First Period After Childbirth: What To Expect?

10 min read
First Period After Childbirth: What To Expect?

Your first period after childbirth can return as early as 4 to 6 weeks after birth or not for many months, particularly if you are breastfeeding. There is no set timeline, and your first periods may be different from those you had before pregnancy.

It also helps to know the difference between a returning period and lochia, the bleeding and discharge that happens after birth while your uterus recovers.

Is it lochia or your first period?

Lochia is the vaginal bleeding and discharge that happens after giving birth while the uterus heals and returns towards its pre-pregnancy state.

It is usually heaviest and brightest red during the first few days after birth. It then tends to become lighter, more brownish or pink and gradually reduces over the following weeks.

Lochia commonly continues for around 6 weeks and may sometimes last longer. It can temporarily become heavier in the morning, after breastfeeding or after physical activity.

Your first period is different. It happens when your menstrual cycle resumes and ovulation begins again.

Because postpartum bleeding can continue for several weeks and menstrual cycles can restart relatively soon after birth, it is not always easy to tell where lochia ends and a period begins.

If bleeding becomes heavier, suddenly changes or you are unsure whether what you are experiencing is normal postpartum bleeding or a period, contact your doctor or midwife rather than assuming it is menstruation.

You can also read Pregnancy, Birth and Baby's guide to periods after pregnancy. Our menstrual health glossary explains other period and reproductive-health terms.

When will your first period return after childbirth?

Your first period can return from around 4 to 6 weeks after giving birth, but the timing varies widely.

Periods often return sooner if you:

  • are not breastfeeding
  • are combination feeding
  • breastfeed less frequently

If you exclusively breastfeed, your periods may not return for several months. If breastfeeding continues, menstruation may be delayed for a year or sometimes longer.

There is no reliable way to predict the exact date your cycle will return, and your first postpartum period does not necessarily mean future periods will immediately return to their previous pattern.

How does breastfeeding affect your period?

Not having periods while breastfeeding is common.

Breastfeeding increases levels of prolactin, a hormone involved in milk production that can also suppress ovulation. How strongly this affects menstruation varies from person to person.

Your periods may be more likely to return when:

  • breastfeeds become less frequent
  • your baby starts sleeping for longer stretches
  • you introduce expressed milk, formula or bottle feeds
  • solid foods are introduced
  • night feeds become less frequent

Your cycle may still be irregular when periods first return while you are breastfeeding. You might have one period and then wait several weeks or months for another.

Read more in Healthdirect's guide to periods while breastfeeding.

What might your first periods be like?

Your periods after childbirth may not be exactly the same as they were before pregnancy.

Your first few periods may be:

  • heavier or lighter
  • longer or shorter
  • more or less painful
  • irregular at first

If you are still breastfeeding, it is also possible to skip a period or have long gaps between periods while your hormonal cycle settles.

There is no single pattern that everyone experiences after pregnancy.

A period tracker can help you record dates, flow, pain and other symptoms as your cycle returns.

If you are unsure how heavy your bleeding is, see How Much Do You Bleed During Your Period?. You can also read our guide to spotting between periods.

Which period products can you use after birth?

Your period product choices during the early postpartum period need to take healing into account as well as flow and comfort.

Pads and cloth pads

Pads are commonly used while you are experiencing lochia and during the early weeks after birth.

If you prefer a reusable external option, cloth pads and liners may suit you once you feel comfortable using them. Follow the product's washing and care instructions.

Our cloth pad care guide explains washing, drying and storage.

Tampons

Australian postpartum guidance recommends waiting until after your postnatal check, usually around 6 weeks after birth, before using tampons.

If your period returns before then, use pads until your doctor or midwife advises that tampon use is appropriate.

Menstrual cups, discs and sponges

Menstrual cups, discs and sponges are also inserted into the vagina. There is less specific Australian postpartum guidance covering each of these products individually, so it is sensible to ask your doctor or midwife when it is appropriate to resume them.

This is particularly important if you:

  • still have lochia
  • had vaginal stitches
  • experienced a tear or episiotomy
  • have pelvic or vaginal pain
  • are experiencing ongoing bleeding or discharge
  • have concerns about your postpartum recovery

Follow the manufacturer's instructions whenever you return to using an internal period product.

You can also browse our Postpartum & Surgery collection for products selected with recovery and comfort in mind.

When to get medical help

Postpartum bleeding needs different attention from an ordinary period, particularly during the first 6 weeks after birth.

