C-sections are common surgical procedures performed during the delivery of a baby. C-sections, also known as cesarean sections, require a surgical incision in the mother’s abdomen and uterus to safely deliver the baby.
While c-sections are generally a safe procedure, they do come with more risks than a natural vaginal birth, and can come with complications as well.
C-sections are often either performed in a response to an emergency problem that arises in order to ensure the baby is born safely, or they can be scheduled in advance due to various reasons.
It’s common knowledge that after you give birth, your menstrual cycle will return again in the next few months. Having a c-section birth can affect the nature of your menstrual cycle when your period returns.
When will your period return?
Hormones play a significant part in the menstrual cycle, and so the return of your monthly period will be based off your hormone levels post-c-section delivery. After giving birth, the levels of hormones like estrogen, progesterone, and hCG (Human Chronic Gonadotropin) decrease.
Breastfeeding your baby can also affect your hormones, keeping the prolactin level high and therefore delaying ovulation for up to six months.
This isn’t necessarily accurate for every woman, so it is important to still be safe while having sex at this time.
If you do not breastfeed, your prolactin levels will likely decrease.
For women who choose not to breastfeed, the menstrual cycle will likely come back on average about six weeks after delivery, definitely after four weeks and up to twelve weeks. If your period hasn’t returned after three months, you should consult with your doctor to rule out any serious issues.
It might be different for every woman, as the return of your monthly period will be determined by how soon your hormones return to their pre-pregnancy state. Levels of HCG must be lowered, and estrogen and progesterone must balance out.
Women may also ovulate before they even see the return of their period, which is important to keep in mind when having sexual intercourse, as ovulation may occur while you are unaware.
What kind of period will it be?
C-section deliveries can often affect what kind of period you experience when it returns post-birth. Your period might differ in a number of ways, including in length of occurrence, menstrual blood color, and the amount of blood.
After you deliver a baby, you may experience bloody discharge for 4 to 6 weeks after delivery, which should not be confused with your period.
The first week after giving a c-section delivery, you will experience heavy bleeding, which is perfectly normal and will lessen.
You should not use tampons, as they can increase risk of infection post-surgery, so it is important to stick with sanitary pads only during this time. This discharge is called lochia, and gradually becomes lighter in color and lessens over time until it ceases.
When your period returns six or so weeks later, it will likely be different than the regular periods you had before. Your period can become irregular, although over time your cycle will balance out and become regular again.
It is common to also experience periods that occur with heavy cramping, or even periods associated with lighter bleeding and less cramping. It all depends on the hormonal changes going on in your body after delivering your baby, which can vary from woman to woman.
THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT C-SECTION AND PERIODS
Regular Periods
According to female reproductive health perspective, C-section will not affect your periods badly and most of the time menstrual cycle will resume quickly after C- section. The critical thing to consider about periods is the hormonal changes, not the C- section.
Once the hormonal level is balanced in females, your periods will start naturally. However, due to clinical complications or health conditions, the onset can be affected.
Irregular Periods
It is quite possible that the females might experience irregularity of periods after C-section. There is nothing to worry about irregular periods. It is a natural phenomenon and very common due to hormonal changes.
There are few things which might contribute to irregular periods after C-section that are weight gain, or weight loss, Stress, anxiety, and thyroid problem.
Lighter Periods
The blood flow may vary in females depending upon a few factors such as physical fitness as well as clinical condition. It is normal to experience lighter periods after C-section. Some female might find the periods less painful and shorter.
The menstrual cramps are milder due to the stretching of the uterus. Progesterone plays a critical role in relieving these symptoms.
Heavy Periods
Some females might have heavy periods after C-section. Some women might experience abnormal vaginal discharge many factors can contribute to heavy periods. Heavy blood flow can be unusual if the females have a medical history of vaginal infection.
It is normal to have heavy bleeding after C-section for the first few days. It this bleeding prolongs to 5 days then the gynecologist or physician should be consulted for medical examination.
How do c-sections affect your period?
Our monthly cycles are sensitive, and so any major stresses or changes put on the body can alter them. Since c-sections are a surgical delivery, our bodies need time to recover and heal afterwards, and the added stress and tiredness can affect the menstrual pattern.
Similarly, women recouping from the surgery will typically need to get plenty of rest, and so women who find themselves feeling over-exerted or having a difficult time getting back into physical activity may find that their periods are also affected as a result.
Other factors affecting menstruation post c-section delivery include the typical factors that result from pregnancy and birth, such as weight gain, weight loss, additional stress, and added complications and health issues. These issues can delay the period or cause irregularity.
