QuestionI have a concern. I started my period last Sunday (Nov 7) and I still have it today., so 11 days today. It was very heavy but now it's decreased. I called my OB's nurse..she said that if I'm still bleeding tomorrow I have to go and be seen by the doctor. My friends told me it's normal to have a heavy period the first time but it only lasted 7 days for them.
I'm stressed out because of this. I want to think that is normal but I don't think is normal because of the way the nurse said it.
I would like to know how long the first period lasted for you all?
My post-partum bleeding stopped at 3 weeks after c-section. I was "clear" almost 3 weeks then the period started
AnswerThe first period after delivery is almost always abnormal in women. Usually periods don't start for 4-5 months after delivery, but in some women it may start the immediate month after delivery. Since you are saying that you have been having it for 11 days, it is kind of unusual, but not something you need to worry about. Moreover, as you mentioned the bleeding has reduced, so probably by the time you will be reading this your periods would have stopped.
There are many reasons for abnormal periods right after delivery. One of the main causes being the fact that the normal hormonal balance is deranged after delivery and it will take some time for your body to reset the balance.
The second reason( This applies in your case) is that after delivery, till the time you have your first period, the inner lining of uterus(endometrium) keeps increasing in thickness. This is because in a normal month, for the first 14 days, under the influence of estrogen the uterine lining grows in thickness. Then after ovulation under the influence of progesterone, the uterine lining becomes conducive for pregnancy. If pregnancy does not ensue, then the entire endometrium is shed during menses. However after delivery women do not ovulate for 3-4 months. Therefore no progesterone is produced and the endometrium continues to grow in thickness. So when ovulation does occur and progesterone is released, all this thick endometrium needs to be shed. This is what has caused the heavy bleeding in your case. So most probably your periods will stabilize from next cycle onwards.
However if you continue to experience similar bleeding in the next cycle as well, then you should see the doctor.
By the way are you using a copper T or any other Intra uterine device. If yes, then these may also cause heavy bleeding during the first three months after insertion.
So right now in my opinion, having such a heavy period is kind of expected and not a cause for worry. But still you must take iron supplements because of the heavy bleeding. Take it in the same dose as you were taking during pregnancy.
I can suggest some good websites which have lot of info on this issue.
You can check them out
http://www.pregnancyandchildcare.info
http://www.mayoclinic.com
