Ready for a crazy postpartum story?
At 20 months after my son’s birth, I've JUST started my period again. That means I went a solid 30 months — 2 1/2 years — without Aunt Flo. It’s 2019 and my last period was in 2016. For real.
As much as I didn’t mind my monthly lady reminder staying away, I had started to worry a little bit. Who goes that long without their cycle returning?! Apparently, me. Apparently, the mom whose toddler still likes to nurse at night sometimes.
I had just messaged my bestie, saying that I thought my cycle might be brewing.
My emotions were flaring, I had a zit or two (or 10), I was bloated beyond belief. I sensed that Aunt Flo might follow. And she did, literally the day after I put all the evidence out into the universe. Thirty months can pass, but I still remember the signs.
I know the range of normal is vast when it comes to that first postpartum period, but I’m guessing I’m on the long end at 20 months.
Here are a few stories from other mamas, so you can see just how unexpected Aunt Flo’s first visit after baby can be!
1. "Mine never came back after my first baby! Instead of a period, I got a positive pregnancy test at 14 months postpartum! Then I found out I was 9 weeks along already!" – Rose E., mom of 2
2. "Like clockwork … 28 days after both babies. And I was full force breastfeeding with both!" – Kati S., mom of 2
3. "My cycles didn't come back until between 3 to 5 months after stopping breastfeeding. It was amazing! It also means I somehow lucked out and only had one cycle between my third and fourth baby, who are 2.5 years apart." – Carey P., mom of 4
4. "I nursed for 2.5 years and my period came back with a vengeance when Baby was 6 months old. Super heavy periods. It’s speculated that I have endometriosis." – Allison M., mom of 1
5. "I don’t even remember! Since I was terrified of getting pregnant again, I welcomed mine. I do remember that they both came at very inconvenient times so I would recommend always having at least one thing in your purse! Postpartum periods are kinda like labor — you never know when it will hit, for how long and when the next one will be." – Mallory P., mom of 2
6. "Nursed for 8 months and the moment I stopped, it came back and it was SO HEAVY." – Pamalee P., mom of 2
7."After my first, my period came back at three months. After my second, it never came back, but I got pregnant within three months. After my third, it never came back but I got pregnant with my fourth after five months! After baby #4 (my only C-section), my period came back at eight months postpartum. With all of them, I breastfed. I got better at breastfeeding with each baby and had a stronger supply each time, but it still never hindered my fertility. Now we are done having children and I have the heaviest periods I've ever had!" – Charissa F., mom of 4
8."My cycle didn’t return until I was finished breastfeeding. With my first, it was right around 18 months, and my second closer to 28 months. I think I got about a month after completely stopping breastfeeding before my normal cycles returned." – Leila C., mom of 2
9."After my first, I didn't get my period until 17 months postpartum. I know, crazy! It would only be for three days, months were on and off. It was very light. Before kids my periods were very heavy, very painful, and basically unbearable. I am nine months postpartum now and still no period as of yet." – Samantha B., mom of 2
