My daughter is 4 days shy of being 6 weeks old. I have been breastfeeding since she was born, last week I had purchased a new breast pump so I was pumping for a straight week without putting her on my boob to eat. Last Tuesday I went for my 4 week checkup, and she put me on birth control, I have tried everything from the shot, to the patch, to a pill and I get terrible migraines, so she put me on Micronor it has no estrogen in it so it should not give me migraines. Anyways to the point, Most women have told me that breastfeeding will allow me not to have periods, but some women do get them. Well last Tuesday I started taking the pill and the day after I started my period and it is very heavy, Is it because the b/c? or because I was pumping so much? Anyone else have this problem? If so did it last long? or should I call the Dr. because the pill is off the cycle or what?
Sorry if I'm not specific enough.
2006-09-11 10:46:19 · 8 answers · asked by ntkwilliamson@sbcglobal.net 1 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
The brth control I am on has no hormones and i did put her back on my boob.
2006-09-11 11:04:41 · update #1
It could be because of the pills (they screw around with your hormones pretty badly) but it could also be because of the pumping and not putting her to the breast. Breastfeeding only works reliably to suppress your cycles when you breastfeed on demand, with no bottles or pacis.
Edited to add:
Micronor does have hormones, it just doesn't have estrogen. The progestin-only pills are the best choice for nursing moms for a number of reasons, though.
Even if the baby is back on the breast (which is awesome) that week off could well have precipitated your period. According to Kellymom (linked below): "Breastfeeding frequency and total amount of time spent breastfeeding per 24 hours are the strongest factors leading to the return of fertility: a mother is more likely to see the return of fertility if baby's nursing frequency and/or duration is reduced, particularly if the change is abrupt."
Which sounds pretty applicable to your situation.
2006-09-11 10:54:00 · answer #1 · answered by kalirush 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hey, our daughters are the same age. Born on Aug. 4 right? Well, anyway my doctor prescribed me micronor also. But on the package it says if you are breastfeeding to wait until 6 weeks to start taking it so I haven't started yet. I don't know if that has anything to do with it. I took it with my two other girls and I never had a period because of it. Did you stop bleeding completely after having the baby? I'm just wondering because I'm still having postpartum bleeding although it is a little unusual to be having it this long. If you pumped a lot, like more than you would have normally breastfed for, it could have caused your uterus to start bleeding again. Only a guess? But it sounds like it is more than likely from the pill. Sorry I couldn't be of more help, you probably should just ask your doctor.
2006-09-11 11:59:47 · answer #2 · answered by mommyem 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is not unusual for a mom to bleed again around 6 weeks after stopping for a while. I have had that happen several times after giving birth. It might not be your period. It might be related to the pills, everyone is going to respond differently to taking hormones.
It could be your period, I have had times where my periods started up right away even though I was breastfeeding, and times where I did get a "break" from it. My mom always told me breastfeeding gave you a break, so when my periods started right away after my first baby was born, I felt cheated! LOL!
I'd recommend putting your daughter to the breast if you can, she will be more effective at getting the milk out and stimulating milk production. Contact with her will also affect your body differently than contact with a breast pump does.
2006-09-11 10:59:45 · answer #3 · answered by Kathryn A 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Call the doctor about your period. I formula feed because I smoke and not to mention but my boobs are huge and need a breast reduction which I'm getting soon so its a good thing I formula feed. As far as b/c goes, try the IUD theres ones with and without the hormones. Its probably a hormonal problem. Your attitude will change because of the different hormones it gives you and nobody around you will like it, change b/c. You won't be as moody on the IUD and the hormones will kick in after your periods if you're on the pill.
2006-09-11 10:52:49 · answer #4 · answered by Tammy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Breastfeeding will ceases menstruation, for different periods of time for different women. However, when you introduce an other hormone (while Micronor does not have the hormone estrogen, it does have the hormone progestin) and that can cause your periods to start up again. One of the possible side effects of Micronor is heavy bleeding. Pumping will not cause your period to start.
2006-09-11 11:56:36 · answer #5 · answered by Midwife Jane 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The bleeding is not from pumping, as matter, pumping should keep the bleeding at bay. They problem probably has more to do with the birthcontrol. I nursed one baby and pumped for another for over a year. I never bleed until i quit the mini pill.
2006-09-11 11:01:57 · answer #6 · answered by rebeccalynn_dj 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't know if it is the bc or not but I do know that everone is different. I had a friend that was breastfeeding and started when her duaghter was 6 weeks old while she was not using bc.
So, it might be the bc but it might just be how your body decided to work.
2006-09-11 10:54:15 · answer #7 · answered by AlongthePemi 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It would be a good idea to contact your doctor. After my daughter had her baby she bled for awhile. Then once she stopped breast feeding she had her first period and she said it was incredibly heavy...but it's always a good idea to make sure with your doc...
2006-09-11 10:54:11 · answer #8 · answered by Lipstick 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