QuestionI'm 26, gave birth (in water, at home, w/ midwife) 5 weeks and 3 days ago. My bleeding stopped in the 3rd week after birth, but today I think I started my period again (I'm unsure, b/c I'm breastfeeding exclusively and thought that the period wouldn't return for a few months). I don't have any of the symptoms I used to have during a period, and its much lighter than a normal first day of a period would be. I haven't done any extra physical activity lately.Is this normal to start again so soon? Thank you for the time you spend volunteering!
AnswerDear Jamie,
Congratulations on your birth, and a homebirth, too - awesome!!
Bleeding after birth can even last as long as 8 weeks. The bleeding can even be very light bleeding, pink discharge, and even light brown during the last few days. So about the bleeding that you experiencing now, I wouldn't be very surprised if it's still postpartum bleeding. It can stop and start. (When you say it stopped, did it stop entirely, and you had only clear discharge since 2 1/2 weeks ago? Or was it light pink or brown?)
Alternately, it could be your period returning. Often, women who are breastfeeding exclusively don't get their period back for a long time, but that is not guaranteed, especially if her baby is sleeping for longer than 4 or hours at a stretch. Sometimes a woman will get her period back this early. It does not necessarily mean she's fertile, but it is a smart idea to practice some type of birth control if she is not yet ready for another new baby.
As for it not being the same as your periods before the baby, often the first few periods are not the same as a regular period, especially if there is no ovulation occurring.
Best of luck,
Sheva
