What is first period after baby like?

The first period after your pregnancy may be heavier than you're used to. It might also be accompanied by more intense cramping, due to an increased amount of uterine lining that needs to be shed. As you continue your cycle, these changes will likely decrease.

Is first period after baby different?

The first postpartum period may be heavier and more painful than those before pregnancy, or it may be lighter and easier. Some women have their first postpartum period shortly after lochia, while others may wait many months, especially if they are breastfeeding.

How long does your first period last after having a baby?

Lochia starts out bright red and often contains many blood clots. The flow will be heavy for three to 10 days after delivery. As it tapers off, the color morphs from red to pink to brown and then a yellowish-white hue. Light bleeding can continue for a month or longer, so keep a supply of sanitary pads handy.

What Colour is your first period after giving birth?

During the first four weeks postpartum, you will notice a pink-brown discharge called lochia. This is totally normal. Even though it might look like a period, it isn't – just the natural process of your uterus shedding blood, mucous, and tissue after you've given birth.

Is first period after baby heavy?

Brace yourself…the first period after giving birth is typically heavier than normal because there is extra blood in your uterine lining that needs to be shed. You may enjoy easier periods due to physical changes in the uterus and cervix, although some women experience stronger cramps.

Your First Period After Childbirth | Oakdale ObGyn

How can you tell the difference between a period and lochia?

Lochia is typically creamy white to red in colour, but it's not to be confused with your actual period. The main difference between lochia and your period is that lochia will be lighter and more watery. It may also have a sweet smell and, unlike your period, lochia's flow will increase when you exert yourself.

What should I expect on my first period?

Your first period should last anywhere from 2 to 7 days. It may be very light, with just a few spots of brownish blood. Or it may start and end more brownish, but be brighter red on heavier flow days.

Can you use tampons first period after birth?

When Can I Use a Tampon After Giving Birth? Doctors recommend waiting six weeks before inserting anything in the vagina. That means you should never use tampons for lochia or a period that comes early—it could cause trauma to that very sensitive tissue.

Why are periods more painful postpartum?

Some women experience heavier, longer or more painful periods after having a baby. These changes may relate to a larger uterine cavity causing more endometrium (mucous lining the uterus) to shed. For some women, however, their periods improve.

Are you more fertile after a baby?

Does giving birth “reset” a woman's biological clock? Perhaps. Women who have given birth before do have a better chance of getting pregnant in their mid to late 30s.

How can I reduce my milk supply during my period?

Do painful periods mean painful labor?

In contrast, low-back pain during menstruation is significantly correlated with labour pain scores recorded for back and front contraction pain as well as for continuous back pain. The significant correlation of labour pain with back pain during menstruation suggests that both share a common underlying mechanism.

Does lochia smell like a period?

Lochia will smell like menstrual blood. Some describe it as musty, metallic, sour or stale. However, it shouldn't smell fishy or foul. This could mean bacteria has gotten into your vagina and caused an infection.

What does your 1st period look like?

For some, the first period is light, with a small amount of blood. It may begin gradually, starting with some spotting or brown discharge before becoming red. For others, periods begin suddenly, with bright red blood appearing straight away. In either case, this is normal.

How much blood comes out on your first period?

plannedparenthood.org/learn/teens/puberty/what-can-i-expect-when-i-get-my-period Trusted Source That may seem like a lot of blood, but it's usually about 1/3 of a cup at most. Heavier bleeding isn't necessarily cause for concern.

Do you count brown blood as first day of period?

Day 1 of your cycle is the first day of your period, meaning the first day of full flow (spotting doesn't count). During this time, the uterus sheds its lining from the previous cycle.

How do you tell if it's your period postpartum?

Lochia isn't usually bright red in color beyond the first week postpartum. It's usually lighter and can be watery or white in appearance. Bright red bleeding that occurs six or more weeks after delivery is more likely to be your period. Pregnancy-related bleeding can increase with increased exertion or activity.

When should postpartum bleeding stop?

Postpartum bleeding is different for every woman. For some moms it can last for a couple of weeks, and for others up to a month or longer. Generally, postpartum bleeding stops after about four to six weeks.

What does infected lochia smell like?

Lochia typically smells similar to a menstrual period and may smell slightly metallic, stale, or musty. It shouldn't smell foul.

Why do I smell different postpartum?

All very normal postpartum adjustments. On top of all of this, if you're nursing your baby, your body will naturally release a stronger odour from your armpits to help guide your baby to its food source (2). Your body is assisting your baby in finding your breast, a change that takes place right after birth.

Why does my period blood smell rotten?

The strong smell is likely due to the blood and tissues exiting the vagina along with bacteria. It's normal for the vagina to have bacteria, though the amount can fluctuate. The resulting “rotten” smell from bacteria mixed with menstrual flow shouldn't be strong enough for others to detect.

What are the 3 types of lochia?

You'll go through three postpartum bleeding stages: lochia rubra, lochia serosa and lochia alba.

What is period pain equivalent to?

Menstrual cramps, or Dysmenorrhea as it's technically called, has finally been ruled as painful as having a heart attack. Professor of reproductive health at University College London, John Guillebaud, told Quartz that patients have described the cramping pain as 'almost as bad as having a heart attack. '

How painful is childbirth compared to period cramps?

Some women describe labor contraction pain as intense menstrual cramps that increase in intensity. "It starts out like menstrual cramps—and the crampy sensation progressively gets worse and worse," Dr. du Treil explains. Contractions could resemble gas.

What is silent labor?

It's thought that their womb (uterus) contracts so painlessly that they don't feel the contractions in the first stage of labour at all. If this happens to you, the first clue that your baby is on his way may only come as you enter your second stage of labour.