I will try and be brief....33 yrs old, 3 children, last one delivered Feb. 18... had postpartum bleeding for 9 weeks, they finally did an ultrasound and found a piece of retained placenta, had a D&C on April 24. I have not resumed a menstrual cycle. I can't say that I am complaining at all, just wondering if it is normal and/or okay to go without a period. I am breastfeeding, but she only nurses approx. 5-7 times a day. I am physically active 2-3 times a week. With my other two children I resumed a menstrual cycle at around 2-3 months even though I exclusively breastfed them also. Is it okay healthwise for me to NOT have periods? I'm worried if I ask the doctor they will want to put me on birth control pills just to get a period started and I don't want to take them.
I went over a year without having a period with both children I breastfed. Very common and normal. Once it does come back, it may come back very spotty for a few months.
When my oldest was about 18 months old, I found out I was pregnant again. I had no idea for 3 months because my period hadn't returned to normal yet. I went for about 3 years period free... 2 pregnancies and breastfeeding both kiddos. It was awesome.
I have five children and I bleed for 4-6 weeks after delivery then didn't start my cycle until 9 months, 9 months, 14 months, 18 months and 13 months after they were born. It was really, really nice. =) I didn't worry that much about it and I found myself quite disappointed when I did finally start! =)
I would think its fine, since you are nursing. I am also nursing now and did with my son as well. The whole time I nursed (1yr) I didn't get my period. So although you did start with your other kids "each pregnancy is different" So I would assume this pertains to this too. But you could always check with your dr. You don't have to take the pill if you don't want too.
Like others have said, every pregnancy is different. With my first 2 I didn't get my period back until some time around the 6-7 month mark. My postpartum bleeding didn't last much past 6 weeks. By 6 weeks it's was mostly off colored discharge. With my third I kept spotting on and off and the bleeding would pick up and stop the whole time, I had a full fledged period a few days after 6 weeks and had them ever since. They have been very erratic, they were anywhere from 16 days between to 30 days between. I would skip random months if she got sick or went through a growth spurt. and nursed more. I didn't do anything different. They were all nursed on demand, never pumped, never supplemented, didn't rush solids.
Also after a D&C it takes your body time to re-regulate itself. I know they tell you not to try to get pregnant for 3 months after one because it takes at least that long for your body to rebuild the lining it should have. Since you're breastfeeding it's even harder for your body to build that lining back up and begin ovulating again.
I say enjoy it while it lasts!
I was without a period for seven months. I was BFing but only a few times per day.
I wouldn't recommend taking pills to bring on your period. I was given those as a teenager, and I bled for six weeks straight.
My doctor was never concerned that I didn't start right after for 18 months, until I said I was ready to get pregnant again. If you are concerned, he can give you progesterone, which induces a period, but I will warn you that there are nasty PMS side effects! You normally won't start until after your body decides to ovulate again.
