Periods after childbirth
Have you ever wondered what happens to your menstrual cycle after you’ve given birth? What’s going on with my body? When will I 
get my period again? Will everything go back to normal? Can I still use tampons? Here’s some information you might find useful.
After childbirth women experience vaginal bleeding and this is known as lochia. Lochia is like a menstrual period but it occurs when the uterus (womb) sheds any remaining cells and tissues after childbirth. These cells and tissues are present because you still have a wound at the site where the placenta was attached to your uterine wall.
Your periods can start again at any time. If you bottle-feed or combine bottle-feeding with breastfeeding, your first period may be after 5 - 6 weeks. However, breastfeeding mothers may not recommence periods until they cease breastfeeding as breastfeeding is known to interrupt ovulation.
Every woman is unique, so it’s difficult to say when a period will recommence after childbirth. Some women find their period will return a month following the birth, others won't menstruate until after twelve months.
It is important to remember that even if you are not menstruating, you may still fall pregnant if you are having unprotected sexual intercourse.
