I stopped nursing my second baby 3 months ago. My period returned pretty quickly after and I had a second period 30 days later. Now I'm waiting for my third period and it's been 32 days (before pregnancy my cycles were 26 days, and after my first baby). I've been very crampy for a week now, but no period. Should I take a pregnancy test or is it normal to have irregular cycles after nursing for a long time (I only nursed my first 3 months, second one was 7 months)? Thanks!
Thanks Ladies. I took a pregnancy test this morning and it's negative (phew!). I think I'm just getting back on track. Thanks again!
irregular cycles are pretty normal at this point for a few months... but if you start feeling breast tenderness, very tired and having to pee a lot... take a pregnancy test!
I think this is a normal when you stop nursing. My cycle took a couple months to get back on track after I stopped nursing, which was around 5 months after I had my daughter. In fact, after I went back to work I made less milk, despite my pumping efforts, which ended in me gradually stopping. I ended up getting my first period before I was completely done nursing. When I was ready for my second period, it was over a week late, which is VERY uncommon for me. By this point, my husband and I had been back into our normal intimate routine for a while, but using protection other than the pill. I was so nervous that I had gotten pregnant only a few months after I had her that I rushed to the nearest grocery store on my lunch break and took a test at work - it came up negative. Chances are if you've been careful during sex, you're probably just getting back on track with your cycle. For piece of mind, just like I did, there's no harm in taking a test. I actually did this when my third period didn't come right away either. It's sometimes hard to tell since PMS and pregnancy symptoms are so similar, if not identical at times. It just takes time to get everything going like clockwork again - and even then, things may/will be different than before pregnancy. Good luck!
Unless you have had intimacy with your husband with no protection before this coming cycle, then, you could be pregnant. Otherwise, it is normal that your cycle is still adjusting to the normalcy. Just remember, breastfeeding does not protect you of not getting pregnant. You still have to use some sort of protection.
With each of my 3 children, I started menstruating again long before I stopped nursing (I nursed each of my first two until 36 and 39 months respectively, and my third is 17 months and still going strong) and indeed became pregnant each time while still nursing (deliberately). It did take a few cycles before I became somewhat regular, but I have PCOS and my cycles are somewhat irregular anyway as a result. Chances are you are just having a little irregularity with your body coming back online, but if I were you I would take a pg test just in case -- it can't hurt, and it's better to know if you are pg. Good luck!
Absolutely it can take a while to even out., because of hormones and also the general recovery for your body, sleep deprivation, exhaustion, all those things that accompany a new baby. Of course, you are more tired because you have 2 kids this time around.
That's the challenge of birth control after a birth too - you never know when you'll be ovulating so you should assume you are fertile all the time! The cramping is normal - could mean a period is coming, but it could mean that the uterine lining is just building up but isn't going to shed right away. Don't worry about it - if another 3 months go by, you might mention it to your doctor. Otherwise just wait to menstruate - it'll be a surprise like it was when you were a teenager. Oh joy! LOL.
