – then it’s recommended to avoid using tampons and use sanitary towels instead. This is because your body is still healing and it can be an infection risk to use tampons.  

After 6 weeks and provided you have healed internally you should be fine to use tampons again. Wait until you’ve had your 6 week postnatal check and if you’re unsure do check with your GP.

Your first postpartum period can feel tough for a bunch of totally valid reasons, your body’s been through a lot, and it’s adjusting all over again.

Here’s why your first period after birth can feel especially rough:

1. Hormonal Rollercoaster: Oestrogen and progesterone drop significantly after birth, and as your cycle returns, your hormones are still settling. This can make cramps more intense or your mood swingy, kind of like a PMS level-up.
2. Heavier or More Painful Bleeding: The first period postpartum is often heavier, longer, or crampier than usual, especially if you didn’t have your period for months due to pregnancy or breastfeeding. Your uterus is still recovering, so that can add to the intensity.
3. You’re Already Exhausted: Sleepless nights, healing from birth, breastfeeding-it’s all a lot. Add in a period, and your body’s just doing the most. You’re running on low reserves, so everything feels harder.
4. Physical Sensitivity: If you had a vaginal birth or C-section, your body might still be healing. That can make cramps, bloating, or even just wearing a pad feel extra uncomfortable.

Can I expect very heavy periods after giving birth?

That is possible, as your period is likely to be different to what you were used to before getting pregnant. Other changes you may see include:

• Small blood clots
• Cramping
• Irregular periods (particularly if your period returns while you’re still breastfeeding)
  

Are there any symptoms that should make me go and see my GP?

If you are worried about anything with regards to bleeding, then you should get advice from your GP or other health care professional. Also, if your blood loss is much heavier than before, or if blood clots in your period last for a week or more, then you should contact your GP for advice.

Can I get pregnant before I get my first period after birth?  

Unless you are exclusively breastfeeding (feeding your baby with only breast milk) you can get pregnant again after about the third week post-delivery. So, it’s important that you think about contraception before you start having sex again.