Contact your doctor or midwife promptly if you notice:

  • bleeding that soaks more than one pad every 1 to 2 hours
  • a sudden increase in bleeding
  • large blood clots
  • bleeding that suddenly becomes bright red again after becoming lighter
  • fever
  • offensive-smelling vaginal discharge
  • strong or worsening abdominal or pelvic pain
  • sweating, dizziness or unusual weakness
  • difficulty breathing
  • any bleeding or symptoms that concern you

If you have heavy bleeding, severe pain, feel faint, have trouble breathing or feel very unwell, go to the nearest emergency department or call triple zero (000).

If heavy bleeding or other unusual symptoms occur later than 6 weeks after birth, they are still worth medical assessment.

Once your periods have returned, speak with a doctor about persistent spotting, bleeding between periods, bleeding after sex, periods that become much heavier or longer than your usual pattern or pain that significantly affects everyday activities.

For non-emergency advice, you can call:

  • Pregnancy, Birth and Baby: 1800 882 436, 7am to midnight AET, 7 days a week
  • Healthdirect: 1800 022 222, 24 hours a day

Can you get pregnant before your first period returns?

Yes. Ovulation can happen before your first period, which means pregnancy is possible before you have seen any menstrual bleeding.

Pregnancy can also occur while you are breastfeeding.

What about the lactational amenorrhoea method?

The lactational amenorrhoea method, usually shortened to LAM, can provide more than 98% protection from pregnancy, but only when all of the required conditions are met.

LAM relies on all of these being true:

  • your periods have not returned
  • your baby is under 6 months old
  • your baby is fully breastfed day and night
  • there are no formula feeds or other supplements
  • there are no long gaps between feeds, generally no more than about 4 hours during the day or 6 hours overnight

The contraceptive effect decreases when feeds become less frequent, formula or solids are introduced, longer gaps develop between feeds or menstruation returns.

Read more in Family Planning NSW's guide to the lactational amenorrhoea method.

If you want to avoid another pregnancy, talk with your doctor, midwife or nurse about contraception. Some contraceptive methods can be started soon after birth.

Our guide to contraception options in Australia explains the main choices.

Frequently asked questions

Can your period return 4 weeks after birth?

It is possible for menstrual cycles to resume relatively soon after birth, but bleeding at 4 weeks may still be lochia. Timing alone cannot confirm whether the bleeding is a period. Contact your doctor or midwife if bleeding becomes heavy, suddenly increases or concerns you.

Will my first period after childbirth be heavier?

It may be heavier, lighter or similar to your periods before pregnancy. There is no single postpartum pattern. Very heavy bleeding, large clots or suddenly increasing bleeding should be medically assessed, particularly during the first 6 weeks after birth.

Does breastfeeding stop periods?

Breastfeeding can delay the return of menstruation for months or sometimes longer, but it does not guarantee that ovulation has stopped. Pregnancy can occur before your first period returns.

When can I use tampons again after childbirth?

Australian guidance recommends waiting until after your postnatal check, usually around 6 weeks after birth. Use pads for postpartum bleeding or an early returning period until your doctor or midwife advises otherwise.

When can I use a menstrual cup, disc or sponge after birth?

There is no single timeline that suits everyone. These products are inserted vaginally, so ask your doctor or midwife when it is appropriate to restart them, particularly if you still have lochia, stitches, a tear, pelvic discomfort or other recovery concerns.

Are irregular periods common after childbirth?

Yes. Your first few periods may be irregular, especially while you are breastfeeding. Speak with a doctor if irregularity continues, your bleeding changes significantly or you have other symptoms that concern you.

Will my period affect my breast milk?

Some babies feed differently around the time ovulation or menstruation returns, and some people notice temporary changes in milk flow or supply. These changes are usually short-lived. If you are worried about your baby's feeding or your milk supply, feed responsively and speak with a lactation consultant or breastfeeding counsellor.

The Australian Breastfeeding Association helpline is 1800 686 268.

Your next step

Your first period after childbirth may follow its own timeline. It can return within weeks or take many months, and breastfeeding can make timing even less predictable.

The important distinction is that postpartum bleeding is not automatically a period. Pay attention to changes in flow and how you feel, and seek medical advice when bleeding is unusually heavy, suddenly increases or is accompanied by other concerning symptoms.

When your menstrual cycle does return, choose period products that suit your recovery and comfort rather than assuming you need to go straight back to whatever you used before pregnancy.

If you would like to record your returning cycle, use our downloadable period tracker.

Related reading

Sources

This article provides general information and is not a substitute for individual medical advice. Contact your doctor, midwife or another qualified healthcare professional if you have concerns about postpartum bleeding, recovery, breastfeeding or the return of your menstrual cycle.