Delayed Period After Childbirth: Causes & What to Expect

Question
Hi, I had a baby 1 year ago, and I have not had a period since I had her.  I bled after I had her, by c-section.  but nothing since then.  I did breastfeed for about 7 months.  With my son I had a period right after I stopped breastfeeding, but with her nothing.  I am on the errin birth control pill, so i dont think I am pregnant.  I know only 99% but still I was wondering if there could be some other reason?

Answer
Hi Ashley :)

Its very possible that your hormones could be imbalanced due to you breastfeeding your baby for 7 months. Breastfeeding effects every woman, and every pregnancy differently.

Like yourself, when I had my daughter, I breast fed her exclusively for 18 months. I didnt see a period for a year, then I had a period everymonth there after, even when I did breast feed her.

With my son, Even though I breast feed him now, but exclusively for the first 10 months or so, I got a period 4 months after giving birth.

So as you can see, it varies from pregnancy to pregnancy.

I would rule pregnancy out completely. The information about you breast feeding, as well as you being on the pill pretty much narrows out the possibility of pregnancy.

Your body develops a hormone called prolactin while breastfeeding. This hormone will stall ovulation, and cause absense of period. It can take some time for the hormone to completely leave your body, and this could be a reason why you have not seen a period yet.

Another possibility, could be the pill you are on. Its possible that your dosage maybe to high, and has thrown off your hormonal balance. This can be rectified, by simply changing your pill, and its dosage.

Hormonal imbalances can also occur from high stress, dietary changes, weight gain, weight loss, and physical illness, or trama. Again, all these factor as well can stall, or delay your period.

But I am more inclined to say that your situation is more related to hormonal issue, due to your breastfeeding, and I am certain your period will return, once your hormones settle.

If you do have concern, you can cause your doctor, explain your concern, and your doctor may evaulate you to confirm if this a hormonal issue due to breastfeeding, or if its an issue related to the pill, or otherwise.

Hope this has answered your question, and should you have any more concern, please dont hesitate to write back :)

-Kristy