After pregnancy your periods could start at any time depending on whether you breastfeed or not.
If you bottlefeed or combine bottle and breastfeeding, you might have your first period 5-6 weeks after the birth.
If you breastfeed it is possible that you won't have a period until you stop breastfeeding. This is because your body is trying to prevent you getting pregnant again while you have a small baby.
It is normal for a woman's menstrual cycle to change while she is breastfeeding so if your period does return it might be irregular. It is not unusual for a woman to miss periods altogether, or have months in between periods while she is breastfeeding.
It is important to remember that you can still become pregnant even if your periods have not yet returned. A woman ovulates (releases an egg) about two weeks before her period comes which means that you will not necessarily be aware when you become fertile again. Therefore you must take precautions when having sex if you want to avoid getting pregnant again.
Condoms are usually recommended as the safest method of contraception because it is not possible to take the pill straight after having a baby or when breastfeeding. Talk to your doctor or midwife for more information.
You may notice a difference in your periods after having a baby. They might be heavier or lighter than before. If your periods become irregular, or if they have not returned after a few months, you should speak to your GP or health visitor for advice.
This advice also applies if you have had a stillbirth.
May 2011
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