While you are breastfeeding, if your period does return, it may not be regular. It is not unusual for a woman's menstrual cycle to go quicker or slower than normal while she is breastfeeding. Sometimes, a woman who is breastfeeding will skip periods altogether, or have months in between periods.
After pregnancy, it is important to remember that you can still be fertile (able to get pregnant) even though your periods have not yet returned. This is because a woman ovulates (releases an egg) about two weeks before she has her period. This means that you will become fertile again before you realise it. If you do not want to become pregnant again, it is essential that - whether your periods have returned or not - you use contraception when you have sex.
As you cannot take the pill straight after having a baby, or while you are breastfeeding, condoms are usually recommended as the safest method of contraception. Speak to your GP, health visitor or midwife for advice.
After having a baby, your periods may be either heavier or lighter than before. If your periods become irregular, or if you are not fully breastfeeding and your periods have not returned after a few months, you should speak to your GP or health visitor for advice.
This advice also applies to women who have had a stillbirth.
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