Men: You may want to skip this post.
If there's anything else I can share with you about pregnancy, postpartum, etc., it's this because this little topic is one that I had NO idea would happen to me after giving birth to my son.
Everyone knows that when you're pregnant, you don't have your period, you're growing this amazing human, and at birth, you give birth to your placenta as well....
And then what?
Well my sister, you will eventually have your first period, and it will be so different.
I knew that after birth, you will have vaginal bleeding and discharge regardless of whether you have a vaginal delivery or Cesarean. This is called Lochia, and your body will be releasing all of the extra blood and tissue that developed during pregnancy. This extra and long period of bleeding I had mentally prepared for, though that didn't make it less annoying.
This after birth bleeding will be the heaviest the few days to a week after birth, and then will slowly start to lessen, but you can bleed for a few weeks. My bleeding took about six weeks, and then I had my first period a few days later (bleh).
No doubt, your period will likely be different post-baby.
Some of the things you can expect during your new menstruation are:
cramping that might be stronger or lighter than usual
small blood clots
heavier flow
flow that seems to stop and start
increased pain
irregular cycle lengths
*Read more here: Source: https://www.healthline.com/health/pregnancy/first-period-postpartum#3
I had been reading medical articles and mom-group posts about postpartum bleeding, and I realized I wasn't alone in my shock of how your first period is after birth is.
(See Rihanna? See her face? That was me.)
My first period after birth was THE HEAVIEST flow I had ever had. I got scared there was something wrong because of how much blood was lost. It was heavy for the first few days for me, and then slowed to a stop, but I was literally changing pads for every hour-hour half for the first few days.
Other women in the mom-group that I am apart of expressed the same concerns of "When will this end?!", "When will it stop?!", "Why is it soooo much!?".
For me, the first couple months were extremely stressful. I couldn't do a lot the first few weeks because I myself was healing from my cesarean, so I was sore, bleeding, and exhausted. After a few days of finally no bleeding, I felt a little relieved that finally, one thing was done with. Then, my period came.
If there is any advice or suggestion I can provide to you my dear First Time Mama (FTM), its:
Ask the hospital for some extra pads before leaving. They're super large and hold and can hold a lot.
Invest in equally large overnight pads. You won't be able to wear tampons for a while because you are still healing (vaginal and c-section mamas), so find pads that can hold a lot. You'll feel more comfortable.
Get comfortable, high waisted cotton underwear. These are the one's I purchased and they are comfortable AF and have sizes small - 5x. I sized up one or two sizes because your belly will still be big and even when you start to return to your normal size, it will be nice to have underwear that doesn't dig into your skin on those new, heavy menstrual days.
You may start to feel sore from wiping and cleaning yourself all the time because you're constantly bleeding. Invest in a peri-bottle to help wash yourself, and soft wipes (or even baby wipes) to wipe yourself at times.
Be patient. It does end eventually and this is only a temporary phase. If you must cry at any moment for any reason, cry. It's okay to let it out.
As I write this post, I am having my second period and it's still heavy. UGH. But, I am laughing at how "graphic" this may be for some, but in the end, life is pretty damn graphic but it is all so worth it as your baby smiles at you, coos, laughs and snuggles you. Oh the joys of mommyhood.
What was your post-baby periods like? Were they normal, or did it look like Freddie Kruger had an accident?
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