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Fertility after childbirth

You are certainly not the first woman to consider the experience of not having her period for nine months as one of the great advantages of being pregnant. After giving birth, menstruation often takes a while, but in time your cycle returns. What exactly is the case and what can you expect?

Blood loss

Before you have your period again, you will still lose blood in the beginning after giving birth. In the first few days, this is often quite a lot of blood, with or without clots. Once the worst bleeding has stopped, you often continue to bleed for a period of time. This mixture of blood, mucous membrane and tissue debris from the uterus is also called lochia. The bleeding can last up to 6 weeks and will gradually decrease. Lochia is not a menstrual period, but a normal part of the recovery process after childbirth.

When will my period start again?

The time when your period returns after childbirth varies between women.

The first menstruation may come back soon after delivery. It may also stay away for months. Breastfeeding can delay the return of your menstrual cycle, especially if you breastfeed exclusively.

Ovulation after pregnancy

Before you have your first period again, you already have your ovulation. Therefore, since you don’t know when you will have your first period again, you also don’t know when your first ovulation is. In short: you may already be fertile before you know it.

Depending on whether you are sexually active again at that time, it is advisable to think about a form of contraception that suits you.

Cycle after childbirth

It is normal for your menstrual cycle to be irregular in the first few months after giving birth. You may have a shorter or longer cycle than before, and it may take some time before your period becomes regular again. There may also be changes in the duration, intensity and symptoms of your period. Some women notice that their periods are more intense or lighter than before, or they experience more cramps. All of these changes are normal. Worried about your period after childbirth? If so, feel free to call.

Menstrual cycle and breastfeeding

As long as you are breastfeeding, the hormone prolactin remains in your body. This hormone plays an important role in making breast milk, but it also suppresses your ovulation. As long as you are exclusively breastfeeding, your period may be off, but it doesn’t have to be. Some women find that by phasing out breastfeeding or no longer feeding on demand, their periods return. Sometimes this does not happen until you have completely stopped breastfeeding. This varies among women, which is why breastfeeding does not appear to be a safe form of birth control. Even if you are breastfeeding and have no active desire to have children, it is just as important to consider what form of contraception is right for you.

Sex after childbirth

When your baby is born, a new phase starts. At first, you won’t have much time for sex and you probably won’t feel up to it. As soon as the postpartum bleeding has stopped (about 6 weeks), and you are ready and willing, you can have sex again.

The first time making love after childbirth is often exciting. Does it feel just like before? Maybe you get more difficult to get aroused (moist) and your vagina feels different. Start gently, take your time to get aroused and use a lubricant if necessary.

Even if you had a rupture (with possible stitches), you can have sex. Be at ease; nothing can break. Take your time to experience what it’s like for you and reacquaint yourself with your “new” body.

Sex is not supposed to hurt. Do you have complaints? Then contact us or your primary care physician.

Birth control

During your maternity and follow-up check-ups, we will discuss whether you have thought about contraception. Do you still have an active desire for children or not? What do you expect from contraception? What do you want and what not? This checklist from anticonception.nl can help you on your way.

Do you have questions about contraception or want more information about IUD placement? Please feel free to contact us.

Frequently Asked Questions

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