Understanding Your Period After a Miscarriage: What to Expect

Question
Hi Doctor. I had a miscarriage about 4 months ago. I already have 2 children and quickly become pregnant every time after stopping my birth control pills, within the first or second cycle.
Again this time I stopped my pill and got pregnant the first month but a I had a missed miscarriage- no baby ar about 6.5 weeks.
Since then my 4 periods have been pretty short. About 1-2 days of moderate bleeding and then its stop from 12-24 hours.I thought each time my period was done, then it restarted and lasted another 1-2 or 2-3 days with lighter bleeding tapering off to spotting. I haven't had any menstrual cramps at all but I have had pretty intense pressure and cramping at ovulation for a few hours each month. I am of course actively trying to conceive and wondering if the "stopping and starting" of my period as well as the intense ovulation could be masking something else. Are my hormones out of whack?
Before my miscarriage when I wasn't taking the pill I never had this pattern of bleeding, periods were longer and heavier. Maybe being on the pill has covered up some hormone or ovulation problems? Maybe the pill ending even forced ovulation and then everything goes crazy? What do you think? Any suggestions would be appreciated, I am also concerned that I might not be building a lining that is thick enough to implant a pregnancy, especially when I see these lighter periods. I am 30 years old.

Answer
Hello Ann from the U.S.,

I don't think you need to worry about your menstrual bleeding pattern.  It can be completely normal.  Bleeding patterns vary quite a lot.  As long as your menses are on a fairly normal schedule that is an indication of ovulation and a normal hormonal pattern.  At this point, I would recommend that you go about your business and keep trying for pregnancy.  Everything should sort itself out.  If you have difficulty getting pregnant after 12 months of trying or if your cycles become irregular, then you may want to see a specialist to undergo an evaluation.

Good Luck,

Edward J. Ramirez, M.D., FACOG
Executive Medical Director
The Fertility and Gynecology Center
Monterey Bay IVF Program
www.montereybayivf.com

Monterey, California, U.S.A.

for additional information check out my blog at http://womenshealthandfertility.blogspot.com check me out on twitter with me at @montereybayivf, and follow me on Facebook at http://bit.ly/9Iw9oV