Cycle after giving birth...

[livinlovinlaughin]

First, I hope this is the right place fot this.

I am just wondering if this is normal...I have always had severely crampy periods with back pain (all on the first day). My periods lasted about 3 days and were not very heavy. I always heard that after pregnancy and birth that periods were less painful, shorter and lighter. While nursing my DS, my period returned somewhere around 7 months pp. Still severe cramps and back pain (which now last past the first day). Now my periods last 5-7 days and start off super heavy. I do not have money for my copay for my pap right now and I am worried something could be wrong.

Side note:
I really feel like something is out of whack with my body. We are still nursing (DS is 21 months). I have tried everything and have not last any weight. (I am active with a controlled clean diet). All of these things together really make me feel like my hormones are out of whack because I have no control over my body. Is there a tyoe of doctor or something that would know about my hormones and if they are right? I hate to go to the doctor but I am really at a loss with this. Also, I have never had a problem with my supply but just recently I feel like my supply might be low (another post). DS has been crying for the other side when nursing.

Any help would be great!

[billikengirl]

I've heard from a lot of my friends that their periods after 1st baby threw them for a loop, different from pre-baby. Mine aren't any shorter or longer, but boy oh boy are they heavier.

I'm not worried about me, but if your body is telling you something is wrong, listen to it.

[MegBoz]

Originally Posted by billikengirl

but if your body is telling you something is wrong, listen to it.

Sounds like it would be worth the peace of mind to see a doc.

I'm certified as a personal trainer & have a few thoughts on the weight loss. How many #s are you above where you'd like to be? I don't think it's unusual for mamas to hold on to an extra 10# or so while still nursing & I think it makes perfect sense from a physiological perspective (to ensure we'll have "energy" to make enough milk - since a # of fat is really stored energy, 3,500 calories worth in each pound.)

Are you sure you're eating enough? Yes, you need a caloric "deficit" to lose weight (burn more than you eat), but having too large a deficit can actually slow your metabolism. (Body goes into a 'survival mode' slowing the metabolism to ensure enough energy to survive based on inadequate incoming calories.)

You mention "clean" diet, so hopefully that means you're in-the-know on making sure you eat close-to-nature, avoiding processed foods, REALLY avoiding sugars (that always helps me get leanest, regardless of how MUCH I eat, when I cut sweets, I lose, when I eat ANY sweets, I gain.)

& finally MIXING UP your workouts helps a lot. Your body gets accustomed to doing the same thing. High-intensity "anaerobic" workouts can really rev of the metabolism if you're used to 'stead-state' work (like jogging, most aerobics classes, light 'toning' etc. where you work moderately hard & stay at that SAME level.)

[livinlovinlaughin]

Originally Posted by MegBoz

Sounds like it would be worth the peace of mind to see a doc.

I'm certified as a personal trainer & have a few thoughts on the weight loss. How many #s are you above where you'd like to be? I don't think it's unusual for mamas to hold on to an extra 10# or so while still nursing & I think it makes perfect sense from a physiological perspective (to ensure we'll have "energy" to make enough milk - since a # of fat is really stored energy, 3,500 calories worth in each pound.)

Are you sure you're eating enough? Yes, you need a caloric "deficit" to lose weight (burn more than you eat), but having too large a deficit can actually slow your metabolism. (Body goes into a 'survival mode' slowing the metabolism to ensure enough energy to survive based on inadequate incoming calories.)

You mention "clean" diet, so hopefully that means you're in-the-know on making sure you eat close-to-nature, avoiding processed foods, REALLY avoiding sugars (that always helps me get leanest, regardless of how MUCH I eat, when I cut sweets, I lose, when I eat ANY sweets, I gain.)

& finally MIXING UP your workouts helps a lot. Your body gets accustomed to doing the same thing. High-intensity "anaerobic" workouts can really rev of the metabolism if you're used to 'stead-state' work (like jogging, most aerobics classes, light 'toning' etc. where you work moderately hard & stay at that SAME level.)

I am a fitness instructor and always continuing my education on fitness and nutrition. What you explained is right on and has always worked....until I had my DS. I have lost none of my pregnancy weight (35-40lbs) I keep losing and gaining the same 5lbs no matter what I do. I have adjusted calories and workouts all over the place and can not find anything that will work to let me continuously lose the weight. I swear I thought people were lying to themselves when I heard them explain why they can't lose the pregnancy weight...until now. My body just will not cooperate! It's like my post pregnancy nursing body has not read the book on calories in/calories out. It really should be that simple!

[BlackSheepPDX]

My periods were heavier after my DD.

As for weight, some of us do hang on to weight while nursing. I actually GAINED weight, despite being back competing with my rowing team. I gained 35 pounds, hitting 195 in my first pregnancy. I weighed in at about 176 within the first week PP. Then my weight crept up to 184 and stayed there for well over a year, slowly slipping down to 174 in the second year, and dropping down to near pre-preg, around 164 in the last 6 months before I found myself unexpectedly pregnant again. I'm a healthy, hearty eater, a vigorous exerciser, and just let my body land where it lands. (I'm also an ATC, so count me in the "no seriously, I'm a sports med professional, and this doesn't quite add up" club )

It is possible that there is an additional hormone thing going on, and your general doc can sign you up for a blood test to look at your levels for a start, and then refer you if things seem peculiar.