Changes in Menstrual Cycle after Delivery

Various factors are responsible for the changes in menstrual cycle after delivery. Let us have a look at the factors that might affect the regularity of your periods after delivery. Post delivery you will observe a lot of changes taking place in your body. Some changes will be expected and some might take you by a little surprise. But with a doctor at hand there is nothing to worry. The commencement and regularity of the menstrual cycle in the woman is dependent on a whole lot factors. In this articleMenstrual Cycle in Breastfeeding MothersMenstrual Cycle in Non-Breastfeeding MothersThe Changes or Irregularities in Menstrual CycleThe Length of Menstrual Cycle Menstrual Cycle in Breastfeeding Mothers Breastfeeding or nursing your baby releases a hormone known as prolactin which is responsible for suppressing the process of ovulation. And without ovulation taking place, there will be no periods as well. When you stop breastfeeding, the pituitary gland will again commence the release of the prolactin hormone and the ovulation cycle will resume. This will be followed by the resumption of your periods as well. At the onset, the periods might be a bit heavy and irregular, but gradually you will get back the usual routine. Menstrual Cycle in Non-Breastfeeding Mothers If you are not breastfeeding your baby at all, the prolactin will be released right after your delivery. This will make your body ready for ovulation right away. In this case, there are host of factors that might affect the regularity of your periods, like –Extremes of good or bad emotional changesStress and anxietyFast or significant weight change, either weight gain or lossThe amount of regular physical activityThe amount of movement or regular travel undertaken There can be other associated factors as well, and one vital point to keep in mind is that, you need to take care of contraception if you are beginning to get sexually active and are not planning a second pregnancy right away. This is important after due consultation with your doctor, as to which contraception method is more suited to your condition, post delivery and taking into consideration the current status of your body. You just need to be a bit careful as the body returns to its fertile stage soon after delivery when you are not nursing the baby. The Changes or Irregularities in Menstrual Cycle There can be a change in the menstrual cycle postpartum. Once the period resumes after you stop breastfeeding or you abstain from nursing, you will notice a very heavy flow for the first couple of days to about 4-5 days at a stretch. Gradually the bright red colour will be substituted by dark red, brown, black or pink. It cannot be generalised and you are expected to report every significant change that you notice to your doctor so that he can make correct deductions of the state and suggest tests if necessary. The Length of Menstrual Cycle The length can differ from one menstrual cycle to the subsequent one too. The first one or the first couple of cycles can be longer while the subsequent ones can be very short and then again followed by long spells. Again there is no uniformity for all women here and you need to discuss it with your physician. You need to note a few facts here. The menstrual fluid constitutes of various components like the remnant uterine lining, the placenta, the endometrial cells, vaginal secretions and mucus. Then again these components are influenced by a variety of factors. You simply need to take care that you do not omit or overlook any change in your menstrual cycle or any symptom related to your periods post partum. Another significant change usually noticed is that the periods after delivery are accompanied by abdominal pain that is bit more acute than the usual pain or cramps that you are used to during your regular menstrual cycles. This is because of the shedding of the uterine lining. Again you need to resort to medical advice if the pain is too acute or the bleeding is too heavy.What changes are observed in periods after delivery? What factors affect the periods after delivery? How does breastfeeding affect the menstrual cycle? Discuss here.