Breastfeeding, prolactin, & menstruation after baby delivery Posted: 04-03-07 08:15am
I talked to my doctor about not getting my
AF yet after having Braiden 11 weeks ago.
She said I might need to get my hormone
levels back on track to get my AF and
since I have to wait atleast 6-9 months
til trying to start thinking about
conceiving another little one after my
C-section her suggestion was take a
pregnancy test and if negative start the
BC she gave me til I get everything back
on track and wait the waiting period of
healing then stop the pill and begin to
try again. She also reassured me that only
2% get pregnant after birth before they
get their AF and it was all normal. Has
anyone else ever had to go on BC to get
their AF to regulate and more importantly
after birth? I just hope this brings my
DAF!!! LOL!!! I miss her in a odd way!
God, I never thought I would say
that!!!
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DoctorAnswer
Doctor Answer
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Birth Control Answer A2580 Posted: 04-20-07 03:26am
Women experience temporary amenorrhea, or
lack of a menstrual period, after
birth/delivery because of the high level
of the hormone "prolactin" in the body.
Prolactin is produced by the pituitary
gland and its task is to stimulate milk
production by the mammal glands. High
levels of prolactin block ovulation and,
therefore prohibit normal menstrual
periods. The time during which a women
doesn't menstruate is longer in women who
breastfeed than in women who don’t
breastfeed. Breastfeeding by itself (a
reflex) stimulates prolactin production.
Ovulation and normal menstruation will be
re-established spontaneously... usually
when you start to decrease the amount of
breastfeeding. Normal breastfeeding should
last at least 6 months. You may stimulate
ovulation with the supervision of your
gynecologist by using birth control pills
after you finish breastfeeding.
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