Depo Provera....Postpartum ?

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-14-2006
Depo Provera....Postpartum ?
5
Fri, 11-24-2006 - 5:52pm
Well, I'm not getting any help from the pregnancy and parenting board, maybe someone here can help? I'm 5 weeks postpartum, had the depo at 3 weeks (I stopped postpartum bleeding by then) and now this past week, I think I started my period. It seems like it's too early to have a period. Is it still postpartum bleeding? I can't really tell if it is my period (I didn't have a period with depo shot for a long time, and before I got pregnant I didn't have a period b/c i was on the shot for so long....)and my docs office is closed today. help please!
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iVillage Member
Registered: 07-01-2005
Fri, 11-24-2006 - 7:26pm
it could just be your body getting regulated to the hormone. it took my body a while to regulate after I had an IUD put in. I think I bled on and off for a few months.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
Sat, 11-25-2006 - 5:51pm

Hi

      Jill

    

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-18-2003
Mon, 11-27-2006 - 1:24pm

Hi Cassie,
Congrats on your beautiful new baby! I had depo at 6 weeks and at 18 weeks postpartum. I had postpartum bleeding until 5 weeks 6 days after the birth and then bled at 7 weeks for a few days. I haven't bled since. I switched to nuvaring at 30 weeks when my 3rd shot would have been due.
I think you may be having an early 6th week bleed, and I had mine a little late. I think this applies whether you are nursing or not. Please let us know what your doctor says.

this answer is in this link:
http://parenting.ivillage.com/newborn/nmomcare/0,,3x75,00.html

Maybe you are experiencing what is referred to as a "sixth-week bleed." In a recent study, where postpartum bleeding in nursing mothers was evaluated, any bleed, less than 56 days (nine weeks) into the postpartum period was considered a sixth-week bleed, if it was separated from the lochia (post-birth vaginal discharge) by at least four days where no bleeding occurred. A little over one fourth of all breastfeeding mothers in this study experienced a sixth-week bleed, though only 10 percent of these women actually resumed their period at this time.

In this study of 485 nursing mothers, it was found that the average duration of lochia is 27 days. It is not affected by frequency of nursing. It is common for postpartum bleeding to stop and restart. Postpartum bleeding is still considered to be lochia if it is has continued without an episode of at least four bleeding-free days. If bleeding begins less than four days after it has stopped it is still considered to be one episode.

When a nursing mother does experience a sixth-week bleed, there is more likelihood that she will experience an earlier return of ovulation and her menses. (Visness C.M. et al. The duration and character of postpartum bleeding among breast-feeding women. Obstet Gynecol 1997;89:159-63) You might want to discuss the results of this study with your Doctor to see if he feels this may be what is happening in your case. Best wishes!


Good luck! Holly

Holly
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
Mon, 11-27-2006 - 3:00pm

Great reference Holly!


      Jill

    

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-02-2004
Mon, 11-27-2006 - 4:17pm
I was totally gonna mention the 6 week bleed as well! It happened to me after I had my son and confused the poo out of me! lol
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