Dustybug Posted July 31, 2012 Share Posted July 31, 2012 How long have you ever gone without a period while nursing? I haven't had one since May 2005 when I was pregnant with my oldest. I got pregnant with my 2nd while nursing her, and then pregnant with my 3rd while nursing him. My youngest is still nursing and just turned 2 and there has still been no sign of my period, but I've been having crampy symptoms and way more *ahem* discharge than usual. :blushing: So I was just wondering if anyone else had gone this long without a monthly visitor and when did you get yours back? Was it horrid? I'm scared that since it's been so long, it's going to come back with a vengeance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kathryn Posted July 31, 2012 Share Posted July 31, 2012 I had it between kids. I dont remeber when it came back with ODS. I got mine back this time when YDS was exactly 2.5 and though it was much worse than I'd have wanted, it wasn't any worse than when I was in high school. I think I'm still adjusting to it (I've only had it 3-4 times so far), but it really wasn't as bad as I was scared it would be. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zookeeperof3 Posted July 31, 2012 Share Posted July 31, 2012 I didn't have one the entire time I nursed (23 months). It only came back after I weaned, about 6 weeks later. It was pretty brutal but it evened out. Wishing you the best. Kim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Mungo Posted July 31, 2012 Share Posted July 31, 2012 I usually got my period back when my kids were 15-18 months old. It was *painful* when I ovulated the first couple of times (I think this is because skin grows over your fallopian tubes?). Other than that, it was fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freesia Posted July 31, 2012 Share Posted July 31, 2012 How long have you ever gone without a period while nursing? I haven't had one since May 2005 when I was pregnant with my oldest. I got pregnant with my 2nd while nursing her, and then pregnant with my 3rd while nursing him. My youngest is still nursing and just turned 2 and there has still been no sign of my period, but I've been having crampy symptoms and way more *ahem* discharge than usual. :blushing: So I was just wondering if anyone else had gone this long without a monthly visitor and when did you get yours back? Was it horrid? I'm scared that since it's been so long, it's going to come back with a vengeance. Mine usually comes back when dc are about 19 months. I had 1 btwn 1 and 2, 2 btwn 2 and 3, none before I got pregnant w/ one I miscarried, and then I chose not to conceive for over a year. After number 4 it started at 19 months. That was the only time it seemed to come back with a vengence. I had cramps the first 2 times (I don't usually cramp much) but the worst was that it came every 3 weeks for 6 months or so. It has evened out now but isn't as regular as it used to be. HOWEVER, I am in my mid 40s now, and I think that has more to do with it than having breaks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GailV Posted July 31, 2012 Share Posted July 31, 2012 I went about 3 years, and it wasn't that bad. Frankly, I was puzzled as to why I was bleeding, as the possibility of having a period had apparently slipped my mind - my first thought was that I had hemorrhoids. Also, we had moved twice in that time frame, and I had no clue where any pads or tampons were in our new house. Later I was able to look back and recognize that I was craving chocolate and having other mild PMS about once a month. Overall, a very slow re-entry into the process. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjselmk Posted July 31, 2012 Share Posted July 31, 2012 It usually takes me about two years also since my children are such frequent nursers. If I am not pregnant before then, the second postpartum period is usually a bear. It is almost as if the first one was just a practice run and then the next month my body is making up for lost time. Ugh. I hope that won't be the case for you though! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julie Smith Posted July 31, 2012 Share Posted July 31, 2012 I had a few periods between Eldest and Youngest. I think Youngest (who loved nursing) was 2 1/2 when my period came back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slartibartfast Posted July 31, 2012 Share Posted July 31, 2012 I went 18 months without having one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coffeegal Posted July 31, 2012 Share Posted July 31, 2012 8-13 weeks even when tandem nursing... except after #1. :glare: I just went from pregnancy to pregnancy, and the boys are 12 months, 3 weeks apart in age. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DianeW88 Posted July 31, 2012 Share Posted July 31, 2012 Eight weeks. Nursing full-time, no supplementation AT ALL. :glare: My OB said I have a very high functioning hypothalamus. Goody for me. :glare: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gailmegan Posted July 31, 2012 Share Posted July 31, 2012 I went 14, 18, and 23 mos, respectively. If you have seen an increase in your cervical mucous (particularly clear, egg-white type) you probably are ovulating and should expect AF within a couple weeks. I knew AF was coming with all three of mine because of the CM changes. The first one is fairly heavy, but not too horrible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Momof3littles Posted July 31, 2012 Share Posted July 31, 2012 I have PCOS and we do extended BFing, so mine have come back around the 2 year mark, sometimes a little earlier. My three kids have all nursed at night a good bit through age 2, so no real nightweaning at that age, which probably pushed back my cycles even a little more. I had a breakthrough bleed when DS2 was 18 months, and that lasted 6 weeks and was terrible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dustybug Posted July 31, 2012 Author Share Posted July 31, 2012 I went 14, 18, and 23 mos, respectively. If you have seen an increase in your cervical mucous (particularly clear, egg-white type) you probably are ovulating and should expect AF within a couple weeks. I knew AF was coming with all three of mine because of the CM changes. The first one is fairly heavy, but not too horrible. This describes what is happening. Guess I'll stock up on supplies, especially chocolate! :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jackson'smama Posted July 31, 2012 Share Posted July 31, 2012 lucky you - mine came back three months postpartum tops with exclusive bfing each of my three babies.:glare: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChristusG Posted July 31, 2012 Share Posted July 31, 2012 18 months with #1. 