Your First Period After Baby: What to Expect & How to Support Your Body
Your body has just done something incredible—grown and birthed a human! But now, as you settle into postpartum life, you might be wondering: When will my period return? And how will it be different after having kids?
The truth? Your first postpartum period is a little unpredictable. It can come as a surprise or take months to show up. And when it does, it may not feel like the cycles you had before pregnancy. Here’s what to expect, what’s normal, and what signs suggest you might need extra hormonal support.
Hormonal Shifts After Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
After birth, your hormones go through a massive transition:
Estrogen and progesterone plummet, which can contribute to mood swings, hair loss, and changes in your skin.
Prolactin rises (if you’re breastfeeding), which in theory suppresses ovulation (but don't count on it as a birth control method) and breastfeeding can also delay the return of your period.
Cortisol (stress hormone) is elevated, especially if sleep is disrupted! (good thing your newborn is cute)
If you’re nursing, your period might stay away for months (or even a year). But as your baby starts eating solids and nursing less, your cycle is likely to return. If you’re not breastfeeding, your first period could show up as early as 6-8 weeks postpartum.
Signs Your Menstrual Cycle Is Returning
Even before your first period arrives, your body gives clues that your cycle is gearing up:
Changes in cervical mucus—a shift from dry to more fluid, egg-white consistency
Mild cramping or pelvic heaviness
A return of PMS-like symptoms (mood shifts, breast tenderness, or bloating)
Spotting or inconsistent bleeding before a full period returns
Your first few periods might be irregular, heavier, or lighter than usual. That’s normal! Your cycle is recalibrating after months (or years) of pregnancy and breastfeeding hormones.
When to Seek Hormone & Neurotransmitter Testing
While some irregularity is normal at first, certain symptoms suggest deeper hormone imbalances that may need professional support:
Extreme fatigue that doesn’t improve with rest
Severe mood swings, anxiety, or depression beyond the baby blues
Cycles longer than 45 days or unpredictable spotting months after stopping breastfeeding
Painful, excessively heavy periods
Persistent brain fog, dizziness, or difficulty concentrating
These could indicate imbalances in estrogen, progesterone, thyroid hormones, or neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine. A functional hormone panel can help uncover what’s happening beneath the surface.
Pelvic Floor Therapy & Painful Periods
Many women notice new or increased period pain postpartum. Why? Pregnancy and birth put stress on the ligaments that anchor your uterus in place. If those ligaments become tight or imbalanced, they can pull on the uterus and create restrictions in blood flow and movement—leading to more cramping and discomfort.
Pelvic floor therapy helps by:
Releasing fascial restrictions that affect the uterus
Improving blood flow to the pelvic organs
Restoring core and pelvic balance, reducing tension that contributes to pain
If your periods are painful or feel “off” since having kids, your pelvic floor might be the missing piece.
Practical Tips for a Better Postpartum Period
Try a menstrual cup: After birth, your cervix and vaginal canal might feel different. A menstrual cup can be a more comfortable- there are different shapes and sizes that may fit your pelvic floor better than tampons.
Practice balloon breathing: This deep, diaphragmatic breath helps relax tight pelvic floor muscles and improve circulation around the uterus.
Support your hormones naturally: Prioritize protein, healthy fats, and minerals like magnesium to nourish your cycle.
Honor your cycle: Instead of resenting its return, remember—**your menstrual cycle is what made your beloved children possible. (and there's even new studies coming out that menstrual blood is made up of stem cells!!! How exciting!) **
The Bottom Line
Your postpartum period is a journey, not just a switch that flips back to normal. Whether it returns quickly or takes its time, the key is to listen to your body. If your cycles feel off, painful, or disruptive, pelvic floor therapy and hormone testing can help you rebalance and feel like yourself again.
Curious if your pelvic floor could be contributing to painful or irregular periods? Book a session with us at Refine—we’re here to help you feel strong, supported, and in sync with your body again.
