Life
An underrated perk of pregnancy is all those months that you don't have to deal with a period. As someone who suffers from horrible cramps come menstruation time, I really appreciated the respite during my pregnancy. I had hoped it would continue long after birth, because I'd heard there are a few reasons your period may be slow to come back after baby. Unfortunately, my body was eager to get back on track — I got my first postpartum period just four months after my daughter was born.
It's worth noting that the timing of a period's comeback varies from women to women. Belly Belly noted that non-breastfeeding moms may see their period return within 10 weeks , while nursing moms might get it back by around 20 weeks. And, unlike me, some women may welcome the return of their period. After all, the return of your period means you're ovulating and can potentially get pregnant if you're already pumped for baby number two. Not to mention, Parents noted that women who struggled with painful cramps or even conditions like endometriosis may find that their postpartum periods are much less unpleasant.
If you're still waiting for the return of your period, here are five possible explanations for the delay.
1
You're Breastfeeding
According to What To Expect, breastfeeding can push back the start of your first postpartum period. When your period does arrive, the hormones might change your milk's taste and cause a dip in your supply.
2
You're Stressed
The same things that can cause your period to be late before getting pregnant can mess with your cycle after giving birth. According to Today's Parent, feeling stressed can produce prolactin, which slows down ovulation and menstruation. What new mom isn't at least a little bit stressed?
3
You Have A Thyroid Issue
According to the Office of Women's Health, thyroid problems can effect your menstrual cycle. If your body has too much thyroid hormone, or not enough, you can develop a condition called amenorrhea that stops your period for several months.
4
Your Weight Is Changing Rapidly
Significant weight loss can cause your period to go MIA, according to Live Strong. Losing lots of weight in a short period of time can mess with your hormones, which in turns throws a wrench into your cycle.
5
You're Pregnant Again
Sometimes women mistakenly believe that if they haven't yet seen their first period after birth, they can't get pregnant again. But don't forget that you ovulate a couple of weeks before your period arrives, and it's very possible to get pregnant during that time according to Parents. If you're not looking to have another baby quite so soon, it's important to use some form of protection.
