Your period after pregnancy: when it comes back and what changes

First: bleeding after birth isn't a period

After birth you'll bleed for a few weeks as the uterus heals where the placenta was attached. This bleeding is called lochia. It starts heavy and red, then turns pinkish-brown and finally yellowish-white, usually fading over about four to six weeks. It isn't a period, and it isn't a sign your cycle has returned.

When your period usually comes back

A World Health Organization review of non-breastfeeding women found the average first ovulation fell between 45 and 94 days after birth across studies, and that most don't ovulate before 6 weeks, though a few do. The key point: ovulation comes about two weeks before your first period, so you can get pregnant before you've had a period at all.

What your first periods might be like

• Heavier or longer than before, sometimes with small clots, for the first one or two.
• Irregular. Cycles may be short, long or unpredictable for a few months while hormones settle, especially if you're breastfeeding.
• Different cramps. Some people find period pain is easier after giving birth; others find it's worse.
• PMS returns too. Breast tenderness, bloating and premenstrual mood changes can come back, sometimes stronger than before.

If you had a caesarean, your periods return on the same sort of timeline; the type of birth doesn't change it much. More in period after birth.

Your returning cycle and your mood

The months after birth are already a time of huge change: little sleep, a new identity, physical recovery. When your cycle returns, its hormone swings come back too. Some people notice that premenstrual days hit harder than they used to, or that their mood follows a monthly pattern again. If you had strong PMS or PMDD before pregnancy, or postnatal depression, keep an eye on this.

Tracking your periods and a daily mood for a couple of months can help you tell whether low days follow your cycle or are more constant, which matters because postnatal depression can start any time in the first year. Read postpartum mood and your returning cycle for more.

Tracking your cycle as it returns

Your old cycle length may not apply for a while, so start fresh. Count your first real period after birth as day 1 and build from there. A few simple habits help:

• Log every bleed and spotting separately. Early cycles can bring spotting that isn't a period.
• Note the flow. Write down how often you change products on the heaviest day, so you can tell if periods are getting lighter or staying heavy.
• Watch for ovulation signs if you want them: egg-white discharge or a positive LH test can appear before your first period.
• Give it three cycles before expecting a pattern. The cycle length calculator shows your range once you have a few dates.
• Add a quick daily mood score. It takes seconds and shows whether harder days line up with your cycle.

Pick up where you left off

If you tracked before pregnancy, Lulu keeps your history on your iPhone. Log your first period after birth and Lulu starts learning your new pattern and how you usually feel through it.

When to see a doctor