When we were trying to conceive, we had a hard time because for some reason my periods were coming every 8 weeks. It took us about 9 months to get pregnant. I got pregnant and then miscarried. I was pregnant within 1 month of miscarrying. With pregnancy everything was good until L & D. (With older daughters, first was 6 hrs of labor and second was 4 hours of labor from time water broke, 15 & 14 years ago respectively.) This little girl was a different story. My water broke and I didn't know when and when I got to hospital for them to break my water... SURPRISE it was already broke and had no idea for how long. I was in labor for well over 10 hrs and had to be given antibiotics since I was running a fever. I was about 30 mins away from a C-section. My baby is now 6 1/2 mos old and I breast fed for almost 3 mos. (Soooooo many problems. Not prepared being biggest issue.) I gave birth on 12/1/11. I stopped breastfeeding the middle of February and I got my first period on March 22. I was super excited when I got my second period exactly 28 days later on April 19. I thought I was regular again. But now I haven't had a period again since April 19. It's now been 8 weeks and 2 days. I am 34 years old. I don't really understand what is going on. I went to the obgyn on May 21 and she said if it goes over 35 days then we may need to start BC to regulate my period again. I talked to DH and he would rather me not get on BC especially if we are trying to get pregnant one more time before I turn 36. (Plus it makes me CRAZY.)
Please let me know if any of y'all had any irregular periods after giving birth and how long it took for them to get regular again. I don't like that this is so hard....
EDIT:
Eliza - This 8 week thing started 2 years ago this coming July after a condom breaking and taking the morning after pill. Within a month we decided to start trying. As far as the crazy goes, I have mood swings tha would break your neck.
Busymom - My periods were regular - every 28 - 31 days for years. We haven't been using protection but have taken multiple pregnancy tests as late as 2 days ago just to check. There is nothing, not even a slight tinge...
well right now i am dealing with being 2 year post partum and haven't had a period since February...they said going on BC or progesterone but I have decided to wait it out.
Now my periods have never been regular but never gone this long without.
and I know for sure I am not pregnant...have you been using protection?
sounds like you have never had normal periods. im not quite sure what you mean by it makes you crazy never heard of that side effect. take the pill and regulate your periods your life will be so much easier and just bc you are on it now doesnt mean you cant stop it to have another baby...trust me ive had 2 and im pretty sure my husband just looked at me and i got pregnant :P
Get a hormone panel done at your obgyn. I had serious issues after the birth of my last (and final) baby. I was 35 at the time and she is now almost 2. I got my period back postpartum when she was 4 mos, had it regularly for 4 mos, and then irregular periods until this past December when my periods stopped altogether. After insisting on a hormone panel, it turned out that I have Primary Ovarian Insufficiency. I am no longer making estrogen or progesterone- talk about crazy mood swings! Now that I am back on BC to supply me with the hormones I no longer make, and things have improved dramatically. I would have never known any of this if I hadn't of insisted on the blood tests. Be your own health advocate because no one else will. If you think something isn't right, the you are probably on to something.
Many women have the experience of some irregular periods when they first start their cycles after a pregnancy and birth. What I understand from your post is that you have had irregular periods for a long time.
You have a couple choices. One: go back on BC for regulation. The other, if you and hubby are ready to try to conceive-- is to try natural family planning methods. Dr Toni Weschler's "Taking Charge of Your Fertility" is probably one of the most thorough books out there which would help you learn and understand your signs of fertility. It even includes charts you can copy for charting your signs. It is a discipline, mind you, but a useful one. If you are okay with having some irregular periods, and using condoms for birth control during your fertile times (or just abstaining), this might work well for you until you decide you are done having children.
For what it's worth, I was irregular before and after. I went on BC because it was medically necessary for me to get those hormones. But I do understand the 'crazy' part, too. (For me, it's either that or live with near-chronic bad pain 50% of the time. I can deal with a week of feeling bonkers better than the pain.) Good luck!
Look at it this way, your body didn't have a perios for 9+mnths. Of course its going to have some kinks to work out. I gave birth Jan 27. I had my first period in April. Then 28 days latter in May. Then only 16 days latter in June.
for those of you who have irregular periods, have you been tested for PCOS? It could be related to insulin resistance also. I would recommend looking into it and talking to your dr about other possible causes before just going on bc. Know why you are having issues. For the PCOS, even if you don't have the classic symptoms of belly weight, facial hair, acne....you could still have it. I have 2 friends who have it, who don't show any classic symptoms but have never had regular periods. Once starting metformin, both became regular and had successful pregnancies. I also have it but have more of the fun classic symptoms. My symptoms all flared up when I came off the bc. I had regular cycles prior to being on bc. go figure!
good luck! have testing done to figure it out.
