Expert: Catherine Beier MS CBE - 3/13/2008

Question
QUESTION: Hi Catherine, im wondering when your period normally comes back if you've had a c section birth. My son was born October 27, 2007, its now 5 months and still no sign of my period. I am also still breastfeeding. Any help on this would be great

ANSWER: Jacqui,

It is normal to not have your period return for up to a year when you're breastfeeding.  It has little to do with whether you had a c-section or a vaginal birth.

It varies depending on your hormone levels.  Some women get their period a month after childbirth while others go over a year.  Prolactin, a hormone produced by breastfeeding, can help suppress your period from returning.

Only when these levels go down to a certain point will your period return.  This will depend on your individual levels and is influenced by how often your baby is nursing.  Usually when your baby is nursing four times or less during the day and you have more than a six hour stretch without nursing, they will start to decline enough for your cycle to resume.

So enjoy the time off.  It could be months (or days) away from returning.


Best,
Catherine

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks for that Catherine, LOL, i wont have to worry now, one more question. Should i jump on the contraception now? I was going to wait until my period came back to make sure i had it, but if thats going to take a while, i dont want to have an "accident" and fall pregnant again so soon. And if i do go onto contraception, will it mess up my cycle for when we do want to start trying again? Thanks very much

Kind regards
Jacqui

Answer
Jacqui,

If you do want to avoid pregnancy now, then yes, some form of birth control should be used.  It doesn't have to be a hormonal form like the pill but could be a barrier method instead.


When breastfeeding, hormones from birth control pills can pass through breastmilk to the baby.  Thus, your doctor would most likely prescribe a  mini pill or low dose pill to limit this.

If you do go back on a hormonal form of birth control, it can alter your cycle a bit when you stop taking it.  This varies from woman to woman.  Some are fine and for some, it can take several cycles to fully regulate.

Since you can't predict how your body will respond, you may want to use a barrier method instead, especially since you know you will be trying to conceive in the not-too-distant future.


Best,
Catherine