C-section or cesarean section is a procedure where the child is delivered by surgery. Instead of vaginal birth, the baby is born through a surgical incision on the abdomen and the uterus of the mother.
Once you welcome a new baby to the world, your life will have changed in so many ways. Typically, some women question if it will take longer to get their period after C section delivery. Thus, the answer is ‘No’. A C-section delivery does not delay your period. However, it does affect the nature of the period, such as the first period may occur after some time depending on your health conditions, hormones, and breastfeeding.
The resumption of periods after Cesarean section entirely depends on your hormones. After the delivery, the hormone levels of Human Chronic Gonadotropin or hCG, Progesterone, and Oestrogen tend to be on the lower side. One significant element that sees when your periods will return after C-section is breastfeeding.
It will have an impact on your hormonal levels. It increases the level of prolactin, causing a delay in ovulation. Therefore, if you are breastfeeding, it may take at least take six months to resume your periods. Furthermore, the periods may also be irregular.
If you are not breastfeeding, the level of prolactin in your body decreases thereby causing periods to occur sooner. However, in a few cases, the first period occurs just after six weeks after cesarean section delivery.
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About 4 to 6 weeks after delivery, your vagina will pass some bloody discharge which is also referred to as lochia. This type of discharge is considered normal as it flows-out itself, whether you have a c- section delivery or vaginal delivery. Remember that this discharge is not your period. Moreover, it should not be long-lasting and should be light in colour.
Whether you have a standard delivery or c- section delivery, your period will probably be different in odour, colour, flow, and regularity. Once your body heals completely, and your hormones balance out, it will return to the way it was before your pregnancy.
Irregular cycles after pregnancy are quite common. Some women have a cycle that is a bit more erratic, while others go straight back to their typical 28-day cycle. There are a lot of things that can affect your period regularity such as weight loss, stress, weight gain, and thyroid issues.
In some cases, irregular cycles may also be a sign of perimenopause. However, most women enter into this phase in their 40’s.
The first period after a cesarean section delivery can be substantial due to the surgical incision during the c- section procedure and the repair of the uterine wall. If you experience a more substantial flow, it is recommended to keep an eye on how heavy it gets.
Some women are lucky as they experience a lighter, less painful, and a shorter period after the delivery. And women with endometriosis experience a positive change in their menstrual cycle after having a child. The progesterone levels are high during pregnancy which is responsible for easing the menstrual symptoms. This keeps your levels of estrogen in balance, which causes to grow extra uterine cells.
Depending on the health condition and hormonal changes in your body, the periods can last longer than usual. Generally, most women get a seven-day period. But, in some cases, women experience a twelve-day period. If this is the case, visit your gynaecologist to find the reason behind it.
During the first period after c- section delivery, dark colour or bright red clots may appear. This usually happens when you are going through heavy bleeding. This is because an anticoagulant that is released from the body during periods to avoid menstrual blood clots will not be able to work efficiently as more blood flow is released in a short time. This allows the formation of a blood clot that comes out with the menstrual blood.
The first period after cesarean section and tubal ligation
A woman can undergo the procedure of the tubal ligation right after the c- section delivery. The tubal ligation does not create any complications, nor they influence the time of the recovery from the cesarean section. However, the chances of having heavy bleeding during the first period may increase after you undergo a c- section and tubal ligation.
If you experience any of the following issues, seek medical help.
f you get fever along with the first or the next period (during or after the period), then you should see a doctor determine the reason behind it. According to experts, there should not be any symptoms related to fever after the cesarean section delivery.
Whether you have a standard delivery or c- section delivery, a heavy period is normal in some women. However, there should be a limit to the flow. If you are soaking through one or more pads/ tampons every hour or two, then it is time to see your gynaecologist.
Stomach cramps are normal after a c- section delivery. But if you suffer from unbearable pain and if it is causing much inconvenience, then you should visit you’re a doctor to find the exact reason.
If your period is a seven-day period, then it is normal. If it extends for a few more days, then you should consult your doctor to find the reason behind it.
If you are breastfeeding, your first period may take at least six months or so to occur after a c- section delivery. However, if your first periods does not happen even after that, there can be some other reason behind it. Consult an expert to treat the issue as soon as possible.
You can also join our Cloudnine Community to discuss and get more information about - C-Section, First Timers, Postpartum Support Group.
Watch Video on Normal and C-section Delivery
A feeling of tiredness is normal after c- section delivery, but massive exhaustion or any symptoms related to anaemia is not. So, see a doctor for better advice and treatment.
The vaginal discharge after childbirth, which is a mix of mucus, blood, and uterine tissue, is called lochia. Like the menstrual blood discharge, it has a musty and stale odour and may last for many weeks after delivery. Initially, the flow is heavy and then reduces to a light flow until it stops four to six weeks later. There are three stages of lochia:
Lochia is a natural process where the uterus returns to its pre-pregnancy state. During pregnancy, the uterus grows and accumulates extra tissue and blood to support the fetus. After childbirth, the extra stuff is not needed, and lochia clears it out by discharging fluids.
It is the first period post-childbirth and is not the same as lochia. It may start six to eight weeks after delivery or when the body returns to the pre-pregnancy state. After a C-section, when does the period starts depends on factors like breastfeeding and the reduction of the pregnancy hormones like hCG. Non-breastfeeding mothers start their periods after 6 to 8 weeks, and breastfeeding mothers may menstruate after six months or more. The flow varies based on the individual and can be light to heavy.
While normal menstruation may return, it may take a few periods for the cycle length and flow to stabilise. The periods may be irregular, heavy or light, short or long cycles compared to the pre-pregnancy period. This is due to fluctuations in hormones as the body transitions back from pregnancy and breastfeeding. Seek medical help if you have:
Learning about your period after a C-section helps you know what's normal as you heal. If you're not breastfeeding, your period will usually come back in 6-8 weeks. If you are breastfeeding, it might take up to six months or longer. Every woman is different, so your experience might not be the same. Watch out for warning signs like very heavy bleeding, bad pain, or fever. If you notice any of these, call your doctor to make sure you're healing properly.
Delayed period after C Section?
Irregular period flow after C Section?
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