[AndiCess]

Hi everyone. I had my first baby last March 10, 2014. I do breastfeeding. After a few weeks of not bleeding, I bleed by first week of May (not sure how many days it lasted). I thought it was because Im tired on that day since I hand-washed my husband's clothes. By June 1, I noticed that there is blood in my underwear. I experienced no symptoms or maybe I just didn't bother to feel the symptoms since I was informed by colleagues that it will took me long months before having menstruation since I do breastfeeding. Said bleeding lasted for 7 days. On June 16, my husband and I had sexual intercourse (withdrawal method). Prior to getting pregnant, I have my regular menstrual cycle (7 days and arrive 2 or 3 days earlier than my due date, I feel pricky heat and moderate pain in my boobs). Until today, there is no sign of blood in my underwear. I only feel the pain in my boobs but Im not sure if it is because Im going to have my menstruation or because of glands in my boobs which produce milk With these thoughts, I am bothered if I am pregnant or Im having irregular menstruation. Your advice and thoughts are very much welcome. Thank you!

[DoulaLC]

Hi AndiCess,

Unfortunately, your colleagues gave you somewhat misinformation. While it is true that some women will not experience periods until after they wean their baby from breastfeeding, or at least not until their baby starts to breastfeed less often, some women will find that periods return for them not too long after giving birth.

You may experience irregular cycles for a time as you continue to breastfeed, or they may become regular. With breastfeeding it can vary, so you need to be prepared for a possible period, and also the possibility of pregnancy.

Since you won't be able to adequately track your cycles to help in determining when ovulation may occur, you will want to use a more reliable form of birth control than withdrawal if possible. Your husband could use a condom. You can use certain types of birth control pills while breastfeeding as well, if that is something you want to consider.

Since pregnancy is going to be a possibility anytime that you have sex, wait a bit longer to see if you have a period for July. If not, try a pregnancy test.