It’s common to notice differences and irregularities in your period after undergoing a c-section delivery, but there are some signs that may indicate a more serious problem.
Heavy, increased bleeding that soaks your sanitary pad in a short amount of time may be a cause for concern. Similarly, ongoing bleeding that lasts for more than a month post-natal should indicate you need to visit your doctor.
Since c-sections are a surgery, it is important to keep an eye on your body during recovery. Incisions that swell, become red, or seep pus can indicate an infection, as well as odorous discharge from the vagina. If you experience any of these differences following your c section, it is important to see a doctor.
References:
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1. Prior, E., Santhakumaran, S., Gale, C., Philipps, L. H., Modi, N., & Hyde, M. J. (2012). Breastfeeding after cesarean delivery: a systematic review and meta-analysis of world literature–. The American journal of clinical nutrition, 95(5), 1113-1135.
2. Moshtaghi, M., Zukerman, I., & Russell, R. A. (2015). Statistical models for unobtrusively detecting abnormal periods of inactivity in older adults. User Modeling and User-Adapted Interaction, 25(3), 231-265.
3. Miovech, S. M., Knapp, H., Borucki, L., Roncoli, M., Arnold, L., & Brooten, D. (1994). Major concerns of women after cesarean delivery. Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic, & Neonatal Nursing, 23(1), 53-59.
4. Kinay, T., Basarir, Z. O., Tuncer, S. F., Akpinar, F., Kayikcioglu, F., Koc, S., & Karakaya, J. (2016). Is a history of cesarean section a risk factor for abnormal uterine bleeding in patients with uterine leiomyoma?. Saudi medical journal, 37(8), 871.
5. Jacobsen, B. K., Knutsen, S. F., Oda, K., & Fraser, G. E. (2012). Obesity at age 20 and the risk of miscarriages, irregular periods and reported problems of becoming pregnant: the Adventist Health Study-2. European journal of epidemiology, 27(12), 923-931.
6. Cao, G. S., Liu, R. Q., Liu, Y. Y., Liu, J. W., Li, L. P., Zhang, Q., … & Li, T. X. (2018). Menstruation recovery in scar pregnancy patients undergoing UAE and curettage and its influencing factors. Medicine, 97(11).
Hi I had my baby 25 March 2018 C-section and since then I have been on my periods the whole time. It goes from being heavy to spotting for like 3 days then goes back to heavy but never completely stops, I’m worried that something is wrong.
Hi, if you have’t stopped bleeding since March 25th I would recommend making an appointment with your doctor. You should have had your 6 week post partum checkup at this point as well.
Hey i gave birth last year September and since then I will get my period for 2 week then after get a brown discharge for a week. Then go back to my period. I only had a normal white discharge once ever since I gave birth please help what could be the problem ???
Hi Noltea, So you don’t have any time that you aren’t on some sort of period? Make a call to your doctor.
Had a c section on May 1st but lost my baby then started seeing my period after month, now I’ve seen it twice for a month plus now… Then when am I expected to get pregnant again. Thanks
Hi there Simbi, sorry to learn of your loss. You can try again in another 1-2 months, all the best.
hi , i had my c section march 14th and my first periods came on 29th april, they lasted for 6 days . june 2nd i got very very light (brown )spotting for 2,3 days and no period , then again on 19th june i had brown spotting ,normally before my pregnancy my periods would start like this i had this kind spotting for a day or 2 and then my periods would start … but now its been 4 days and no periods yet…. can u plz suggest what it could be ?
Hi Sarah, Are you nursing? That could always affect your periods. If you aren’t nursing it could just be your body regulating it’s hormones again, especially if you have recently started new birth control, or pregnancy (if there is a possibility).
Hi im just asking i have a c-section last september 14 217….but until now its June 2018 my monthly period did not come.what should I do??? Is its normal or not?? I need you advise thank you
Hi,
I had C-section delivery on April, I am breast feeding. Got my first period on 18th May and it lasted for 10 days, the next cycle started on 4th June and lasted for 6 days, now on 15th June I am starting to have light spotting.
I had consulted my doctor and she said 4th June is my actual period and said should not last for more than 6 days and it was as she said. But, I am now concerned that I am spotting on 15th June.
Please could you let me know what could be the reason?
-Thanks
Hello Sowmy, if this persists you will need to see your doctor for a physical checkup to determine what might be happening.
