PMS worse after childbirth?

[odenata]

Wondering if anyone else has had this experience.

I had mild/no PMS before childbirth. Light cramping, nothing major.

Two childbirths later, I have headaches, severe cramping, intestinal upset...

Anyone else?

[Doodlebugsmom]

Originally Posted by odenata

Wondering if anyone else has had this experience.

I had mild/no PMS before childbirth. Light cramping, nothing major.

Two childbirths later, I have headaches, severe cramping, intestinal upset...

Anyone else?

Oh yes. Severe. Mine was mostly emotional/mental effects, but the bleeding/cramping was definitely worse than pre-preg. I would cry for a couple of days leading up to my period. I thought I was having a mental breakdown and seriously considered psychiatric care. It was very scary. Needless to say after my second cycle I told my dh we must get pregnant right away. We did, and I had a Mirena IUD put in 6 months after ds was born (didn't get my first pp cycle until dd was 14 months, so I probably could've waited, but was too afraid). I'm now on my second Mirena and haven't had a period for just over 6 years. I absolutely love it. I've had no ill effects from the Mirena, and I'm on my second one.

I also have a strong family history of mental illness and suicide, so I felt this was the best option for me.

[odenata]

Thanks for the reply. I have been more emotional, too.

No more pregnancies in my future, though, so I'll ahve to come up with an alternate plan.

I have a physical coming up, so I'll talk with my ARNP then.

Good to know I'm not the only one.

[mmhinton]

Wow! That is me!! My periods before pregnancies were very, very irregular, min - no cramping, minimal "mood swings" etc. Now, I am having a whole host of symptoms that are starting to freak me out! (I actually was about to start a thread to see if anyone had advice!).

[tanyalynn]

I've read of people reducing their PMS symptoms by supplementing a few things, either magnesium alone or calcium + magnesium, and/or omega-3 fatty acids. I found pregnancy and nursing very nutritionally draining, it manifested in different ways for me (except for cramping, that I've had--the minerals helped me there) so it may be something to consider.

[sarahdavida]

Originally Posted by odenata

Wondering if anyone else has had this experience.

I had mild/no PMS before childbirth. Light cramping, nothing major.

Two childbirths later, I have headaches, severe cramping, intestinal upset...

Anyone else?

oh yeah...definitely worse, more "defined" symptoms post-partum...I am also still nursing, so wonder if it will subside a little once DS is fully weaned ...??? more cramping, intestinal upset, headaches...and nausea bordering on the extreme sometimes...really unpleasant...

my periods pre-pregnancy were always pretty mild, symptom-wise...I find that if my overall health is in order, including stress, sleep, etc...the symptoms are not as severe, but it stinks...

also, I now experience nausea and cramping during ovulation...

[ShadowMoon]

Yup, me too. Before I had DS I would never know my period was on it's way until I saw the physical signs. Now I have huge emotional swings, cramping, bloating, headaches...you name it!

I also have the Mirena. It was put in at 8 months pp and I plan on getting another as well. It does make my physical period go away (almost no bleeding), but has no effect on my crazy PMS. I'm still a crampy emotional mess over here

[sarahdavida]

Originally Posted by ShadowMoon

Now I have huge emotional swings, cramping, bloating, headaches...you name it!

oh yeah, bloating! never knew what bloating was until recently...it´s awful...for the past few months in the days leading up to AF, I´ve been thinking "my God, have I gained that much weight?" then I get my period and it subsides...I still haven´t gotten used to it...ugh!

[lotus.blossom]

Wow, me TOO! I didn't notice it after the first one as much but after this second one.....whoa! I am a basketcase the couple days leading up to my period. I seriously can hardly care for my children without flying off the handle. Then I start and its smooth sailing for another 3 weeks. I also have cramping, nausea, and horrible IBS with my period, which by the way lasts 8 days now. And comes every 26ish days. (sigh)
I am going to look into the supplementation though. I am still nursing too and I'm probably depleted in something.

[joyfulheart]

My pms went away completely after having babies. I haven't had a baby in 9 years, and I'm still pms-free.

Hope yours improves!

My pms pre-babies was bloating, tender breasts, break-outs on my face, mood swings and crying, and cramping.

[columbusmomma]

periods got less painful, pms much worse! Mood swings, headaches, bleh!