27/10/2025
***Postnatal Periods***
Hi Bumpity Bumpers, hope your Monday is starting off well 🥰
We wanted to continue on the postpartum journey and run through postpartum periods today 😉This is a topic we often get asked about in the clinic!
So what do we know about periods postnatally?
You will generally be bleeding post birth for roughly 6 weeks. Some people are shorter and some slightly longer. This bleed is known as lochia, it should continually get lighter over time but can be a bit heavier for some. Some people will find they bleed at a certain rate then it lightens... then a week later the bleed recommences. This CAN happen depending on if the uterus has fully shed it's lining 😉
Periods🩸
They can return as soon as 6 weeks postnatally if not breastfeeding but can also be absent for around 6-9 months. If you exclusively breastfeed, your periods generally take longer to return to normal.
Periods can therefore return if you STOP breastfeeding, start combine feeding or drop feeds (particularly overnight feeds- this is when prolactin is made the most 😉)
Periods for everyone will differ postpartum. Some will return to their normal cycle, some will be heavier, some are more painful or more clotty, others may be more irregular. It depends on the size of your uterus but if symptoms dont settle after a few cycles, your GP should be consulted.
From a contraception point of view you are therefore ABLE to conceive from as early as 3 weeks postpartum, even if you don't get your period back!! So important to consider contraception before the return of sexual intercourse 🙌
We hope you find this as fascinating as we did 😍 Thanks to the NHS website for some of the info presented 😉
Cheers Katie & The Bumpity Bump Team xx
