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Childbirth/period after child birth

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Expert: - 2/26/2010


Question
have a 3 month old baby and just 4 weeks after giving birth I had my 1st period. We are not using contraception as we would like another baby when nature decides and now my 2nd period has not arrived. I did a test, but it's negative. I am now 12 days overdue, there is no sign of my period & I feel shattered. Could I be pregnant or is it normal for periods to be all over the place after birth?

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Answer
Are you breastfeeding?  Many women don't get their period at all until they are done breastfeeding.  If you are breastfeeding, I would guess that the bleeding 4 weeks postpartum was not a period, but was postpartum bleeding.

If you are not breastfeeding, it is possible that the 4 week bleeding was a period, or it might have been postpartum bleeding.  Even if it was your period, it can take several months for your cycle to get back to normal.  If you are not breastfeeding and don't have normal periods by 6 months after you have your baby, talk to your doctor or midwife.

If you are breastfeeding, it can take several months after you stop breastfeeding for your cycle to get re-established.

If you had a negative test, it is very unlikely that you are pregnant.

I hope that helps!

Sincerely,

Dorothy H, LCCE

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Dorothy H, LCCE

Expertise

As a certified childbirth educator and birth doula, I can answer questions dealing with preparing for birth, childbirth classes, pregnancy, what happens during labor and birth, doulas, VBAC, natural childbirth, cesarean birth, interventions in labor, labor, birth, helping someone through labor, concerns or fears about labor and birth, doulas, breastfeeding, and other topics dealing with pregnancy, labor, and birth.

Experience

Since 2004, I have taught childbirth education classes focused on helping couples gain confidence, make decisions for their birth, and give them tools for helping them get the birth they want. Since 2004, I have also attended births in local hospitals as a birth doula (as of 8/10, I have attended 120 births) so I am able to see firsthand what is working in helping couples deal with labor. I am also a mom of five children, and have various birth experiences myself, including unmedicated birth and a cesarean.

Organizations
Lamaze International DONA International

Publications
International Doula Magazine

Education/Credentials
I am a Lamaze-certified childbirth educator. I am a DONA-certified birth doula.

Past/Present Clients
I work with approximately 4-6 couples a month with my childbirth classes. I attend 2 births a month with doula clients.

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