Return of period after birth

[help]

I had my daughter six weeks ago. Nothing went as planned, I am terribly depressed over that fact and the fact that breastfeeding is not going well and I'm supplementing, and now I've started my f'in period. This seems too early. I thought that it would be delayed since I am breastfeeding. Is this normal?

[Otterella]

I breastfed both my kids, and with both my kids my period returned 30 days right on schedule. Also, if you are doing ANY supplementing, that will disrupt the natural amenorrhea most women experience.

Aside from the period issues, have you talked to a lactation consultant about your breastfeeding issues? I know from experience how distressing and depressing that can be, and the help of a good LC can really make all the difference. If it's a question of money, most LC's charge around $50 for a consult, which is less than a month's worth of formula.

[help]

Thanks. Yes, I've been to the lactation consultant several times. The most help I've received has been online at Jack Newman's website. I have flat, large nipples and I think her latch is poor. And, I don't have enough milk (have PCOS and have been trying goat's rue and fenugreek for a month, no help), she's either sleeping or frustrated at the breast, and I don't know what to do. I am so depressed, I'm about ready to give up. Every single feeding of her life has been frustrating and a fight. My five year old has autism, so our hands are full. I posted a question about a low milk supply earlier on the boards. Nothing has improved yet. I'm trying to get domperidone, but that's been unsuccessful so far. This is my last child, so I guess I'll just add this to the guilt I feel about everything else. So frustrating, wish I could do something right.

[rad]

It more common than I would have thought. With my first 4, I BF'd (no supplementing at all) and my period came back anywhere from 6-8 weeks PP. My 5th baby was different than the others even though I hadn't done anyting differently with BFing him. My period came back 1 yr after he was born.

[scottishmommy]

OP- I know quite a few women who've nursed and gotten their periods back right away. It happens, everyone is different. Have you talked to your health care provider about your mood? I'm so sorry breast feeding isn't going well for you. I was completely taken back by how difficult nursing was at the beginning. Please don't blame yourself! You are doing everything you can to facilitate nursing.

[help]

I am shocked that I'm not the only one experiencing early periods. I've talked to my OB about it, he doesn't seem concerned. As soon as I stop breastfeeding, I'm going to have to start taking an anti-depressant, I believe. Just got a lot of stress in my life.

[aloneinid]

I just saw your posts and had to respond. Lack of periods postpartum occurs only when exclusively breastfeeding. Sometimes even using a pacifier will lead to the return of your period. Since you are supplementing you are not nursing your baby often enough to suppress you period. I believe that if you stop supplementing your periods may be suppressed again, but of course you need to make sure your baby is eating enough. Please contact your local La Leche League for help. They have insight that many lactation consults do not. Also, there are several antidepressants that can be used safely during lactation. Dr. Thomas Hale is an expert in this area and has a website where you can look up the safety of most medications during breastfeeding. Many doctors are not well informed on this subject and give their patients false information. Please get help with both the depression and the breastfeeding. It is well worth it.

[AutumnAir]

Originally Posted by aloneinid

I just saw your posts and had to respond. Lack of periods postpartum occurs only when exclusively breastfeeding. Sometimes even using a pacifier will lead to the return of your period. Since you are supplementing you are not nursing your baby often enough to suppress you period. I believe that if you stop supplementing your periods may be suppressed again, but of course you need to make sure your baby is eating enough. Please contact your local La Leche League for help. They have insight that many lactation consults do not. Also, there are several antidepressants that can be used safely during lactation. Dr. Thomas Hale is an expert in this area and has a website where you can look up the safety of most medications during breastfeeding. Many doctors are not well informed on this subject and give their patients false information. Please get help with both the depression and the breastfeeding. It is well worth it.

This is not entirely accurate though. I BF my DD exclusively, without even using a pacifier once, and she nursed literally 20 hours out of every 24 round the clock for her first couple of months, and I *still* got my period back at just 6 weeks PP. I had literally only just finished with the lochia a couple of days before. I was totally unimpressed to say the least.

Some women experience amennorhea while supplementing, and others don't even while exclusively breastfeeding - there's no catch all.

OP - I really understand and sympathise with where you're coming from. I had a really traumatic birth with DD and I had terrible trouble breastfeeding her too. It's really really important that you get as much help as you possibly can right now. As PPs have said you should get evaluated for PTSD/PPD, and remember that there really are plenty of anti-depressants which can be taken safely while breastfeeding. Get hold of an IBCLC or maybe try going to a LLL meeting if you can - they might be able to help you with getting domperidone and with other methods of increasing milk production. In the meantime try to be gentle with yourself - if you need to supplement right now, then so be it. If you need to take a break then call in your support system and get someone to watch the kids for you for an hour or two while you take a nap or go for a walk. Let people help you, and don't be afraid to ask for help.

[Juvysen]

My mom swears a friend of hers got pregnant *in the hospital* after the birth of her child. That is, within days of giving birth was pregnant again. I'm not sure how that's even possible, but I guess you never know.

That said, I got my period back around 3 months pp when DD started "sleeping through the night" (giving 6 and 7 hr stretches of sleep), and even TANDEM NURSING I only got 6 months before seeing AF. I'm expecting it within a month of now, I guess, since Ds2 is nearly 3 months old, now, and I'm not tandeming this time. *sigh*

[HeatherB]

s I'm so sorry you're having such a rough time.

As to your question, yes, it's quite normal to get your first PPAF even while still breastfeeding. I have a good friend who gets it at 6 weeks, every time, while BFing on demand with no pacifiers or bottles. It's very individual.

Have you looked at the Health and Healing section here on MDC? There is (or was) a great thread on PPD and natural aids. You obviously have a lot of very real issues going on, and I can imagine it's very difficult to deal with. There are some natural, safe-for-breastfeeding things that can help you, perhaps just enough to not feel miserable all the time. One that is really good for depression, good for taking while bfing, etc., is fish oil. I highly recommend the Nordic Naturals brand and have great success with it. There are a variety of concentrations of it, and I try to find the highest concentration of EPA that I can. Taking a total of 3 grams of EPA a day is proven to help depression of various sorts. Helps with all kinds of things, like your heart, brain, etc., too!

There are other ideas in the Health and Healing forum, so definitely check it out. I hope you can get the breastfeeding issues resolved AND feel better, too.

[KristyDi]

Originally Posted by help

I am shocked that I'm not the only one experiencing early periods. I've talked to my OB about it, he doesn't seem concerned. As soon as I stop breastfeeding, I'm going to have to start taking an anti-depressant, I believe. Just got a lot of stress in my life.

I'm sorry your having a rough time. I just wanted to point out that there are anti-depressants that are safe while BFing. A good friend took, I believe it was Zoloft, after the birth of her second and says it was a real lifesaver for her. I noticed a real difference in her after she started it too.

So don't let that stop you from seeking out the help you need.

[PoppyMama]

I'm sorry you're having a rough time. I had a terrible time with supply this last time- after successfully and easily bf my first 2 children. It was really disheartening. I started taking Metformin (for PCOS) and it seemed to help a bit. I agree with the others that say that there are antidepressants that are fine while bf. You deserve to enjoy this time with your little one, however you are feeding. BTW- my level of nursing has never related to when I got AF back.