How common is a change in period length after first child?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, if you are worried something is off, go with your gut and just get it checked out. My periods were drastically different after my first child - much shorter and lighter. For three years, my OB told me it was nothing and that this was normal even though I strongly felt something was off. Then I had trouble conceiving #2, and after consulting an RE discovered through an HSG that I had severe uterine scarring blocking both of my tubes, probably resulting from my c-section.

This. Except polyps instead of scarring. If you think something is off, don't take no for an answer, get another opinion based on testing.

[Anonymous]

I'm on my second post partum (my DC is 5 months old and I am EBF) and these periods have been way heavier than I have ever experienced. Before getting pregnant, I was concerned because my periods were so light and short, especially when coming off of the pill. You're not alone!

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thanks, everyone! My periods seem pretty consistent at 27 days and fairly normal for me in terms of how heavy/long they are. It's only been a few months, but I feel like they have probably "reset" to 27 days now.

I'm going to try to ovulation strips this month and hope for the best! I appreciate all the encouragement from people who suggested listening to my gut if I feel like something is "off." Luckily, so far, I don't feel that's the case.

[Anonymous]

Be happy, OP! The shorter your cycle, the sooner you get to try again.

You might want to stay alert to the length of your luteal phase. Depending on when you ovulate, 27 days is cutting it a little close. Use the strips and if you're ovulating any later than day 15, that may indicate a problem.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Be happy, OP! The shorter your cycle, the sooner you get to try again.

You might want to stay alert to the length of your luteal phase. Depending on when you ovulate, 27 days is cutting it a little close. Use the strips and if you're ovulating any later than day 15, that may indicate a problem.

Not op but in a similar boat. Went from averaging 30-31 day cycles to 26-28 after my first child stopped nursing. I need to borrow back my copy of taking charge of your fertility, but in the meantime, could you clarify why the shorter cycle might be problematic?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Be happy, OP! The shorter your cycle, the sooner you get to try again.

You might want to stay alert to the length of your luteal phase. Depending on when you ovulate, 27 days is cutting it a little close. Use the strips and if you're ovulating any later than day 15, that may indicate a problem.

Not op but in a similar boat. Went from averaging 30-31 day cycles to 26-28 after my first child stopped nursing. I need to borrow back my copy of taking charge of your fertility, but in the meantime, could you clarify why the shorter cycle might be problematic?

http://www.webmd.com/infertility-and-reproduction/guide/luteal-phase-defect Basically, the luteal phase needs to be long enough to grow a nice lining and give the egg time to implant. It's supposed to be 12-14 days. So depending on when you ovulate, a 26-28 day cycle might not be long enough. Or maybe it's fine, if you are ovulating on the early side.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Interesting point about the luteal phase. I got the strips and am testing this month so will have a better idea after this. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Be happy, OP! The shorter your cycle, the sooner you get to try again.

You might want to stay alert to the length of your luteal phase. Depending on when you ovulate, 27 days is cutting it a little close. Use the strips and if you're ovulating any later than day 15, that may indicate a problem.

Not op but in a similar boat. Went from averaging 30-31 day cycles to 26-28 after my first child stopped nursing. I need to borrow back my copy of taking charge of your fertility, but in the meantime, could you clarify why the shorter cycle might be problematic?

Me again. Thanks for the luteal info. My period just came today on day 25! It's getting shorter and shorter, it seems. How are you going op or others in that predicament?

[Anonymous]

OP here. Whoa! That's intense -- 25 days, huh? I'm sorry you didn't get pregnant this month. I always feel a double whammy when I get my period: irritated that now I feel crappy and bummed that I didn't get pregnant yet. I guess it's a good thing if it means you can try again sooner, right?

I know that stress can cause changes and have read that stress usually affects the length of the first part of the cycle (not sure what the technical term is). I read that the luteal phase is almost always the same for you based on your "norm," so the changes that happen are usually in other parts of your cycle. I'm not at all sure what that means in terms of shortening period cycles overall on a long-term basis, though.

Since going off the pill, I had one "regular" 32-day cycle right away. Since then, I've had two cycles that were exactly 27 days. I'm expecting my period on March 1 if it's 27 days again this month. Really, really hoping I got pregnant this time, but I'm starting to get some of the usual PMS symptoms, but I'm not terribly hopeful.

Thanks for checking in again! Let us know how things are going in the future!

[Anonymous]

Ah, good to know about the effect of stress. It has been an unusually stressful month, so hopefully it's an anomaly. I'll think zen thoughts for us both!