I GET MY PERIODS EVERY MONTH BUT SOMETIMES I GET THEM FOR A DAY OR TWO THEN IT STOPS AND THE PAIN IS UNBEARABLE… I SOMETIMES FEEL SOME MOVEMENT IN MY STOMACH. I TOOK A HOME PREGNANCY TEST AND IT CAME BACK NEGATIVE… I’M CONFUSED PLEASE HELP
Hi Frances, there’s actually new articles recently about post menstural syndrome that people deal with. It could be what you are dealing with (it’s like PMS but after your period). If you are and it’s unbearable talk to your doctor. Midol might help for post menstural as it does for pre menstrual. If that doesn’t help, talk to your doctor about other options, maybe a birth control might help you if you aren’t on one.
Hi. I had a c section on 27 Feb 2018 and first period come on 10 April and in may I missed my period please advise
Hi Ruchi, have you taken a pregnancy test?
i had my first child ith cs, she is one yr old no but havent seen my period is it something i should worry about
Hi! Are your breastfeeding? This could be the cause for not getting your period.
Hello, I have just started my period a little over 2 months after my c-section. I’m in a lot of pain. My stomach feels like it’s burning inside and if I’m not on pain meds, it can be hard to walk to the bathroom. Is this normal?
Hello Karen, after two months and this is still an issue? See your doctor about this to ensure everything is okay.
I had c section last January, my period comes back march and then april but this month I have a missed period. Could I be pregnant?
Hello Mae, yes you could be pregnant if you had unprotected sex.
Hi there its been 11 weeks since I had my c section and I got my first period and it was a light one but know on my second period and its really heavy that when I go to the tolit the water in the toile is cuverd up with my blood and I am having clotts as well should I be worred at all
Hi Gail, yeah those first few periods after having a baby can be a doozy. Honestly, you’re luck that your first one was so light, most have a terrible first period. It’s normal honestly, it will take your body a few cycles to find it’s normal again.
Awwwwww am I that’s really lucky then with my first and yeah just wasn’t sure about it because it was that heavy. thanks for commenting back with the advice, it’s really helpful that I can ask people questions and don’t have to worry about being shy about it thanks again xxx
Hi Ann,
I had my 3rd cesarean, 4th child, (twins were #2 and #3) 5 months ago. I’m ebf, period returned 6 weeks p.o., I’m on my 3rd or 4th one since birth. It is extremely painful and I soak through a super heavy pad every hour for the first 3 days. The pain is so intense I find myself breathing through it. I can not leave the house these 3 days, and will not have health insurance back for 3 more weeks due to my husband having switched jobs 2 months ago. (3 months for insurance to kick in)
When do I go to the Dr for pain and blood loss?
Thanks Ann
Hello Autumn, I would advise that you go to the emergency room for this. This could easily lower your iron levels.
I have had a very heavy, irregular period since I was 12. We are talking soaking through 3 super thick pads a day for up to 3 months at a time. I was put on birth control at age 16 to regulate it and I was diagnosed with PCOS in 2013 at age 27. I just had a baby on Feb 7th that was delivered via emergency C-section and I bled for 4 weeks afterwards. I was put on Medroxiprogestrone to start my period so that I could start birth control back up so that I could have some normalcy to the cycle of my period. I started that on the 7th of April and then my period started on the 14th and I started my birth control on the 15th. It has been incredibly heavy again with large gushes and soaking pads since then. I am now on day 10 of my birth control and the bleeding does not appear to be lightening up at all. Is this something I should be concerned about or is it normal after a C-section to bleed like this even while taking birth control? I haven’t passed any clots its just a lot of bright red blood and this afternoon I started getting achy around my c-scar on the internal layers.
Hi Becky, I would recommend making a call to your doctor, especially if you are continuing to bleed like that. Honestly when starting birth control though, some it takes a while. however if you are still soaking through one pad more than every two hours, make a call.
Hi – I have always had light irregular periods – only usually last a day or 2 & about 6 weeks between them.
I had c section 6th December and have finally got my first one…but it’s very dark in colour & just a streak. Should I be concerned?
It’s my second c section & don’t think it was like this last time.
Hi Liz, your body could be getting back to normal. The first period after pregnancy is generally heavier and different than what you usually experienced before the pregnancy. Give it a few months to equalize and find your new normal.
hi. had my baby via c-section last september, period started back november. it was coming regularly during the months but last month it came late but wasnt heavy and came two weeks after again not spotting but light. i am exclusively breastfeeding. should i be concerned?
Hello Ann, currently no reason for concern observed here.