Probably TMI, but how different was AF after being pregnant?

[KrisM]

I'm on cycle #2 for post-pregnancy AFs. They are less painful than pre-pregnancy, but are so much heavier, it's really annoying me. Is this just my body adjusting or will it stay heavier? Just curious if in general they are a lot different post-pregnancy.

[sarahsthreads]

I'm glad you asked this, because I was just wondering the same thing. I just started cycle #1 yesterday, and it's definitely different so far...by now I should be curled in a ball begging for a quick death and I'm not cramping at all! Is this (hopefully) a permanent change?

Sarah :)

[psophia17]

I had the opposite thing happen - after always having light and easy AFs, I went into the curled into a ball with cramps for days thing when it came back.

But after 8 cycles, it seems to be going back to normal...

I hope you both keep the pleasant changes, and go back to pre-preggo lightness :)

[hez]

The cramps are less than pre-pregnancy, but they've come back a little more strongly with each cycle (I'm on #6 post-pregnancy). I'm hoping not to learn if they'll reach full strength again ;)

Flow-wise it seems about the same as pre-pregnancy now. Maybe my heavy days are a little heavier than they were (or maybe that's wishful thinking), but overall length hasn't really changed.

[alkagift]

After about a year, things are back to being almost the way they were before. Still a bit heavier, but now back to the same strength, cramp wise.

Allison
Mommy to Matthew Clayton, who is TWO!

[DebbieJ]

Barely any cramps now, but I haven't noticed a discernable difference in flow or number of days.

But I am also using the Diva Cup now as opposed to tampons, so maybe that's why I can't tell?

~ deb
DS 12/03
And a niece or nephew arriving in early August!

http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/user_files/10029.gif

[JBaxter]

No cramps heavier and more regular 30 days on the dot.

[mudder17]

Hmm...less cramping, more regular, maybe similar amount of flow? But a wee bit shorter, I think. But I'm also using the Diva and Mama Pads, so that may be a contributing factor.


Eileen

http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/candle.gif

http://www.gynosaur.com/assets/ribbons/ribbon_gold_12m.gif , 15 months & counting
Kaya's cousin, due October 9th!!!

[kijip]

I said good-bye to 7-10+ day periods that were accompanied by cramps from hell for 4-7 days and vomiting for the first 1-3 days. My cycle was 28 days long on average over a several month period. Since Toby I have 2-4 day periods with no cramps, no vomiting and I have a clockwork 28 day cycle each and every time. THANK YOU Toby!

[bunnisa]

The cramps nearly disappeared (they were pretty intense pre-pregnancy), and it was shorter. An unexpected bonus!

Bethany
mom to William 6/03
and another little one due late Feb '06!
http://lilypie.com/days/060226/0/8/1/-6/.png

[amazz]

There is a good possibility I shouldn't be answering this in my current state of mind ;) (see bitching post), but my periods are back with a vengence. I always have had horrible, earth-shattering cramps and those are back and are getting worse with each cycle. I used to have 2 heavy flow days and then it would taper off each day for about 7 days total of period. Now I have 3-4 EXTREMELY heavy (think post partum) flow days and then it tapers off for a total of 9-10 period days. And I have never been regular except on bc so that hasn't really changed.

I hope you continue to have less pain, but get rid of the heavy flow!
Angela
Mama to Kami Allyse (10/10/04)http://instagiber.net/smiliesdotcom/otn/love/luvlove.gif[/IMG]
A baby is God's opinion that the world should go on. ~Carl Sandburg
http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/candle.gif

[August Mom]

I think the answer is it's different, but how depends on the particular woman.

For me, my periods are MUCH heavier for the first day or two (I would say about twice as heavy as pre-DS), they last approximately the same amount of time and now I have cramps when I didn't before (and I have breast soreness, which I never had before). I said something to my OB and she smiled and said none of this was uncommon, it just comes with having a baby.

[amp]

Mine really isn't much different. Well, when I was having them at least.