Do Periods Change After Pregnancy?

Given that I gave birth at 41 years old, I had decades of experience with getting my period. Although endometriosis threw me some curveballs over the years, I generally knew what to expect with my cycle each month. I knew my body’s rhythms and nuances. So, I was curious to see what my periods would be like after childbirth. Would they go back to normal or be completely different?

Easy pregnancy, rough delivery

For the most part, I had a relatively easy pregnancy, so I felt that had to account for something. Delivery was a little rough though. I was in labor for several days and actively pushing for several hours. However, it was an uncomplicated delivery and normal recovery.

Breastfeeding journey

I then nursed my daughter for a year, and during that time, I didn't experience any periods. But as my breastfeeding chapter came to a close, I found myself wondering: "What will my periods be like after pregnancy?"

Seeking a new normal

The stories that I hear from other women ranged greatly. Some say their periods became easier after childbirth, while others report experiencing more painful periods than before. So, how could I predict what was to come in this new phase? What's “normal?”

Well, I think we all know by now, that despite our desire to understand the norms, there is no one “normal” experience when it comes to our body, and certainly not after our body has just gone through the biggest feat it likely will every experience.

So, I had to let my body take its natural course of returning to a cycle without comparison to others.

But here were some guideposts that I kept back of mind during this experience.

Early cycles: don't panic

The first couple periods that you get after childbirth or nursing, are not a reflection of how they will be moving forward. The first couple cycles may be lighter, heavier, more painful or less painful.

This wasn’t the most helpful realization for someone who doesn’t like surprises and like to know what to anticipate. However, this helped me to not put too much weight on those early periods. I just let them be what they were without too much “interpretation.”

Again, our bodies have just gone through a significant change, and it makes sense that they need time to establish a new rhythm.

The endometriosis factor

This information was all in the context of the “average” woman, not that of a fellow endo sister. So, does endometriosis change the outlook for us?

Yes and no.

We know that endometriosis can be influenced by hormonal changes in our body. I think it’s safe to say that pregnancy and delivery are some of the most significant hormonal shifts our body will experience in life. So, this is the “yes” to this question. Yes, some believe that this hormonal shift along with the absence of periods during pregnancy can keep endometriosis quiet during pregnancy.

But the “no” to the question comes in the fact that just as everyone’s experience with endometriosis is different, every pregnancy is different. So, we can’t view other’s experience as a benchmark or a signpost for our experiences.

This was yet another reminder to me that the key lies in understanding your body, being patient with its changes, and knowing when to seek advice from your doctor. If symptoms are significantly different from your previous experience, and something seems “off,” call your doctor. It’s important to view them as a support in your recovery from childbirth and in managing your health through all seasons of your life.

Now I’m curious, what was your experience when your period returned after pregnancy? Was it the same or completely different? Share below so we can learn from you too.