Hey Mamas! My period is 4 days late, I have abdominal cramping, lots of clear discharge, no sign of my period in sight. Last month was my first period (8 months postpartum). I have been like clock work with my period since I was 11. Never a missed period unless pregnant. With my first son, my period came back 6 months postpartum and returned every month for 2.5 years until pregnant with our second son. We currently do not use birth control. I have taken a pregnancy test and it is negative. Could my body just be readjusting? Could I be pregnant and getting a negative? We stopped breastfeeding about 1 month ago, so I doubt prolactin production is causing my missed period, though I suppose it could be. When should I head to my OBGYN? Thanks!
To the person surprised by period questions - I am not "older," I am only 30 and I have had two pregnancies, and I am genuinely asking out of concern. I have been menstruating since age 11 and have never had a later period, EVER unless pregnant. With my first pregnancy my period came back 6 months PP and never deviated. I know my body, and personally, I don't feel that there is any form of hormonal anything going on. I spoke to my OB today and even she said, 8 months PP, now 9 months PP is pretty late for someone who has always had regular, even periods, is not breastfeeding every few hours, and is not over 35, to have issues with skipping periods due to hormonal issues from pregnancy.
I would wait a few days.
My LMP was June 1st and I took a test on July 6th and it was negative. I waited a couple more days and took another test and it came back positive. Since I had my daughter 15 months ago my period ranges between 28 days and 32 days.
Hope this helps!!!
You've had unprotected sex, so yes, you could be pregnant. Wait a week and take another test. :-)
I am continually surprised by questions about missed periods. It's as if someone has decreed that menstruation always fits the same pattern month after month, year after year. When the pattern changes somehow we've been duped.
You have had one period post partum. You were pregnant. We know pregnancy alters our hormones. Otherwise we'd continue to have periods right on schedule during pregnancy and after. Your body and it's chemical make up is different than it was when your periods were regular. You've been pregnant and you're older. You will probably have a new regular. Yes, you could be pregnant. If pregnancy is a concern we need to always use birth control.
I think I've become a bit sensitive to questions about regular periods and pregnancy. I wanted to be pregnant for years and I never had a regular period. None of my friends had an always on time pattern either. I wonder which is more "normal." Always exactly on a certain day or with a variation.
By older I mean you are older this year than you were last year. Our bodies replace its self thousands of times in a lifetime. I bet you look different now tgan you did at 11. lol Will you be surprised when you get wrinkles and gray hair? Our organs change too. If we live long enough our body dies just from having lived that long. Your body inside and out is constantly changing.
The part of questions such as could I be pregnant because my period is late
that Iirritates me is focusing on a late period instead of accepting pregnancy as a possibility. There is only one reason to be pregnant and dozens or more to have a late period.
I would probably say no. But wait another week to make sure. You just stopped breastfeeding and body is adjusting.
If you don't want to be pregnant then use or do something so that does not happen until you are ready for it. No need to add pressure when not needed.
Good luck to you and keep us updated.
the other S.
If you have had unprotected sex, you could be pregnant. You're not one week late yet. If at 10 days, you still haven't had your period? Take another test. If it is negative? Go see your OB/GYN and see what's up;
How old are you?
Lot's of things can mess with your period pregnancy only being one of them.
Your hormones could be fluctuating either due to coming off breast feeding or because you are older now and it could be peri-menopause.
Often hormones can fluctuate after having a child for a year sometimes 2 - that's what feeds into postpartum depression.
So 4 days late doesn't mean anything yet.
If nothing happens by next month, then try another pregnancy test.
You've had only one period since the baby was born, so it's hard to know what "regular" is. You stopped breastfeeding so that's another adjustment. Your body is still readjusting. Just because you came back after pregnancy #1 and were regular does not mean it will happen that way this time. So there is no way you can know if you are actually "late" or not. There's no magic formula for starting periods and ovulation and timing after a pregnancy or nursing stint.
I'm not sure when you say "we do not use birth control" if you mean you are using no contraception at all, or if you are referring to anything with a chemical component that could be affecting your cycles. If you are using nothing at all, then of course you have to allow a much greater chance to pregnancy, with or without the nursing factor. But you know that which is why you took a pregnancy test.
Given all that, I'd say that, other than the anxiety, there's no particularly reason to rush to your doctor. The cramping could mean any number of things. But you are not having any major symptoms of any problems, I think you just wait. I know that's frustrating. And I wouldn't spend a ton of money taking a test every few days. It's just going to frustrate you more.
Good luck and I hope you get answers soon.
Updated
You've had only one period since the baby was born, so it's hard to know what "regular" is. You stopped breastfeeding so that's another adjustment. Your body is still readjusting. Just because you came back after pregnancy #1 and were regular does not mean it will happen that way this time. So there is no way you can know if you are actually "late" or not. There's no magic formula for starting periods and ovulation and timing after a pregnancy or nursing stint.
I'm not sure when you say "we do not use birth control" if you mean you are using no contraception at all, or if you are referring to anything with a chemical component that could be affecting your cycles. If you are using nothing at all, then of course you have to allow a much greater chance to pregnancy, with or without the nursing factor. But you know that which is why you took a pregnancy test.
Given all that, I'd say that, other than the anxiety, there's no particularly reason to rush to your doctor. The cramping could mean any number of things. But you are not having any major symptoms of any problems, I think you just wait. I know that's frustrating. And I wouldn't spend a ton of money taking a test every few days. It's just going to frustrate you more.
Good luck and I hope you get answers soon.
From your So What Happened, I thought I'd chime in to let you know that you CAN do NFP postpartum, even while breastfeeding. The Marquette Method uses the Clear Blue Easy fertility monitor, and there are specific postpartum protocols. You can go to the following website to learn the method, and you can have any questions you have of Dr. Fehring and the nurse who works with him. http://nfp.marquette.edu/nfp_quick_inst_intro.php
It can seem like a lot to learn, but I just started using it back in October, when I was 4 weeks postpartum, and it has been wonderful. I'd only used the calendar method before, but wanted to be more deliberate in our spacing now that we have 4 kids (only 1 unexpected pregnancy).
My second period after my baby started 44 days after the first one. I think it's likely that your body is still adjusting.
P.S. I'm jealous that you got to go 8 months. I only got about 2 this time around. :)
I'd say you're probably not pregnant. Otc pregnancy tests are pretty accurate if you're testing after your period is due.
I had a similar situation when I stopped breastfeeding my second. My period came back right away when I stopped nursing. The next month, it was a whole week late. I took umpteen tests and they were negative.
I'd give it up to a week, and then call your OBGYN if it hasn't come. They may want you to take a blood test to confirm pregnancy or not.
I can take a while for your period to work itself out because your system is adjusting to a change in hormones. I'd give it a week or two before calling the doctor's office.