10 months with #2. #3 is currently 9 months and still no sign of it. I'm hoping it stays away for a while. And all three of mine are completely, exclusively breastfed, only introduced to solids after 6 months, and even then none of them have eaten very many solids until well after a year old. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sleeplessnights Posted July 31, 2012 Share Posted July 31, 2012 I had two in the 4.5 years between my oldest and my youngest. It was actually quite nice... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pbb119 Posted July 31, 2012 Share Posted July 31, 2012 the longest I have gone w/o is this: pg w/#3 so 9 months nursed for 23 months, no AF the whole time....apparently is was about to happen but then I found out I was pg w/#4.....soooo another 9 months then nursed for 11 months ~ dd self weaned...:( at 13 months it returned so if I did the math right, I went 52 months w/o! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beaners Posted July 31, 2012 Share Posted July 31, 2012 I didn't get one between my second and third pregnancies. I think there was a 2.5 year gap? When it started up again, it was actually better than it had been before. Prior to my second pregnancy, I had been incapacitated once a month. When it finally returned after my third pregnancy, it was only uncomfortable. The difference was shocking for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I.Dup. Posted July 31, 2012 Share Posted July 31, 2012 I have only had a handful of periods in the last 7 years. Probably 3-5 total. I just had my first postpartum period since having my almost 1 year old. It was fine, not heavy, no cramping. I get my period when my nursling sleeps through the night. That usually doesn't happen until around a year, then my period shows up within 2 months. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mommyfaithe Posted July 31, 2012 Share Posted July 31, 2012 (edited) How long have you ever gone without a period while nursing? I haven't had one since May 2005 when I was pregnant with my oldest. I got pregnant with my 2nd while nursing her, and then pregnant with my 3rd while nursing him. My youngest is still nursing and just turned 2 and there has still been no sign of my period, but I've been having crampy symptoms and way more *ahem* discharge than usual. :blushing: So I was just wondering if anyone else had gone this long without a monthly visitor and when did you get yours back? Was it horrid? I'm scared that since it's been so long, it's going to come back with a vengeance. I usually went between a year and 18 months for my first AF after a baby...exclusively breastfeeding until about 6mos...and also tandem nursing my children who were close in age.... Basically, I only had a few periods over the course of 20 years..... It is really weird to be ahem.....regular....when I am really begging for menopause! Edited July 31, 2012 by Mommyfaithe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LittleIzumi Posted July 31, 2012 Share Posted July 31, 2012 I'm at 22 months with no sign of it. Last child it was 17 months before it showed up. Not a horrid one--just it takes a while for my luteal phase to return to normal so I had periods every 3 weeks for the first few months! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Excelsior! Academy Posted July 31, 2012 Share Posted July 31, 2012 I haven't read the other responses. Mine comes back pretty quickly. Shortly after introducing solids. I am also super fertile, so that might have something to do with it. I do remember, though, that the first few are not regular. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crimson Wife Posted July 31, 2012 Share Posted July 31, 2012 Mine comes back about 6 weeks after I wean, and then I have short luteal phases for about a year after that :glare: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlsdMama Posted July 31, 2012 Share Posted July 31, 2012 (edited) Discharge is a nasty leftover word from gynecologists who didn't understand womens' cycles. I'd rather never hear the word every again. Ew. (shiver) What you have is cervical mucus. There is a good chance you are preparing to ovulate if it is clear, stretchy and slippery. You would notice a wet, slippery feeling. Take Charge of Your Fertility - Weschler It should be required reading for almost every woman. I've nursed or pumped for ten babies. Sometimes I have a cycle, most of the time I do not. Usually amenorrhea (absence of menses) is directly related to how you breastfed. When you eco-breastfeed (nursing without pacifiers, on demand, through the night, co-sleep) you will usually miss your period until such a time that the baby lengthens out their sleep patterns and/or nurses less frequently. Most of the time I've been pregnant or cycled back by 12 months. Most of the time you will get a "warning" anovulatory period but not always... Or if you are me, almost never, lol. ETA - Now is the perfect example. I am nursing a 12mo and a 2.5yo. They both nurse 3-5 times per day but the 12mo just began sleeping through the night about six weeks ago and I'm denying nursing to the 2.5yo at night. Lo and behold I am fairly certain I'm ovulating today. Still producing as much milk as ever, but frequency and more straight hours of night sleep leads to egg producing - a bit like chickens I suppose. :D Edited July 31, 2012 by BlsdMama Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tidbits of Learning Posted July 31, 2012 Share Posted July 31, 2012 I did not have cycles while nursing and it took a few months for my cycles to come back to normal. However, when I was first pregnant...I would have a mucous discharge. Have you taken a pregnancy test? or you preventing pregnancy? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twoxcell Posted July 31, 2012 Share Posted July 31, 2012 Mine has always come back when my dc were around 11-12 months and yes the first couple were pretty yucky. Worse after each baby. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jennay Posted July 31, 2012 Share Posted July 31, 2012 Eight weeks. Nursing full-time, no supplementation AT ALL. :glare: My OB said I have a very high functioning hypothalamus. Goody for me. :glare: Same here. Only 6 weeks each time. 4 kids. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HLDoll Posted July 31, 2012 Share Posted July 31, 2012 5 kids and mine has always come back between 8 and 16 weeks postpartum. And I breastfed them all exclusively. I'm trying to imagine what it must be like to go months and years without menstruating! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terabith Posted July 31, 2012 Share Posted July 31, 2012 My oldest had a lot of difficulty with nursing and I wound up pumping exclusively for six months. When I stopped, I got it back immediately. With my second, I got it back after 22 months. (I was still nursing at that point.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.